Faux Chicken Drumsticks

Two years ago, my nieces sat down to dinner, thrilled that they were getting chicken pot pie and fancy frosted cupcakes for dinner. Until they took a bite. Alli was absolutely disgusted, well, maybe furious is a better word for it, that those cupcakes were actually meatloaf topped with neon mashed potatoes! After some explaining that it was just a joke, a very angry Alli stormed off to her room while Maggie giggled and continued eating. Funny girls!

Last year, even Alli managed to enjoy an April Fool's spread of hot dogs and french fries. Not sure what Breezi has planned this year, but I think some chicken drumsticks could be a quick crowd pleaser!

These guys are easy to make and quite tasty, if I do say so myself. Pretty much they're just chicken flavored rice crispy treats...april fool's! They're just regular old rice crispy treats, shaped into drumsticks and covered with a brown sugar glaze. The rice crispies naturally give them that crunchy breaded look. Mm!
Faux Chicken Drumsticks [click to print]
Makes about 22 drumsticks
For the rice crispies

• 2 T. unsalted butter
• 2 tsp. vanilla extract
• 1/4 tsp. salt
• 10 oz. (one bag) marshmallows
• 6 c. rice crispies (or other puffed rice cereal)

Melt butter in large microwave safe bowl. Stir in vanilla and salt. Add marshmallows and microwave until completely melted and gooey in 30 second bursts, stirring well between each nuke. Stir in rice crispies and spread mixture out loosely on large piece of parchment paper. Allow to cool.

For the brown sugar glaze

• 1/2 c. butter
• 1 c. brown sugar
• 1/3 c. milk
• 2 c. powdered sugar, sifted
• 1 T. corn syrup
• 4 T. milk

Melt butter in saucepan. Add brown sugar and bring to a boil, then continue boiling two minutes while stirring continuously. Reduce heat to medium-low and slowly stir in milk. Return to a boil and then remove from heat. Cool to lukewarm and slowly beat in powdered sugar and corn syrup. Add milk, one tablespoon at a time, until the glaze reaches a pouring consistency. You only want a thin coating of glaze on your treats, so if it's still too thick, microwave it for a few seconds and stir until it's nice and runny.

To create the drumsticks

• Grab a handful of rice crispies and shape into a drumstick. Continue until all crispies are formed. 
• Set up your glazing station, aka set a wire rack over a cookie sheet lined with parchment paper. This will let you scoop and reuse the glaze that drips off so you have enough to coat all your pieces. 
• Drizzle spoonfuls of glaze over each piece and allow to set. 

Source: Inspired by Party Pinching; Glaze adapted from Cupcake Project

Sweet Sixteen: April Fool's!

The more I hang out with people from different countries, the more I realize that people really are very much alike. We all need food and water to stay alive, we all want to contribute to society, we all love playing practical jokes on our unsuspecting friends and family. And you're in luck today, because if you haven't already planned and prepped your own fool-worthy desserts, here are a few great ideas!

Oh, and if you just can't get enough of the jokes, check out Delish for some extreme food pranks that businesses pulled in the past. Hilarious!

(Left to Right, Top to Bottom)

Faux Buffalo Wings, Probably Drumsticks, Fushi (aka Candy Sushi), Vanilla Custard and Papaya Eggs

Meatball Sub, Hot Dog and Fries, Corn on the Cob, Lo Mein Cupcakes

Cocktail Weenie Cookies, Cupcake Snow Cones. Spaghetti and Meatballs, Fakin' and Eggs

Ice Cream Baked Potato, Jello Oranges, Grilled Cheese Pound Cake, Fake Fried Egg

Lemon Ombre Cake with Vanilla Swiss Meringue Buttercream

So we're doing some major renovations at work and I am currently homeless...aka my desk got tossed and I'm now relegated to one of the overly cramped nursing stations or a single bookshelf. No, not a single bookshelf, but a single shelf on a bookshelf! But even though this sounds pretty much awful, at least I get to hang out by windows now! Can I just say, I love sunshine!

And then, last week, it was warm enough that I sat outside beneath my favorite tree while being berated by an angry squirrel for a solid three minutes (that's practically an eternity in squirrel time), enjoying some fresh, mulch-scented air. Ah, Spring!

