Triple Chocolate Zucchini Cupcakes - total time 50 minutes

One of my friends made this awesome chocolate cake from zucchini and I remember being so surprised that something so sweet could have three cups of zucchini in it.  Seriously!  That's a lot of zucchini to be in a cake!  That was... like... seven years ago.  Now I find myself with more zucchini than I want zucchini bread and I thought back to that cake.

This cake is a bit different... it is triple chocolate cake with three cups of zucchini.  :)  The zucchini makes the cake really moist and you really can't taste it (there was a little bit of a shredded texture, so if you're worried, just shred the zucchini extra fine).  But don't tell people they are eating vegetables in their dessert.  It seems a lot of people avoid vegetables altogether sometimes.  So just leave it at "tripe chocolate cake" and everyone will be happy!

Easter Basket Cupcakes - total time 1 hour

I think Mother Nature is trying to teach us a lesson... enjoy the sunny and 80 degree days because the next day there could be an inch of snow on the ground!  Oh my poor daffodils.  :(  What can you do...

Since it is cold outside again, might as well whip up some Easter treats from scratch!  My grandma used to make the best yellow cake and chocolate frosting ever!  She would make it when the whole family was coming over for a holiday dinner; Easter, Thanksgiving, and Christmas... and once in a while throughout the summer when my sister and I were over at her house during summer break.  To this day, it is the only cake I would ever get seconds of (unless you count cookie cake as a cake... and then that throws the whole idea out the window).  I can't quite remember what made her cake so special, I just remember really enjoying it.

My husband's favorite cake, as it turns out, is also yellow cake with chocolate frosting.  So I thought I would give it a go making yellow cake from scratch.  Turns out, it is egg yoke (not butter, like I originally thought) that makes yellow cake yellow (unless its a box mix, in which case there is probably some food coloring that makes it extra yellow).  He said these are the best cupcakes yet... and I've made so pretty darn good cupcakes (according to other people, of course... case 1, 2, and 3)

I had the idea of these chocolate shavings Easter baskets last year (because I don't like coconut) and it just didn't work out.  I used a vegetable peeler, which made the shavings too wide.  Then I used a grater and the chocolate melted in my hands.  This year I used my handy parmesan grater and it worked out nicely.  Knowing most people don't have room in their kitchen for an extra gadget (and a parmesan grater is definitely not a necessity), you could use parchment paper around the chocolate and take breaks to toss the chocolate in the freezer to prevent a melty mess.  Or you could use chocolate sprinkles and avoid the complication altogether!

Irish Car Bomb Cupcakes - total time 1.5 hours

Happy St. Patrick's Day Eve!  I know parties started yesterday, maybe even Friday, and everyone is drinking their green beer (well, the true Irish are drinking Guinness... or observing it as a holy day and not drinking).  Whether you really are Irish, or just a wee bit Irish this time of year, here is a cupcake everyone will enjoy!

Originally inspired from Brown Eyed Baker and then slightly tweaked since 2012, people start talking about these cupcakes in January!  Of course, these sweet little cakes are inspired by the drink with Guinness, Baileys, and Jameson (although any whiskey will do), which brings me back to my first St. Patrick's Day of legal drinking age.  Losing my ID on our way to Court Street, buying some Guinness at the BP, and heading back to our apartment to chug car bombs using full 15 ounce cans.  Those were the days...  ;)

Side note: I keep typing carb bomb... my subconscious is trying to be honest with you.  But that's why they are mini cupcakes!

Side side note:  Not all of the alcohol is cooked out of these cupcakes.  There is still a bit of Baileys in each bite.  But you would feel the effects of a sugar high before feeling the least bit tipsy.  Even still, keep these guys an adults only treat.

Okay, back to the cakes.  If you have ever had Guinness cake before, it really boosts the flavor of the chocolate.  And the creme fraiche keeps the cakes nice and moist.  I use ganache in a lot of my cupcake recipes... this recipe might have been the beginning of that habit.  I think it seals the cakes in and keeps them from getting the least bit stale.  And the frosting... I could probably just pipe the frosting right into my mouth and be happy as a clam (a clam that is wired on sugar)!  Altogether, the perfect little cupcake people wait all year for... it's here!

