Brownie Cupcakes

I actually made these quite a while ago and I just haven't had a chance to post them. That happens sometimes when all I do is load the pictures onto my computer. I forget about them and then a month later I remember that I haven't told y'all how to make deliciousness in a while, and then I remember these cupcakes! Anyway, they are dark chocolate cupcakes with peanut butter frosting. (side-note: my dad hates frosting. He won't eat it. He scrapes it off his cake and gives it to my mom. But he likes this icing! That's got to tell you it's good, right?) Back to the cupcakes. They taste a little like brownies spread with creamy peanut butter. Bottom line, they're delicious.

I got the recipe here, but I'll type it out for you too, so you don't have to go to two links. I don't know about you, but I find that annoying, so I try not to do it.

For the Cupcakes:

1 Stick Butter

2 oz Chocolate Chips

1/2 C Cocoa Powder

3/4 C Flour

1/2 t Baking Soda

3/4 t Baking Powder

2 Eggs

3/4 C Sugar

1 t Vanilla Extract

1/2 t Salt

1/2 C Sour Cream

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Heat butter, chocolate chips, and cocoa on medium heat until melted and combined. Stir together flour, baking soda, and baking powder. Mix together eggs, sugar, vanilla, and salt. Add chocolate mixture. Add flour mixture and sour cream alternately. Bake 18-20 minutes.

For the Peanut Butter Frosting:

1 C Powdered Sugar

1 C Peanut Butter

5 T Butter

3/4 t Vanilla Extract

1/4 t Salt

1/3 C Heavy Cream

Mix all ingredients except the cream on medium-low speed until creamy. Add the heavy cream and mix. If you want thicker icing you can add more powdered sugar. If you want thinner icing add more heavy cream. Enjoy!

Reminiscing

So I was looking through my pictures and realized that although I wore this outfit a while back, I still hadn't posted it! I suppose this is a good start to my April goal of getting on top of blogging! I'm also researching how to add different side-bars and things like that to my blog, so be on the lookout for some new things coming soon! Anyway, back to the outfit. I like this outfit despite the fact that I threw it on before going last minute prom dress shopping with my friend Gabby. There are some amazing thrift stores here in New York, and I recently got this red blazer at one of them for only $4! I'm also wearing one of the scarves I got in London, rose earrings, black ankle boots, and jeans. Hope you have a great Tuesday! 

Holiday Roundup

So I'm pretty awful at blogging at the right time, so I'll just have to put St Patrick's Day and Easter together in one post. St Patty's was really fun! I ran in the 5 mile race (and surprisingly my time was only 55:50!), made rainbow cupcakes, and watched my best friend's little sister in her Irish Dance Recital!

Before the race

All the dancing was VERY impressive!

Apparently I don't have a finished picture of the cupcakes. They were beautiful. And delicious!

Just my dad, being a dork as always!

And on to Easter! Easter was actually on my birthday this year, which was super fun! The picture is a little blurry, but it's the only one I have so that's what you get! ;) Here's what I wore:

I wore my black dress with pink, purple, and orange flowers on top. The only problem was that the sleeves are cap sleeves and it only comes to my knees. It's still snowing here in the arctic so I couldn't wear the dress alone. I added tights, black heels, and a 100% wool, bright pink blazer that I found at a thrift shop for $1 last week. I wore a purple scarf when I went out because it's really cold.

I hope you all had a great Easter!

March Report Card and April Goals

So I am very pleased to announce that I did fantastically on my March Goals!

1) Put $200 towards my trip to the Dominican Republic: A++
I had almost $200 saved before I received birthday money, but afterwards I was able to put in a total of over $400!! I am getting so close now! I can hardly wait until June!

2) Finish English with an A: A+
I was REALLY worried about English because of on grade that I got on the first paper I wrote, but I worked really hard and ended the class with an A! I actually got a 100 on the research paper, which is a really big deal for me, because I often make small grammar mistakes that cost lots of points.

3) Catch up on Economics and Physics: A
After finishing English I had a week or so to get caught up on my other subjects, and I actually stayed motivated! Surprise, I know. :)

4) Run three times a week: B
I was able to keep up with this for the first couple weeks of March, which was great! Then I ran my first 5 mile run for St. Patrick's Day, which was super fun! Unfortunately, because I wasn't used to running that far, I got minor shin splints in my leg, and I had to take a break for the next couple weeks. But I'm better now and will go back to running this month!

