Cupcake Test 9, Strawberry & Cream

The Strawberry & Cream cupcake had been previewed by StO and her crew found it tasty and delish and maybe even their favorite.  It's a bit different in that you use Strawberry Soda to flavor a white cake mix.  I'm not quite sure why you wouldn't just use a strawberry cake mix, but hey, we're testing wedding cupcakes here!

I can't believe that I ordered some piping tips off of the Wilton's site.  I've been checking my local sources and let me just say, they are lacking.  I ordered some of the extra large tips so that I can get quick and full coverage - some rounds, some stars...  I don't remember what all now.

And yesterday, I picked up another cupcake book called Cupcake Heaven, by Susannah Blake.  Apple & Cinnamon, Carrot & Cardamom, Lavender, Rosewater - and those are the "Simple" cupcakes.   My taste buds are tingling just thinking about it.

So back to the regularly scheduled programming:

Process Notes:  Not much to note here.  The cupcakes were well behaved.  I used one batch of the cream cheese frosting recipe in the back of the book to frost the cupcakes.  Instead of topping them with sliced strawberries (since I didn't have any!) I sprinkled some pretty pink sugar on instead.

Tasting Notes:  Me - the cream cheese frosting is near perfect, especially when paired with the strawberry cupcake.  I wish I had thought to stir in some frozen strawberry puree into the cake mix, like my favorite bakery in Dallas - Stein's - but I was too late.  The cupcakes were lightly flavored with strawberry and were a delight to eat.

Mark - had a taste when he got home, and his comment was "I wish I hadn't done that - now I want some more!"  He delivered nearly the full batch to work and when he wandered through the kitchen at lunch time, there were two left.  At least three folks went back for seconds.  I think you can count these as a hit!

Nearly done....

We're very nearly done with the construction on the deck.  Well, in all actuallity, it is complete.  We are having a couple of benches and planters put together so that I can continue to garden up here without fear of the deer.  So before I load it up with the current plant rotation, here's a look from start to finish. 

Some details (click to enlarge)....

Cupcake Test 8, Pina Colada

aka, "if you half have a brain...."  That song has been on an endless loop since I first made these cupcakes.  I need to move on so it will get out of my head!

Without further ado...
Process Notes:  These were simple to make with the addition of crushed pineapple and rum extract to the cake mix.  The frosting was canned, with additional rum & coconut extracts for that island flavor.  I evidently got happy with my scooper again, since I only got 22 cupcakes.  And each can of frosting only covered a dozen.  The crushed pineapple was a bit difficult to clean off of the beaters in my dishwasher.

Tasting Notes:  Me - If I didn't know that the pineapple was in the cake, I wouldn't have noticed it at all.  I thought that the rum extract in the frosting was a bit heavy handed, overpowering the coconut. 

Mark didn't get a taste of these at all.  However, he delivered them to work and they were gone in a flash.  I asked him for specific feedback re: the pineapple and again, not noticed at all.  One gentleman said he got some fruit, but he didn't realize what it was. 

This was probably the last delivery to my deck dudes, and they said they were tasty, but not as good as some of the others they have had.

So there you go.  Next up, Strawberry & Cream.

Flea Market Find!

Last weekend was one of the first in a while where the wet has not been falling from the sky, so I thought I would take the chance and head in for the Santa Cruz Flea Market.  I'm always on the lookout for several of things, including vintage linens, books, broaches and glassware.  Don't ask me why, I don't know.  I know I don't need anymore, but they get used frequently and make me smile.  This particular day had me feeling lucky with the find of this seemingly vintage game by Milton Bradley.  I say seemingly, as the box and the wooden tiles are in near mint condition.  I've seen recent re-release of toys, like Lincoln Logs, so I'm a bit skeptical.  Regardless, I've had my eye out for a scrabble game that I could re purpose the tiles into some creative manner, and this seems to fit the bill.

In addition to my regular run at the produce stands (oranges, tomatoes, cukes, peppers, beets, cilantro....), I managed to find a set of four square purple plates that I think will serve marvelously as on-deck ware and a Klutz book on braiding hair.  You'd think after 40+ years of long hair, I'd know what I am doing, but this has some different looks, so I'm practicing.

The fruit trees have burst into full bloom and the bees are buzzing.  Hope you have a happy!