Kate's BakeShop

Who knew?

2010-05-11T08:37:00.002-05:00

I'm always amazed how my plans never seem to be the way things work out.

I can plot out timelines, make lists, juggle priorities, and somehow, I never seem to be in control.

And I'm ok with that.

Because I'm much more comfortable with Who IS in control.

He's much wiser than I am.

And He knew that this blog wouldn't last all year.

Someone should have told me!

Life has changed in the Leonard home.

A LOT.

We're making changes, adjusting our schedules, and setting down some things that aren't necessities to living.

And as much as I hate to admit it, cupcakes are not necessary to survival. :)

Necessary to happiness some days, YES.

Survivial? Not so much.

So, for now I'm on a baking hiatus.

It's sad.

But it's for the best.

And I'll be back.

I'm not sure when.

And I'm not sure where.

But I'll be back and I'll have a new adventure.

You can count on that.

Best!

Pucker Up!

2010-03-01T19:08:00.003-06:00

Hey look!

It's a lemon cupcake!

On my desk!

Clearly I'm getting desperate for pictures.

Once again I forgot to take a picture (or more accurately, ask my husband to take a picture).

And then I was about to enjoy my cupcake creation on break today and realized my blunder.

So I whipped out my trusty camera phone and snapped a few hasty pics next to my keyboard.

And then I devoured that tiny cake.

It was delicious!

There is a sweetly tart, creamy lemon curd beneath that lemon butter cream frosting, tucked inside that vanilla-lemon cupcake.

Everything about that was right.

Everything.

Still not sure what's up next week, but I'll work on it in the next few days and I'll get back at 'ya!

Happy Monday!

It's time for cake...CUPcake!

2010-02-27T08:51:00.003-06:00

Cupcakes are back!!!!!

These cuties are white chocolate macadamia nut.

Inspired by a trip to my local Subway.

I ordered my flatbread, perused the baked chip display and then my eyes landed on the cookie rack.

Ah, beautiful, chewy, cookie babies.

And I thought to myself, 'Self, you should make those cookies into a cupcake.'

So I did.

I whipped up a vanilla cupcake and stirred in about a half cup each of crushed toasted macadamia nuts, and white chocolate.

Next came of white chocolate ganache filling (not as easy to make as traditional ganache, but delicious nonetheless).

Topped off with vanilla butter cream and more toasted macadamia nuts.

They really did taste like the cookie.

It was a good decision.

And then there was the week before when I made cucpakes but you didn't see them.

Darn those weeks when you're too busy to breathe!

I didn't get a picture of the Tiramisu cuppies.

I have peace about it and so should you.

They were yummy, it's true. But, they looked like a lot of other cupcakes, so I don't feel too bad about it.

Quick recap for you: Tiramisu Cupcakes=Vanilla Rum Cupcake, filled with espresso whipped cream, topped with marscapone cream cheese and dusted with cocoa powder.

Mmmm...those Italian's sure do know their desserts!

This coming week is Lemon Cupcakes...by request.

The poll will be back up for your voting pleasure in a few weeks.

Happy Baking!

This Week

2010-02-23T12:18:00.000-06:00

Sorry about the delinquency. I'll explain later.

For now know that I made Tiramisu cupcakes last week.

And this week it's a surprise!

Have a great week!

Heart Day Cuppies

2010-02-15T07:18:00.005-06:00

I hope everyone had a fantastic and magical Valentine's Day!

Mr. Kate's BakeShop and I relaxed together and were not really ready for Monday to sneak up on us.

But it does that. And we accept Monday for who it is.

So, hello Monday. I have some cupcakes for you.

I made these lovelies this weekend for a lovely lady who was gifting them to her dear children.

RazCakes with little heart picks. Mostly because they made them look festive and decorating is not really my strong suit when it comes to cupcakes. I'm all about the flavor!

And then there were these.

Salted Caramel & Chocolate. Mmmmm....
Again with the heart picks. I couldn't help myself.

I hope they were enjoyed and made mouths and tummies happy!

Keep voting this week! See you in a few days!

I'm So Behind - Heath Forgive Me!!

2010-02-12T17:38:00.004-06:00

So apparently I can't have a new job and blog on time.

Incidentally I've found out that I can't have a new job and keep my house clean either.

Or keep my fridge stocked with food.

Or do the laundry.

So, I can have a job.

And that's it.

But for you, for the few of you who faithfully follow this tiny blog I will post the few sad pictures I have of this week's cupcake.

The first picture looks completely different than the second one for a number of reasons.

They are:

1. As mentioned above, this week has been kind of out of control in the "getting things done" arena and the cupcakes were no exception. Thus, I was making cupcakes at 10 pm on Wednesday night. And I am a 'get in bed at 9 pm' kind of girl. Rough!

