Baked Explorations

Ah! I haven't made it all the way through the first Baked cookbook, and the second one is out and calling my name!

"Now, in Baked Explorations, the authors give their signature “Baked” twists to famous desserts from across the country. Here is their take on our most treasured desserts: Banana Cream Pie, Black & White Cookies, Mississippi Mud Pie, and more—from the overworked to the underappreciated. Readers will love this collection of 75 recipes from breakfast treats to late-night confections and everything in between.  "

Yep, must get Bake Explorations, I thought you'd agree.

Chocolate cake a la Martha

For the latest birthday I had a request for a chocolate cake. I was browsing Martha's website and found her One-bowl Chocolate Cake recipe and decided that would be the winner. The cake was SUPER easy to make, and nice only having one bowl needed, although the frosting needs two. :) I used the chocolate frosting recipe she recommended to go with the cake.

So here we go!

Ingredients
Cake:

• Unsalted butter, softened, for pans
• 3/4 cup unsweetened Dutch cocoa powder, plus more for pans
• 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 1/2 cups sugar
• 1 1/2 teaspoons baking soda
• 3/4 teaspoon baking powder
• 3/4 teaspoon salt
• 2 large eggs
• 3/4 cup low-fat buttermilk
• 3/4 cup warm water
• 3 tablespoons oil
• 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract

Frosting:(This made a lot of frosting, I probably used just over half of it, and that was putting it on thick. But, it is really yummy so make the full recipe and save it for later!

• 2 1/4 cups confectioners' sugar
• 1/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
• Pinch of salt
• 6 ounces cream cheese, room temperature
• 1 1/2 sticks unsalted butter, softened
• 9 ounces bittersweet chocolate, melted and cooled slightly
• 3/4 cup sour cream

 Directions:
Cake
Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Butter two 8 in round pans, dust with cocoa.

Sift flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt. Beat on low speed until just combined. (I also decided to try out this powdered cultured buttermilk, because I never use all of the carton when I buy the buttermilk. This was a simple alternative, you just add the powder to the dry ingredients and then the water when it asks for the buttermilk in the recipe. It seemed to work just fine for me.)

Raise speed to medium, and add eggs, buttermilk, water, oil, and vanilla. Beat until smooth.

Divide batter between pans. Bake about 30 minutes, or until set.

Frosting
Sift together sugar, cocoa, and salt.

In separate bowl, beat cream cheese and butter with a mixer on medium-high speed until smooth. (I often forget to soften the cream cheese or butter until its almost too late, but not this time. And, it was so much better have it softened!) :)

Reduce speed to medium-low; gradually add sugar-cocoa mixture, and beat until combined.

Pour in chocolate in a slow, steady stream.

Add sour cream; beat until combined.

Assemble the cake
Remove first layer from pan. Spread 2 cups chocolate frosting onto top of 1 cooled layer. (Like I said before, 2 cups leaves a VERY thick filling, I used about a cup and had a good amount in the middle.)

Top with remaining layer; frost top and sides with remaining 2 cups frosting.

 Decorate as desired and call yourself Martha Jr! :)

Cupcake crafts

The annual Girl Scout fundraiser, Urban Campout, is happening this week and a big part of it is the silent auction. My team decided we wanted to make a basket for it, and chose a cupcake theme. So, I made some cupcake crafts!

First up was cupcake holders. I got the idea from a picture in Crafts & Things magazine, but theirs were much more accessorized, and I like just keeping them simple.
You need:
2 inch pots
3 inch saucers
acrylic paint
one button for each holder
string.
super glue

Start by painting the pots and saucers. Do a double coat to be sure to get it all covered and looking nice.

You are then going to cut a piece of string long enough to attach the button around the pot. I also put a dab of glue behind the button so it was sure to stay in place.

Then glue the saucer to the pot

and you are done! Just place a cupcake in the top for ultra cute presentation!  Be creative with the color combos and buttons. You could also add some rick or ribbon around the saucer.

We were also putting mixes and sprinkle toppings into the basket. I wanted something more than just the box or container they originally come in to display them. So, I used some mason jars and little flip top glass jars to hold the goodies.
I drew some basic cupcake shapes on white paper for a pattern, and then cut them out of some cute dotted paper.

I then just took some glue and put them on the jars and they were good to go! (and even cuter once they were all full.

And here is our finished product with all kinds of cupcake fun!