Monday, April 20, 2009

Bossy Cake

When your boss comes into your office for the sole reason of letting you know that just in case you were to bake her something for her birthday to just go ahead and bring it on Tuesday because, don't forget she has Monday off, do you have to bake her something?? I sure as hell felt like I did. Thus, this is Bossy Cake!!

I am actually glad she so subtlety hinted to make her something because she loves cinnamon and pumpkin anything, so I tried something I wouldn't have otherwise.


I found this recipe for the cake and icing and it sounded so good (I always go for cakes with no oil..butter is better...and buttermilk is always a good sign!!): http://www.classbrain.com/artfamily/publish/pumpkin_spice_cake_recipe.shtml


I added about half a teaspoon extra cinnamon and nutmeg to spice it up...and am so glad I did!


The Flour, Salt, Baking Powder & Soda, Nutmeg and Cinnamon...
















The Pumpkin, Buttermilk, Vanilla & Orange Zest (some extra vanilla and orange zest made it extra delicious).









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Blending the Wet and Dry Mixture into the already blended Brown Sugar, White Sugar and Butter.















The perfectly bakes beauties...

























The Pumpkin Cream Cheese Frosting is super strong with pumpkin flavor and the cupcakes are too good to cover with it.

I had to add about 2 extra cups of powdered sugar before the frosting was thick enough to use.


I decided to go really light with the frosting by using a piping bag and then finished them off with a touch of brown sugar mixed with pumpkin pie spices...They turned out looking like mini pumpkin cinnamon rolls!





















I just had to eat one...or maybe I had 2! These little bebies are so addicting!!!
Good luck keeping your hands off these bossy little things and cheers to growing cahones big enough to demand baked goods on your birthday everyone!!!
xoxo,
Tipsy

Strawberry Sunday Special

After a day with the little kiddies on Saturday, the hubs and I were oh-so ready to relax yesterday!

I was so excited to find that I had some strawberries in the house! I blended them up and started mixing this magical beverage!




Vodka and some orange mango tonic water...mix to taste, no measuring necessary. If you must it is 1 shot vodka (+/-), then half orange mango tonic (love the Stater Bros. Brand)/half orange peach mango juice and then strawberries on top.


Can you guess which one is mine?





Top off with my favorite juice: Orange Peach Mango



Add a couple tablespoons of the strawberries:




Stir, drink, repeat and most importantly, be merry!

Cheers my dears!!!


xoxo,

Tipsy







Sunday, April 19, 2009

Jonathan is 1!!

My cousin's sweet little Jonathan Bean turned one this weekend and of course I had to make something BIG for him! I just couldn't wait to see him demolish his first sugary baked good!

I mixed up a funfutti & chocholate cake mix for the top & bottom of the cake.



Mixing up some classic buttercream frosting while the cake is baking...








Mixing up some fun frosting colors, no vodka required this time!


Building the giant cupcake...


The frosting..mmmm...




Drawing on some J "sprinkles"



Adding some little rainbow sprinkles...



This bebe has no idea what's comin!




Not sure what to do and very careful...



Getting a little messy



The damage...I know if it were me this thing would have been destroyed!


Happy Birthday Jonathan! Love you lots!
xoxo,
Tipsy

Monday, April 13, 2009

Easter Upsidedown cake

For Easter this year my dad made his famous homemade rich vanilla ice cream. My job was to make something to go with/under it. I decided to go with something fruity instead of chocolate...after much debating and I am so glad I did!
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I went with a Nectarine Upside down cake recipe from America's Test Kitchen. http://www.cooksillustrated.com/recipes/login.asp?docid=6329
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I started out with about 5 nectarines and because they weren't as ripe as I would have liked them to be, I tossed them in some Vanilla and Brown Sugar to sweeten them up and bring out that delicious fruity goodness.
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After melting about 2 tablespoons of butter into 9 inch round pans and adding 1/2 cup brown sugar to each, I tried out a couple of designs with the fruit.
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I just had to smuggle a few slices of the nectarines into my Sauvignon Blanc a la sangria style-so yummy!




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Mixing up the batter: with butter, sugar, 2 whole eggs+1 egg white, baking powder, salt, vanilla and whole milk-you can't go wrong!



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Out of the 350 degree oven and golden brown! Ice Cream please!!!!!




The caramelized sugar made the whole house smell super tasty!








FINALLY serving up the buttery carmely fruity goodness.





We heated up each slice in the microwave and then topped with my dad's ice cream.





A happy ending to our Easter eating extravaganza!
Hope you all had a very delicious and happy Easter!
xoxo,
Tipsy

Tuesday, April 7, 2009

Tipsy Fondue For Two!

When it comes time for the hubs to join me in the kitchen what better occasion then some cheesey goodness with our drink-a-links??

Although this doesn't fall under any baking category it did involve pots n' pans and some fruity drinks in the kitchen, so I thought I would share our findings.


We decided to try a couple different kinds and have a fonduel, so to speak.


Of course, he went for a classic Cheddar and I went for some Parmesan & garlic form of the yummy stuff!









Cheddar:
Parmesan:



Our Favorite dipping items: Green apples, red grapes, broccoli & sourdough french bread.



The Official Fonduel Result: We both won because we liked ours the best! So, I guess you will have to decide when we have you over for some cheesy fun and cheers!
xoxo,
Tipsy.... & the hubs