This has got to be the best way to celebrate the very first third day (yeah, I didn't get my act together that early) of my absolute favorite season of all (besides Fall...and now that I think about it, I do quite enjoy Summer, too...and Winter, in moderation, of course). Nothing like a slice of light lemon cake smothered in a fluffy Swiss Meringue Buttercream!

The really fun part about this cake is that it's an ombre, which means with each additional layer, the color intensifies. The yellow gradation, although it's apparently a little harder to distinguish than something dark like purple, made this little guy look like it was bursting with sunshine the second I cut into it!

Lemon Ombre Cake [click to print]
Makes four 6" layers

• 2 c. plus 2 T. flour
• 1 tsp. baking powder
• 1/2 tsp. baking soda
• 1/2 tsp. salt
• 1 c. buttermilk
• 1 tsp. vanilla extract
• 1/2 tsp. lemon extract
• 1-1/2 c. sugar
• 1/2 c. unsalted butter, softened
• 3 large eggs
• 2 T. lemon zest (about 2 lemons)
• yellow food coloring

Preheat oven to 350 F. Line cake pans with parchment paper or coat generously with nonstick cooking spray.

Whisk together dry ingredients and set aside. In separate bowl, whisk together buttermilk and extracts; set aside.

Cream butter and sugar in mixing bowl until well blended, about 5 minutes. Add eggs, one at a time, incorporating well between each addition. Alternately add flour and buttermilk mixture, beginning and ending with dry ingredients. Stir in zest.

Pour 1/4 batter into one pan. Add a few drops of food coloring to batter and stir to distribute evenly. Pour about 1/3 of remaining batter in second pan. Add a few more drops of food coloring and stir to distribute. Pour half in next pan. Add another squirt of food coloring and stir. Pour remaining batter in last pan.

Bake for 25-30 minutes until center springs back when lightly touched. Allow to cool completely before frosting.

Vanilla Swiss Meringue Buttercream 
Makes about 8 cups

• 10 egg whites (about 1 cup)
• 2 c. sugar, granulated not powdered!
• 2 c. unsalted butter, softened
• 1/4 tsp. salt
• 1 T. vanilla extract

You're going to need a double boiler for this recipe, but if you don't have one, don't worry! I don't either. We'll use our makeshift double boilers together. All you need is a pot filled with about 2 or 3 cups of water, and a heat safe bowl (like ceramic, glass or metal) that sits comfortably on top of your pot. You don't want the bowl to sit too deep and touch the water or you'll cook your eggs and that's just nasty in meringue. Ew. 

So, now that you have your set up ready...

In bowl (not on the heat yet), whisk together egg whites and sugar until well combined. And before you have a cow from the fact that we're using egg whites here, yes, I mean you, Dad and Mama, use a candy thermometer to make sure your mixture reaches 160 F and you'll be fine. 

Anyway, when water is simmering, place bowl on pot/double boiler and heat, whisking continuously, until the sugar melts completely. Test this by rubbing a little bit of the mixture between your fingers and feeling for any grittiness. If it's still gritty, keep heating. 

Once smooth, remove from double boiler and whisk in salt. Pour mixture into bowl of stand mixer and mix on high speed with whisk attachment. If you don't have a stand mixer, a handheld is no problem. I just get bored standing around holding a mixer. Once the mixture comes to room temperature, about 10-15 minutes, you'll have a beautiful meringue that you can eat just as is, but we're making this into a buttercream, so press on!

Change to paddle attachment, if you have one, and add butter to the meringue, about 2 Tablespoons at a time. Make sure each chunk is fully incorporated before adding the next bit. Continue adding butter until all chunks are fully incorporated and mixture is smooth and creamy. 

At this point, you may be getting nervous because your buttercream is looking a little strange, but don't give up! If it's runny or soupy...stick the whole bowl in the fridge for about 10-15 minutes to firm up and then continue whipping. If it's curdled and sick...just keep mixing! It will smooth out and look delicious again. 

Once the buttercream is nice and smooth, add extract and mix to combine. 

Source: Cake adapted from Serious Eats; Swiss Meringue Buttercream adapted from Whisk-Kid

To Assemble

Center the yellowest layer on your cake plate and frost top with a thin layer of buttercream. Continue adding layers and buttercream until fully stacked. Frost sides of cake. Add copious amounts of sprinkles on top, adding extra as necessary. 