Do you like my St Patty's Outfit? The socks are my favorite!

And now for my April Goals:

1) Put $100 towards my trip to the DR (I would say more but I'm going home this month and so I won't be able to work)

2) Don't go crazy waiting for April 16th

3) Keep my room clean; stop just dumping stuff on the extra bed

4) Get on top of blogging! No more of this blog after the fact!

Egg and Mini Muffins

I've decided to expand what I use my silicone baking cups for so that I can use them more often, so this past Sunday I made (slightly modified) eggs napoleon for breakfast! Seriously, breakfast is my favorite meal of the day, so anytime I can make something good for breakfast, I'm all over it. Anyways, to make these you were supposed to use tater tots, but I didn't have any so I cut some left over fries into small pieces and put those on the bottom instead. Then you were supposed to cook onion, butter, jalapenos, and garlic in a skillet, but I was in a hurry so I sprinkled garlic, diced onion, melted butter, and chili powder (for the kick) on top of the fries. After that I sprinkled mozzarella cheese (which was actually called for in the recipe) on top. The recipe then called for a whole egg in each muffin, but we didn't have enough so I whisked them all together and divided them equally among the cups. I then baked them at 350 for about 10 minutes. They were pretty good! We found that if dipped in salsa they were better, though. If I make them again I will add the spices to the egg and add more spice. They were a little bland, but the salsa definitely made them better!

 On to the mini muffins! So my mom's class at PWOC (a Bible Study we attend) was in charge of bringing mini muffins for next week's study. Of course I butted in and insisted on making them with (or more like for) her, because I'm "nice" like that.. ;) Anyway, it turns out that her group of ladies was getting together to make them all at the same time, so I went along to help and it was super fun!

 We made four different kinds (recipes below): Blueberry Chocolate Chip, Coffee Cake, Sugared Mango (found on Pinterest, I'm addicted), and Orange Cranberry.

Coffee Cake 

Blueberry Chocolate Chip 

Orange Cranberry

Sugared Mango

Our verdict was that the Sugared Mango and the Coffee Cake were the best flavors, but they were all delicious!

Sugared Mango Muffins

1 3/4 C Flour

1/2 t Salt

1 t Baking Powder

6 T Room Temperature Butter

1 C Sugar

2 Eggs

1 t Vanilla

1/2 C Sour Cream

1 1/2 C Chopped Mango (1-2 Mangoes if you are using fresh)

Sugar for topping

Mix together dry ingredients and wet ingredients in different bowls. Combine wet and dry ingredients. Fold in mangoes. Spoon into muffin tins and bake at 350 for 18-20 minutes for full size muffins and 15 for mini muffins. 

Coffee Cake Muffins

1 1/2 C Flour

1/2 C Sugar

1 1/4 t Baking Powder

1/2 t Cinnamon

1/4 t Ginger

1/4 t Baking Soda

1/4 t Salt

1/4 C Butter

1 Egg

1/2 C Buttermilk or Sour Milk

Mix together dry and wet ingredients in different bowls. Combine the dry and wet ingredients. Spoon into muffin tins and top with topping. Bake at 400 for 15 minutes for full size muffins and 10-12 minutes for mini muffins.

Topping: 

3 T Flour

3 T Brown Sugar

1/4 t Cinnamon

2 T Butter

3 T Chopped Walnuts or Pecans (optional)

Blueberry Chocolate Chip Muffins and Orange Cranberry Muffins

These two have the same basic muffin recipe with different fillings.

1 3/4 C Flour

1/3 C Sugar

2 t Baking Powder

1/4 t Salt

1 Egg

3/4 C Milk

1/4 C Cooking Oil

Mix together dry and wet ingredients in different bowls. Combine dry and wet ingredients. Fold in fillings (below). Spoon into muffin tins and bake at 400 for 18 minutes for full muffins and 12-15 minutes for mini muffins.

Blueberry Chocolate Chip filling: 1/4 C each of frozen blueberries and chocolate chips

Orange Cranberry filling: an extra 1/4 t Salt. 1/4 C Chopped Dried Cranberries, 1-2 t Orange Zest, the juice of 1/2 an orange (or about 3 T orange juice. Basically to taste)

Enjoy!

New York City!!!!

Anyone want to guess what I got for my birthday? Only the BEST PRESENT EVER!!! A trip to New York City to see a Broadway play!!! I thought I'd share some pictures from my trip, but if you'd like to see them all check Facebook! 

