New Job!!

So I started my new job!! I have returned to Target working in the deli and bakery, hopefully to become a baker or decorator. I am working full time and taking a year off of school. I was not going to have a placement for student teaching in time for the beginning of the year. I decided that since I was not going to be there for setting up the classroom and the first few weeks of school, it would be better to put it off. I did not want to go out into the work force without having those experiences. Hopefully this next year we will be able to save some money for a place.

Vikings Cake

I made my uncle's 60th birthday cake. He wanted choclate cake with chocolate frosting decorated for the Vikings. I decieded to make a Vikings jersey with his last name and the number 60. I used a box mix to save me time, and becasue my 4 year old neice was with me that day. I fosted it and made the jersey out of fondant.

I cannot get the picture flipped!! Sorry!

Banana Fluffernutter Cupcakes

So I have been feeling a little under the weather with a cold lately, but Chris' B-day is Wednesday so I had to make some cupcakes. He said my last cupcakes were to rich so I tried a banana cupcake and I had some Mallow-Fluff so I made some peanutbutter-mallow frosting (fluffernutter).

The cupcakes were the lightest fluffiest cupcakes I have ever had. I was worried they were going to turn out too dense and more like a muffin or banana bread but I was so excited that they turned out phenomenal!! The frosting was amazing, this could be put on anything. I instantly thought of putting it on ice cream! The cupcake was a bit to light and fluffy to carry the frosting so I might try adding a bit of whipped cream to lighten up the frosting next time, but for a birthday cupcake they are spectacular!

Banana Cupcake:
2 eggs (separated)
1 tsp baking soda
4 tbsp milk
1/2 c. butter (1 stick)
1 1/2 c. sugar
1 tsp vanilla
1 1/2 cup flour
3 mashed bananas

1. Preheat oven to 350
2. Mix baking soda into milk
3. Cream butter and sugar
4. Add egg yolks and vanilla
5. Alternate adding flour and bananas (I sifted my flour into the mixer)
6. Stir in milk
7. Beat egg whites until stiff, fold into batter

Fill 2/3 full and bake 15-18 minutes. Let cool completely.


Fluffernutter Frosting:
1/2 creamy peanut butter
1 8oz. jar Marshmallow Fluff
1/3 c. softened butter
1/4 tsp vanilla
1 1/3 c. powdered sugar
2 tbsp milk

1. Beat peanut butter, fluff and butter until smooth and creamy
2. Alternate adding powdered sugar and milk (Again I sifted the PS into the mixer)
3. Add vanilla

*I should note that after I frosted the cupcakes I put them in the refrigerator to set the frosting since my apartment was about 80 after having the oven on.

  

Chocolate Brownie Cupcakes

So I was trying a new chocolate cupcake recipe. When I took them out of the oven they were more like brownies. They were a delicious surprise!!

I used a recipe from the Primrose Bakery for both the cupcake and the buttercream, however I did add more butter and less powdered sugar.

Cupcakes:
4 oz bittersweet chocolate
6 tbsp butter
3/4 c packed light brown sugar
2 large eggs separated
1 1/4 c all-purpose flour
3/4 tsp baking powder
3/4 tsp baking soda
Pinch of salt
1 c 2% milk
1 tsp vanilla

Preheat oven to 375
Melt chocolate in microwave or in double boiler
Beat butter and sugar until fluffy
Beat egg yolks in separate bowl for several minutes
Slowly add egg yolks
Add melted chocolate
Sift dry ingredients together
Add vanilla to milk
Alternate adding dry ingredients and milk to the butter batter, starting and ending with dry ingredients
Beat egg white in a separate bowl until soft peaks form
Fold egg whites into batter
Bake for 18-22 minutes
Let cool for 10 minutes before removing to wire rack

Buttercream Frosting:
6 oz bittersweet chocolate
1 c (2 sticks) butter
1 tbs milk
1 tsp vanilla
2 1/2 c powdered sugar

Melt chocolate in microwave o in double boiler
Beat butter, powdered sugar, milk and vanilla
Add chocolate and beat until thick fluffy consistency, this can take up to 10 minutes

**I used 3 sticks of butter and only 2 cups of powdered sugar