Note to YOU

I just wanted to say I have always wanted to keep a blog a day
But I also wanted this to be personal. I haven't been able to bake as much due to commitments but they are soon to be over so I decided to give the blog a break till then so i can then give it my full attention and fill it with recpies I've tried and faild attempts at decorating so you know not what to do

I promise there will be more recpies and even better ones

Till Then
Cupcake in Training

One Tequila, Two Tequila, Three Tequila, FLOOR!

Cupcakes aren't just for kids, adults can have fun with them too. And the best way to get loose after a long week of work or the stress of family life is to enjoy a shot or a glass of wine with your girls and guy friends (responsibly)

Here's a recipe you can make with your girls or make before hand to share before a night out or a girly night in. It does contain alcohol so try and consume before kids come home


Margarita Cupcakes

www.recipegirl.com

Cupcakes

Ingredients

• 9 ounces Margarita Mixer, bottled liquid 
• 3 ounces tequila 
• 3/4 ounce Grand Marnier 
• 1 (18.25 ounce) box white cake mix 
• 3 large egg whites 
• 2 Tablespoons canola oil 
• 1 Tablespoon lime zest

1. Preheat oven to 350°F (190°C). Line two dozen cupcake tins with paper liners.
2. Whisk together margarita mix, tequila and Grand Marnier in a small bowl. Measure out 1 1/4 cups for the recipe; pour the rest on some ice and drink it while making the cupcakes :)
3. In a large bowl, blend cake mix, egg whites, vegetable oil, lime zest and 1 1/4 cups of the margarita mix from step 1. Blend on low for about 30 seconds and then increase speed to medium and blend for two additional minutes. Batter will be slightly lumpy.Spoon the batter into cupcake liners (about 3/4 full). Bake for 20-25 min, or until toothpick inserted in center comes out clean. Let cupcakes cool for about 10 minutes in the pans, then remove them to a rack to cool completely.

Lime Buttercream Icing

• 1 cup unsalted butter, at room temperature
• 5 to 6 cups powdered sugar
• 2 Tablespoons lime juice, freshly squeezed
• 1/8 teaspoon salt
• 1 teaspoon lime zest
• green food coloring, if desired
• small lime slices for garnish, if desired

Place butter in a large bowl and beat with electric mixer until butter is fluffy. Add 5 cups of powdered sugar, salt, lime juice, and lime zest. Mix until thick and creamy. Add more powdered sugar until the frosting is of a good spreading (or piping) consistency. Mix in a tiny amount of green food coloring or gel paste if you'd like the frosting to have a green tint. Ice cupcakes in whatever manner you prefer... spreading or piping the frosting. Use small lime slices as garnish.

If you are enjoying it with your girls or having it for a party you can liven things up and add their own personal shot

 Enjoy yourself as usual and like I say get crunk and get wild.

Cupcake in Training xxx

Chocolate Cake = Best Birthday Cake

Tomorrow is my boyfriend's birthday and right now our car isn't working so it's a day in.

I wanted to surprise him with a chocolate cake that will be quick and easy and incorporate peanut butter (his favourite). So I scoured the Internet and found a quick but yummy sounding cake. I thought I would share it with you cause it's one of those quick and easy, just in case you forgot birthday cakes or for any event.

This recipe is from the lovely Bakerella who created the cake pop and also the reason I decided to write this blog =]

Try it or save the page in case you need it someday ;]

Peanut Butter Cup Cake

www.bakerella.com

Ingredients

• 1 devil’s food cake mix
• 3 eggs
• 1 cup buttermilk
• 1/2 cup vegetable oil
• 2 cups chopped peanut butter cups (plus more for garnishing – I used 2 bags)

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Coat two 9-inch cake pans with non-stick cooking spray. Line with wax paper and coat paper.
2. In a large bowl, beat cake mix, eggs, buttermilk and vegetable oil on low for 30 seconds. Increase speed to medium-high and beat for 2 minutes. Scrape down sides after 1 minute. Fold in 2 cups of the chopped peanut butter cups.
3. Pour batter into pans and bake at 350 degrees for about 30 minutes or until toothpick inserted comes out clean.
4. Cool cakes completely.

