Chocolate Orange Cupcake

Happy Halloween Everyone!! Who's ready for a sweet treat instead of a trick?!  I decided to make a Chocolate Orange Cupcake to celebrate the Spooky  occasion.

Here's what you'll need:
Dunkin Hinds Dark Chocolate Cake Mix (or your favorite chocolate cake recipe)
2 Oranges
1/3 C Oil
3 Eggs
1 Can of Chocolate Frosting
1 pack Happy Halloween Toppers!

To start I grated the outside of one whole orange and put that orange zest (about 2 Tablespoons) in the oil that will be going into my cake mix and let it sit for about 20 min.

* Careful not to grate the white of the orange.. Outside Zest Only!! :)

Next I juiced both oranges with my nifty hand juicer.   I then added the juice (about 1 1/3 cups) into my cake mix in place of the water.  

Add 3 eggs, oil with orange zest and mix until smooth. Pour batter into cupcake pan and cook for 12 min at 350.  Let the cupcakes cool completely before moving on to the next Spooky Step.... booooooo

It's Dipping Time!! Simply put the whole can of frosting into a microwave safe bowl and heat for 30-45 sec, stir then dip!  You'll want to roll the tops in the creamy chocolate and make sure they aren't dripping when you set them up to dry. 

My camera was being weird so this is the best sample pic I could get for you.  

 Since Danny likes salt with his sweets I've lightly dusted the tops of them with a little Sea Salt.  It makes the flavor of the chocolate stand out a bit more.  I put it on when it's still wet so it can dry.

Next,  use the outside of the second orange and zest away.. you want to sprinkle as much as you can onto the tops of the oranges.  Then top with a slice of Orange Peel + a Happy Halloween Flag.. Ta Da!!!

Who want's a cupcake!?  Looks like my sweet Hubby needed a study break and snagged a cupcake while I was taking pics of them! 

Going... Going... and Gone

Happy Halloween Everyone!! I hope you have the chance to try something Spooky + Sweet. muahhh hahahahahaha

Quick + Easy Party Cake

I had to make a cake for a church event in about an hour.. SUPER rush.. what to do!? I turned to the box.. yes.. you can still get great cake out of a box.  I even bought the tin from All a Dollar so that I wouldn't be mad/sad/crazy about getting my pan back afterward. Then I was thinking, how do I make my cake still unique and Yummy?  Toppingsss people!! They are always a delicous fix!

I snagged some Oreo Fudge Creams, cuz they were on sale. 

Put them in my nifty tiny food processor and ta-da! An Instant Delicious Dessert!

What are some ways that you make a treat in a jiffy!?

Gluten Free Chocolate Cupcakes

A Little Taste of Heaven.. and It's Gluten FREE!

 

These may be the BEST chocolate Cupakes I've ever made and they happen to be Gluten Free. I have a friend with Celiac and I decided to make some GF treats she could enjoy.   But all gluten intolerance's aside.. you must make this one!  The best part is that I decided to experiment a little and I made a Cheesecake Frosting that was literally the best "Icing on the Cake" :) 

Here's how I did it:

Chocolate Flourless Cake
4 Ounces SemiSweet Chocolate
1/2 C Butter
3/4 C Sugar
3/4 C Cocoa Powder
3 eggs, Beaten
1 tsp Vanilla Extract
*Yep that's it .. 6 little ingredients that bring us all a little closer to heaven.

Directions 
Preheat oven to 300.  Place foil liners into cupcake pan.  I reccomend spraying them with a little Non-Stick Spray because these babies know how to stick!!

In the microwave at 30 sec increments melt chocolate and butter.  Stir until smooth then mix in sugar, cocoa powder eggs, and vanilla. Pour into prepared cupcake liners. 
Bake in preheated oven for 30 minutes. Let cool in pan for 10 minutes, then turn out onto a wire rack and cool completely. 

NOTE: Some of mine did crack and fall a bit because the cake is very dense (see pic above), just fill in whatever has fallen with some yummy icing :)

Now to Top it off....
Cheesecake Frosting
2 packages of 8oz Cream Cheese
1/2 C Butter, Softened
2 C Powdered Sugar (Sifted)
1 tsp Vanilla Extract

Directions
Mix the cream cheese and butter together until they are smooth and creamy.  Then add in Vanilla extract (You can use Clear Vanilla to keep the color somewhat white).  Add in Powdered sugar 1/2 C at a time to taste.  I like my really thick and cream cheese tasting so I ended up only using 1 1/2 C powdered sugar for this batch.   Then place icing in your favorite decorating bag and decorate away.

Since mine were so thick it was hard to decorate the cupcakes as you can see some of them turned out a little wonky.. but hey it adds character and they were DELICIOUS!! This recipe is a MUST!  Happy Baking!

xoxo
Morgan

Apple Blossom Cake

 

Baby shower cake for Liz

  Since it will be her second baby and I was given full creative domain over the style, I decided to make a non-traditional baby shower cake.  Her "theme" for this baby is apples.  It's starting to feel like fall and apple spice cider smells are in the air... so I decided what better cake than an adorable apple blossom with one apple on top to represent her new little "apple" that's due any week now!

 I made a simple white fondant box cake base and scored the top to give it a tree bark look.  To give it the full effect I added gumpaste branches and handmade little blossoms.  I also dusted the blossoms with pink shimmer to give them a fresh look.  I kept the background of the cake white so it as to showcase the flowers and Oh so important baby apple! 

 I also added extra branches on the back side.

 Chillin in the library...shhh

I need to mention that this was an apple spice cake.  Yes, YUM!  I used a spice cake recipe and added carrots, apple sauce and apple chunks with a sweet cream cheese frosting filling.  The apple melded in very nicely and it was one moist decadent dessert.

Congrats Liz! I can't wait to meet your new little one when she decides to come!

xoxo

Morgan

Sneak Peek - Blossom Time

I'll soon be adding pics.. I've joined the ranks of the blossom caksters! I love how inspiring all these cakes were in making my own version.  Pics coming soon!
xoxo
Morgan