Cupcake Recipe Testing

Last week I purchased that new wonderful cupcake cookbook and I could not wait to dig into it.  So, I picked out three new recipes and decided to take them on.  I am really impressed with the outcome.  I think they turned out really well.

 

My all time favorite a lemon cupcake with lemon icing garnished with lemon zest.  I have such a weakness for anything lemon.  There is just something about it, I love the feeling you get when you take your first bite.

Next, a simple vanilla cupcake with lime frosting topped with coconut. Very interesting flavors this little cupcake has.  It takes your taste buds for a whirl.

Last, a coffee cupcake, coffee buttercream, with a dark chocolate dust, topped with a chocolate covered coffee bean. Bliss!  Heaven!  Awesome!  It's like having the perfect coffee cake, but it's a cupcake instead.  If you are interested in the recipe, I can post that for you too. I just don't have my cookbook handy or I would.

The Ranchers Club’s In Stillwater

Do you like steak?  Do you have a sweet tooth?  Well, we should be friends because I do too!  This weekend a lot of good food was consumed. Taking some off time from the social scene never hurt anyone, it did me some good.  I blame it on my small business management class-I had a huge project due today and that consumed most of my time. It is now dead week and I have some free time!  It's time to celebrate and I plan on doing so; especially since this is my last dead week of my college career.

Friday night I went to dinner with my adeepi family, however, we were missing one g little, Lynna.  Ranchers Club was the dining location.  We had the most wonderful dinner and ate like Kings, well I guess Queens.  We ate like the little Queen B's that we are.  I will let you just look at the pictures. (I am sorry if you hate pictures...but I think it makes reading more fun).  It's like reading a little kids book again; one of my personal favorites--Rainbow Fish, just so you know.

 

Please take not that this t-bone is almost as big as my face, medium rare--one word=perfection. And don't  kid yourself, I ate the whole thing.

 

Then we decided to order a dessert for the whole table, in addition to what we already had.  It was a wonderful apple thing with ice cream on top.  It was like a funnel cake almost....well minus the powder sugar.

Kayla, Kristin, and Ciara had this one, it's a dark chocolate goodness!  It was so rich that portion was just enough

I decided to be different (imagine that) This was mine, all MINE! It started off with milk chocolate, then to peanut butter, then the a dark chocolate.  Then how could you forget the dark chocolate edible art?  What is not to love about this whole situation.  Sheer bliss!

Haul Out the Holly!

Christmas music has been on blast nonstop today.  It has made it more bearable.  My two tests are out-of-the-way and I couldn't be happier about it!  Who doesn't love a little Christmas cheer?  If you answered me, I don't like Christmas Cheer... a) turn that frown upside down or b) stop reading now, trust me.  Now Playing: "We Need a Little Christmas Now" Glee Cast

Haul out the holly;

Put up the tree before my spirit falls again.

Fill up the stocking,

I may be rushing things, but deck the halls again now.

For we need a little Christmas

Right this very minute,

Candles in the window,

Carols at the spinet.

Yes, we need a little Christmas

Right this very minute.

It hasn't snowed a single flurry,

But Santa, dear, we're in a hurry;

So climb down the chimney;

 

Look it's Santa! I know him, I know him! ( the great thing about this picture, I saw this yard decoration and thought it was a perfect photo opp.  I don't even know the people.  I am sure they didn't mind, right?)

Speaking of Holly, in 5th grade I had a show heifer and her name was Holly.  She was the most wonderful black Maine heifer.  Who else has noticed that Target had the best black Friday/Christmas commercials?  That blonde lady is to die for, she is a nut case!  I love her!  We would be friends...I like shopping and crafts!

Cupcake Confessions

This week is stressful for me and I am sure every other college student out there.  I have three tests and working on finishing up a project that is due Monday. One test got out of the way this morning, small business management. It went well, so that is a sigh of relief. After lunch I went back to studying...my brain was stuffed full of information. I had to take a break.

Now it's time for a little confession. I am a little odd, yes I know. What you are about to read may or may not surprise you. I decided to go into Hastings, I went directly to the cookbook section and just sat there. I grabbed every cupcake cookbook I saw. Like a little child on Christmas morning, eager and excited I flipped through the pages looking at all of the wonderful creations. This made me feel at peace as if all was right in the world for those 30 minutes . I also made a purchase and have another that I still have my eye on. I just couldn't justify buying two today. I will have to reward myself another day.

Since next week is dead week, maybe I will have time to dive into this! Fingers crossed! I am taking another study break.  Although, I am about ready to wrap up this evening and call it good.  It has been a very long day and I am so looking forward to this weekend.