***Cupcakes 101***

I love cupcakes! I love their shape. I love how fun they are.

When you say the word cupcake

you almost have to smile.
Can you frown and say cupcake?
I think not.

These are some of my favorite cupcake tips...

• Storing Cupcakes... Some cupcakes you can bake in advance and freeze them, unfrosted, in sturdy plastic containers or, if freezer space is tight, flash freeze cakes on baking sheets and store them in plastic freezer bags. Thaw on the kitchen counter before frosting them.
• When baking cupcakes NEVER set the timer for the number of minutes the recipes says. I always set mine for 2 minutes less. Every oven is different and there is nothing more sad than a burnt cupcake.
• The darker your cupcake liner, the greater your chances of an "over done" cupcake. I recommend NOT using black liners. Yes, I know that black is classy, slimming, and always in style... but not for a cupcake.
• Can you freeze frosting??? Yes you can... and it is a beautiful thing. Butter cream and cream cheese frosting's freeze well in plastic containers for up to one month. (I personally have froze both of the above mentioned for 3 months and they were fabulous!) Best way to defrost is from freezer to refrigerator and then finish thawing on the counter. I have even put frosting in the microwave for 20 seconds to give it a little help. If you want, you can beat the thawed frosting with a hand mixer to lighten it up and make it fluffy. I have never done this. The frosting is great straight from the bowl!
• Three surprises to fill your cupcake with. Everyone loves a surprise and taking that first bite of a cupcake and finding a little treasure inside is just a split second of heaven. Okay... here goes. First we have the fruit jam that works well in most any cupcake and pretty much any flavor of jam will be swell. Fill your cupcake liner with your batter until 1/2 full. Add a tablespoon of your favorite jam on top. While the cupcake bakes the jam will sink into the batter and the cake will rise up around it. Second idea is to place a chocolate in the center of you batter. Here's how you do it. Put a heaping tablespoon of your batter in the liner. Now add you favorite chocolate. Any kind is great... the filled Dove candies are divine. You can add a square of your favorite candy bar or use leftover chocolate Easter candy. You get the idea. Bake those little cakes and may I suggest tasting/devouring one when it first comes out of the oven and the center is gooey and warm... can we have a moment of silence please. Third is slightly advanced, but not really. If I can do it you can do it. Use a pastry bag to squirt 1 tablespoon of pudding or any type of filling into the center of the cupcake AFTER it has baked. Let the cupcake cool slightly before doing this. The pastry bag tip should go into just about the center of the cupcake before adding filling. This may take some practice, but people will be impressed and that is what it is all about when baking and presenting cupcakes.

Best places to enjoy cupcakes... at the kitchen table, alone, late at night... or in the morning after the kids have gone to school.

Now is the time to order for Mother's Day!!! Look at our post below for 4 fabulous ideas that any woman in your life would love!

• Mom's Favorite Recipes... $15.00
• A Good Read... $20.00
• A Dozen Reasons Why... $35.00
• Sweet Retreat... $45.00

You're curious... I know you are... so go to our last post to view photos of each of these gift ideas and order now!