Maple Cupcakes

I have mentioned in previous posts that I enjoy cooking with certain ingredients during the different seasons.  On ingredient that I have a hard time finding is Grade B Maple Syrup (for cooking).  It's not available in grocery stores, and only a few people sell it in Albany, and even then, it's difficult to find time to get to their stores before they close.  However, it is available at farmer's markets, and that's where I got this pint.

The recipe I used is from Country Living and can be found here.  First I combined 2 1/2 cups of flour with 2 tsp baking powder, 1 tsp baking soda and 3/4 tsp ground ginger.

Next combine 1 stick of butter with 1/2 cup of brown sugar.

Once combined beat in 2 eggs, 2 tsp vanilla extract and 1 1/4 cups maple syrup.

Now, this recipe also calls for 1/2 cup of buttermilk.  Now...I didn't have buttermilk in my fridge, but I used a substitute.  Adding lemon juice to milk will create a thickness and tartness similar to buttermilk.

Add, one third at a time, and alternately the flour mixture and the buttermilk until combined.

Bake in a 350 degree oven for 25 minutes.

Next it's time to think of the icing.  I used the recipe suggested by Country Living which can be found here.  Beat 1 cup of butter with 3 oz of cream cheese, 2/3 cup of brown sugar.

Add 1 tsp vanilla extract and 3/4 cup of maple syrup.

Next add 1 cup confectioner's sugar.

By this time the cupcake should be done.

Once cooled, ice and decorate.

Enjoy!

Baking for Man's Best Friend

So, my friend Jen writes a blog called The Elka Almanac, and on it, she discusses various training techniques, literature as well as treat options.  She's even made her own no-bake treats before!  Elka is a very intelligent dog, and like most dogs, she loves food.  Quite often when we visit we eat all types of delicious food that Elka wants, so I decided to bake her some treats using a recipe from http://www.dogtreatrecipes.org for peanut butter dog biscuits.

Combine 2 cups of whole wheat flour with 1 Tbsp of baking powder.

Stir in 1 cup of peanut butter, and 1 cup of milk.

The dough came out like a regular sugar cookie dough, just minus the sugar.

Next, turn out the dough onto a floured surface and knead until the dough is together.

Using a rolling pin, roll it flat, to about 1/4-1/2 inch.

I don't have dog bone cookie cutters, so I used bunnies.

For added flare, I gave them eyes using a chopstick...

Bake for 20 minutes in a 375 degree oven.

Once cooled you may serve to your canine friend.

Elka was very interested in these treats.

Mission Success!

Wedding Cake

A good friend of mine is getting married in January, and she has asked me to bake the cake!

(Here is Shannon and her fiance Peter!)

I was flattered and honored to be offered the opportunity to bake a wedding cake for one of my best friends, and I look forward to sharing it here on my blog!

(image from http://rusticweddingchic.com/rustic-wedding-cakes)

(image from http://fandomania.com/fandomestic-15-geeky-wedding-cakes/)

Keep your eyes peeled for wedding cake madness!