White Pepper and Ginger Lemon Cake

A year or so ago I made a mango cake with cayenne pepper and loved the little kick. Then when I went home for a visit, my little bro's wife Zaikea whipped up a batch of zippy white pepper Amish cookies. Of the ten or so cookies that I inhaled, I'd say they were delicious.

So when I found this recipe for Maida Heater (a fancy pants pastry chef)'s White Pepper and Ginger Lemon Cake, I knew I had to give it a try. Plus, lemons are the perfect summer fruit! Just look at that ooey, gooey glaze...oh my goodness, I think I'm making myself drool. Trust me, if you like a little heat (sorry, Stacie), you're gonna love it!

White Pepper and Ginger Lemon Cake with Ginger Glaze [click to print]
Makes one 12-cup bundt cake

For the cake

• Few tablespoons coarse sugar
• 3 c. flour
• 2 tsp. white pepper
• 1 tsp. baking powder
• 1/2 tsp. baking soda
• 1/2 tsp. salt
• 2 T. lemon juice
• 5 T. lemon zest (about 3 small lemons)
• 1-1/2 T. (4-1/2 tsp.) ginger paste (or grated fresh ginger)
• 1/2 tsp. lemon extract
• 1 c. unsalted butter, softened
• 1-1/2 c. sugar
• 3 eggs
• 1 c. buttermilk

For the Glaze: 

• 2 c. powdered sugar
• 1 T. unsalted butter, softened
• 1 tsp. ginger paste (or fresh ground ginger)
• 1/8 tsp. salt
• 3-4 T. milk

Using nonstick cooking spray with flour included, generously coat bundt pan. Sprinkle coarse sugar in pan to lightly coat; set aside. Preheat oven to 350.

Whisk together flour, pepper, powder, soda and salt; set aside. In small bowl, whisk together juice, zest, ginger and extract; set aside.

In large mixing bowl, cream butter and sugar on low speed until pale and fluffy. Add eggs one at a time, incorporating well between each addition. Alternately add dry ingredients (about 3 additions) and buttermilk (about 2 additions). Stir in lemon mixture. Pour batter in bundt pan. Firmly tap pan on counter about 3 times to tap out any large air bubbles that may have been trapped when batter was poured into pan.

Bake at 350 for 55-60 minutes. Allow cake to cool in pan on wire rack for about 15 minutes. To remove from bundt pan, place wire rack over top of pan and invert, tapping gently on the sides to release, if necessary. Allow to cool completely on wire rack.

For the glaze, combine sugar, butter, zest, ginger and salt in mixing bowl. With mixer on low, add 3 Tablespoons milk. Slowly add additional milk, one teaspoon at a time until you reach desired consistency. Pour over cake and allow to set.

Source: Cake adapted from Sauce and Sensibility; Glaze is all Sugar Rush!

Mint Chocolate Leprechaun Cake

When I was little, my favorite color was purple. I loved purple shirts, purple crayons, purple freeze pops, purple people-eaters... And then, suddenly, I was just tired of it, so I changed my mind and decided my favorite color was green. An excellent choice, if I do say so myself. The only bad thing is, I choke on green freeze pops pretty much every time I eat one. Lame.

Every St. Patrick's Day, I get all decked out in as much of that blessed Irish green as possible or suffer the pinches of a handful of eager siblings and our dear father. This year is no exception. I have some green shoes and several appropriately colored shirts just kickin it in my closet, begging me to wear them now!

But I'm not stopping there this year. It's time to go green from the inside out. It's time for a striped leprechaun cake! The bonus being you get all that green goodness without the chokeable aspect of those lime-flavored tubes of ice.

This cake is striped vertically (to make leprechauns feel taller) with super moist chocolate and mint cake, covered in the fluffiest vanilla buttercream I ever made in my life, coated with chocolate ganache and sprinkled with shimmering gold dust. Seriously, what leprechaun wouldn't be attracted to this!

So Happy St. Patty's Day (tomorrow)!

