Time for a Change

After some time away from the blog and even baking, I have decided to make a few changes. Although I love cupcakes, I also want to share craft, recipe and gardening ideas. Start looking for new posts!

Can Grown-ups Get a Summer Vacation Too?

Summertime always seems to be in short supply here in Chicago, so I try to get out and enjoy it as much as possible. This year has been no exception, but it has been difficult. We have experienced some of the coldest summer days in the last century. Hooray...

Despite the weather, I have attempted to get out and do something.

So what have I been up to?

Gardening

I am really lucky to have a large back patio area at my building, but it is lacking in an important gardening supply--dirt. So I improvised and pulled out lots of planters and bags of Miracle-Gro potting soil with the special water management beads. I tend to baby my plants and overwater them, thus resulting in dead garden. Sad. It is even more depressing considering that I grew up in a virtual jungle. My mother is the proud owner of the world's greenest thumb. She casts a mere glance at a dead twig, and it springs to life, boasting new leaves and flowers. Me? That same dead twig manages to become even more dead...if that's even possible.

But this year, things are different! I consulted my organic gardening book and set to work. I planted cherry and plum tomato, eggplant, cucumber, basil, mesclun lettuce, carrots, oregano (I cheated and bought this one), pumpkin, butternut squash and a variety of peppers. So far, we have enjoyed a little harvest from the garden, but there was a major fail on the squash and probably pumpkin as well. I grew one mini butternut that promptly turned yellow and fell off the next week. Damn. My pumpkin also developed powdery mildew and I think it's a goner. I did have a bumper crop of jalapenos, and you'll hear more about those.

Overall, it has been nice to have a little greenery in my concrete jungle of a yard. I like knowing that there's a little place to sit and read while the dogs run after a tennis ball.

De-cluttering

I spent the early summer helping my brother clean out his house after his wife passed. There was so much stuff and I realized than that I didn't want to spend my life surrounded by too much clutter. So we organized a massive garage sale....think tables upon tables upon tables. It was beyond exhausting. But I managed to clean out the extra junk in my house and sewing studio, and I am so happy!! This leads me to my next "to do"...

Crafting

It's so much easier to sew when you can actually get to the sewing machine. What a novel concept. I have stitched up a few new aprons, including the lovely blue cupcake one below. My birthday present was a new serger, which I love beyond words. I totally underestimated how much a serger would speed up my sewing, so it was a great investment.

I also have been working on ceramic drink coasters and will be posting those on Etsy very soon. Here's a sneak peak at my favorite set so far (delicious beer not included).

Cross your fingers for me. I'm hoping to get into at least one craft fair during this holiday season!

Kitchen Goodies

Of course, I have been baking, although not as much as the colder months. There is one main project that I have experimented with, but that must wait for another day. Here's a hint: it involves an amazing beer. I'm a gal who loves beer!

If you're still reading, this is where I talk about the jalapenos. I haven't done any canning since I was young and making jellies for the 4H County Fair. Don't ask... After reading some of the labels on jams and jellies and wondering why I can't pronounce half of the ingredients, I decided to make my own. The currants from my farmers' market adventure were getting a little sad, so I decided the best course of action was to make jelly. Let me tell you, currant jelly is gorgeous and ridiculously easy to make.

Tonight I plan to make some jalapeno jelly from the little patio garden harvest. I haven't tried it yet, but I'm a big fan of hot food so wish me luck.

Farmers Market and Fundraising

I was able to sneak out to a fantastic Farmers' Market during my lunch hour today. It always amazes me how Chicago can tuck these amazing little markets between huge skyscrapers. My favorite is the Tuesday market at Adams and Dearborn, near the Federal buildings.

I picked up some lovely red and white currants, which are nearly impossible for me to find, even in the best produce markets. A charming lad of about 12 sold me a lavender plant and told me how working there was much more enjoyable than school. Oh, to be young again and have every summer free! Today's final purchase was my obligatory pack of five heart-shaped brownies made by a fantastic charity called Misericordia. They employ disabled adults in their bakery, restaurant, gift shop, and resale store. I would like to think that these brownies are calorie-free due to their charitable connection, but I'm sure that's wishful thinking.

With the assistance of my good friend Martha, I am trying to determine exactly how to use the currants. So far, I have one recipe for red currant jam and I am stumped. I typically use dried currants for scones, so I need new ideas!


I will be baking this weekend for a darling friend and neighbor. She worked as a Peace Corps volunteer in Ghana for two years and is running the Chicago Marathon with the AIDS Foundation. Our friends, co-workers and families have the option to order cupcakes by me to help with her fundraising costs. That should keep me busy most of the day, but hopefully I can snap some pictures of the finished products.