2. Due to the late hour I didn't have time to wait for my coffee to cool to make mocha frosting out of chocolate frosting. And I don't know if you know, but let me be the first to tell you that pouring warm coffee into butter cream frosting will make soft, sloppy frosting. DELICIOUS frosting, but sloppy nonetheless. And sloppy frosting doesn't pipe well. Duh.

3. So, the cupcakes that went to work with Mr. Kate's BakeShop were spread on. The one's that went to work with me were piped...at 7 am on Thursday morning...15 minutes before I had to walk out the door. I like to live on the edge.

Ok, so really that was just ONE reason, broken down into three paragraphs. Clearly I'm delusional. I haven't had dinner. I can't be held responsible for the things I say or type.

Alright, enough messing around, here's what you came here for.

From my phone...not as impressive as the hubby's fancy schmancy phone. But the cupcake is much prettier!

Hubby's phone...not quite like a real camera...but close...someday.

Ok, we're late for dinner with friends. Let me just break this down for you.

Mocha Toffee Cupcake
Bailey's Irish Cream Chocolate cupcake, filled with a mocha whipped cream, topped with chocolate butter cream, sprinkled with crushed toffee bits.

Oh yeah, I'm not making that up. There's booze in that cupcake. And it was SO good! The cupcake wasn't bad either. :)

Happy Valentine's Day everyone. I have some heart day cuppies to make this weekend. I'll try to snap some pics and post them before next week.

And I'll work on a new poll. Still not sure what the choices will be.

Any suggestions??

Just Because

2010-02-05T19:42:00.005-06:00

It's Friday night.

My devoted husband is outside diligently snow blowing our driveway and I'm sitting in our delightfully warm house watching cooking shows on public television.

He's such a good man. I'm such a slacker. Thus is our life together.

I just wanted to show you something really quick. I think you'll like it.

Earlier today I made cupcakes.

Shocker, I know.

They're not part of the 52 Cupcake Challenge. But that certainly doesn't mean I can't share them with you.

I do so LOVE to share cupcakes with you!

My KitchenAide and I whipped up some HopScotchCakes and some SnoCapCakes.

(Side Note: I'm feeling a strong urge to name my KitchenAide. I might have to work on that this week.)

Moving on.

The SnoCaps are still in process...awaiting their moment to roll in glorious crushed chocolate cookies.

You can't rush these things...you'll end up with mushy cookie crumbs. And that's just gross.

BUT, the HopScotchCakes are ready for their big moment.

There now. I don't feel so bad about the slacking. I was productive today.

Oh, and I feel it's necessary to tell you that under that golden cocoon of butterscotch ganache (layered over vanilla butter cream) is the most perfect vanilla cupcake I've ever created.

I actually came up with a vanilla cupcake that's fluffy, moist, delicate, and sweet. And it didn't even remotely resemble a muffin.

Because if you know me, you know my aversion to muffins masquerading as cupcakes!

And finally, just because Mr. Kate's BakeShop took this photo off his phone and put in on our computer tonight, I'll share it with you.

That and because it made me want to make another batch of these immediately.

In case you're wondering which cupcake you need to order right now, this pretty baby is a chocolate chip cupcake with chocolate butter cream filling, vanilla butter cream frosting and a mini chocolate chip cookie topper!

I'll be going to the store to buy the next size up in pants now.

See you soon!

Chocolate...Caramel...Pretzels...oh my!

2010-02-04T13:39:00.005-06:00

Look at her. She's stunning. Like, you might have to sit down, stunning.

Go ahead. I'll wait for you.

Let's talk about her for a minute.

She's a chocolate fudge cupcake topped with salted caramel butter cream frosting.

And then I went crazy.

I took a 'hungry size' bag of pretzels, (brought home by Mr. Kate's BakeShop after I sent him a desperate, "I need pretzels" text), dumped them into a Ziploc bag and bashed the heck out of them with a rolling pin.

Once they were in little, salty, tiny, baby pieces I sprinkled them on top of the salted caramel butter cream frosting (which is my new FAVORITE frosting!).

And then, Lord help me, I drizzled each cupcake with chocolate ganache and salted caramel.

I did. And I don't apologize for it.

I just hope they were as delicious as they looked! Any Banner taste testers care to weigh in?

Next up was the Eclair cupcake.

And I made those too. But I don't have pictures for you...yet.

It's one of those days.

It's almost 2 pm here in the g-toe and I'm sitting in my workout gear, hat in tact to hide the hideous 'do, updating my blog before I've showered.

Hey, at least I worked out. I needed it after the four Oreos I ate earlier today.

I know, it's disturbing, but it's the truth.

Believe me, I'm not sure how it happened, but somehow Thursday snuck up behind me and pulled my hair! Honestly, all morning long I thought it was Wednesday!