Chocolate Frosting

• 8 oz. dark chocolate, chopped
• 1 cup heavy cream
• 1/2 cup peanut butter

Place chopped dark chocolate in a medium bowl. Bring cream just to a boil and then pour over chocolate. Whisk until chocolate melts. Add peanut butter and whisk until smooth.

To Assemble

1. Trim each cake layer so the tops are flat. Place one layer on a cooling rack and pour 1 cup frosting on top. Spread evenly with a spatula. Add second layer and pour remaining frosting over top and sides of cake. Smooth out with spatula.
2. Allow frosting to set for a minute and gently press remaining chopped peanut butter cup pieces all over top and sides of cake. Place in refrigerator for about an hour to set. Remove and serve.

The best thing about this recipe is that it doesn't have to be peanut butter cups, it be a chocolate that you love or the person receiving loves. I'm using snickers cause it's my boyfriends favourite

I hope you enjoy as always

Cupcake in Training

The Latest Craze!!

These days people are going beyond the norm and finding different ways to jazz up the most ordinary thing

And in the baking industry of course it's no different that's what it strives on. And along with cakes balls (which I will do another blog) are these cute cupcakes in a jar. They can incorporate any flavor, from red velvet to strawberry cheesecake. They also make lovely gifts for children and adults and can last much longer than one cupcake

They would brighten anyone's day, so here's a recipe for your own cupcake in a jar.

Vanilla Orange Cupcakes in a Jar

cookiesandcups.com

Vanilla Orange Cupcake

Ingredients

• 2 large eggs, at room temperature
• 2⁄3 cup granulated sugar
• 1 tablespoon freshly grated orange peel
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract or vanilla bean
• 1 cup all-purpose flour
• 2 tablespoons unsalted butter or margarine, melted
• 1⁄3 cup confectioners’ sugar

1. Heat oven to 375°F (190°C). Prepare cupcake liners 
2. Beat eggs, granulated sugar, orange peel and vanilla in a large bowl with an electric mixer on high speed for 8 to 12 minutes until very thick and pale. 
3. Add flour, mix and then add the butter and mix. Add a tablespoon to each cupcake liner. If you wish you can add a few drops of orange food colouring.
4. Bake 19 to 21 minutes or until cupcake springs back when touched in center. 
5. Leave to cool

Orange Cream Cheese Frosting

 Ingredients

• 1/2 cup butter (either unsalted or salted)
• 8 oz. cream cheese
• 1/4 teaspoon salt (if using unsalted butter)
• 4 cups powdered sugar
• 1/2 teaspoon orange extract
• 1/2 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
• 1 teaspoon fresh orange zest
• 1 tablespoon fresh orange juice 
• 1 tablespoon heavy cream

1. Beat butter in the bowl of an electric mixer until smooth.  Add cream cheese and beat until smooth. 
2. Add salt (as needed), powdered sugar (one cup at a time), extracts, orange zest,  juice and cream. 
3. Continue to beat 1-2 for an additional minutes until fully combined, and nice and fluffy.  

Note: In warm weather, place frosting in the refrigerator for 15 minutes to firm up before piping. 

To Assemble

• Jars (as many as you think needed or want) 
• 2 large piping bags
• Nozzle of your choice (for top of cupcake) 
• 8 oz. marshmallow cream

Cut cooled cupcakes in half, horizontally. Fill large 2 large piping bags (if you don't have pipping bags you can use large Ziploc bags), one with Orange Cream Cheese Frosting and the other with marshmallow cream.
Put one cupcake half in the bottom of a jar. Pipe a layer of Orange Cream Cheese Frosting. Add another cupcake half. Pipe on a layer of marshmallow cream. Add another cupcake half. (depending on the size of your jar you can put more than one cupcake half each layer)
Top with a swirl of Orange Cream Cheese Frosting and sprinkles (if desired).
Enjoy immediately, or cover jars and keep in the refrigerator up to 2 days.


I hope you enjoy your cupcake in a jar and share with your friends. There are tons of other recpies out there you can use so try them out aswell.

Cupcake in Training
P.S. Welcome to my first follower =] xx

Tea any one??