Mint Chocolate Leprechaun Cake [click to print]
Makes one super thick 9" round layer (which I strongly recommend) OR three 8" round layers

• 4 large eggs, whole
• 2 egg yolks
• 2 tsp. vanilla extract
• 1-1/4 c. buttermilk
• 3 c. flour
• 2 c. sugar
• 4-1/2 tsp. baking powder
• 1/2 tsp. salt
• 1 c. unsalted butter, softened
• 5 T. dark cocoa powder
• 1 tsp. mint extract
• green gel food coloring
• edible gold pearl dust

Line cake pan(s) with parchment paper and set aside. Preheat oven to 325 F if using 9x3" round cake pan or 350 F if using 8x1" round cake pans. 

In medium bowl, whisk together eggs, yolks, vanilla and 1/4 c. buttermilk. Set aside. In large mixing bowl, whisk together flour, sugar, powder and salt. Add remaining buttermilk and butter; beat on low speed until combined then increase speed to medium and beat until fluffy, about 2 minutes. 

Add egg mixture in about three additions and continue beating until just combined, scraping sides of bowl as needed. Divide batter in half. Add cocoa to half the batter and stir until evenly distributed. Add mint extract and food coloring (I used about 1 tsp) to the other half of the batter and stir to combine. 

Starting with chocolate, pour about 1/2 c. batter into center of pan, then pour 1/2 c. mint batter directly in center of chocolate to create a second layer. Continue alternating batters, always pouring in center of pan, allowing a few seconds between each addition for batter to start spreading (by itself, don't you dare spread it out with your cute little spatula!) towards edges of pan. Once your pan(s) are filled, bake 9" layer for 65-75 minutes or bake 8" layers for 28-32 minutes. 

Whipped Vanilla Buttercream

Makes enough to frost top and sides of 9" layer cake, you might want to double it if you are filling and frosting three 8" layers instead.

• 3-1/2 c. powdered sugar
• 1/4 c. unsalted butter, softened
• 1 tsp. vanilla extract
• 1/4 tsp. salt
• 3-5 T. milk

Combine sugar, butter, vanilla and salt in large mixing bowl and beat on low until just combined, adding milk one tablespoon at a time until the right consistency. You want this stuff to be able to hold a peak and not just run right off the cake. Increase speed to medium-high and whip until light and fluffy, about 5 minutes. 

Semisweet Chocolate Ganache

Makes about 1 cup, just enough to smother the top of this cake!

• 3/4 c. semisweet chocolate chips
• 2/3 c. heavy whipping cream

Place chocolate in small bowl and set aside. Heat cream on stovetop until just frothy and steaming. Remove from heat before it boils and pour over chocolate. Allow mixture to sit about 2 minutes and then whisk until smooth. 

Allow ganache to cool to room temperature and thicken just enough to coat a spoon. 

To Assemble the Goodness

When cake is completely cool, spread a nice thick coating of frosting and allow to set about 15 minutes in refrigerator. Pour ganache in center of cake and spread over surface, allowing it to drip down over edges.

Sprinkle gold dust over surface of cake and enjoy!

Source: Cake adapted from Sweetapolita, Ganache from Betty Crocker

Apple Gingerberry Deep Dish Pie

Happy National Pi Day! This holiday totally takes me back to my high school days of endlessly difficult math and physics homework. But let's remember the good times of pi. Like using those confusing equations to build the coolest, longest, loopiest and functioning (model) roller coaster ever!

As I gently kneaded the dough for this deep dish pie, I caught the scent of that intoxicating butter-flour combo and almost melted away. Heavenly. And the colors! I love that the apples just absorb the vibrant blueberry juice...it's gorgeous!

And don't think I'm ignoring the flavors here. The ginger gives a delicate depth and heat to the pie while the flaky crust balances out the sweetness of the fruit filling. You're gonna need to run to the store now. 