It wasn't until I realized that my BS ladies are coming over tonight that it dawned on me that I hadn't updated this little bloggy spot.

I'm sorry for the delay.

So, even though I have pictures, blurry, camera-phone pictures, of ONE of the two types of cuppies I made this week, you'll have to be patient and wait for pics of the eclair's.

I need someone to come home and take a bite out of the one I saved for you so that I can show you a 'this is what the inside of this baby looks like' picture.

While you're waiting, have yourself a bowl of ice cream or a handful of Oreos.

I'm going to.

And because you're being so patient. Here's another look at our friend, the naughty little minx.

It's a Tie? It's a Tie!

2010-02-02T07:01:00.003-06:00

I actually never considered this would happen.

See, I told you...no planning.

But it has happened. And now I must make a decision.

There is a tie between two of the cuppy flavors.

Do I choose?

Do I make both?

Do I declare a re-vote to break the tie??

Oh nelly, it's too much for my 7 am brain.

Well, since this is my last week of freedom before I head back to the work force I think I'll be adventurous.

I can take the heat.

It's decided.

This week I will make both Caramel Chocolate Pretzel AND Eclair Cupcakes!!

Ooooh, I can feel the excitement! I can't wait to get baking!

See you back here in a few days!

Persian Lime Pie Cupcakes

2010-01-27T15:16:00.010-06:00

Those are limes.

I've learned a thing or two about limes this week.

The things I'm learning!

Did you know that key lime pie is actually made with 'key limes'??

I'm not pulling your leg - it's the God's honest truth!

I read it on the world wide web. :)

Up until a few days ago I was pretty sure that a lime was a lime was a lime.

Not so dear reader!

Apparently the limes that are in my local Cub foods are what's known as Persian limes.

So, instead of making Key Lime Pie Cupcakes, I made Persian Lime Pie Cupcakes.

Because I couldn't find Key Limes.

And shipping limes from Key West just wasn't an option.

I mean, I love you, but there are boundaries people!

Persian limes it is.

And they made fantastically delicious cupcakes so who am I to discriminate?

You can still call them Key Lime Pie Cupcakes if you want to.

I won't tell.

Ok, let's get down to business.

I'm going to be honest and tell you that this week presented a real challenge for me.

There are several reasons and I know you want me to outline them for you, so here goes:

1. I've never actually had a piece of key lime pie.

2. I don't have a recipe for, nor have I ever made anything lime-flavored.

And the biggest obstacle...

3. I wanted a cupcake that a 'key lime pie aficionado' wouldn't turn away. But I didn't want to make mini key lime pies...I wanted to make cupcakes.

My life is tough, I know.

I deserve some chocolate and a foot massage.

But reality looks like I'm getting an apple and a bathroom that needs scrubbing.

I love reality.

Ok, seriously, here were my options.

Make a graham cracker cupcake and frost it with lime butter cream.

Make a vanilla cupcake and frost it with a lime whipped cream.

I didn't like either of those options. They just weren't right. I can't explain it. It was a feeling.

So, I plotted and planned and came up with this.

Look at her, she's beautiful. She's mysterious all wrapped up in that souffle cup. What's happening beneath all that fluffy whipped cream?

It's a vanilla-lime cupcake, sprinkled with a graham cracker topping.

And you don't have to wear the leopard slippers while you're baking, but they might make you feel adventurous and creative! I know from experience that they'll make you trip while dancing around in your kitchen...and cause your dog to act like he's chasing a cheetah. If you're not into that kind of thing, stick with the pink fluffy slippers.

Back to cupcakes: Next came a home made no-bake key (persian) lime pie filling (aka: throw some stuff together in a bowl and see how it comes out!).

See how it has just a hint of delicate green coloring? Thank you Wilton gel food coloring for helping me perpetuate the 'illusion' that anything that tastes like lime should be green.

I don't think it's just me. I'm pretty sure you would have wondered at a white lime cupcake.

Crisis averted.

And because I roll with excess I whipped up some heavy cream with just a touch of confectioner's sugar, and a hint of vanilla, and dropped a dollop of that on top. Oh yeah, and then I sprinkled them again with the graham cracker topping...mostly 'cause I thought it was perty!

And there you have it. A tart little cake with a lot of attitude.

I had some of that filling ladies and gentlemen. It's not for the faint of heart.

There is some serious lime flavor wrapped up in that mini morsel!

I controlled myself and somehow managed to only eat one...and a spoonful of filling. And then I might have taken some of that fresh whipped cream and swirled it on top of my coffee this morning. I might have. Ok, I did.

It might be a new obsession. Maybe. Yes, it definitely is.

Oh my, I'm picking up so many good ideas for life!

Here are a few more:

1. The people who make Wilton food coloring do not mess around. If your pointer finger accidentally comes into contact with some green food coloring while minding it's own business, it will end up semi-permanently tinted green.

