Cupcakes and XBox 360

It has been a little while since my last post. Let me catch you up! I have been busy cooking, baking and trying to switch things up a little bit. So far, it has been a wonderful 2 weeks full of  very enjoyable "social outings", cakes, truffles, toffee, and a bunch of pretty pink cupcakes. Life has been very busy for the past few months, with a lay off, a hip replacement, surgery set backs, pets, and life in general. Cooking has always been my passion, so once I began "self therapy" via the kitchen, everything seems to be brighter around Muffin's house. And it all started with the gift of a Kitchenaid Mixer. Life is good.

With a special family birthday coming up, I decided it was time to spread my culinary wings and try something new.  My oldest son turned 26 in April and I decided to try my first "free hand", special fondant cake. Jason being the avid gamer that he is, I decided it had to be a cake to reflect his passion. This was the result:

XBOX 360 Controller Cake

This was before the black outlines and final details were added to the cake, but I was happy with it for my first attempt. But more importantly, my son was very happy with it. I made my own recipe for Chocolate Marshmallow Fondant and the cake was covered with a crumb coating of homemade chocolate buttercream, then covered with a healthy layer of the chocolate buttercream. All of this yummy chocolate was covering a triple chocolate layer cake. ( The Bomb!) My son shares my love of really good chocolate, so it was a hit! I have to practice every ounce of self control Not to eat gobs and gobs of frosting as I go along, but it is almost impossible for me not to pop pieces of the fondant in my mouth. Edible play dough for grown ups!! If any of you do not think fondant tastes good, you have not tried really good marshmallow fondant. It is irresistible!

The next special event I was asked to help with was the 1st birthday of a very special little girl. Zoey was a miracle baby and to be part of her celebration as both the cupcake baker and a special friend of the family was a blessing and a half. They asked me to go for a Princess Theme full of bright pinks and Princess colors. I gave it my best shot and made red velvet, chocolate filled, lemon filled and vanilla, all with cream cheese and buttercream frostings. I had a blast. I made an attempt at little pink fondant crowns. The weather was wet and rainy for quite a while, so they all didn't dry, but I was able to get a dozen of them made to top some of the pink ones. 

Red Velvet and Lemon Filled Cupcakes

Here was the pre-party table. It was a good time had by all and I was so happy to be able to be a part of it. It was a wonderful day!

I will be updating the week just past very soon. So much is going on and I have hopes and wishes that it will continue to be filled with confections and friends. Till' later...

Truffles, Toffee, and Cheese

Happy Saturday! It has been a beautifully exhausting week, full of chocolate, nuts, truffles and cheese. I have actually landed my first dessert catering job. It is small, but I am excited about it. The job is for a group of 20 and I am providing a small truffle tray, with an assortment of cherry, peanut butter, and pretzel truffles, my toffee, and my cheese wafers. I find myself dreaming up new ways to create and share, package and sell, market and present, the decadent treats.

This is one of the things I have always wanted to do, and no matter how short lived it might turn out to be, I am going to enjoy it completely while it is happening. I hope it continues to happen for a very long time, because I am having a blast! Like those of you who love to create in the kitchen as I do, every little pinch of seasoning, every stir of the spoon and the "whir" of the KitchenAid mixer, makes me smile as I watch simple ingredients transform into something that brings a smile to someone's face and joy to my heart. How cool is that anyway? Wish me luck! Thanks for following me on this journey! It is nice to have your company! And to those of you who have offered you graphic design talents (Sue W.), and those who are helping spread the word and samples of my treats, You Rock!

The KitchenAid and Chris Meloni

Many of you know that I recently acquired a new Professional Series KitchenAid Mixer and find myself in mixer Heaven. There has not been a day that I have not tried a new recipe with this mixer. There is a beauty in watching this machine combine simple ingredients in a beautiful whirling spiral. I love the sound and the effects that come from this machine. My friend, Nancy, is totally instrumental in my acquiring my new "love" and I will happily be her Girl Friday to show my complete gratitude for making this a reality for me. It is truly the little things that matter, even though to me, this 25 pound silver angel is no little thing. :) Tonight, we try Sweet Dough! I will post progress reports as I go along. So far, only 2 things have hit the trash bin! My transition during this "lay off" period will not go to waste!

You all know what a fan I am of Law & Order, particularly SVU and Criminal Intent. And for those of you who have seen my Toshiba laptop, you know that Christopher Meloni is one of my faves and lines the top of my home screen. I have received many taunts about it, but it is all good! It is clear he is Hot and Talented, but he also has a heart for good causes, so give this link a look:http://kft55.tumblr.com/post/3704547353/chris-meloni-50th-birthday-campaign-update It will give you information on the cause and how to help Chris celebrate his 50th birthday come April.

The cats have all enjoyed this beautiful Spring day by draping themselves in the open kitchen window, and Allie and I had a great walk and a trip to Starbucks. She gets her oatmeal cup of water and I get my regular Americano. Life is good!!!