Sprinkles Cupcakes

Have you guys heard of Sprinkles Cupcakes? I'm guessing so. It really gets a lot of hype. I mean it boasts that Sprinkles originated in Beverly Hills as the FIRST cupcake bakery with loyal customer such as Hollywood stars and epicureans. And the founder, Candace Nelson, is a judge on the Food Network series, Cupcake Wars...a rather tough cookie, I might add.

Ok, so I finally tried these much hyped, highly praised, extremely publicized cupcakes at the Dallas location. You might be able to tell, but I was slightly skeptical. I mean, they might be all talk no taste. Let me tell you, they were delicious! The line around the bakery should have been my clue, but I wasn't a believer until I tried them.

I got two different cupcakes, of course, red velvet and salty caramel. Ronny also got red velvet. I tried the salty caramel first and was amazed at the moist, fluffy cake. The frosting was just enough, not a huge pile, but just right. Then, Ronny tried his red velvet cupcake and said it was the best cupcake he'd had from a bakery...and I always make him try. When I ate my red velvet cupcake I was just as happy with it as Ronny was...the best!

I guess I can sum it up like this, believe the hype. Sprinkles Cupcakes is really an amazing cupcake bakery.

Strawberry Rice Krispies Treats

Valentine's Day is less than a week away!  Are you ready?  Well, ready or not, here's another Valentine's dessert idea.

I've made the classic Rice Krispies Treats, but used strawberry marshmallows instead of regular.  Oh, and also sprinkles and cut out into hearts...so sweet!

Strawberry Rice Krispies Treats

6 1/2 cups Rice Krispies

1 8oz bag Strawberry Marshmallows

1/2 stick butter

sprinkles

Melt butter in large pan.  Once melted, add marshmallows.  Stir until marshmallows are melted.  After melted, add sprinkles, as much or little as desired.  Then add Rice Krispies and stir until thoroughly incorporated.  Press Rice Krispies mixture into a greased pan (9x13 or larger...whatever you want) and let sit about 5 minutes.  After 5 minutes take your heart cookie cutter and press out hearts.  Let dry on waxed paper.

Enjoy!

P.S.  It would be super tasty to add 1/4 cup strawberry cake mix when adding sprinkles.  Amp up the strawberry flavor, so good!

Valentine's Pretzels

Here's another amazing, fabulous, wonderful, and easy Valentine's Day treat idea.

All you need to make these is pretzels, vanilla almond bark and sprinkles!

First, melt almond bark in the microwave in 20 second intervals until melted and smooth.  Then, dip pretzels into bark, shaking off excess.  Finally decorate with sprinkles and let dry on wax paper.

That's all.  So simple, so delicious, so classic and so cute.

Here's the entire line up!

Purple, pink, red and white quins

Red, pink and white nonpareils

Red coarse sugar

Red lip shaped sprinkles

Pink coarse sugar

Enjoy!

Potato Bacon Chowder

Here is a great go to winter soup recipe.  My mom would always make it for parties and everyone loved it.  Now, I make it and it's one of Ronny's favorites.  It's nice and creamy with tender potato chunks and a great bacon flavor.

It goes like this:

Crispy up 8 slices of bacon.  I like to chop mine before cooking, but do whatever you want.

Remove bacon and let it drain on a paper towel.  Leave the bacon grease in pan.

Saute the onions in the bacon grease.  When onions are soft, remove and let sit with bacon for a bit.

Cube up 4 cups of potatoes and add to pot with 1 cup of water.  Cook until tender.

To the water and potatoes add 1 can cream of chicken soup, 1 cup sour cream, 1 3/4 cup milk, bacon and onions.

Simmer chowder, but do not boil.

Garnish with cheese, bacon and green onions.

Enjoy!

Here is the exact recipe my mom and I still use:

P.S.  I don't know the exact origin of this recipe, but we didn't create it!

Valentine's BIG Cookie and Buttercream Frosting recipe

You know when you give a gift people always say, "it's the thought that counts."  Well, before you see this cookie remember, it's the IDEA that counts.

Just use this cookie as an idea of what yours could be...or could be better than, in most cases.  Also, DO NOT, I repeat DO NOT try to decorate this cookie while watching Project Runway All Stars.  The show will distract you and your cookie will look a mess.  Another also, DO NOT use store bought frosting like I did.  Yes, it is faster and much easier, but also much messier because it is not a good piping consistency.  

Here is the recipe I use for the cookie.  It was very tasty and I will definitely use it again.

Use this close up to see how you should place the M&M's.

Just put a dab of frosting on the back of each piece of candy and start spelling!  Then decorate the edges and cookie however you'd like.  Be creative...I'm just crazy about chevron right now.

Here is my buttercream recipe.  I should have used it!

Blair's Buttercream Frosting

2 sticks butter, softened

8 cups powdered sugar

1/2 cup milk

2 tsp. vanilla extract

Cream butter.  Add the ingredients a little at a time, always beating until smooth before adding more.  If you try to add it all at once you'll have a huge mess.  Add food coloring gel if desired.  Also use less powdered sugar if you don't like the frosting so thick.

Now, take the time to make a beautiful cookie and it's sure to impress at any Valentine's party!

Happy Chocolate Cake Day

It's January 27th...do you know what that means?  (The title might have given it away!)

It's National Chocolate Cake Day!  Forget about your resolution to eat healthier (if you haven't already) and just have a piece of chocolate cake.  You won't regret it...at least I won't.  Here is the recipe for my chocolate cake above and also a few pictures of tasty and lovely looking chocolate cupcakes I've made!

Chocolate cake with coconut filling, coconut frosting, topped with toasted coconut, almonds and chocolate drizzle.

Chocolate cake with vanilla bean frosting

Chocolate cake with Oreo frosting

Chocolate cake with chocolate frosting

Chocolate cake with caramel frosting

German chocolate cake

Happy eating!

Lovely Valentine's Treats

With Valentine's Day less than a month away, I thought I would look for some inspiration.  I always make cupcakes with Valentine's sprinkles (I'm sure I will again this year), but let's see what other amazing treats are out there.  I'll share with you guys what I make closer to the actual day.  Have fun looking and see what inspires you!



Enjoy!