A lovely shade of green. But green nonetheless.

And let's be honest, that's just weird.

2. I am in desperate need of one of those nifty juicer contraptions. Not a full fledged 'I can make my own juice from pineapple cores' kind of juicer. I'm a simple girl with simple needs. I just need that little cone-shaped deali-o that tells those citrus fruits who's boss. My tiny baby hands just aren't cutting it.

3. I really do need to start writing things down. Every batch of cupcakes comes out differently because I'm constantly changing things. This time I added some vanilla pudding to the mix to see if it would make the cake more moist. (sorry honey, I know you hate that word!) It made the cakes moist, but it also made them fall. Which, incidentally, turned out great because it provided a lovely resting place for my lime filling.

I love it when everything turns out exactly as I've planned.

Ok, let's be honest, I don't plan these things out!

I love it when everything turns out exactly as I've hoped!

Oh wow, look at the length of this post.

Clearly I had some things to say about limes!

I'll be quiet now. And let you vote on next week's cupcake.

Chocolate is making a return.

I think one week without it was enough for me. How about you?

Whatchya thinkin'?

1. Caramel Chocolate Pretzel: Chocolate fudge cake, swirled with salted caramel butter cream frosting, rolled in crushed pretzels and drizzled with caramel and chocolate.

2. Eclair: Moist yellow butter cake, filled with creamy vanilla custard, drenched in chocolate fudge ganache.

3. Hello Dolly: Fluffy vanilla cake, topped with butterscotch and chocolate chips, pecans, and coconut, then drizzled with sweetened condensed milk. No frosting necessary!

Oh my goodness...maybe I'll make all three!

Go vote!

Cupcakes make Mondays HAPPY!!

2010-01-25T08:17:00.004-06:00

You asked for it.

Key Lime Pie.

Or should I say, KEY LIME PIE!!!

I will not be held responsible for the drooling.

Or the cravings.

And I will not come over and help you wipe off your computer screen, should you choose to lick it.

However, if you simply must have some, I will make you a batch of these beauties...once I've made some for myself, of course.

My KitchenAide and I will be hard at work this week.

On Thursday I will post the pics and details.

Because as talented as my KitchenAide is......no fingers for typing.

Alright, quick picture of my latest baking adventure.

Last night I put together a fun cupcake creation that I was pretty excited about.

Because apparently baking cupcakes ONCE a week just doesn't silence my obsession. :)

Thank you to MY sweet cupcake for taking this fantastic picture! You're the best baby!

There she is.

Chocolate Chip cupcake, fudge butter cream filling, vanilla butter cream frosting and to top it all off ....a tiny, baby, home made chocolate chip cookie.

Get right out of town.

It's so stinkin' cute.

I'll be digging in this afternoon and let you know how it tastes.

I'd do it right now, but it's 8 am and I've convinced myself I should restrain some self control.

Don't worry, it probably won't last long and I'll have a happy tummy full of cupcake.

Eat, drink and be merry. Happy Monday everyone!

Peanut Butter Oreo baby!!

2010-01-21T12:30:00.005-06:00

Ok, I would just like to apologize right now for the hideous pictures included in this post.

I apologize.

Sometimes my cell phone takes wicked amazing photos.

Sometimes, not so much.

This is one of those times I wish my blog was scratch and sniff...or lick.

That way you could TASTE the cupcakes and know they were delicious.

Because let's be honest, the pictures just aren't going to do them justice.

But here they are.

Peanut Butter Oreo cupcakes.

They are cupcake magic like I can't even explain. Cup - Cake - Magic!

Fluffy, soft chocolate cake, billowy marshmallow filling, peanut butter frosting...and then there are the Oreos!

What is it about that cookie that makes you want a handful...or two...or four??

It's the only 'bagged' cookie that crushes my diet resolve and sends me rushing back to the cupboard mere seconds after the first bite.

They were a welcome addition to my mini-cake creation.

Here's another unbelievably awful picture - but it shows the ooey-gooey inside. And you need to see that.

There are so many things right with this cupcake.

It completely made up for the fact that only days earlier I'd had to throw out an entire batch of peanut butter cupcakes (in their ADORABLE souffle cup wrappers!) because I'd undercooked them.

Seriously people I had to go take a nap after that incident. A nap and a hug from my love and I was back in the kitchen baking again.

You know what they say...you fall off the bike...

Anyways, there's been no biking here - the ice and snow make anything on less than four wheels downright treacherous!

Wow, how did I get there? Back to cupcakes.

These were yummy and you should whip some up.

You'll thank me. Just don't tell your hips it was me who gave you the idea. There's a good chance they won't forgive me.

Ok, voting time again.

Next week's contenders:

1. Maple Cream

2. Key Lime Pie

3. Lemon Coconut

Off you go!

