The luck of the Irish!

So I'm not Irish-by any means, but I love St.Patrick's Day! The green, clovers, gold, leprechauns- SO fun! All week I have been trying to decide on what flavor cupcakes I wanted to make for work- Chocolate w/Bailey's buttercream frosting or chocolate w/mint frosting. I must have asked every single person I came into contact with what their opinion was. I opted for the chocolate mint. Who doesn't love mint chocolate chip ice cream?

I started by lining my new favorite toy- a 24cup- cupcake pan. One of the best things I've purchased. The cupcakes can cook evenly & at the same time.  I bought it on Amazon.com for $18- here's the link if you'd like to purchase this pan from heaven! http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B001PZ9I1G/ref=oh_o00_s00_i00_details.

I have a confession to make. I know it may seem like a shortcut- but I like to use a boxed mix for my cupcakes- and then just add my own personal touches. Why would take the time and hassle to measure out all the same ingredients, when they are on sale every week?! Duncan Hines is by far the absolute best cake mix. For chocolate mixes, I usually add a little grated semi-sweet chocolate to the mix. Just a little bit is all you need!

My next favorite, totally unnecessary baking utensil is this beauty-a batter dispenser!!

I got it for Christmas this year, and it was one of the best gifts!! Pours batter into cups perfectly! Get one. Pronto. You could even use it for pancakes...

After a little while- I didn't time it, but I just kept an eye on the cupcakes while they were baking. I didn't want them to get to well done!

While these bad larry's were cooling, I whipped up this delicious mint buttercream. Absolutely delicious. 

This tastes just like melted mint chocolate chip ice cream. Butter, cream cheese, powdered sugar, a touch of milk & peppermint extract. So sinful, yet so delicious. 

I'm not coordinated enough to take shots of myself while frosting, so here are my favorite icing tips from the ladies over at http://bakeitpretty.com/. I love all of their stuff- it's adorable. They have actually helped me find the most perfect set of icing tips ever. 

Still while waiting for the cupcakes to cool, I decided to make some cute little green (white) chocolate shamrocks to go on top. I just bought a plastic shamrock mold and some green colored melting chocolate and voila- 

So here's the finished product- ready for consumption. I'm hoping to lure some of the cute boys at work in with these babies! 

My ultimate favorite cupcake transportation device is this beauty: 

I got this for Christmas a couple of years ago, and I can't even count the number of times I've used it. Fits 24 cupcakes perfectly without toppling over! 

Well I'm off to dreamland now. I hope you all have an excellent evening! And as the Irish say (or so I've heard), Erin go Bragh!

Until next time- 

Mandy XOXO

A New Adventure...

Hello!


I started this "project" as a way to organize my love of baking and all things sweet! I'm not sure how often I'll be posting, but I promise that when I do- it's going to be great!


I became enamored with baking from a young age. My parents are immigrants from Italy, and most everything we have in our home is scratch made. I remember my mom making those little anise cookies, biscotti, cannolis, and pizzelle on special occasions. Even though she never even has a recipe for anything- they still turn(ed) out perfect!  I have to get her to sit down with me and try to measure out ingredients, so I can turn them into our own family recipe book.


My favorite thing to bake by far are cupcakes.I make them at least once a month or more. They are so little and delicious. There really is nothing bad about a cupcake...besides the calories- which don't count when you are celebrating with cake.


So folks- stay tuned...St. Patrick's Day is just around the corner and I have a few delicious ideas in mind...


XOXO