My Sis and I, right after we got to our hotel

Grand Central Station! Can you find my mom and sister?

I admit- I am an unashamed Foodie :) 

These fries were delicious! 

This is what I wore the beginning of the day. Pink jeans, chevron top, black jacket, giant purple scarf (thank you Emily Rose!, the traveling earrings, and converse

Seeing Time Square at night has always been a dream of mine

Waiting in line to see the play 

Me and my momma 

Me and my sister

 We weren't allowed to take pictures during the play so I thought I'd share a little of  my experience. It was AMAZING!! I cannot imagine anything better. It was so cool. Best Birthday Present EVER! While watching I remember thinking two distinct things: 1) there goes fainting off my list. It'll never happen now. If I was ever going to faint it would have been now. and 2) Heaven will be better than this, and I couldn't even imagine it.

The Walk of Fashion

The Family :)

I love Iron Man! My favorite super hero aside from Batman.

We went to see Good Morning America live!

My sister had WAY too much fun at the American Girl store!

We took a picture in the elevator of SAKS, just like our elevator picture in Harrods.

All in all I had a fabulous time! I can't wait to go back!!

Silicone Baking Cups

So you might have heard that my dad broke his arm recently. My mom and I were gone at the time, and my sister is obviously at school, so he was by himself. Fortunately, lots of people that he works with were kind enough to bring him food while we were gone and he was hurt. Guess what that means... (by the way, I love the guessing game; my mother hates it...) Anyway, it means I had to make those people thank you presents! What a sacrifice, I know. I had to get the recipe from a friend because I left my chocolate cook-book in Columbia, but it all worked out. I give you "Chocolate Dream Cups!" Aren't they fabulous? It's all edible: the cup, the mousse, the Andes Mint, everything. I'll even include the recipe, just because I'm nice like that, you can thank me later. :)

Chocolate Dream Cups

1 C Chocolate Chips

1 t Shortening (do not use butter!)

Melt these together in the microwave stirring every 30 seconds until smooth. Thickly coat cupcake liners with chocolate and chill 10-15 minutes. Touch up thin spots and chill 2 hours or overnight. Fill with chocolate mousse.

Chocolate Mousse

1 t Unflavored Gelatin

1 T Cold Water

2 T Boiling Water

1/2 C Sugar

1/4 C Cocoa

1 C Cold Whipping Cream

1 t Vanilla Extract

Sprinkle gelatin over cold water and let stand 1 minute to soften. Add boiling water (hint, don't try to pour boiling water into a Tablespoon, you will burn yourself. It will hurt.) Stir until all the gelatin is dissolved and mixture is clear. Let stand to cool. Meanwhile, stir together sugar and cocoa. Add whipping cream and vanilla. Mix on medium speed until stiff. Add the gelatin mixture and beat until well blended. Spoon or pipe into chocolate cups. Chill until set (at least an hour). Enjoy!

What, you might be wondering, does this have to do with silicone baking cups? Well, I'm glad you asked. While at Wal-Mart yesterday getting the supplies for these baking cups I saw these silicone baking cups next to the normal cupcake liners. I had heard great things about them and they were only $4 for 8 of them, so why not, right? I am now addicted. They are SO MUCH BETTER than normal cupcake liners!! It's fantastic. I will be buying more. I had a dream last night that I tore one and I almost cried. Thank goodness it was just a dream, right?? I totally recommend getting some if you like baking. It is totally worth it. 

 Just a picture of how they turned out to make you jealous ;) 

 This is a comparison of a silicone versus a normal cupcake liner. Not much of a competition, huh?

Also, now that I'm totally addicted to these silicone things, I had to use them again. Thank you, Pinterest (I'm addicted), for these little puppies! Pancake muffins. Let me tell you: you will not be able to just eat one. Ever. So. Dang. Delicious. It's just a normal pancake mix with whatever you want in them baked at 350 for 12-15 minutes. I over-filled mine a little because I didn't want to have two pans, because I don't have two cupcake pans, but they still were super awesome! The next time I make them I will mix the toppings in with the batter though, because just dropping them on top left them on top, and then the rest of your pancake/muffin just tastes like a pancake. Which is still good, but not as good as a blueberry pancake/muffin.

I also made some with chocolate chips, and they were also delicious. When my mother tried these she said, "These are good, surprisingly!" To which I responded, "That's kind of an insult..." At least she thinks they're good now!