Showing posts with label Cakes. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Cakes. Show all posts

HappyCakes Cupcakery Made Me Happy!!!


Ok,so here's the deal - we simply drove by this "bakery" on our way to Wal-Mart.

I'm abso addicted to cupcakes, so I had to go check it out, but the Bunny was fighting me hard on it. (I asked him to help me stick to my plan & he does his best)
The name sounded kinda familiar, so while the Bunny was in Wal-Mart & Lowe's
I do what I do best and hit google to find out WHY this name was soooo familiar.

And that is when I discovered that HappyCakes was not only a contestant 
(more than enough reason to go) 
but the winner of Season 2 Episode 21 of CUPCAKE WARS!

So with that ammo in place - I made my point and got to visit the cupcakery.
I'm totally bummed that I forgot to take a picture of the outside, but it's not much of a miss
cause it is simply one location in a strip mall strip from the outside.

But you walk inside and oh my goodness!
The yummy scents fill the air and you can almost taste the butter and sugar.


So that explains the butter scent!


So the menu is a bit different than any other bakery I've been to.
The have a flavor schedule and those are the cupcakes available on any given day.

So there isn't any "Hey hon - stop by HappyCakes and pick me up a German Chocolate" cause it might not be on the menu that day. Of course a smart consumer checks out the schedule and then decides on what to get.

Or you could be like me and go 
"Hmmm one of each and double the strawberry & german chocolate, please"
Hey don't judge me these little gems are $3 a piece (and worth every freaking penny)
or you can get one dozen (that's 12 for those of you not fond of math) for $29.

Today's offerings are:
Strawberry Cream
Brown Sugar Maple
Oreo Overload
Hummingbird
Vanilla Dream
Hot Chocolate 
German Chocolate 
Chocolate Indulgence 
Chocolate Tuxedo 
and Black Velvet


They get packed up so pretty in this very deceptive simple package.


Close up of the label cause it made me smile!


It was almost impossible to wait until we got back to the campground to try one of these.

Out of the 12 I got to sample at least a bite of three. 
I had a German Chocolate one that has simply transformed my idea of what this traditional cake is supposed to take like, the Bunny had a Strawberry Cream that tasted like sweetened strawberries & cream, while the Rents split a Hummingbird that was perfectly nutty and delicious.

If you are ever in the area - totally check them out - because they are amazing!!!




Mini Cheesecake





Preheat oven to 325

For Crust

Ingredients: 
1 cup graham crackers crumbs
3 Tbsp butter melted
2 Tbsp sugar

Directions: 
Mix graham cracker crumbs, butter & sugar thoroughly.
Divide into 18 paper lined muffin cups.
Press down firmly.

For filling
Ingredients:
3/4 cup sugar
3 packages cream cheese softened
1 tsp vanilla
3 eggs

Directions:
In mixing bowl, add cream cheese, vanilla and sugar, mix until blended. 
Add eggs, 1 at a time, mixing on low speed after each just until blended. 
Spoon over crusts.

BAKE 25 to 30 min. or until centers are almost set. 
Cool completely.

For topping
Ingredients:
1 cup shredded coconut
Few drops green food coloring
1 package colorful egg shaped candies 

Directions:
Put shredded coconut & food coloring in a container with a lid - shake until all coconut is dyed.
Top each cheesecake with 1 Tbsp coconut - shape to resemble bird's nest. 
Fill with egg candies.

Ben10 Birthday Cake


My wonderful nephew is turning 8 on Monday, so we had
his birthday party on Saturday (more about that
in another post :) )
And since I have made all of the other birthday cakes
he wanted me to make his Ben10 cake.

After teasing him something awful about designing a pink glittery unicorn
I did indeed bake/make him a 
Ben10 BOY cake - including action figures

Baking for "Mommy"





My sister's birthday was this week so I got together with my little baking helper and we decided to bake a cake for after dinner. (we went to "the place they cook the food on the table" cause that is LM's favorite special place)






Must say that this time the only thing I really did - during the baking part - was anything relating to the oven, cracking the eggs, and measuring the water. Everything else LM did all by himself. He even "read" the recipe. Now granted we were using a cake mix, bit I think that is pretty impressive for a 5 year old.

Carrot Cake Recipe

1 C pecans
1 Tbsp
2 1/2C finely grated raw carrots
2C all-purpose flour
1 tsp baking soda
1 1/2 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp salt
1 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon
4 large eggs
1 1/2 C sugar
1 C Canola oil
2 tsp pure vanilla extract

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F

Spray two - 9 inch round cake pans

Toss pecans in 1 Tbsp butter & toast the pecans or walnuts for about 7 minutes or until lightly browned and fragrant. Let cool and then chop coarsely.

Peel and finely grate the carrots.

In a separate bowl whisk together the flour, baking soda, baking powder, salt, and ground cinnamon.

In bowl of electric mixer - beat the eggs until frothy (about 1 minute). Gradually add the sugar and beat until the batter is thick and light colored (about 3 - 4 minutes). Add the oil in a steady stream and then beat in the vanilla extract.

Add the flour mixture and beat just until incorporated. With a large rubber spatula fold in the grated carrots and chopped nuts. Evenly divide the batter between the two prepared pans and bake 25 to 30 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.

Remove from oven and let cool on a wire rack. After about 5 -10 minutes invert the cakes onto the wire rack, remove the pans and parchment paper, and then cool completely before frosting.

Icing:
2 8oz containers cream cheese
10 tbsp softened butter
4-5 C powder sugar (depending on sweetness)
1 tbs vanilla extract
1 C toasted pecans - rough chopped (save some whole for the top of the cake)

Put cream cheese & butter in mixer & turn on, mix until well incorporated, add vanilla, then slowly add the powder sugar and then add the nuts.

To assemble: place one cake layer onto your serving plate. Spread with about half the frosting. Gently place the other cake onto the frosting and spread the rest of the frosting over the top of the cake. If desired, garnish with toasted nuts on the top of the cake. Cover and refrigerate any leftovers.

What are we gonna do for her sweet 16



I just realized I forgot to post this as a stand alone post. This was for Oceana's 5th birthday party. It was a Princess Theme.

And Happy Birthday



from a very Snarky Rabbit. I don't know why the board bled - it's very disturbing.

John Birthday Cake



Yet another Lucas pick - at least this one is closer to the mark - Dad works on cars.

Lucas and Aunt Win baked & decorated this cake just for his daddy.

My mother's bday cake



She turned 70 today and my 2 year old nephew picked out the type of cake she got. I'm not sure mom is going to want a "tom train" cake.

Lucas' 2nd Birthday Cake

And this is the cake I baked for my little nephew. Wow it was a pain - but so worth the look on his face.