WINNER!

2010-01-18T08:12:00.002-06:00

Another week down. Another dramatic fight to the death.

And it wasn't a close fight.

Peanut Butter Oreo annihilated the competition, gaining 63% of the vote!

I can't say as I'm surprised.

Chocolate.

Peanut Butter.

The greatest cookie ever created by machine!

Together...pure delight.

I knew I couldn't be the only person who has ever cracked open their Oreo cookie, spread a layer of peanut butter on one layer and replaced the other half.

Oreo Cookie Peanut Butter Sandwich!

Why wouldn't I turn that into a cupcake?

I would of course. It's how I roll.

Congratulations PBO - we'll see you in a few days!

Summer in a cup!

2010-01-14T07:45:00.000-06:00

Creamy orange.

Dreamy vanilla.

Creamy, dreamy orange vanilla.

It's here, it's here, get the door!

Think Creamsicle in a cup!

Moist, orange vanilla cupcake, hand whipped vanilla butter cream filling, pure delight!

Tangy orange on the outside, smooth creamy vanilla on the inside.

And just because I like to go overboard...whipped orange buttercream frosting to top it off.

Oh, and I lied about the sprinkles. Remember when I said there might be sprinkles? It just wasn't in the cards. Clearly I was delusional. It happens.

I think they're ok without them...you decide.

Here's where I'd like to take a moment and remind myself (as well as those of you who may be baking cupcakes) of a few key tips I've gleaned from this week's challenge. I think I'll print them out and post them on my fridge.

1. Maybe don't try to scoop your delicious, citrus batter into a bag when you're all hopped up on a Caribou Coffee mocha. This is what happens. Tragic batter loss.

2. Don't go on a self-imposed "dessert" ban right before you start a cupcake baking challenge. It's cruel to you, to your belly that screams for cupcakey goodness, to your husband who has to listen to you whine and to your dog who has to watch you dance around to the Jackson 5 in your kitchen to try to block out the sights and smells of all the delicious caketastic goodness you're missing out on.

3. Go with your gut and when a recipe calls for 4 eggs, knock that bad-boy down to 2-3 eggs and add some milk for moisture. You'll feel better about yourself.

4. For goodness sake, don't turn off the kitchen timer, declaring the mini morsels inside your oven need one more minute and then go sit down and blog. You'll end up with two-toned, orange on top, brown on bottom cupcakes. And that is not what you were going for! Unless that is what you are going for and then definitely go ahead and do that.

All that being said, I do highly suggest you make some orange or lemon or strawberry dessert - especially if you live in a frozen tundra.

Stick it to the man and declare summer inside your kitchen!

Cheers!

Let the battle begin!

2010-01-13T14:06:00.004-06:00

I had so much fun watching the poll last week! It was drama and intrigue, mystery and suspense.

Ok, it wasn't really all of those things, but I'm unemployed, I need a little excitement in my life!

It was fun to see the battle between the two top favorites.

I did feel bad for Butterscotch Bliss though, so unloved!

Don't worry, she'll be back on the list and at some point you're going to have to vote for her!!

That being said, I'm so glad you picked the Orange Vanilla cupcakes this week. It was a little slice of summer in my kitchen. Delicious!

And now that they're completed (pics up tomorrow morning - come back!) we have to pick a new flavor for next week.

What do you think? What looks good to you? What would you like to make? Or even, which one of these do you think will cause me the most trouble, resulting in a whining, crying, laughing post?

That's the beauty of this - it's your choice! Here is a breakdown of the options. You can check it out and then head over to the poll you see on the left and vote.

Here we go.

The Contenders:

Chocolate Pecan Cupcakes: Chocolate cupcake, caramel pecan filling, chocolate butter cream frosting, caramel drizzle, edged in chopped pecans.
Caramel Tres Leche Cupcake: Airy sponge caked soaked with three milks, creamy caramel and just a hint of rum! Topped with caramel butter cream frosting and a cherry!
Peanut Butter Oreo Cupcake: Chocolate cupcake, vanilla marshmallow filling, peanut butter cream frosting, Oreo cookie crumbles.

Yes, I know. I have an unhealthy obsession with peanut butter.

It won't be the last time you see it on the list.

Get used to it.

Oh, and feel free to make suggestions. I'm still a few flavors short of 52 and I really don't want to have to get creative.

No one wants to see a cupcake made out of Thanksgiving leftovers.

And thanks to those of you who have already made suggestions - they're on the list!

Ok, head on up to that poll and cast your vote.

The polls will close on Sunday night, around 6 pm...or whenever I remember to log back on and take it down. :)

Happy Baking!

Time's Up!

2010-01-10T20:23:00.003-06:00

The polls are closed and we have a winner!