Apple Gingerberry Pie [click to print]
Makes one 8-1/2" deep dish pie


For the Pie Crust: 

2-1/2 c. flour

1 T. sugar

1 tsp. salt

2 sticks (8 oz.) butter, cold

1/2 c. water, ice cold

For the Delicious Filling: 

4 c. tart apples (about 5 med.), cored, peeled and sliced in 1/4" thick pieces
1 c. water
1/2 c. sugar
2 T. lemon zest (about 1 med.)
1 tsp. ginger paste (OR grated fresh ginger)
1/4 tsp. salt
2 c. blueberries, divided


For the Crumble Topping: 
1/4 c. brown sugar
1/4 c. flour
1/4 c. chopped crystallized ginger
1/4 tsp. salt
4 T. unsalted butter, cold and cut into pieces


Start by making the pie dough. Whisk flour, sugar and salt in large mixing bowl. Cut butter into 1/2 inch pieces and add to flour mixture. Using pastry blender, cut in butter until butter pieces are about the size of peas. It doesn't have to be perfectly even at this point. Drizzle water over mixture. Use a rubber spatula to gather the dough together until the mixture starts clumping. Gently knead dough together with your fingertips; when it forms a lumpy ball, it's done. Be careful not to overwork, the heat from your hands can make the butter melt and that's what makes the crust so flaky and good! 

Flatten dough to 1/2" disk; seal in plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 1 hour. The colder the dough, the better, though, so leave it for 2 or more hours if you can. 

Combine apples, water, sugar, zest, ginger and salt in medium saucepan. Bring to a boil then reduce heat and simmer for 10 minutes. Add 1 cup blueberries and simmer for 10 more minutes. Turn off heat and allow to cool. Drain fruit and save juice. Pour juice in small saucepan and simmer until reduced to 1/3 to 1/2 cup; allow to cool. 

Now for the crumble topping. In food processor, combine sugar, flour, ginger and salt. Process to combine. Add butter and pulse until mixture is combined but still crumbly. Set aside. 

Coat 8-1/2" springform pan with nonstick cooking spray or line with parchment paper. Remove dough from refrigerator and roll out to about 1/4" thick. Press into bottom of springform pan and about 2" up the sides. You'll have a little left over pie dough, but don't throw it away! Check back in a couple days for a tasty idea to use up those scraps!

Pour fruit mixture into pan. Spread remaining blueberries across top of fruit. Sprinkle crumble topping across top of pie, gently press edges of crust down with fingertips to meet top of pie and stick the whole thing in the oven. I like to bake pies with a baking sheet on the rack below in case it decides to drip, then you don't have to scrub nasty baked on stuff off the bottom of your oven. Ew. 

Bake at 350 F for 50-55 minutes. Allow to cool and remove from springform. Drizzle reduced juice across top of pie and enjoy!

Source: Pie crust from Smitten Kitchen; Pie adapted from What Katie Ate; Crumble topping adapted from TableFare

Fruity Pebbles Crispy Treats

My niece, full of stubborn 5 year old wisdom, has said multiple times that she can't wait until she's a mom. Why? Because when you're a mom you can have whatever color hair you want! And what color hair does she want, you may ask? Rainbow!

While I'm not so sure I want to cash in on the kids and rainbow hair deal yet, I sure wouldn't mind a mouth full of rainbows. Plus, it's nearly St. Patrick's Day, so whip up a batch for the festivities! A word of warning, these crispy treats are absolutely delicious but also really sweet, so get ready for a sugar rush!

Fruity Pebbles Crispy Treats [click to print]
Makes about 16 squares (more if you like them skinny and small, but I go for LARGE and IN CHARGE!)

• 10 oz (one bag) small marshmallows
• 2 T. butter, room temperature
• 1/4 tsp. salt
• 1 tsp. vanilla extract
• 6 c. Fruity Pebbles

Line 8x8" pan with parchment paper or coat generously with nonstick cooking spray.

Combine marshmallows, butter and salt in large microwave safe bowl. Heat mixture in 30 second bursts, stirring at each interval, until mixture is smooth. Stir in vanilla. Add Fruity Pebbles and stir until well combined; use a little less if you prefer super gooey treats.

Press cereal mixture into pan using lightly greased fingertips. Allow to cool, cut into squares and enjoy!

Sweet Sixteen: Luck o' the Irish!

St. Patty's Day is coming up this weekend and it's time to get your green on! There are so many festive ideas floating around the interweb and I thought I'd share a few of my favorites!

