Trader Joe's Vanilla Cake & Muffin Mix

For many years I have been searching for the perfect vanilla cupcake recipe. I have found recipes that had good flavor, nice texture, rise to the right height, and have a pretty appearance, but no recipe so far has had every quality I am looking for.  I had been reading good things about Trader Joe's Vanilla Cake & Muffin Mix on several blogs lately so I thought I should try it for myself.  I bought a mix and noted there are several variations of the recipe that can be made. I chose to make the cake version (the high altitude recipe of course). 

I love Trader Joe's...but I cannot recommend this mix to make cupcakes. It is totally tasteless and has a coarse texture that I don't like for a cupcake. I even added a fresh vanilla bean to the batter, but it still didn't help. I didn't taste any vanilla, even after the addition of the vanilla bean.

I will continue to shop at Trader Joe's...and I will continue my quest for the perfect vanilla cupcake.

Stay Calm, Have a Cupcake

Experimenting with Minis

My friend Shelly went to Mexico a few weeks ago and brought me some fresh vanilla beans. What else could I do but experiment with vanilla mini cupcakes?  I made the cupcakes and some vanilla and chocolate buttercream frosting. I had some decorations left over from a Sprinkles cupcake mix I bought at Williams-Sonoma last fall....instant minis!

Vanilla minis with vanilla buttercream

My version of the black & white cookie

Black & White minis

Martin Luther King Jr. Day

Martin Luther King Jr. Day is celebrated on the third Monday in January, although his actual birthday is January 15th.  I am from Mississippi and have vivid memories of growing up in the late 60s and the civil unrest that was present at that time.  I was 11 years old when he was shot in Memphis.  I later lived in Memphis and drove by the Lorraine Motel every day on the way to work.

While recognition of this holiday has been reluctant in some areas and some states have chosen alternate names, since 2000 it has been observed in all states.  Dr. King led peaceful protests and preached love and understanding.  Peace & Love...all you need to add is a cupcake!

FunnyTeesGifts  via  Zazzle

 

Recipe of the Week - Raspberry Cupcakes with Champagne Buttercream Frosting (winning recipe from Cupcake Wars)

The only wine I drink is sparkling wine (technically we can't call it champagne unless it comes from the Champagne region in France) and I have experimented with "champagne" in cupcake recipes for quite some time.  This recipe is the winning recipe by Andrea Ballus on an episode of the Food Network's Cupcake Wars.  Enjoy!

Raspberry Cupcakes with Champagne Buttercream Frosting

aunttees

bustybaker

Win a Cupcake Hat!

To celebrate National Hat Day (which I am renaming National Cupcake Hat Day), I am giving away a Neff Cupcake Beanie from Neff Headwear.  All you have to do is send me an email with a subject that says "I love cupcakes" and you will be entered into a random drawing for this hat.  I will put all entries into the cupcake beanie on January 25th and draw out the winning name! 

Send your entry to carpecupcakes@gmail.com and good luck!

Neff cupcake beanie

National Hat Day

Today is National Hat Day!  What does that mean? I don't know, but rumor has it that back in the 40s The Headwear Association started National Hat Day to recognize the seasonal transition of getting rid of old hats and putting on new ones.  Some communities have celebrations where they fill coffins with last season's hats and carry them down the street. 

Tonight The Headwear Association will have its annual dinner and announce the Hat Person of the Year.  This year's nominees are Johnny Depp, Kate Hudson, Gwen Stefani, Hugh Jackman, Nicole Richie and Justin Timberlake.  Check their web site tonight for the winner! 

So eat a cupcake today while showing off your (cupcake) hat!

cupcake hat

tealwins64  via  Flickr

Coffee Bean Cupcakes

I love those chocolate covered espresso beans...so wouldn't they be dee-lish on a cupcake??

dulcisinfundo

ElbtheProf

NYC Style Little Cannoli

Cakes by No More Tiers

Cupcake Brigade (Carson City, NV)

One of the nurses I work with is a member of the Cupcake Brigade in Carson City.  I just found out about this organization today and wanted to feature it.  Everybody who reads this blog should check to see if there is anything like this in your school system...and if not, start one!

"When elementary school children celebrate their birthdays, someone in their family generally sends them to school with a batch of cupcakes to share with their classmates.  That is not always the case, however, because some families don't have the means to celebrate.  That's where Carson City's Cupcake Brigade steps in."  

 Cupcake Brigade Comes to the Rescue   
Nevada Appeal (November 21, 2010)  

sfknit  via  Flickr

Magnolia Bakery - new cupcake!

On my trip to NYC last October, I spent an afternoon at Magnolia Bakery.  To recap:  had some delicious cupcakes and shopped in their general store where cupcake-licious items were purchased. They have unveiled a new cupcake flavor for the new year....Coconut Lemon.  Wish I could go back and order one!

Coconut Lemon Cupcake

Magnolia Bakery

401 Bleeker Street

New York, NY

Cupcake Sandwich Bags

This reusable sandwich bag from Oliveirabags is perfect for cereal, pretzels, fruits, veggies, crackers...and whatever else you can think of!

o 100% Cotton Fabric for Cover
o Ripstop Food Safe Nylon Lining
o Size: 7.25 x 6.25
o Velcro strip covers entire opening
o There are no exposed seams for crumbs to collect in

These bags can be ordered in custom sizes and other prints and fabrics - you don't have to get the cupcake print but why wouldn't you?  You can even remove the liner to wash them. 




                                       Oliveirabags