Monday, May 28, 2012

Strawberry Lemon Cupcakes



Just made the BEST cupcakes EVER...



I had help :)


I was looking for a fun recipe to use for Ana's first birthday. I found one on Pinterest. Tweaked it a bit... and what turned out was absolutely divine! I was really excited to use my Kitchen Aide Mixer. I had received it as a gift over a year ago... but our old home had no (none... not a single one) plug outlets in the kitchen. You can read about my Mixer of generosity here




Cupcake Ingredients:

1  strawberry cake mix
1 vanilla pudding mix
3/4 cup buttermilk
1/2 cup vegetable or canola oil
1/4 cup (4 Tbsp.) lemon juice
4 eggs 


Glaze Ingredients:

3/4 cup butter, softened
1/2 cup pureed strawberries (made from fresh or frozen strawberries)
2 tsp. lemon juice
2 tsp. vanilla
3-6 cups powdered sugar (adjust to achieve desired consistency)
1/2 cup cream cheese
1 tub cool-whip
Shreds of white chocolate candy bar

Don't mind the mess in the background. We are still unpacking

To Make Cupcakes:

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. I don't use liners for the cupcake tins. I spray each cup with PAM. But you can use liners if you so choose. I will be using liners for Ana's actual birthday cupcakes. 


Add the cake mix, pudding mix, buttermilk, oil and lemon juice to a large mixing bowl. Beat with an electric mixer on low to medium speed until moistened. Add eggs one at a time, until the batter is well-mixed. Increase speed to high and beat until fluffy and thick.


Pour or scoop the batter into cupcake tins. Bake for 15-20 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the middle comes out clean. Remove and cool.


This is my son, licking the powdered sugar from the table.

To Make glaze:

I had issues with the frosting/glaze. I followed the original recipe, but it wouldn't thicken up... so I added the cream cheese. When it still didn't thicken up I folded in the cool-whip and called it a "glaze".

Cream butter in an electric mixer on medium-speed until smooth and fluffy. Then add in the strawberries, vanilla and lemon juice, and mix on low-speed until combined. Gradually add in the powdered sugar and mix until combined. Blend in cream cheese. Fold in cool-whip. 



When cupcakes are cooled- pour glaze over the top. Top with shredded white chocolate. 



Take a bite... ENJOY! 



-EDIT: I remade these cupcakes... exactly the same way BUT changed how I made the frosting.
To make frosting:


3/4 cup butter, softened (This is where I messed up. I melted the butter thinking that "softened" meant "melted". I had melted the butter before, that is why I was unable to get the butter creamed into a smooth and fluffy consistency)
1/2 cup pureed strawberries (made from fresh or frozen strawberries)
2 tsp. lemon juice
2 tsp. vanilla
3-6 cups powdered sugar (adjust to achieve desired consistency)
1/2 cup cream cheese
Shreds of white chocolate candy bar


Cream butter in an electric mixer on medium-speed until smooth and fluffy. Then add in the strawberries, vanilla and lemon juice, and mix on low-speed until combined. Gradually add in the powdered sugar and mix until combined. Blend in cream cheese. Fold in cool-whip. 


Visit my post here for the outcome of my edit 



Thursday, May 10, 2012

ShopAtHome.com

I have posted a few things on Facebook about ShopAtHome.com recently. I have tried to explain what it is, and how it works... but after my last check, I decided ShopAtHome.com deserved it's own blog! 


I know that it may seem daunting... confusing... scary... Actually, it's a very simple concept and one that gives you cash back for shopping at most of the online stores you already shop at anyway.....not to mention it provides you with coupon codes to save you even more money on your purchases. 


To start up, visit ShopAtHome.com via this link:


 http://www.shopathome.com/?IAFCG=SbnPtTkHWMdSU7dEy3aOxA==


Sign up... and you will get an instant $5 credit! Once you have $20 in your cash back account, they will mail you your check! I have gotten two checks so far! 


The best way to see what ShopAtHome.com can do for you, is to take a moment and check it out yourself. You will find thousands of stores that offer a variety of cash back amounts. I have gotten 2% all the way up to 30% cash back! I am constantly surprised at what stores give cash back...


 I got 20% for doing my taxes online! 


If you are planning on planning a vacation with a travel website, (like Expedia, Travelocity, etc.) go through ShopAtHome.com first, you can get cash back for planning your vacation! Right now Expedia is giving 8% cash back!


If you have to run to Walmart to pick up diapers. Buy them online through ShopAtHome.com, you can get the 97cents shipping OR you can click "pick up in store". Walmart has many items that you can buy online from home, then drive over there a few minutes later to pick up at the Customer Service desk. That way you can get your cash back with ShopAtHome.com AND you don't have to mess with actually shopping in the store. 



I am pleased with my experience with ShopAtHome.com. Like I said before, I have received two checks, that have been put in my bank account. It is legit... and it pays. It is nice to get paid back for things we are going to buy anyways.