(Left to Right, Top to Bottom)

Jello Poke Cake, Andes Mint Cupcakes, Cacao Pistachio Florentine and Mint Ice Cream Sandwiches, Gold Dusted Rainbow Cake Balls

Pandan Cupcakes, Shamrock Mint Oreos, Green Candied Popcorn, Cool Mint Oreo Cookie Balls

Shamrock Shake Shooters, Triple Layer Fudgy Mint Oreo Brownies, Shamrock Shortbread Cookies, Rainbow Cupcakes

Marshmallow Kabobs, Chocolate Kiss Shamrock Pretzels, Green Velvet Whoopie Pies, Celtic Knot Cookies

Dulce de Leche Brownies

Normally, I can get by on a handful of chocolate chips, but sometimes I just need something a little more deadly.

Ah, yes. I think these dulce de leche stuffed brownies will fill the chocolate void in my thighs just perfectly.

These are probably the richest, most moist and decadent all-cocoa brownies ever. If you have a really good cocoa powder that's high in cocoa butter these brownies will be extra delicious.

See that ribbon of dulce de leche squeezed between two layers of brownie? Take a bite straight from the oven, as soon as it's cooled enough to not burn off your tongue, and the dulce will be all soft and oozey. Mmm...

Dulce de Leche Brownies [click to print]
Makes about 16-25 squares

• 10 T. unsalted butter
• 1-1/4 c. sugar
• 3/4 c. plus 2 T. cocoa powder
• 1/4 tsp. salt
• 1/2 tsp. vanilla extract
• 2 large eggs, cold
• 1/2 c. flour
• 1 c. dulce de leche
• 1/2 c. chopped semi-sweet chocolate (or chocolate chips)

Preheat oven to 325 F. Line 8x8 pan with parchment paper and set aside.

In medium saucepan, combine butter, sugar, cocoa and salt. Stir on low heat until butter is melted and mixture is hot, but not boiling. You should be able to stick your finger in it (and lick it) and not cry. It's going to look kind of grainy and that's okay.

Remove from heat. Stir in vanilla. Beat in eggs, one at a time, incorporating well between each addition. Stir in flour; when combined, stir vigorously about 40 strokes. Pour half of batter in lined pan and bake for 15 minutes. Remove from oven and allow to cool about 15 minutes.

Heat dulce de leche until smooth and pourable. Immediately pour somewhat evenly over brownies; gently spread dulce to even layer. Pour remaining brownie batter over dulce. Sprinkle chopped chocolate over top of brownies and return to oven. Continue baking at 325 F for 15-20 minutes.

Source: Adapted from Sis Boom Blog and Annie's Eats

Homemade Hostess Cupcakes

I'd be lying if I told you I remember downing cellophane wrapped packages of Hostess cupcakes in my elementary school cafeteria. Or if I said I rummaged through our kitchen cabinets when my mom was at work to sneak a chocolatey treat. I mostly remember being fascinated by their delicate white swirls across the middle of a deep, smooth chocolate frosting staring at me from the aisles of the gas station mini market. 

But please don't doubt my credibility here! I have ever eaten these little guys. Every time I do, though, I wish for a little richer, less greasy cupcake with a bigger blob of fluffy white cream filling. Thanks to some great bakers and my crowd of ever ready taste testers, these homemade Hostess cupcakes fit the bill!

Hostess Cupcakes [click to print]
Makes about 1 dozen


For the Cupcakes:

• 1/2 c. plus 2 T. flour
• 1/3 c. cocoa powder
• 1/2 tsp. baking powder
• 1/4 tsp. baking soda
• 1/8 tsp. salt
• 2 eggs, large
• 1/3 c. unsalted butter, softened
• 1/2 c. plus 2 T. sugar
• 2 T. buttermilk
• 1 tsp. vanilla extract

For the Creamy Filling:

• 1/2 c. milk
• 2-1/2 T. flour
• 1/2 c. shortening
• 1/2 c. sugar
• 1/4 tsp. salt
• 1/2 tsp. vanilla
• 2 c. powdered sugar

For the Ganache Frosting:

• 1/3 c. heavy whipping cream
• 1 T. unsalted butter, softened
• 6 oz. dark chocolate, chips or chunked

Preheat oven to 350 F. Line cupcake tin with liners and set aside.