Congratulations to Orange Vanilla Cream - you, sweet cuppy, are this week's delectable creation!

I'm excited to get baking...and frosting...and sprinkling.

Yep, I think there may be sprinkles involved.

But don't quote me, I might change my mind.

It happens. Forgive me.

Sometimes it's because something inspired and artistic comes to me while I'm pouring and whisking.

Sometimes I'm distracted by a shiny object, or a dog licking my kitchen floor, or a great song on the radio that I simply must dance to at that very moment.

And other times it's because I just couldn't bring myself to leave my climate controlled house and brave the frigid MN temps to journey to the grocery store for what I truly need.

At times, those made-up recipes and tweaked ingredients have resulted in some of my best culinary achievements.

Cheers to attention deficit!

Oh, and guess what I've been doing tonight....I mean other than watching the Simpson's 20th Anniversary show with my hubby. :)

I've been compiling cupcake flavor combinations.

And now I'm hungry.

Very, very hungry.

See you on Thursday with this week's challenge!

Feel free to comment and send me flavor suggestions!

Chocolate Covered Strawberry

2010-01-07T06:57:00.006-06:00

It's not quite 7 am here in Minnesota and the ground is once again covered in a light blanket of snow. And these beautiful cuppies are on their way to work with Mr. Kate's BakeShop for some taste-testing by my favorite engineers and designers.

Chocolate Covered Strawberry: My very first cupcake in this year-long challenge, er, journey, er, madness I've undertaken.

Yummy, yes?

Here's what's going on beneath the surface: (Hey, Kate, maybe take the tag off the bottom of your cupcake pedestal before you take pictures of it.)

I used the coning method to carve out a little sphere of the cupcake. Then I cut off the bottom half of the sphere, leaving only a disc to replace back on top of the cupcake once it's filled. The leftovers are like a donut hole. And if you were someone who wasn't on a self-imposed dessert ban, like me, you could take those fluffy pieces of discarded cakey goodness, dip them in some frosting and have yourself an "I'm baking, I deserve a treat" snack. If you're that kind of person. And I hope you are!

Swirled inside the chocolate fudge cake is home made strawberry butter cream. I'm still not perfectly convinced it was the way to go. I'm hoping it's as yummy as it looks, but I was looking for a really strong strawberry flavor. What I ended up with was more of a hint of strawberry. Ok, it's more than a hint, but the strawberry doesn't exactly smack you in the face. And I need my strawberries to be aggressive! Next time I might make them with more of a strawberry filling (think bismark doughnuts!). Do you like how I've used both spellings of the word 'donut' in this post? I'm sneaky that way.

So there you have it. First week success. One week down, fifty one weeks to go!

Oh, and in case you're thinking that I've got it all together and just whipped these up with nary a tear or blood shed...let me just shatter that dream for you.

Here are a few of the lessons I learned this week:

1. Butter set atop the stove in the mixing bowl to soften WILL melt if left unattended while you go and check your facebook. And then you will have to shove it in the fridge and check it every few minutes so that you don't go from melted butter to rock hard butter, thus starting the whole cycle over again.

2. If you're not satisfied with the strawberry-ness of your butter cream and decide to add another WHOLE batch of strained strawberries to your filling, make sure to also add more sugar or you'll end up with something that resembles pink cottage cheese. It wasn't pretty, but I was brave and perservered!

Ummm, yeah, I think those are the things I picked up. Hopefully I've averted a kitchen crisis for you with my wisdom. And by wisdom of course I mean trial and error.

Check out the poll on the top of the page and vote for which cupcake flavor you'd like to see me make next week. I'll announce the winning flavor on Tuesday and the pics will be up next Thursday! Don't worry the runner's up will be made in the future. There are no losers...except maybe the elastic in our waistbands. Ah...the sweet sound of victory!

Start your squats and sit ups now. Or don't and just buy sweatpants.

Happy baking!

52 weeks

2010-01-04T19:18:00.006-06:00

What have I been doing these last few weeks?

Well, there has been some baking (with no pictures!). My apologies for the camera delinquency.

The reasons are few.

But here they are.

1. My camera sucks.

2. I borrowed my mom's camera.

3. And then I had to give it back.

There, that about sums it up.

But, there was baking.

Cupcake baking.

And my family can attest to the yum-factor of double chocolate fudge cupcakes filled with chocolate peppermint ganache and topped with vanilla butter cream.

Oh, and did I mention the edges were rolled in crushed peppermint candy?

Well, they were.

Man, I wish I had pictures of that!

I'll make them again. I promise.

And then I'll beg, borrow or steal any camera within my reach and snap at least one photo of those beauties.

Because you deserve to see them.

I did manage to click a quick photo of these baby rattle cupcakes I made for a baby shower last week. Gingerbread spice cake with cream cheese frosting.

I've also been watching movies.