Rose Cupcakes - total time 1.5 hours

Valentines Day is coming up... and whether you will be spending the day with your sweetie, hanging out with friends, or staying in... everyone loves to celebrate with something sweet!

Have you ever wondered what a rose tastes like?  I never thought about it until Ali from GimmeSomeOven posted a rose cake recipe last year.  She actually used real rose petals to decorate it too.  I have used lotions with rose water in the past... and they smell amazing.  Then I saw this rose water at a cutesy chef shop in the Short North (while we were waiting to eat at Melt) and thought this is perfect for V-day!

Now don't be fooled, just because it says rose water instead of extract doesn't mean the flavor is any less potent.  So don't add more because you want it extra rosy...this recipe is already there!

Since these cupcakes taste like roses (which is hard to describe), they should look like roses too!  At first I was a little intimidated by some of the instructions.  And some of the "easy" ones just wouldn't work on mini cupcakes.  But then I found a video that walked through each step (didn't make me feel much less intimidated) and then I tried it.. easy peasy!  Box up a dozen and send them to your Valentine (or keep them to yourself)!

Take 5 Cupcakes - total time 1 hour

Happy Halloween!  Trick-or-treat is postpone tonight because of a big storm heading our way (it is already getting windy and rainy outside)... so we're watching scary movies tonight instead of passing out candy.

Halloween is probably the most fun holiday.  It's all about sweets and treats, being creative and dressing up, getting scared.  All kinds of cute kids in costumes and fun parties for adults.  What's not to like?!

Every year I make sure to buy a bag of my favorite candy; Take 5.  Then I hide all of them in the bottom of the bowl and act surprised when they're the only candy left after all of the trick-or-treaters have gone home.  I feel like I never see Take 5 candy bars unless it is Halloween, so I have to save some for myself!  I mean, whoever thought to combine these five ingredients is a genius!  

So it seems only logical to turn my favorite candy bar into a cupcake (I mean, I already made a Muddy Buddies version).  Peanut butter frosting is one of my favorites!  Between PB frosting and Baileys frosting, I can't decide which I love more.  These little cakes are so delish... it is really the perfect combination of sweet and salty indulgence!

Smores Cakes - total time 1 hour

Smores, a classic summer treat.  Sitting around a bonfire with your friends.  Whether you like your marshmallows just slightly toasted or on fire (or somewhere in between) everyone has fond memories of making smores during their childhood.  Make some Smores Cakes to commemorate those memories and make new ones while everyone asks for some more.  ;)

Chocolate Covered Banana Cupcakes - total time 1 hour

It seems like every time I buy bananas I always end up forgetting about them and baking (I submit chocolate chip banana cookies, cinnamon swirl banana muffins, and banana PB muffins as evidence).  Considering how much I put bananas into my baking, I am always surprised to find out how many people don't like bananas.  I think I found the trick though.  Staining the mashed bananas gives the baked good a lighter banana flavor and keeps the cake a pretty yellow (instead of the speckled brown like banana bread).  It takes a little longer and it is a bit messy... but is definitely worth doing... at least once in a while.

Cupcake
1 cup ripe bananas, mashed and strained
.5 cup butter
3 cups flour
2 cups sugar
3 eggs
1 cup cream
.5 cup creme fraiche
1 tbsp vanilla
.25 tsp salt
1 tbsp baking soda

Chocolate Buttercream
2.5 cups powdered sugar
1 cup butter
splash of cream
1 tsp vanilla
2 tbsp cocoa

Ganache
1 cup chocolate chips
splash of milk

1.  Preheat oven to 350 degrees.  Mash banana, then push through strainer to remove all lumps.
2.  Whip butter and sugar in mixer.  Add eggs and blend well.  Add salt, vanilla, and baking soda.  Add one cup of flour, blend well, then a half cup of cream.  Add another cup of flour, blend, then a half cup of creme fraiche.  Add the final cup of flour, blend well, then the last half cup of cream.
3. Add in the strained bananas and pour batter into lined muffin cups and bake for 12 minutes.
4.  Whip butter in mixer.  Add vanilla, cream, and cocoa.  Add a small amount of powdered sugar at a time until combined.  Add until you get desired frosting consistency.
5.  Either in a double boiler or microwave, melt one cup of chocolate.  Add a splash of cream and stir.  Spread ganache on top pf each cupcake creating a barrier between the cake and frosting.  Pipe frosting on top of each cupcake and enjoy!

