The Cherry On Top!

Hello Sweets,

Well I have been an awful blogger again :(  It's been just over two weeks since I last posted, but that Nathan is such a distraction lol a good one that is.  I feel pretty bad because I left all your Dr. Pepper cupcakes without frosting, and lets face it an un-frosted cupcake is no good to anyone ;)  Now that I'm back on Canadian soil the blogs with commence once again!  And then next time I'm down in good ol' Texas I will make more of an effort to keep y'all posted, even if it's just a quick little update (Nathan suggested that to me, as much as I prefer to keep it food based only it won't hurt right?).

This frosting is super easy and delicious, but it has a whipping cream base so it'll need to be consumed that day unless you put it into the refrigerator.  To be perfectly honest just thinking about these bad boys is making me really hungry, but alas I don't have any made here so this will probably be a short little post.  If you're new to the baking world let me give you some advice when it comes to working with whipping cream, not to be confused with whipped cream (the already made kind).  It's going to take a long time to get the stiff peaks desired, so if you are not fortunate like me and don't have a stand alone mixer be prepared for tired shoulders as it takes a little bit.  Secondly do not over beat the mixture, yes it happens and what you're left with is a gross clumpy mess that is anything but appealing lol.

Cherry Dr.Pepper Frosting

Ingredients

4oz boiled Dr.Pepper (remaining amount from the cupcakes)

1 1/2C heavy whipping cream

6Tbs powdered sugar

1/2Tsp vanilla

3Tbs instant vanilla pudding

cherries for garnish, either maraschino or fresh

 

(the instant pudding isn't pictured as it was a late addition)

Directions:

1)  Beat all ingredients thoroughly until stiff peaks form.

2)  Pipe on top of the cupcakes and finish with a cherry.

 

  

Don't they look yummy??

Just like the cola cupcakes I made there is a subtle Dr.Pepper flavor, and the icing is even more so.  In true Canuckette fashion these were not the only made for a traditional family dinner in Texas, I also made a complete roast dinner to accompany them (traditional as in what my grandmother would make).  I made the roast a little different than previously so I will be sharing that with y'all, in the meantime here is a sneak peak of the entire meal :)

 

Well that's it for tonight, but get ready because Canuckette is back at it and ready to give y'all more posts to read and create from!  Until next time.....................

Stay sweet,

Jennifer xoxoxo

 

Happy (belated) Birthday to My Love

Hello Sweets,


I hope everyone is having a great week and hopefully it is flying by for you, because it is definitely flying for me lol I think it's because it is the Christmas season and there is just that much more to do!

In an attempt to finalize everything I need for the homemade Christmas gifts I am creating, we went to Michael's (craft store), and I was like a kid in a candy store.  Let me tell you I found everything I needed and more to make these gifts super adorable that I didn't even think of.  I cannot wait to show you guys the finished products once they are given out :)  Did you know that Michael's carries baking supplies?  I'm not talking about a few things, we're talking about 3 full aisles of a baking wonderland!  I got some more decorative accents for the Christmas cookies we will be making over the next couple weeks, and even a reindeer kit for our cookies.  Lets just say I'll probably do a few different Christmas cookie recipes so I can write multiple posts about my decorating adventures, and I'm not a pro yet but I am giving it more effort than ever!

So as you all know I missed Nathans birthday last week :( but I have been making it up to him since I got here, slowly but surely giving him little birthday surprises.  For example, the day I landed, Nathan and I swapped our birthday cards, and when I pick a card it has to represent our relationship, and then I always write a little something extra special in it.  Early next week he will get a small present (although I know it will get a great reaction from him), and today, well today I made him an old fashion chocolate cake with chocolate icing and blue sugar (his favorite).  He loves it when I bake for him to begin with, but chocolate cake is his favorite, and since we've been dating, I promised him I would always bake him a birthday cake.  I know I had tested out a new chocolate cake recipe last week, but I decided that I would try another one today so I had a fresh new recipe for tonight's post.  Get your aprons on, because we're headed to chocolate town!!

Old Fashion Chocolate Cake

Ingredients

3/4C butter, softened

1 2/3C brown sugar

3 eggs

1 Tsp vanilla

2C all-purpose flour

2/3C cocoa

1 1/4Tsp baking soda

1 Tsp salt

1/4Tsp baking powder

1 1/3C water

Directions:

1)  Preheat oven to 350F.  Grease and flour 13"x9"x2" cake pan (or 2 9" round pan).

2)  Beat butter, sugar, eggs, and vanilla on high for 3 minutes.

3)  Mix flour, cocoa, baking soda, salt , and baking powder; add alternately with water to butter mixture until smooth.

 

4)  Pour batter into pan.  Bake for 30-35 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.  Let cool for 10 minutes; remove from pan to wire rack.  Cool completely.

 

I used wax paper to ensure it would come out perfectly :)

Let's get to the yummy frosting while the cake is cooling.

Perfect Chocolate Icing

Ingredients

1/2C butter

2/3C cocoa

3C confectioners sugar

1/3C milk

1 Tsp vanilla

 

Directions:

1)  Melt butter, then alternately add confectioners (powdered) sugar and milk, beating on medium speed spreading consistency.  Add more milk, if needed.  Add vanilla, makes about 2 cups worth.

 

I'm sorry for not taking progress pictures :(

The cake turned out completely delicious, and Nathan is a very happy and satisfied man (goal achieved)!  Probably one of the best ways to end a delicious steak dinner, grilled by none other then the master himself, Nathan!

 Final product :)

What is your go to birthday cake flavor?  Do you prefer to bake for your loved ones, or do you have a special bakery that makes all of your treats?  Not many more things can top the feeling of baking something I know Nathan will love, and I know he'll tell you that he loves everything I make him.  I really do have the greatest boyfriend in the world!!  

Well now I have to find a few Christmas cookie recipes to start making over the next few days, maybe I will try and do one new recipe a day, or maybe every couple of days with a few random recipes in between.  If you have any suggestions or favorites I would love to hear from you, feel free to drop me a line anytime :)  Until next time.......

Stay sweet,

Jennifer xoxoxo