Baked Oatmeal

How in heaven's name did I think that I'd have more time for anything during this crazy holiday season??  The pace of each day seems to have picked up speed and I am racing in my attempt to keep up!!

As you set your clocks for early bird shopping on Black Friday, here's a recipe I thought you might like that is quick, super easy and delicious.  What makes it even better is the fact that you can "personalize" it with your favorite toppings so each plate can be unique, beautiful and tasty.  It is the perfect breakfast for people who are not fans of traditional oatmeal.

Baked Oatmeal

2 cups regular oatmeal
1/2 cup brown sugar
3/4 cup milk (I use 2%)
2 eggs
1 teaspoon baking powder
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon cinnamon
1/4 cup melted butter

Mix dry ingredients in a bowl.

Blend eggs and milk in a measuring cup and add to dry ingredients.

Stir in melted butter.  Bake in a non-stick or well-buttered 8"x8" pan at 350F for 20-30 minutes.  The edges should be brown, kind of like an oatmeal cookie.

Slice and serve warm with your favorite toppings.  It is very filling, so most pans will serve 8 people.  Try a mix of chocolate chips and nuts or fresh fruit.  You could also try maple syrup!!

On this morning, I warmed some fresh fruit in the microwave and poured on the milk.  A little dusting of powdered sugar would've been great!!

Enjoy!  It's warm, filling and will fortify you for a day of serious bargain shopping.


Pssst.....by the way, still no haircut.

I.O.U.

November is here and it's been more than a month since my last post.  I'll tell you about some of the things I've accomplished during my absence and I'll also share some of the things I haven't done (in addition to blogging).  To add greater depth to my "confession", you must now imagine that I'm hanging my head in shame.  Boo hoo.

In the last month, I haven't:

1.  worked out.  Not even once.  The "jiggles" are coming back with a vengeance and I must, must turn this trend around so that there will be no mistaking me for Santa or anyone jolly or jelly-like.

2.  painted my computer room or dining room.  I told you how much I love Christmas and the holidays in general.  I've been thinking about having a "thank you" cupcake party for my friends who have been so supportive in the last year.  I desperately need to clean up, paint and get ready to put up my "festival of trees"...that's anywhere from 3-5 indoors and 1 outside.  The clock is ticking.

3.  gotten a hair cut.  I know...this is a minor, tiny thing...but at this point oh so necessary.  Maybe this Friday.

4.  played my guitar.  I'm really sad about this one, so I won't elaborate.

5.  taken Kasey to the dog park.  I walk her every day, but haven't made it to the park.  She loves to point at the geese and splash in the creek.  Poor puppy.

Don't think I'm a total slacker, try to be nice.  I get up everyday with a long, long to-do list and the very best of intentions that have little or nothing to do with my energy level...bet you do too.  I've catered a wedding and 2 other business events and baked tons of cupcakes for San Francisco Coffee.  I've played tennis once a week for my team,  tried to keep up with the laundry and every now and then get a full night's sleep.  I've been bowling with my family and seen a movie or two and not fallen asleep in the theatre. 

Something else I did in the last month was attempted to make homemade soup.  In one of my posts, I included a recipe for cheddar biscuits and dreamily talked about steaming mugs of soup.  Well...I bought a book about soup, selected a simple, vegetarian-adaptable recipe and gave it a shot.

Tomato and Vermicelli Soup

2 Tablespoons olive or corn oil

1/3 cup vermicelli

1 onion, roughly chopped

1 garlic clove, chopped

3 cups peeled, seeded and roughly chopped tomatoes

1 quart chicken stock (I used vegetable)

1/4 teaspoon sugar

1 Tablespoon finely chopped fresh cilantro

salt and pepper to taste

1/3 cup grated Parmesan cheese

1.  Heat the oil in a skillet.  Add the vermicelli and saute' over medium heat until golden brown.  Do not let the strands burn.

2. Remove the pan from the heat.  Lift out the vermicelli with a draining spoon and drain on paper towels; set aside.

3.  Puree' the onion, garlic and tomatoes in a food processor until smooth.  Return the skillet to the heat.  When the oil is hot, add the puree'.  Cook, stirring constantly, for about 5 minutes, or until thick.

