Inspiration strikes...Twice!

Last night, Mary texted me as I was driving home..."u home? cupcakes r ready." Needless to say, it was difficult not to swerve off the road to answer that text. I DID manage to wait until I pulled into my driveway to respond - and she brought them over shortly after. With her adorable grandson Taven, who helped make the cupcakes (she can tell you more about that when she posts the recipe & photo).

Oh my, were those cakes tasty! The sponge: moist, dark chocolate with bits of crunchy oreo cookies baked right in. The frosting: light, buttery, just the right fluffy/rich balance. And Bailey's! Did I forget to mention the Baileys? The frosting didn't taste boozy, mind you - perfectly smooth and lip-smacking good. Mary started with a recipe she found and made some tweaks; she will fill you in on the details. BTW Mary, both Bob and I enjoyed those cupcakes after supper last night...thank you again!

This morning, while checking up on the news, I stumbled on this post. (Yes, I "accidentally" clicked on the FOOD link when I really wanted to read some serious economic/political commentary...LOL). Anyway, I think this link will provide some additional ideas for more cupcake awesomeness.

Happy Baking!


http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/08/16/easy-cupcake-decorating-ideas_n_1778780.html?utm_hp_ref=kitchendaily

To Mini or Not to Mini

Hello Bakers - good question from one of our followers who does NOT own a mini cupcake pan - can she do a standard size cupcake? Answer from 2 sweets-addicted sisters: ABSOLUTELY! We'll even take it one step further...bake & post your standard cupcake recipe (with photo) and one of us will test baking times in a mini-cupcake pan.

August Challenge

Do you have one of those mini cupcake tins knocking around your cupboard? I do...and in the 5+ years that I've had it, I've only used it to make the Pampered Chef "Pecan Tassy" recipe that came with the pan. I know, what a shame! Especially when some creativity and inspiration could lead to all manner of delicious MINI CUPCAKES. Great for all kinds of parties where your guests (and YOU) would like just a little morsel of lovely sweetness. Or when you want to offer a variety of tastes, in the same form. So that is our challenge this month...come up with your most creative, delicious mini cupcake. How about a peach cupcake with streusel topping? Or an Elvis cupcake, complete with bananas, peanut butter, and chocolate?

Your cupcake can be based on a personal favorite cake recipe, converted to cooking in mini-portions...or, do what I'm going to try, and use this simple vanilla recipe as a starting point for your own inspiration. Happy baking and we can't wait to see your photos and hear your ideas!

PS: don't be intimidated by the buttercream recipe. Personally, I'm planning to do something much simpler, like a good old-fashioned cream cheese frosting!

Mini Vanilla Cupcakes - Gourmet Magazine, January 2004 - courtesy of Epicurious.com

Ingredients:

• 1 cup all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1/3 cup whole milk
• 1/2 teaspoon vanilla
• 3/4 stick (6 tablespoons) unsalted butter, softened
• 1/2 cup plus 1 tablespoon sugar
• 1 large egg
• 1 3/4 cups vanilla buttercream
• Various food colorings* (optional)

• Special equipment: 2 mini-muffin pans, each with 24 (1 3/4-inch) muffin cups; 24 foil or paper mini-muffin liners

Preparation:

Put oven rack in middle position and preheat oven to 350°F. Line muffin cups with liners.

Whisk together flour, baking powder, and salt in a bowl. Stir together milk and vanilla in a small bowl.

Beat together butter and sugar in a large bowl with an electric mixer at medium-high speed until pale and fluffy, about 4 minutes. Add egg and beat until just combined. Reduce speed to low, then add flour and milk mixtures alternately in batches, beginning and ending with flour and mixing until just combined.

Divide batter among muffin cups, filling them two-thirds full, and bake until tops are pale golden and a wooden pick or skewer inserted in centers comes out clean, about 15 minutes. Invert cupcakes onto a rack and cool completely.

For each color, transfer 1/4 cup buttercream to a separate small bowl and tint with food coloring (if using), then frost tops of cupcakes.

Ingredients

• 4 large egg whites at room temperature for 30 minutes
• Rounded 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 2/3 cup water
• 1 1/3 cups plus 2 tablespoons sugar
• 4 sticks (2 cups) unsalted butter, cut into tablespoon pieces and softened
• 2 teaspoons vanilla

• Special equipment: a candy thermometer

Preparation

Combine whites and salt in a very large bowl. Stir together water and 1 1/3 cups sugar in a 3- to 4-quart heavy saucepan until sugar is dissolved, then bring to a boil over moderate heat, without stirring, brushing any sugar crystals down side of pan with a pastry brush dipped in water.

When syrup reaches a boil, start beating egg whites with an electric mixer at medium-high speed until frothy, then gradually add remaining 2 tablespoons sugar and beat at medium speed until whites just hold soft peaks. (Do not beat again until sugar syrup is ready.)

Meanwhile, put thermometer into sugar syrup and continue boiling until syrup registers 238 to 242°F. Immediately remove from heat and, with mixer at high speed, slowly pour hot syrup in a thin stream down side of bowl into whites, beating constantly. Beat, scraping down side of bowl with a rubber spatula, until meringue is cool to the touch, about 10 minutes in a standing mixer or 15 with a handheld. (It is important that meringue is properly cooled before proceeding.)

With mixer at medium speed, gradually add butter 1 piece at a time, beating well after each addition until incorporated. (Buttercream will look soupy after some butter is added if meringue is still warm. If so, briefly chill bottom of bowl in a large bowl filled with ice water for a few seconds before continuing to beat in remaining butter.) Continue beating until buttercream is smooth. (Mixture may look curdled before all of butter is added but will come back together by the time beating is finished.) Add vanilla and beat 1 minute more.