Strawberry Tea is a great idea Breast Cancer Research have come up with to raise money and have a great time too

A Strawberry Tea is a sweet idea for summer. You invite your friends, family or colleagues to a tea party, picnic, or other occasion where you all get to enjoy delicious treats, and in return they make a donation to Breast Cancer Care.
It can be as simple or grand as you want. You could pop a packet of fancy biscuits on a plate at work or open your garden up to an afternoon party of home baked cakes, fun games and a raffle. It’s all for a good cause – helping us support the 50,000 people who are diagnosed with breast cancer every year.

A Strawberry Tea can be about...

Baking

Whether you’re a regular domestic goddess or haven’t used the oven in months, baking can be as simple or as elaborate as you dare. It’s the ideal excuse to try that cake recipe you have been holding onto or try one of our celebrity chef recipes. 

Having a tea break at work

A cake and some strawberries are bound to brighten up any office tea break. So bring a smile to your colleagues’ faces by bringing in a few baked goodies and putting the kettle on. A small donation from everyone in the office can make a big difference.

Craft

Are you good with a pair of knitting needles? Download our free strawberry-themed knitting patterns and create items to sell or raffle. 

Sporting 

If you're a member of a cricket or golf club, you could turn your afternoon break for tea into a Strawberry Tea in the pavilion or clubhouse and ask friends and family to serve up some delicious strawberry cakes. It’s so simple to do and you can raise money by asking everyone for a donation for the tea and cake that day. 
 

How to raise more from your Strawberry Tea

• charge for cake – people are always happy to pay for a slice or two
• sell tickets – or charge an entry fee at the door or garden gate
• run a raffle – ask guests or local businesses to donate prizes
• guess the weight of the cake – this classic game is always popular, with the winner taking the cake home
• boss’s tea round – ask your boss to be on tea making duty for the day, with donations given for each cup
• sponsored strawberry – ask someone to dress up and get sponsored for a day of looking sweet, but silly
• market stall – a craft, cake or plant stall can be held almost anywhere
• sell Breast Cancer Care pin badges – order a box now by clicking on the order materials button.

 Here's a lovely cupcake including strawberries that you could sell to raise money

Strawberry-Lime Stuffed Cupcakes
(taken from Food Network)

www.foodnetwork.com

Ingredients

• 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
• 1/4 teaspoon fine salt
• 2 large eggs, room temperature
• 2/3 cup sugar
• 3/4 cup unsalted butter, melted
• 2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
• 1/2 cup milk

Equipment: 6-cup jumbo muffin tin

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Line the muffin tin with cupcake liners.
Whisk the flour, baking powder, and salt together in a medium bowl.
In another medium bowl, beat the eggs and sugar with an electric mixer until light and foamy, about 2 minutes. While beating, gradually pour in the butter and then the vanilla.
While mixing slowly, add half the dry ingredients, then add all the milk, and follow with the rest of the dry ingredients. Take care not to over mix the batter. Divide the batter evenly in the prepared tin.
Bake until a tester inserted in the center of the cakes comes out clean, about 30 minutes. Cool cupcakes on a rack in the tin for 10 minutes, then remove. Cool on the rack completely.

Icing

• 1 1/3 cups confectioners' sugar, sifted
• 1 1/2 tablespoons finely grated lime zest
• 2 tablespoons freshly squeezed lime juice
• 1 drop green food coloring

Mix the confectioners' sugar and lime zest in a medium bowl. Add the lime juice and mix with an electric mixer to make a firm but pourable icing. (If needed, add up to 1 teaspoon more juice, but take care if the icing is too loose it doesn't set properly.) Add food color to make a pale pastel green icing.

To assemble

• 6 large ripe strawberries, hulled
• Green sanding sugar
• Fresh mint leaves or candied leaves

Remove cupcake from its liner. Cut and remove a strawberry (coned) shaped portion of cupcake from the top of each cupcake, leaving about 1/2 to 1-inch of cake in the bottom. Stuff each cake with a strawberry and cover with a little bit of cake. Spoon and spread icing over the top of the cupcakes. Sprinkle with green sanding sugar. Top with small mint leaves or candied leaves.

For more ideas or to learn more about strawberry tea and breast cancer research and care visit the website www.breastcancercare.org.uk

Cupcake in Training