4.  Transfer the puree' to a saucepan.  Add the vermicelli and pour in the stock.  Season with sugar, salt, and pepper.  Stir in the cilantro and bring to a boil.  Lower the heat, cover the pan, and simmer the soup until the vermicelli is tender.

5.  Serve in hot bowls, sprinkled with fresh cilantro and parmesan (if desired).

Serves 4.

During the cooking process.

In the bowl, before the parm...yes, I used fettucini nests, couldn't find vermicelli...yikes!

So, here's what I think.  Even though the soup was listed under the category of "warming, winter soups", you shouldn't make this soup unless you have truly spectacular tomatoes.  Don't add too much cilantro, unless you REALLY love cilantro.  Fresh, shaved parmesan cheese adds a lot!!

I may try this soup again but plan on using it as a base...maybe a tortilla soup with chicken or a vegetable soup with some creamed corn added to the broth.  Any ideas out there?  At least I made time to try to cook, so that's one more in the column for what I've done in the last month.  Yay me!

Now you're up to date and I've dangled a recipe with possibilities in front of you.  There's more!  I haven't had a give-away in a while and I feel like I owe you something wonderful that is truly the best from me to you.  For your part, complete the following sentence:  "In the past month I've made the time to...."  Keep it simple, keep it honest...inspire us and delight us.  In return,  the winner will get one dozen city girl cupcakes in pumpkin spice with cinnamon buttercream.  Submit your entry via comments on the blog by Sunday, November 27.  Tell your friends to follow the city girl cupcake blog too...anyone can win.

I.O.U. more posts, more recipes and more prizes.

And one promise... I'm getting my hair cut this week.

A Delicious Combination!

city girl cupcakes is thrilled to announce that our cupcakes are now being featured at three Atlanta locations!  You'll find a wonderful cup of coffee and our famous little cakes with a BIG city taste at San Francisco Coffee!  There are three locations:  Virginia Highlands, Poncey Highlands and Candler Park.  San Francisco Coffee offers a variety of coffee drinks...they roast their own beans!...and have a great group of talented baristas to serve you.

Let us know if you drop in and we'll send you a coupon for a future purchase!!

city girl cupcakes and San Francisco Coffee...a delicious combination!

Almost Fall

The cool air in the morning is making me think it's almost time to dig out my favorite fall recipes.  I absolutely love soup and chili.  A lot of folks think that macaroni and cheese is the perfect comfort food, but I like the way you can wrap your hands around a cup or bowl of soup and feel the steam on your face.  Mmmm....

So now you must think that I'm going to share a soup recipe...sorry.  Remember, I'm a baker.  Just because I can wrap my hands around a cup of soup, it doesn't mean that the soup didn't come from a can!  I have volumes of prized baking recipes, not so many from the true "cooking" side of the kitchen.  I'm a big believer in rotisserie chicken from Boston Market, pulled pork from the crock pot, Amy's Italian entrees and just about anything from Morningstar Farms.  That's a pretty honest admission of my cooking skills or lack thereof and I hope you're not too disappointed.  If you need someone to add to a dinner you're taking to a friend, I'm the dessert girl.   (Though I also love, love, love to make homemade applesauce.)  I am the perfect example of the phrase "you're either a cook or a baker, rarely both".  I am only one...through and through.

So, warm up the oven and get out the flour.  Here's my favorite cheddar biscuit recipe for you to try this fall.  They are the perfect accompaniment to your favorite soup or stew and I often enjoy them with strawberry preserves and scrambled eggs for breakfast.

Cheddar Biscuits

2 cups all purpose flour
1 Tablespoon baking powder
1 1/2 sticks unsalted butter, diced
1/2 cup cold buttermilk
1 cold extra-large egg
1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
1 egg beaten with 1 Tablespoon milk (egg wash)
1 1/2 teaspoons kosher or sea salt + extra for the   tops of the biscuits

Heat the oven to 425.

Put flour, baking powder and salt in your mixing bowl.  With the mixer on low (a paddle attachment works best), add the diced butter and mix until the butter is the size of small peas.

Beat the buttermilk and cold egg together and quickly add the buttermilk mixture to the flour mixture.  Mix only until moistened.