Salted Caramel Chocolate Cupcakes - total time 1 hour

Mmm... salted caramel hot chocolate from Starbucks, so delish!  While we were on vacation in Colorado, we found their hot chocolate mix at the local grocery store which tasted even better after a long hike in the cold mountains.  I hope my grocery store starts carrying the mix too... the last thing you want to do when you are craving hot chocolate is go outside in the cold to go get it!  These yummy cupcakes are the result of my hot chocolate obsession.

Cupcake
2.5 cups flour
.75 cup cocoa powder
1 cup sugar
2 eggs
1 tbsp vanilla extract
.5 butter
.75 cup creme fraiche (bonus points if you find the vanilla bean kind)
1 cup dulce de leche
1 tsp baking soda
1 tsp baking powder
salt

Buttercream Frosting
1 cup butter
1 tbsp vanilla extract
3 cups powdered sugar
salt

1.  Preheat oven to 350 degrees.  Cream butter and sugar together in mixer.  Add vanilla and eggs, combine at a slower speed.  Add salt, baking powder, and baking soda.
2.  Add .75 cup of flour and .25 cup of cocoa powder into mixer.  Add .25 cup of creme fraiche and combine.  Repeat two more times.
3.  Spoon out batter into mini cupcake liners.  Bake for 14 minutes.
4.  Let cupcakes cool for at least ten minutes.  Take your smallest measuring spoon and scoop out the centers of each cupcake (reserve in a bowl).  Fill crevice with dulce de leche and sprinkle salt on top.
5.  Whip butter in clean mixer.  Add vanilla, salt, and cream.  Add one cup of powdered sugar at a time until frosting is formed.  Scoop frosting into piping bag and pipe onto cupcakes.  Top with a sprinkle of sugar and salt.

(Use the reserved cupcake pieces, left over dulce de leche, and some chocolate sauce, stir together in bowl, press down to compact and top with remaining frosting.  It may not be pretty, but it is oh so tasty!)

Cookie Crumble Cupcakes - total time 1 hour

Everyone thinks it is strange that I bake cupcakes, but don't like them (and some times don't even try them, relying on other people's feedback).  My birthday cakes as a kid were cookie cakes (and still are).  So this time I combined my favorite dessert into my cupcakes.  Needless to say, these are delicious!

cupcakes...

1.25 cups flour

1 cup sugar

2 eggs

4 tbsp butter

1 tbsp baking powder

2 tbsp cocoa powder

1 tsp vanilla extract

6 cookies (oreo, nutter butter, chips ahoy, etc)

ganache...

1 cup dark chocolate chips

2 tbsp cream

frosting...

8 tbsp butter

1 tsp vanilla extract

2 cups powdered sugar

1.  Preheat oven to 350 degrees.  Whip together butter and sugar.  Add eggs and vanilla, whip together even more.  Add baking powder and cocoa powder, then slowly add flour a little at a time.  Pour batter into muffin cups and bake for 20 minutes.

2.  Smash your favorite cookies into crumbs and place in bowl.

3.  In a double boiler, melt dark chocolate chips.  When chocolate is melted and the cupcakes have had a few minutes to cool, add cream to chocolate and mix to get ganache.  Dip each cupcake into the ganache and then into the cookie crumbs.

4.  Whip butter for frosting, add vanilla, then add powdered sugar a little at a time.  Pipe a small amount of frosting onto each cupcake.  Enjoy with a glass of milk!

White Chocolate Vanilla Cupcakes - total time 1 hour

Rich, sweet cupcakes... great for a birthday party.  The white chocolate ganache is a fun surprise that makes these little gems extra special.  Approximately 100 calories for each cake (makes about 36 cakes).

cupcake...