Movie to be exact.

Three words.

Julie & Julia.

Side note: Does the '&' sign count as a word? Either way, I'm sticking with it.

I have been newly inspired by this little flick!

While drinking my morning coffee I came up with a plan.

Want to hear it?

I'm taking a cue from Julie. I'm going to take on a challenge.

A cupcake challenge.

I am going to make a different cupcake every week.

52 different cupcakes in a year.

Gasp! I typed it.

Does that mean I actually have to do it?

It makes me nervous...in a first date kind of way...a good kind of nervous.

There's one big difference between my challenge and Julie's.

I will not be using recipes from other cooks.

I hope to concoct a plan on my own.

I will, of course, use inspiration from cookbooks and cupcake bakeries for my flavors, but as always I will use my base recipe and work my flavors into it.

I think it's going to be fantastic.

Want to come along?

My first week starts today.

And my first cupcake is: Chocolate Covered Strawberry.

Chocolate cupcake, strawberry cream filling, rich chocolate butter cream frosting.

I've already made the strawberry filling. The finished product will be up on Thursday.

See you then!

Kate

The perfect combo

2009-12-09T08:34:00.005-06:00

Let's talk about love.

The love of chocolate.

The love of peanut butter.

The LOVE of chocolate AND peanut butter!

Apart these are two of my favorite flavors.

Together they are what I expect heaven might taste like. You know, if you could lick heaven!

So why wouldn't I turn that into a cupcake?

I would, of course.

Because I can. And that's how I roll.

Oh, but I didn't make just one. No, friends. I made a dozen.

12 moist, peanut butter cupcakes with whipped chocolate ganache filling, topped with peanut butter butter cream and rolled in crushed peanut butter cups.

Don't look at me like that. I didn't bring them to YOUR house.

You can still eat your salad and fit into your skinny jeans.

Me? I'm moved past the skinny jeans. I embrace stretchy pants, with a cupcake in each hand.

Happy Wednesday!

The Proof!

2009-11-23T14:31:00.000-06:00

Ah ha! I have proof!

I have proof that I baked.

There are photos documenting the very process that I so diligently type out for you time and time again.

I have proof that I am, in fact, not making up my baking adventures (as I'm sure some of you may have expected)!

What I do not have proof of is that I didn't eat all 48 cupcakes sitting in my kitchen, by myself, inducing a sugar coma never before seen by those outside of Candy Land or Willy Wonka's Chocolate Factory.

I didn't do that. I promise. But since there's no proof to back up my story, you'll have to trust me on this one.

(Side note: Why are those not real places? I would totally book my next vacation to either of those yum-tastic destinations!) Candy LAND? It simply cannot be a bad place!

Let's jump right in, shall we?

To refresh your memory, here's what was on the menu: RazCakes, SaltedNutCakes, PumpkinSpiceCakes, and SmoreCakes.

I started with the pumpkin spice cupcakes and immediately regretted becoming a baker. The smell of pumpkin baking in my oven sends my cravings and sugar hormones into overdrive. I was on a pumpkin-induced sugar craze! Ok, it wasn't that bad, but they did make my house smell like Christmas and that made me happy!

And bonus, they were really pretty.

Do you like the souffle cups I baked them in? They're my new obsession! They make cupcakes a spoon dessert...and I love that! Dig in and enjoy!

Truthfully, they didn't even need frosting, but because I like excess, I not only frosted, but I filled them with a cinnamon cream cheese frosting. Because I could. And that's how I roll.

Next I took on the PB cuppies for the SaltedNutCakes.

Word of caution: If you've already been sent into a hormone-crazed-sugar-craving-tailspin by the first batch of cupcakey goodness baked to perfection in your little ghetto kitchen...maybe, just maybe don't bake these cuties next.

They don't look like much. But isn't it always the quite ones that kill?

I could easily have shoved each and every one of the dozen in my mouth and baked up another batch for the quilting ladies...and not felt bad about it.

Ok, I would have had a little bit of guilt. But I would have washed that away with some peanut butter cream frosting and called it a day.

Don't judge me. You weren't there. You didn't smell what I was baking.

And anyways, I didn't eat even one. So there! I did however make these next:

Beautifully unadorned, delicately fluffy, richly decadent chocolate fudge cupcake. Hello my love.

And if that wasn't enough. I filled them with fresh, red raspberry filling.

Because I could.

I like to use the coning method for filling cupcakes. It ensures there's lots of sinful filling in each cupcake. Mmmm..sinful. :)

Last bald cucpake, I promise!

SmoreCakes...before the toasted marshmallow frosting.

Here they are, bald and glorious. Awaiting their cuppy destiny in Costco bulk foil pans. It's not glamorous...yet. Wait for it.