Whisk together flour, cocoa, powder, soda and salt; set aside. Combine butter and sugar in mixer bowl and cream until light and fluffy. Add eggs, one at a time, incorporating well between each addition. Add dry ingredients and continue mixing until mostly combined, then add buttermilk and vanilla. Mix on low speed an additional 30 seconds.

Scoop batter into cupcake liners, filling about 2/3 full. Bake at 350  F for 13-15 mminutes. Allow cupcakes to cool completely before filling.

In small saucepan, gradually blend milk into flour, whisking until there aren't any lumps. Cook on medium low heat, stirring constantly, until the mixture turns to a thick paste. Be careful, though, because it will seem like nothing's happening and then all of a sudden it's really thick and can burn easily. Allow mixture to cool to lukewarm.

Meanwhile, cream shortening, sugar and salt in mixer. Add warm paste and continue beating until light and fluffy. Add vanilla. Mix in powdered sugar in about three additions.

Scoop filling into pastry bag fitted with large tip. If you have a fancy cupcake filling tip, use that one, but I used a Wilton #12 tip and it worked just perfectly. Poke tip about 1/2" into top of cupcake and squeeze in a small amount of filling. You'll know you squeezed enough when you see the top of the cupcake rise a little bit. Remove tip and fill remaining cupcakes. If the filling oozes a little, just scrape it off.

To make the frosting, place chocolate in deep bowl and set aside. In small saucepan, heat cream and butter until simmering, but not boiling. Pour over chocolate and allow to sit about 5 minutes. Stir mixture until smooth and evenly combined. Dip the top of each cupcake in ganache and allow to set about 10 minutes in refrigerator. Repeat 1-2 times or until desired thickness is reached.

Change tip on pastry bag to a fine, plain point; I used Wilton #3. Pipe swirls across the top of each cupcake. Refrigerate about 10 minutes to set.


Source: Cupcakes and frosting adapted from Culinary in the Country; Filling from my Great Grandmother Mattie Foote

Sweet Sixteen: Cheesecake

There's just something about a cheesecake that looks so decadent and rich and filling and delicious! You're pretty much gonna love every single one of these roundup variations!

(Left to Right, Top to Bottom)

Chocolate Cheesecake, Raspberry Swirl Cheesecake, Blackberry Lemon Cheesecake Squares, Cheesecake Chocolate Chip Cookie Bars

Rolo Brownie Cheesecake, Caramel Apple Cheesecake, Red Velvet Cheesecake, Caramel Macadamia Cheesecake

Snickers Cheesecake, Oreo Cheesecake, Peanut Butter Mousse Cheesecake, Triple Coconut Cheesecake

Twix Bar Cheesecake Pie, Chocolate Covered Cheesecake Bites, Thin Mint Mini Cheesecakes, Peanut Butter Cookie Crusted Jelly Swirled Cheesecake Bites

Apple Sharlotka...it's a cake

Right about now, my waistline is showing significant signs of recovery from the treat-laden winter holidays and I'm ready to recommit to eating better. But I still need something a little sweet and completely delicious!

I already know you're not gonna believe me. This beautiful thing has zero butter in it. Not a single tablespoon! You're practically eating a straight up piece of fruit. (Ignore that drowning of powdered sugar.) Bring on dessert!
Apple Sharlotka [click to print]
Makes one 9" cake


5 c. tart apples (about 6 large), peeled and chopped 1/4" thick chunks
3 large eggs
1 c. sugar
1 tsp. vanilla extract
1 c. flour
1 T. cinnamon
1/4 tsp. salt
Powdered sugar, to garnish

Preheat oven to 350 F. Line bottom of springform pan with parchment paper and coat entire pan with nonstick cooking spray. Pile apple chunks in pan and set aside. In large bowl, beat eggs and sugar until mixture thickens and forms ribbons on the surface of the eggs. Add vanilla. Stir in flour, cinnamon and salt until just combined. Batter will be thick. Pour batter over apples and use a spoon or spatula to spread over exposed apples and work into applely crevices. The top of the batter should be about level with the top of the apples.

Bake at 350 F for 55 to 60 minutes. Cool in pan on wire rack about 10 minutes. Remove springform ring and carefully flip cake onto another wire rack. Remove parchment paper and flip back onto a serving platter. Dust with powdered sugar to serve.

Source: Adapted from Smitten Kitchen