Morning Star Corsos

Happy Easter!

2009-04-12T12:30:00.007-04:00

Love,
Morningstar Corsos aka Caesar & Daisy Duke

Happy Birthday, Dan!

2009-03-31T08:48:00.006-04:00

So, DH's bithday was earlier this month. I'm a little behind in posting. Not to mention in our family we celebrate birthMONTHS, not days. He did get his cupcakes on time, along with a wonderful dinner with our good friends.

My husband isn't huge on sweets, he usually goes for yellow cake with chocolate frosting. But he also loves peanut butter. And bacon. The bacon got the boot, but I kept the chocolate & peanut butter. The end result? Banana cupcakes with swirled chocolate and peanut butter buttercream frostings they have been named the Naughty Monkey.
A disclaimer on the recipes - I never follow them to the T. I usually add more or less as I like them. Below are the recipes I started with, but I know I added more banana to the cakes & more peanut butter to the frosting. Make them yours!

Naughty Monkey Cupcakes

Banana Cupcakes:
1/3 cup butter flavored shortening
2/3 cup sugar
1 cup mashed ripe bananas
2 eggs
2 tablespoons milk
1 tablespoon vanilla extract
1 1/3 cups all-purpose flour
2 teaspoons baking powder
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/4 teaspoon salt

1. In a mixing bowl, cream shortening and sugar. Beat in the bananas, eggs, milk and vanilla. Combine the flour, baking powder, baking soda and salt; gradually add to creamed mixture until combined.

2. Fill paper-lined muffin cups two-thirds full. Bake at 350 degrees F for 18-20 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean. Cool for 5 minutes before removing from pans to wire racks.

Chocolate Frosting:
6 tbsp. butter, softened
3/4 c. Hershey's cocoa
2 2/3 c. unsifted confectioners' sugar
1/3 c. milk
1 tsp. vanilla
Salt, to taste

Cream butter in small mixer bowl. Add cocoa and confectioners' sugar alternately with milk; beat to spreading consistency (additional tablespoon milk may be needed. Blend in vanilla. A pinch of salt to taste. About 2 cups frosting.

Peanut Butter Frosting:
1/2 cup butter
1 cup creamy peanut butter
4 cups confectioners' sugar
1/3 cup cream

In a large bowl, beat butter and peanut butter until light and fluffy. Slowly beat in 1/2 of the confectioner's sugar. Mix in 1/4 cup of the cream. Beat in the remaining confectioners' sugar. If necessary, add a little more cream or milk until the frosting reaches a good spreading consistency. Makes enough to frost one 2 layer 9 inch cake or one 9x13 inch cake.
A little different swirl - just as delicious

Now for the fun part. To get the frosting to "swirl" you'll need a piping bag & attachments (whatever tip you like), a large ziptop plastic bag & a large cup for balancing. First, fill the baggie with chocolate frosting, twist the top & snip one of the bottom corners; set the bag in the large cup to balance. Fit attachments to the piping bag. Carefully spoon the peanut butter frosting so it is only on one side of the bag. Once that is full, use the baggie to easily get the chocolate frosting into the other half of the piping bag. Now, frost away!

Red Velvet Cake Cookies

2009-03-11T17:17:00.004-04:00

It's been a little while since I last posted some baking yumminess. Here are the Red Velvet Cake Cookies I made for Valentine's Day. You could also sandwich a layer of Cream Cheese Frosting in between two cookies, but really, these are yummy enough on their own. The cookies are an amazing softness, but not as moist as cake.

I switched up this recipe to make Chocolate Chip Cake Cookies by using white cake mix & chocolate chips. And this time I did sandwich the cookies with a layer of chocolate buttercream. They were sinful. Sorry, no pictures of this one.

For the recipe, visit Bakerella's blog.

Cake Catastrophe!

2009-01-22T12:33:00.007-05:00

Well, this cake was for my mom's birthday, but I flopped on two accounts. The cake was a yummy Raspberry Swirl cake. The frosting was a Raspberry Whipped Cream. When first paired, it tasted like a raspberry shortcake. It was yummy. What I found was that whipped cream frosting doesn't hold together so well after being covered in chocolate fondant. I also found that chocolate fondant doesn't hold up so well after being covered with tin foil with such a wet frosting base beneath it.

So, double fail. But the cake did taste alright. Next time will be much better. I did get to practice some fondant skills like embossing & even rolling of pearls & snakes.