Shameless plug: If you want to help her achieve her fundraising goal and make a difference in the fight against HIV and AIDS, check out her page at http://afc.aidschicago.org/netcommunity/jenschneidman

A Quick Hello

I have been a blogging slacker lately--bad FROSTED!

Unfortunately, I haven't been baking much lately. I have been spending most of my free time cleaning and packing up my brother's house. Hopefully it will all be ready soon and he can sell the place!

On a sad note, my new pink Dell laptop died last weekend:( Luckily it is covered by the warranty, but this still leaves me without a personal computer for over two weeks.

Back to the insanity and hopefully I'll have time to bake something very soon!

Prepare Yourself for Freedom Cupcakes

I have been running around like crazy lately, finishing my second half marathon a few weeks ago and working on some custom cupcake topper orders. I need to post pictures of the one order, which was for a 30th birthday party and featured 80's cartoon characters. They were so much fun to make and I found myself singing the Jem theme song a few too many times...truly, truly, truly outrageous.


This weekend is our 2nd annual Freedom Day Braai and I am going to make the damn cupcakes I missed last year. Freedom Day is a South African celebration of the country's first democratic elections and a braai is a traditional barbeque. After checking the evite, I might have 50 people wandering around my backyard for the braai, so I'm gleeful just thinking of all those happy little cupcake taste testers:)

Mango cupcakes sound like the flavor choice, but I'm still debating decorations. I could make S.A. cupcake toppers or possibly attempt to draw the flag on each one. Such decisions!

Lill Studio Sample Sale Finds

There is a custom purse store here in Chicago and they hosted a sample sale on Saturday morning. Luckily, their warehouse isn't too far from my house, so I decided to check it out. The sale started at 8am, but I wanted to get first dibs at any goodies. At 6:45 am, I was 5th in line.

Fella thought I was crazy when the alarm went off at 6:15. He asked where I was going and I reminded him about the purses. His response? "You're going purse shopping at 6am?" Sigh, men.

I managed to score some pretty great deals, including purse handles, blank headbands and three gigantic bags of fabric!! I am still debating about what projects to start, but I know there will be some key chains/fobs and other little treats for my Etsy shop. Time to fire up the sewing machine and sew away!

They also had a lot of purses for 50% off, which seemed like a great deal, but my budget didn't allow for any new bags. Ok, I lie...I did get one cute little $15 purse for myself. It was originally $62, so I justified it by saying that I was saving 75%.

Lazy Sunday

It's a rainy Sunday morning in Chicago, so perfect for sleeping in.

Witness the phenomenon known as Croco-dog. Part crocodile, part dog, she lies in wait until food appears. Although, she can often be coaxed out with peanut butter or the promise of a long walk.

No baking today, but I do have a mission for later this week. My vegan friend at work recently discovered that she is also gluten-intolerant (how fun). So I bought some GF baking mix at Whole Foods and will attempt to make her something delicious for her birthday. Wish me luck...

Iron Cupcake February:Coffee

I was extremely excited when February's Iron Cupcake ingredient was announced. Coffee is one of my absolute favorite things in the world and I just got a new coffee press.

Immediately, I thought about the Bailey's and coffee cupcakes that I created for St. Patrick's Day last year. They were very delicious but I have been thinking of reworking the recipe for a while. I wanted to do something that would bring out more of the Bailey's flavor and have a more tender crumb.

This was also a good excuse to buy a big bottle of Bailey's:)

I altered my favorite vanilla cupcake recipe to make it coffee-tastic (did I actually just write that?).

Makes 12 cupcakes.
1 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
1 1/2 tsp baking powder
1/4 tsp salt
3/4 cup sugar
6 tbsp unsalted butter, at room temp
1 large egg, plus 1 large egg white, at room temp
1/4 cup milk

1/4 cup+1tsp STRONG brewed coffee

Preheat oven to 350 degrees and prepare pan for 12 cupcakes.

Whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt. In a second bowl, use mixer to combine sugar and butter until fluffy (3-5 minutes). Add the egg and egg white slowly and beat well. Add 1/3 of the flour mixture, then add the milk. Add 1/3 more flour mixture and then add the coffee. Mix in the rest of the flour mixture until just combined (don't overbeat your cupcakes or they will be disgusting).

Drink some Bailey's on ice and fill 12 cupcake papers with equal amounts of batter. Bake for 18-20 minutes at 350 degrees.

While the cupcakes are baking, mix up the Bailey's filling. This portion of the recipe comes from Crazy About Cupcakes by Krystina Castella.