6 tbsp butter

.5 cup sugar

1 tbsp vanilla extract

3 egg whites

.25 cup soy milk

1.75 cup cake flour

2 tbsp baking powder

ganache...

white chocolate chips

2 tbsp cream

frosting...

8 oz light cream cheese

.25 cup butter

1 tbsp vanilla extract

2 cups powdered sugar

1.  Preheat oven to 325 degrees.  Whip butter in a mixer, add sugar, and cream together.  Add vanilla, egg whites, and soy milk.  Once combined, slowly add flour a little at a time.  Add baking powder.  Then spoon out into line muffin cups.  Bake for 18 minutes.

2.  Melt about 1 cup of white chocolate in a double boiler.  Once melted, add the cream to make the ganache.  Spread on the tops of slightly cooled cupcakes.

3.  Whip cream cheese and butter together, add vanilla.  Slowly add in powdered sugar to thicken the cream cheese frosting.  Plop some frosting on each cooled cupcake (consistency won't work for pipping).  Refrigerate to 'set' the frosting, then enjoy!

Mocha Cupcakes - total time 1 hour

If you like coffee, you'll like these cupcakes... lots of coffee flavor!

Cupcakes

.5 cup butter

.5 cup sugar

.5 cup brown sugar

1.25 cups flour

.33 cup cocoa powder

1 tsp baking soda

1 tsp baking powder

.5 tsp salt

1 egg

1 tsp vanilla extract

.25 cup cream

1 tbsp espresso powder

.25 cup brewed coffee

Buttercream Frosting

1 cup butter

1 tbsp vanilla

1 tbsp espresso powder

2.5 cups powdered sugar

1.  Preheat oven to 350 degrees.  Cream butter and sugars together in a mixer.  While mixer is running, combine dry ingredients in separate bowl; flour, cocoa powder, baking soda, baking powder, and salt.  

2.  Add vanilla, egg, espresso powder, and coffee to the mixer and blend together.  Slowly add the mixed dry ingredients while mixer continues on slow.  Pour into lined muffin tray.  Bake for 18 minutes.

3.  While cupcakes are baking, make the frosting.  Add butter to mixer and whip.  Add vanilla and espresso powder to mixer to combine.  Slowly add powdered sugar until completely combined.  Allow cupcakes to cool ten minutes before frosting.

Enjoy (but not right before bedtime, there's caffeine in there)!

Baby Shower Planning

Pinterest is a great resource for inspiring creativity, especially for party planning.  It is easy to pick and choose ideas to make it your own.

Chocolate covered pretzel roads are and easy sweet and salty treat to make fit into any theme.  All it takes is a bag of pretzel rods, a bag of colored (or regular) chocolate, and a double boiler (or microwave oven).  Scoop the melted chocolate to cover the pretzel, lay on wax paper, and put tray in freezer for a couple minutes to set chocolate.  Serve in a cute jar or dish!

A fun game the doubles as additional gifts for the baby is having everyone decorate a onesie!  Have fabric paint, paint brushes, fabric markers, buttons, ribbons, and more available for the guests.  Make an example onesie to get their creative juices flowing.  The activity can last the whole shower so they can think about it and everyone won't be at the table at the same time.  Then have the new momma choose her favorite and the designer gets a gift!

Presentation makes a big difference and eating fruits and veggies of many different colors gets you a range of vitamins, antioxidants, and other nutrients!  Just because a baby shower is a celebration doesn't mean you can't have healthy options!

  

Little Hershey bars are a quick sweet and great if there are little kids joining the shower.  Make it special for a baby shower by highlighting the babies gender on the wrapper;  HERSHEY'S or HERSHEY'S.  Having some homemade treats adds a personal touch to round out snack table. Here are the recipes for the treats pictures: Very Berry Cupcakes and Chubby Hubby Truffles.

There is a good amount of planning that goes into hosting a baby shower, but remember to enjoy it!  It is a party, so have fun!  :o)