Chocolate Bailey's Cake

2009-01-13T13:03:00.011-05:00

Dan's aunt & uncle stayed with us overnight & I managed to throw this cake together just in time. It was a simple yellow cake with chocolate ganache frosting. But I thought it needed a little something - so it got a couple shots of Bailey's. The end result was a three layer yellow cake with chocolate Bailey's whipped ganache frosting covered with poured chocolate Bailey's ganache with a generous sprinkling of chocolate jimmies & white nonpareils. Best served with a glass of ice cold milk.

Chocolate Bailey's Ganache Recipe:

1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips

1 cup heavy whipping cream

2 tbsps Bailey's

Chop chocolate chips in food processor. Heat cream on stove & add in chocolate. Stir constantly until chocolate is melted through. Pour into mixing bowl & put in fridge for 15 minutes (or freezer if you are pressed for time). After cool, add Bailey's & whisk on medium speed until fluffy. If using the ganache to pour, only whisk to mix the Bailey's in.

National Chomps!

2009-01-09T14:14:00.003-05:00

So says Sports Illustrated. Congatulations to the University of Florida Gators football team on their national championship win over the Oklahoma Sooners!! One of our resolutions for 2009 is to absolutely get to The Swamp to see the Gators chomp next season's victims. Our recent move leaves us only 2 hours outside of Gainesville & there is just no reason to not be there next season.

Way to go Gators! See you in August!

Christmas Surprise & Violet Cake

2008-12-31T14:29:00.009-05:00

I got a huge surprise the other day - while loading something into the back of my ridiculously filthy car, I noticed my hub cap was incredibly clean. Then I realized that not only was it clean, but it was new! I had lost that hub cap & hadn't gotten around to ordering a new one. It was really surprising, because DH hadn't said anything about the hub cap & when I called him to thank him, he knew nothing about it. The hub cap was not from him.

Come to find out, it was the neighbors! It was their Secret Santa gift to us! Apparently they put it on a few days ago & I hadn't even noticed. Ooops.

So as a thank you, I've baked them a cake. It's a devil's food cake with vanilla buttercream frosting, covered in fondant & topped with gum paste violets. It was my first time playing with the gum paste kit Santa brought me. They aren't perfect & boy did it take a long time to make all those little violets! I hope they enjoy the cake as much as I enjoy having FOUR hub caps.

Christmas 2008

2008-12-31T14:09:00.009-05:00

We had a wonderful Christmas, though we certainly missed DH's family. This was really the first Christmas for DH & I that felt like Christmas. Last year we were living apart due to work & didn't decorate & the years prior to being married we spent with our families. This year was the real deal - Christmas tree, lights, decorations & orange cinnamon rolls while we opened our stockings. I'm not ready to take any of the decorations down yet!

The pups checking out the "fire."

Christmas dinner was held at our new house; on the menu - sausage stuffed mushrooms, gorgonzola cheese stuffed black olives, deviled eggs (Jodi), prime rib with horseradish cream, roasted brussel sprouts with pecans, roasted green beans with mushrooms, medley of roasted potatoes, oyster casserole (Mom), corn pudding (Mom) & homemade dinner rolls (Grandma). For dessert, I had out some Christmas cookies & by special request, Mom's chocolate pecan pie. Everything was delicious & we had a wonderful time.

Christmas 2008

After tossing around plans, DH's mother was able to come to Tampa to spend the weekend after Chrsitmas with us! It meant a lot to DH to have her here & we had a blast! She got to decompress a little bit & unwind while we fished off the dock, drank some wine & ate lots of brie. Excellent de-stressing!

New House & Palm Tree Cake

2008-12-06T09:26:00.007-05:00

What have I been up to? Moving! We're finally in the new house, but still working on the unpacking. Here are some quick pictures of the house & part of our view of the Hillsborough River. Just the other day I watched a manatee & a younger manatee swim by! It's so beautiful & relaxing here.

And as a welcome to the new house, I baked DH a cake. For the first time, I covered the cake with fondant! I learned that leveling the cake is very important & the new granite counter tops are fantastic for rolling out fondant. The cake is two layers of yellow cake with chocolate buttercream frosting. Yummy.

Pear & Brie Cupcakes

2008-10-22T21:44:00.008-04:00

For October's Iron Cupcake challenge, the secret ingredient was cheese. Hmmmm....how to use cheese, but keep it a cupcake? I think a "savory" cupcake is more accurately a bread or muffin & that wasn't the challenge. Brie was one of my only choices & I loved eating the leftovers! And did I mention I used my brulee torch? So fun!