Cooks' notes: ·Buttercream can be made 1 week ahead and chilled, covered, or frozen 1 month. Bring to room temperature (this may take up to 3 hours; do not use a microwave) and beat with an electric mixer before using.
·The egg whites in this recipe are not cooked. If salmonella is a problem in your area, you can use reconstituted powdered egg whites such as Just Whites.

Linda's Shortbread

I finally got around to making this again! Yes, I've made it twice before but neglected to take a photo. My knob of ginger was looking a little questionable, so I substituted ground ginger. I also combined AP, pastry, and high-fiber flours in roughly equal amounts. For the glaze, I was "fraiche out" of creme fraiche - so I loosened some mascarpone with a bit of milk & powdered sugar. I made a peach-raspberry coulis, following Mary's recipe but substituting raspberries for the blackberries (thanks Mary!)

The shortbread turned out great! What a forgiving recipe. I did have to bake my round for almost 30 minutes, so the timing in the original recipe is way off. I took them to work this morning and they were gone within 15 minutes.

Kathie's Shortbread

to be updated

Mary's Shortbread

The shortbread is delicious; buttery like shortbread should be and not too sweet thanks to the lemon and ginger. I love the flecks of green from the thyme, and that subtle "hum, what's that flavor" that it adds.

I omitted the creme fraiche glaze and the cream/milk before baking. sorry. after 1 cup of butter, 1-1/2 cups of sugar, etc. I couldn't bring myself to add any more calories! I brought the plate of cookies to knitting today and everyone said they were delicious :-)

I made a peach blackberry coulis to accompany.

2 medium peaches, peeled and sliced (about 1 cup)
1/2 pint blackberries
2 tablespoons water
1 tablespoon sugar
1/4 teaspoon vanilla
1 tablespoon fresh thyme

Combine everything in a medium saucepan and cook over low heat about 15 minutes, or until the peaches are just starting to fall apart; cool to room temperature.

 

Submitted by Mary Rogovin

Janice's Shortbread

My husband Cory shot the picture but I was the food stylist! I had to bake it a lot longer than the recipe said but Hope, Grace and Yuki give it the thumbs up! The thyme in my garden was lemon thyme so it went well in the shortbread. For a sophisticated taste, I was surprised that the girls liked it. This would be great with a cup of tea. I didn't have creme fraiche, so I used Greek yogurt and whipping cream with a little more of the lemon juice. I did add a lot more powdered sugar too.

Sam's Shortbread

My challenge was to make the recipe. I have never made shortbread of any kind. I survived and hope I made them right. I had to google some pictures to make sure of the thickness. I have also never had lemon and thyme together. The only time I have had thyme is in food such as spaghetti, lasagna, pizza, etc. When all was said and done, Jeff (my husband) said, "It's like a cookie and pizza at the same time." I have to agree. Next time I make the recipe, I will leave out the thyme.

I have a great shortbread recipe to play with now.

 

 Submitted by Samantha McFarland

Our First Members!

Welcome to our first three members, Mary, Traci and Sam. It's great to have girlfriends joining us!  There's just one week left before we publish the results from the first challenge recipe. Have you tried the recipe yet? How did it work for you? And have you baked any other amazing recipes this month?

Linda has been swamped with auditors at her office, and I've been swamped at mine, too. But that's our reality, isn't it? ~ finding time to have fun, bake delicious foods, and connect with girlfriends in the midst of our busy lives.

I hope you're finding moments to smell the roses ~ and fresh-baked bread, too ~ 
Kathie

Our First Challenge Recipe

Welcome again to the Shortbread Chronicles, a brand-new e-baking club. We hope you give us a glance and consider joining in the fun.

This month's challenge recipe is ... Shortbread!  (We thought it an appropriate choice, but be assured, not all challenges will be so easy.) This isn't your standard Scottish Shortbread; we've dressed it up to celebrate the start of Summer as well as the start of our new baking group.

We're posting the receipe without a photograph, and we're asking everyone to bake it sometime before June 22nd. Please take a photo of your results, and email your photo with a little write-up of how you liked it. Our email address is shortbreadchronicles@yahoo.com. We will publish everyone's submissions here.

Lemon Thyme Shortbread

3 1/4 cups all purpose flour
2 teaspoons baking powder
1/4 teaspoon salt
3 tablespoons fresh thyme, chopped
1 cup unsalted butter, room temperature
1 1/2 cups sugar
Zest  of 1 lemon
1 tablespoon fresh ginger, grated
1 egg
2 tablespoons lemon juice
Cream or milk, for brushing

Sift together baking powder, flour, and salt. Stir in chopped thyme. Cream the butter, sugar, zest and ginger until fluffy. Stir in egg and lemon juice. Add dry ingredients and blend until dough comes together. Divide dough in half and either pat into rounds, scored for traditional shortbread wedges, or shape into logs. Wrap and chill for at least 2 hours (or freeze). 

Preheat oven to 325 degrees F. Unwrap dough, and if shaped into logs, slice to thickness of your liking and place on a greased or parchment-lined baking sheet. Brush cookies with cream and bake for 12-15 minutes, just until edges turn golden.

Creme Fraiche Glaze:
1/2 cup confectioner's sugar
1/4 cup creme fraiche
1 Tbsp. lemon juice

Blend, spread, and top with fresh sprigs of thyme.

The Challenge:

Prepare a fresh fruit coulis of your own creation to serve alongside the shortbread.
 
Good Luck and Happy Baking!

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Welcome!

Welcome to the Shortbread Chronicles. This is a new internet cooking club, and our goal is to create a baking community where ideas and experiences are shared. Each month a Challenge recipe will be posted and Members will share blog entries about their results.

The first Challenge will be posted on June 1, 2012. We hope you join in the fun!