Carrot Cupcakes...will post pictures!

What a flavor combination--hearty Carrot Cupcakes with a thick coat of our rich Cream Cheese Icing. One of the most satisfying desserts around! (Wilton website) 

Ingredients:

• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 2 cups granulated sugar
• 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
• 2 teaspoons baking soda
• 4 eggs
• 1 cup vegetable oil
• 4 cups (approx. 1 lb) carrots freshly shredded
• 2/3 cup nuts chopped

Makes:

About 2 1/2 dozen standard cupcakes or 8 Mini Tasty-Fill cakes. Each cupcake serves 1.

Instructions:

Step 1

Preheat oven to 350°F. Line standard muffin pan with baking cups. In medium bowl, combine flour, sugar, cinnamon and baking soda; mix well.

Step 2

In large bowl, beat eggs with electric mixer until foamy; add oil in a thin stream and beat well. Add flour mixture to egg mixture; mix well. Fold in carrots and nuts. Spoon into baking cups.

Step 3

Bake 18-20 minutes or until toothpick inserted in center comes out clean. Cool cupcakes in pan on cooling rack for 5-8 minutes. Remove cupcakes from pan; cool completely.

Step 4

Do not use pre-shredded carrots.

Step 5

Any of our cupcake recipes may be prepared in our Mini Tasty-Fill pans. Spray pans with vegetable pan spray, then fill each with about 1/2 cup batter. Place pans on cookie sheet and bake 14-16 minutes. Cool in pan on cooling grid for about 8 minutes; remove from pan and cool completely before filling and icing.

Next Project....24 cupcakes with chocolate icing have been split and delivered!

CARROT CUP CAKES...maybe tonight?

Chocolate Buttercream Icing

A GLOWING report from a lady down the street who called to say her 14 year old grandson begged her to have the last two cupcakes. He said, "But Gramma these are the best cakes I have EVER had. Do you think she would make more for me if I paid her?"

It is the icing, folks:
Chocolate Buttercream Icing:

Ingredients:

• 1/2 cup solid vegetable shortening
• 1/2 cup (1 stick) butter or margarine, softened
• 3/4 cup cocoa or three 1 oz. unsweetened chocolate squares, melted
• 1 teaspoon clear vanilla extract Easy-Add clear vanilla extract
• 4 cups sifted confectioners' sugar (approximately 1 lb.)
• 3-4 tablespoons milk

Makes:

About 3 cups of icing.

Instructions:

Step 1

Stiff Consistency: In large bowl, cream shortening and butter with electric mixer. Add cocoa and vanilla. Gradually add sugar, one cup at a time, beating well on medium speed. Scrape sides and bottom of bowl often. When all sugar has been mixed in, icing will appear dry. Add milk and beat at medium speed until light and fluffy. Keep bowl covered with a damp cloth until ready to use. For best results, keep icing bowl in refrigerator when not in use. Refrigerated in an airtight container, this icing can be stored 2 weeks. Rewhip before using.

ENCOURAGING FRIENDLINESS THROUGH COOKING

Currently most people communicate more with their phone and computer than with each other, in REAL life!

How about baking something and inviting a few friends over for something homemade? Is that too intimidating? Your house is too messy? Then call up a friend and ask, "Can we have some tea or coffee together? I will bring the treats!" Still too forward? Knock on a neighbors door and hand them a plate!


The point is, let's encourage friendship, neighborliness, and kindness.


Our simple acts of friendship can break the isolation and loneliness in which so many live.

Custard filling...tasted great

This homemade custard filling did not turn out as thick as I wanted.  :( 

For under $6.00 at Hobby Lobby with a 40% off coupon, I got a Wilton cupcake decorating kit......that is cheap! It has an attachment that allows you to put fillings in the cupcakes. Adding pudding or homemade filling brings this little treat to a new level of surprise!

AGAIN, my neighbors were AMAZED!

The "White Buttercream" and "Chocolate Buttercream" icing recipes on the WILTON website are amazing! They hold their shape on the cupcake.

So I am taking a cake decorating class......

There is actually a lot to know about cake decorating and I am learning things I didn't know. My teacher says baking a cake is a science.....mmmm....never thought of it that way but it is a bunch of chemical reactions isn't it?

Anyway what I am finding is my neighbors LOVE pretty treats and they seem to be warming up to me with the help of these sweet treats! Who wouldn't feel special getting something lovely to look at and good to eat? Gosh these sell for $3:50 at the silly cupcake specialty store! I have been making them and giving them away!....GREAT FUN!

People really need to stop being so self centered and try giving something away! The joy is in the giving and the look of surprize in the receivers face!

I have found a NEW HOBBY!

SHARING..........

I have discovered that my neighbors are REALLY nice to me after I give them pretty treats! Few people cook or bake anymore and fewer yet share their homemade goodies! When they look pretty this has a huge WOW effect!

I would rather have friendly neighbors than cold distant ones wouldn't you? Imagine if women started baking again and looking for people to give their goods to?  Friendliness would REIGN!

Sharing homemade baked goodies and a cup of coffee or tea could really make us a nicer, more gracious people and we could cultivate friendliness, hospitality and genuine concern for one another.



WE CAN SPREAD KINDNESS ONE cupcake at a time!.........