unicorn 2.0

so my WONDERFUL mother in law sent me the candy i actually needed to make these horsey unicorn cupcakes. i can't tell you how hard it was to find circus peanuts, they don't exist in california that i've found so far. send me your peanuts! 

cupcake: french vanilla cake

frosting: vanilla buttercream frosting

neck: vanilla wafers stuck together with white chocolate.

head: circus peanuts

mane/eyes/ears: chocolate and sprinkles

magic horn/tail: twizzler

sometimes, even the most magical of herds lose a fellow rider... 
godspeed old friend, you'll be missed...

lollipops!!!

i found these awesome lollipop molds today at Michaels, soooo... i went a little crazy

the 4 flavors are:

dark chocolate

white chocolate

strawberry lavender

peanut butter

i made so many i broke the microwave reheating the chocolates, oops. 

Katies tiffanys cake

cake: devils food cake 

frosting: 

super chocolate buttercream

 

melt down 3oz chocolate, cool

1/2 cup butter

3-4 tblsp cream

1 tsp vanilla

16oz powdered sugar

beat all ingredients together for about 5 minutes, add a little milk if needed for easy spreading.

filling: homeade raspberry filling-

 10oz fresh raspberries, 

4 tblsp. cornstarch

2 tblsp. light corn syrup 

bring the 3 ingredients to a boil over medium heat, stirring frequently

take off stove and put in fridge for at least 2 hours, for maximum thickness, over night.

the flowers, bows, blue box, and pearls are all fondant. 

unicorns!

my first attempt at making animals. i had nothing i wanted to make them out of so i improvised with WAY to much frosting... but they still got a photo shoot and they still got eaten, and they taste good... and they're magical, its all i can really ask for!

the cupcake is a vanilla cake with toffee chips

the frosting is a vanilla buttercream with pink and purple mixed in for the mane

the unicorn is vanilla cookies with cream middle

the horn and tail is red vines shredded

Vitas flower cake

orchids, lilies: stargazers and peace, roses, baby's breath. the whole cake is edible, even the flowers. 

bottom cake: super moist chocolate cake, caramel filling, buttercream frosting

top 3 cakes: flourless chocolate cake, chocolate ganache topping dripped from the top onto the bottom cake. 

Caramel filling:

3 cups sugar, divided

3/4 cups milk

1 egg beaten

pinch of salt

1/2 cup butter(cut up)

sprinkle 1/2 cup sugar in heavy saucepan: place over medium heat. cook, stirring constantly, until sugar melts and syrup is golden brown. 

combine remaining 2 1/2 cups sugar, milk, egg and salt in bowl, stirring well: stir in butter. stir butter mixture in caramelized sugar. (the mixture will lump, becoming smooth with further cooking.) cook over medium heat, stirring frequently, until a candy thermometer registers 230 degrees (15-20 min). cool 5 minutes. beat with a wooden spoon to almost spreading consistency and spread between layers and on top of cake. 

buttercream frosting:

1/3 cups butter, softened

3 cups sifted powdered sugar

2-3 tblsp half & half

1/2 tsp. vanilla

cream butter at medium speed of an electric mixer; gradually add sugar alternately with half&half, beating until light and fluffy. stir in vanilla.

5 minute chocolate cake

so how come if you want a a piece of chocolate cake you have to make the whole cake? why not just make a slice? no mess, only a cup, a spoon, and a microwave.

4 tblsp flour

4 tblsp sugar

2 tblsp cocoa 

1 egg

3 tblsp milk

3 tblsp oil

splash of white vinegar 

splash of vanilla

3 tblsp chocolate chips

works best with an oversized coffee mug

mix all the dry ingredients well

then add each wet ingredient one at a time mixing well after each

add chocolate chips last

you are making this directly in the coffee mug

pop it in the microwave for 3 minutes on high

DONE!!! 3 minute chocolate cake (5 minutes with prep)

neapolitan and hot chocolate cupcakes

when one flavor isn't enough, go for 3. Neapolitan ice cream is wonderful, why not make it in cupcake form. comfort me with apples has one of the best recipes i've found. 

i found a recipe for these amazing things on Comfort me with apples. 

you can take it one step further and sprinkle some hot chocolate mix and cinnamon on the top along with chocolate pocky (crushed almonds are my favorite), and some small marshmallows.

surprise cupcakes

i found the BEST!!! cupcake recipe ever.

meatloaf and mashed potatoes with green onion sprinkles! best dinner ever!

today, i have found a bacon treasure chest. first, bacon vodka. made by infusing bacon bits into vodka for a really long time, draining, and then drinking... mmmmm..... second is bacon ice-cream, which is part of a cook book by David Lebovitz. he has some of the most amazing recipes that are super different. 

the other thing i want to learn how to do, not like your creepy aunt used to make them, but updated candied fruit. not so much for eating, but for decoration. if i can candy bacon, i can candy apples, right?

CUPCAKE CARS!

so who wouldn't want to drive around in something like this? i know i would~ i would drive it to work everyday, park it on the sidewalk, and be the coolest person on the planet. 

so far, without knowing how to make one of these, i figure i should start with 1) a rascal. 2) plenty of chicken wire to sculpt. 3) silver siding stuff. 4) tons of frosting (cause mine would also be edible!). 

ok its a start.