Simple beginnings

I made these in both regular & mini sizes. The mini sizes would be an amazingly, surprising appetizer.

Baking afficianado's will gasp at my use of a box mix. But personally, I'd rather spend my time enjoying the end product than all that measuring & tasting & measuring & tasting. I like to get back to the party!

Cake:
1 box white cake mix
1 can pear nectar
1 fresh pear, grated
2 eggs
1 tsp vanilla
1/4 cup oil
Food coloring, optional

I used a cheese grater to grate the pear & just mixed it in for extra texture.
I mixed green, yellow & brown food coloring to get a more pear-like color.

"Frosting":
Ultra thin pear slices
Brie slices
White sugar
Brulee Torch

After cupcakes have cooled, remove from wrapper. On top of cupcake, overlap cheese, pear, cheese, pear (if mini - pear, cheese, pear). Sprinkle white sugar over all. Light the brulee torch & work back & forth over pear & cheese. Focus more heat on pear slices to carmelize & soften the fruit.

Enjoy with a wonderful glass of Riesling or Chardonnay. Who would eat brie without wine??

You can check out the Iron Cupcake website to see the prizes I'm competing for.
Please remember to VOTE HERE October 26 - 30.

Orange Crush Cupcakes

2008-10-14T13:28:00.003-04:00

These cupcakes were inspired by my friend over at the Red Velvet Armadillo Bakeshop. These mini cupcakes went wrapper free & had a yummy sugar crusted bottom. Such a yummy treat that's sweet on both sides.
Recipe:
1 box of yellow cake mix
1 can of mandarin oranges
2 eggs

Sugar crust:
Colored sugar (duh)

Frosting:
1 stick butter, softened
3 cups powdered sugar
1 tsp vanilla
pinch of salt or more as desired
milk or whipping cream, as needed
food coloring, optional

Preheat oven as directed on box. Mix together cake mix, eggs & mandarin oranges - juice included. You can add the juice a little at a time to make sure you get the desired consistency. You might need to add some water which is fine.

Spray mini muffin pans with cooking spray. Sprinkle a layer of sugar into the bottom of each cups. Scoop batter over top of sugar layer. Bake approximately 10-14 minutes. Allow to cool in pan before removing. You may want to run a knife around cupcake to help loosen it from pan if it doesn't come out easily.

Frosting - Whip together all ingredients & pipe onto cooled cupcakes. Sprinkle & decorate as desired.

Look at the yummy sugar bottom...

Cupcake diversity

Giveaway Winner!

2008-10-13T21:03:00.003-04:00

We have a winner! Mr. Integer Generator from Random.org says,

Here are your random numbers:

Timestamp: 2008-10-14 01:07:57 UTC

Who left comment #17? Betsy aka BopRN.

BopRN said...: I would make them for my 82 yr old Mom who we just moved to an Assisted Living home yesterday. She loves her sweets and it would pick up her spirits as she adjusts to a new place with new people. Thanks!
Betsy

Well, I sure hope your mother & her neighbors enjoy some of your creations!! Surely, everyone will want to be your mom's new best friend when you show up with some delicious cupcakes. Enjoy the book & please come back & share with us your favorite recipes.

Happy Friday Giveaway!

2008-10-10T10:14:00.006-04:00

In repayment of all the support I was showed during the Iron Cupcake challenge, I want to spread some cupcake love. Since shipping 200 cupcakes across the country could be very messy, I'm going to give away this fabulous cookbook, "Cupcakes Galore" by Gail Wagman. There are 120 recipes in this book including Blue Blueberry 'n Cream, Tiramisu Cupcakes with Mascarpone Cream, Mint Julep, & Chocolate Mousse. The photography is mouthwatering & there is surely a recipe or two in here for every tastebud.

To be eligible for this giveaway, leave a comment below telling me who you'll bake cupcakes for. Because cupcakes are truly made for sharing! I'll pick a winner using the integer generator on Random.org. Don't forget to leave your email and/or blog address so I can contact you if you're the lucky winner. I'll pick a winner on Monday evening. You might want to subscribe to this blog in order to get updated right away, subscription box to the right. Good luck everyone & have a great weekend!