One package (3.4 oz) instant vanilla pudding

3/4 cup milk

3/4 cup heavy whipping cream

3 tablespoons Bailey's (or any brand) Irish creme

Mix all ingredients with electric mixture until it has the consistency of thick pudding. I hate pudding, but for some reason, I'm in love with this stuff. I'm sure that has nothing to do with the Bailey's...

Finally, mix up the frosting and wish for a second Kitchenaid mixer bowl. I made a basic and incredibly light chocolate buttercream:

The measurements are approximate, I usually just add flavorings and powdered sugar until it's the right consistency.

1 stick unsalted butter, room temp

1 tablespoon cocoa powder

2 cups powdered sugar

splash of heavy whipping cream (this will give it that light texture)

Using electric mixer, cream butter for approximately 3 minutes on high speed. Slowly add in cocoa powder, powdered sugar and whipping cream.

To assemble the cakes, wait until they are completely cool! I cut out a little cone shape in the tops of each cupcake with a very sharp steak knife. Then I drop in a dollop of Bailey's filling and squish the top back on the cupcake. If it squirts out the sides a bit, no worries! Once the frosting is added, no one will notice.

I top my cupcakes with Wilton icing bags and a star tip, but you can just as easily spread it on with a spoon. Personally, I like the swirls. Add a chocolate-covered espresso bean if you feel inclined.

The winner of Februry's coffee challenge gets all these goodies:

DIANAEVANS - http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=5599270
as well as a pair of cupcake earrings from LOTS OF SPRINKLES at http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=6057281.
PLUS, IronCupcake:Earth can not forget our good friend, CAKESPY, http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=5243382 As an added bonus for February, SWEET CUPPIN CAKES BAKERY AND CUPCAKERY SUPPLY will be tossing in a variety of cupcaking supplies, http://www.acupcakery.com/index.html.Last and certainly not least, don’t forget our corporate prize providers: HEAD CHEFS by FIESTA PRODUCTS, http://www.fiestaproducts.com/, HELLO CUPCAKE by Karen Tack and Alan Richardson, http://blog.hellocupcakebook.com/, JESSIE STEELE APRONS http://www.jessiesteele.com/; TASTE OF HOME books, http://www.tasteofhome.com/; a t-shirt from UPWITHCUPCAKES.COM http://www.upwithcupcakes.com/. Iron Cupcake:Earth is sponsored in part by 1-800-Flowers, http://www.1800flowers.com/ .

Valentine Treats for Everyone

My furry assistant chef and I spent the evening making Valentine treats for our friends. She even designed a special Valentine card for her pal, Rusty. Tomorrow we'll deliver the treats and post some pics and recipes!

I found a recipe for peanut butter dog cookies, and thought it might be a nice treat. Duchess loves peanut butter and I wanted to make something special for her and Rusty. Rusty's humans are always willing to take care of Duchess when I'm running late or away on vacation.

Disclaimer: In light of the recent salmonella scare, this peanut butter is ok. I have been using this jar for a while and it hasn't killed me yet. It should be safe for the pups!

These little treats were really easy to make and are guaranteed to make any pup happy.

1 cup peanut butter, creamy or chunky

2 cups wheat flour

1 cup milk

1 tablespoon baking powder

Mix all ingredients, preferably with an electric mixer. You could also mix by hand, if you don't mind smelling like peanut butter all day. Roll out the dough to 1/2 inch thick for bigger cookies. If your pup is smaller, roll it out to 1/4 and bake it for a few minutes less. Cut out shapes with cookie cutters--we made bones and hearts. Bake at 375 degrees for about 20 minutes or 16-17 for smaller cookies.

The best Christmas present ever

I completely forgot to post about my greatest Christmas present! Almost a year ago, I posted about the elusive Cupcake Cookie Jar at Target that I passed up. I spent the next month calling every Target in the Chicagoland region, hoping for one left on a shelf somewhere. My efforts were in vain and I had almost forgotten about that wonderful little cookie jar.

Come Christmas, my little mommy told me that she had a special present. My mother isn't typically, um, great at buying presents. I usually get strange things, like long johns or a sweater with appliqued reindeer. Instead, she outdid herself!

It isn't the one from Target, but I still love it! She discovered this adorable cookie jar last summer at the local Cracker Barrel and bought it for me. She even found a cute spatula with cupcakes to go along with it.

So, while cleaning out my kitchen during vacation, I found the perfect spot for it next to my straw holder (a gift from my supercool old roomie). In case you were wondering, the cookie jar is holding a stash of Cadbury chocolates and Butterfinger bells.

Thanks Mom!