In a small bowl, mix the cheddar cheese with a few spoons of flour to coat the cheese.  Add the cheese to the flour mixture and mix until roughly combined.

On a floured board, pour out dough mixture and knead lightly, 5 or 6 times.  Roll the dough out to a 5 x 10 rectangle and cut the dough into rectangles as pictured above.  (You'll have 8 hearty biscuits or you can cut them smaller.)

Bake on a non-stick baking sheet or line with parchment paper.  Brush the tops with the egg wash, sprinkle with kosher or sea salt and bake for 20-25 minutes or until the tops are golden and the biscuits are cooked through.

Biscuit dough with egg wash & salt sprinkled on top.  Ready for the oven!

Fresh out of the oven...I can't wait!

Delicious for breakfast or with your favorite homemade soup!

Enjoy!  And if you have a fantastic, no-fail soup recipe you'd like to share, let me know!  YOU could be my first guest-blogger!

Have a great September day!

Busy, busy, busy...

Isn't this a crazy busy time of year?  As one season comes to a close and another is beginning, I find myself almost running in circles some days.  There's so much to do and so much to see.

I love taking my dog for a walk in the morning.  Lately there's been the tiniest hint of cool air, teasing me into thinking that fall is near.  Going past my neighbors' yards there are shrubs being cut back, new pine straw on the ground and beautiful crab apples and rose hips in the place of forsythia and blossoms.  Tiny birds are eating the bounty of dried black-eyed susan and sunflower seeds.  The honeysuckle is gone and soon brilliant fall mums and pumpkins will be on every doorstep.

Truth be told, I've been far busier in the kitchen than in my yard.  Cupcake orders are picking up and I continue to get special requests.  I've had so much fun trying new things, that I wanted to share some of my successes and "secrets" with you!

City Girl Cupcakes is catering a wedding in September and a friend suggested that I work on some monogrammed cookies.  These were my first attempt and I think they turned out well.  Here are some tips I discovered that will help when you make them:

1.  Find a basic cookie cutter shape, one that doesn't detract from the monogram.

2.  Use a simple sugar cookie dough.  You need one that is crisp and sweet.

3.  Make a thin royal icing.  It needs to spread easily without leaving lines behind.  I use Wilton Meringue Powder to make my royal icing.  It's perfect every time and you can add a drop or two of your favorite extract flavor (lemon is my choice).  The ingredients for the icing?  Meringue Powder, confectioner's sugar, warm water and extract.  That's it!  I wait until the base coat is almost dry and then pipe on the initials.

4.  Choose a decorative piping tip for the monogram.  The "line" I liked the most was using a Wilton #5 tip.  A small pastry bag for the icing will allow you greater control and will almost act like a pen.

Not bad for a first effort.  The cookies look a little "flat", so for my next attempt I'm going to add some sand sugar for a little sparkle.  I have to say though, I love the white on white monogram.

The next kitchen experiment was to enter the land of vegan baking!  A friend of mine became vegan in the last few months.  She is dedicated to living a healthier, kinder lifestyle, so I decided to support her efforts and create something yummy that would fit into her new diet.

I didn't really know where to start, so I say "thank heaven for Google".  I looked up tons of vegan cupcake recipes and decided to try ones that had been reviewed with the most positive feedback.  After baking a chocolate and vanilla option, I am happiest with the chocolate one.  The cake is super-moist and the frosting almost has the texture of marshmallows.  Give it a try, I think you'll be pleasantly surprised.

Vegan Chocolate Cupcakes

1 cup soy milk (I used vanilla soy milk)
1 teaspoon apple cider vinegar
3/4 cup granulated sugar
1/3 cup canola oil
1 1/2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
1 cup all-purpose flour
1/3 cup cocoa powder
3/4 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
1/4 teaspoon salt

Preheat the oven to 350.  Prepare the cupcake pan with liners.

Whisk together the soy milk and apple cider vinegar in a bowl.  Leave it in the bowl for several minutes. The soy milk will curdle.  This is a good thing!

Add the sugar, oil and vanilla to the curdled soy milk and beat until a little frothy.

Mix the flour, cocoa powder, baking powder, baking soda and salt in a separate bowl.