D, I'll see you soon! xoxo

ADD: I just found a link to another great giveaway! One of my favorite blogs Cupcakes Take the Cake is giving away a $50 gift certificate to Cheryl & Co. You actually could win real cupcakes!
Cupcakes Take the Cake Giveaway

Polka Dots!

2008-10-05T19:08:00.005-04:00

I made these cupcakes for an office party. I was supposed to pick up a cake from a "real" bakery, but decided to play with my new fondant instead!

These are vanilla cake filled & frosted with a fluffier version of Chocolate Buttercream Frosting. I brought a dozen of these & milk into the office, all the guys took the extras home!

Cupcake Voting Closed - Didn't Win, But....

2008-10-03T15:05:00.012-04:00

Voting has closed for Iron Cupcake: Basil. I didn't win, but did come in 3rd place with over 200 votes! Wow! Thank you all for the support.

Here is the link to the winner:

(Click photo to see the entries)

October's Iron Cupcake challenge ingredient has been posted & it's Cheese. Hmmm, I'm going to have to really think about this one.
http://ironcupcake.blogspot.com/

Although I didn't win at Iron Cupcake, I did win a cookbook giveaway from one of my favorite blogs http://www.mysweetandsaucy.com/. You must go to this blog to see all of the amazing stuff Melody does.

Here's the book:

That really made my day! DH is lactose intolerant, but I look forward to getting some ideas for sorbets & granitas.

Please check back or leave your email to subscribe (above to the right) so you can be notified of my next post. I'd like to do a giveaway of my own to repay the kindness. So stay tuned in order to participate!

Time to Vote!

2008-09-29T10:20:00.010-04:00

Voting is now on for Iron Cupcake 2: Basil challenge!
All votes must be in by noon on Thursday, October 2nd!

IronCupcake: 002_BASIL

2008-09-21T19:08:00.004-04:00

Good with vodka, good with flour!

Here is my entry for IronCupcake: 002_BASIL

Basil Berry Lemonade Cakes
Recipe
1 box white cake mix
3 eggs
1/4 cup vegetable oil
1 cup Basil Berry Syrup
Fresh Strawberries, chopped & for decoration

Frosting
1 cup heavy whipping cream
5 tbsps lemon & basil infused white sugar (below)
1/2 cup Basil Berry Syrup
Juice of 1 lemon

Basil Berry Syrup
2 cups white sugar
2 cups lemon juice
Fresh strawberries, sliced
2 bunches fresh basil

In saucepan combine sugar, lemon juice & sliced strawberries. Let cook over medium high heat until strawberries begin to turn white. Reduce heat to medium low & add basil leaves. Allow to simmer for a few minutes.

Use a sieve to strain the syrup. Let syrup cool.

Lemon Basil Infused Sugar
Put 5 tbsps white sugar in bowl. Grate peel of one lemon into the sugar, add basil leaves. Stir, cover & allow to sit.

Cakes
Preheat oven to 350. Mix cake mix, eggs, oil and Basil Berry Syrup. Chop strawberries (as many as desired!), stir into batter. Separate into cupcake wrappers & bake for approximately 14 minutes. Allow to cool on cooling racks

Whipped Frosting
Place mixing bowl & whisk in refrigerator for 20 minutes. To cold bowl, add heavy whipping cream, lemon juice & Lemon Basil Infused Sugar. Whisk on medium high speed until peaks form.

Use remainder strawberries, lemon slices & basil leaves for decoration.

Remainder Basil Berry Lemon Syrup can be used in a cocktail. Mix syrup with water, Sprite/7-Up and/or vodka! Yummm.

Special Note: The crystal pitcher was a birthday gift from my grandmother. The pitcher had originally belonged to my great great grandmother, Lydia & is estimated to be over 100 years old. I absolutely love having such a piece of my family's history. And I even think the Basil Berry Vodka Lemonade tastes better in this heirloom. Cheers indeed!

Voting begins Sunday, September 28 & lasts until Thursday, October 1.
VOTE FOR ME HERE!!

Go Gators!

2008-09-21T18:05:00.002-04:00

College football is back & the University of Florida is off to a great start! I've chosen to express my devotion to the Gators by baking cupcakes for the first watch parties of the season. Here they are:

Swampcakes
Devil's Food Cake with Andes candy pieces mixed in
Chocolate Buttercream Frosting with Green Glitter
Handmade Green Candy Gators

Mini Orange & Blue Cupcakes
Orange & Blue Cake
Sugar Crusted Bottom