And see that bottle behind them. That's my assistant. Her name is Riesling and she's very helpful in the kitchen! :)

Come on, let's get going. I've got some sinning to do!

Like I said, you're going to need a spoon.

I like to call these ladies, SmoreCakes.

They have a graham cracker crust, a layer of chocolate on top of that, and a whipped chocolate ganache filling. None of which you can see, but all of which make this a truly delightful experience!

It's true. I wouldn't lie to you about cupcakes.

Moving on.

I packed up all my passion, loaded it into laundry baskets (because that's what you do), and high tailed it over to the catering destination.

I displayed, I torched, I fiddled. And finally...

the finished product.

A simple holiday display for some very sweet ladies who made my day with their smiles and yum noises! Thanks ladies!!

Comments Fixed...I hope!

2009-11-21T08:48:00.000-06:00

New blog issues!

I've heard from several of you that my comments were MIA this week.

I think I've fixed that. I hope I've fixed that!

I'm also working on photos from my catering event this weekend.

Yum-my!

In the mean time, leave me a comment and tell me what Thanksgiving food you're the most excited about this year!

You know, just to make sure the comments are working! :)

Happy Weekending to You All! Weekend it up!

Baketastic!

2009-11-19T15:24:00.000-06:00

I have a cupcake catering event this weekend for Fat Quarter Quilting.

We love them. You know, the collective world? We love those ladies at Fat Quarter!

I love them. You would too if you visited.

You should go.

Really. There's 0% chance you'll be disappointed. It just won't happen.

You'll walk in. You'll be amazed. It will make your heart tell your face to smile.

You'll thank me.

Anyways, so I'm baking for these delightful ladies and their rowdy quilters bus tour and I'm thrilled!

Here's the plan: 4 dozen cuppies. Easy peasy!

1 dozen PumpkinCakes: Spiced pumpkin cake filled and frosted with cinnamon cream cheese frosting and sprinkled with cinnamon and sugar

1 dozen RazCakes: Double chocolate fudge cake with red raspberry filling, dipped in chocolate ganache and topped with sweet vanilla butter cream frosting.

1 dozen SaltedNutCakes: Moist peanut butter cake filled with home-made marshmallow cream, topped with creamy peanut butter frosting. Each cupcake is then topped with rich caramel and a sprinkle of chopped salted peanuts.

1 dozen SmoreCakes: Cinnamon graham cracker crust beneath chocolate fudge cake, filled with whipped chocolate ganache and topped with toasted marshmallow frosting.

I WILL take pictures and I promise to post them as soon as I emerge from the chaos that is this weekend.

It's ok. It's a GOOD kind of chaos.

A cupcake filled chaos.

Just the way I like it!

Let the baking and blogging begin!

2009-11-17T13:38:00.000-06:00

Welcome to my bakespot!

You and I will be friends. Virtual, peeping Tom kind of friends. You will spy on my baked confections and I will probably never know you're there. It will be like your little secret!

Oh no, that sounded more creepy than endearing.

Come back anyway, and stalk, stalk away.

But don't come hungry.

Because I plan to post pictures of chocolate, or caramel, or vanilla cream, or just maybe, a combination of those delightful flavors! Gasp! Would I be so sneaky and tempting?

Why yes, yes I would!

And I won't feel bad about it.

And neither should you.

Let's start, shall we?

This weekend I baked what were supposed to be lemon blueberry cupcakes with cream cheese frosting.

Instead I got blueberry MUFFINS with a lemon glaze.

Allow me to enlighten you to the mishaps that created that delicious duo!

Two lemons (one that's seen better days!) do not produce the juice you would hope them to in order to create 24 cuppy cakes! Unless you're going for more of a hint-of-lemon flavor. I was not.

Blueberries, in their very nature are a tart little fruit. Tart. Not sweet; at least not the berry buddies I had in my possession. Not sweet.

Thus, my cupcakes were overcome with a distinctively tart flavor. Very un-cupcake-like!

No worries.

Muffins.

Voila! Problem solved.

Because what is a muffin but a bald cupcake, after all?

Am I right?

Of course I am.

So, since I had the lemons, all lemony and ready to go, I improvised. It's what I do.

1/3 cup lemon juice, a cup or so (I don't know I just dumped, it's what I do!) powdered sugar, whisk, whisk, whisk... and you've got yourself a glaze people. A sweetly tart, lemony glaze.

Delicious!

Sadly, no photo-pictures of these. They were immediately packed up and sent to work with Mr. Kate's BakeShop. Shout out to the Banner Taste Testers!!

No fear, I baked on.

I made this loaf of Cinnamon Roll Raisin Bread.

Do you like cinnamon rolls?

Do you like raisin bread?

I combined them!

And yes, it's that good!

Let me know if you'd like the recipe. It's a bit too wordy to list here, but I'd be happy to share.

Bake on bakers!