Add the dry ingredients to the wet in 2 batches.  Mix until no large lumps remain.

Fill the cupcake liners 3/4 full.

Bake 18-20 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.  Cool for 10 minutes in the pan and then remove to a cooling rack.  Cool completely before frosting.

Vegan Cake Decorators' Frosting

1 cup vegetable shortening
4 cups confectioners' sugar
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon cream of tartar
1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
3 oz. soy milk (I use vanilla soy milk)

Beat shortening until creamy.
Add one cup of sugar.  Add the second cup of sugar and the remaining dry ingredients.
Pour in half of the soy milk.
Add the remaining two cups of sugar and vanilla extract.
Pour in the remaining soy milk.
Mix until you achieve a desired frosting consistency.  Add more sugar to thicken or soy milk to thin frosting.

I'll let you know when I find a vanilla vegan cupcake that I love!!

In the meantime, I'm of to take my morning walk with Kasey.  I think I'll bring my camera along and snap some shots of those crab apples and rose hips.

Have a beautiful Sunday.





 

Another Sunday Breakfast

Yesterday I was looking through my baking binder trying to find my favorite recipe for rolled sugar cookies.  The well-worn page was exactly as I remembered...a black and white sheet printed from a magazine, small hand-written notes in the margin and the mandatory butter stains from being handled with buttery fingers.

After I got out the ingredients for the cookies, I flipped through other pages in the binder and found a recipe I had forgotten!  Baked eggs.  My senses instantly took over and I knew I would be making baked eggs for Sunday breakfast.

I should mention here that I am not a big breakfast eater.  This seems contrary to the fact that I am a morning person, but I've never been much of a breakfast "fan".  I'm sure all the nutritionists/fitness enthusiasts out there are cringing.  But, I bring it up only to point out that on a Saturday night, I was actually craving breakfast...and wanted to share this particular Sunday morning with you.

The recipe is so easy and totally delicious.  It is a basic, 5-ingredient recipe (and that's including salt and pepper!) that you will want to make again and again.  Baked eggs are the perfect companion to a loaf of crusty french bread and strawberry jam and fruit salad.  If you choose to bake the eggs in white ramekins, they make a beautiful presentation...looking far more difficult than they are.  I'm sure you could add veggies or meat to the cup, but I'm a purist so today you get the eggs-only version!!

Baked Eggs

Ingredients:  eggs, salt & pepper to taste, half & half, butter

Directions:  Butter each ramekin.  Break 2 eggs into the greased egg cup.  Sprinkle the eggs with salt and pepper.  Top with 1 Tablespoon half & half and 1 teaspoon butter.  Bake at 350 for 15 minutes or until the whites are set.  Bake a little longer if you want a solid yolk.


Here are the baked eggs out of the ramekin.  I'm sure you could plop them on an English muffin or croissant for an on-the-go sandwich.  It's quick and easy enough for every day, not just Sunday.

Enjoy!  And let me know if you try this recipe and especially if you modify it and have success.

As for me, I think I'll move the baked eggs recipe to the front of my binder so I won't forget them again.

Out On The Town

Last night, city girl cupcakes was part of a wonderful evening sponsored by a local theatre company, Actor's Express.  Held at The Solarium in Decatur, AE hosted an evening of food and entertainment for their loyal patrons.  How lucky that we were invited!

It was difficult deciding which cupcake flavors to take, but after some deliberation the cupcake artists agreed on orange carrot cake, caramel, triple chocolate and key lime.  As actors and their "groupies" love a sense of drama, we knew that vanilla-vanilla would not get the desired response!

Our cupcakes arrived in their trademark pink and white wrappers and were a total hit!  The caramel cupcakes were topped with a chocolate "AE" monogram to the delight of the crowd.

Throughout the evening we had a great time talking with patrons and especially enjoyed those that confessed they had eaten one of each flavor!  Everyone had a favorite, though I think the key lime was the most refreshing on a hot Atlanta night.  The triple chocolate found favor with the late night crowd accompanied by a glass of wine!

Actor's Express did a fantastic job in creating an intimate evening for those that mean so much to their success.  Thanks to them for letting us be a part of a truly wonderful evening.




All of us at city girl cupcakes are having a great time as we learn the ins and outs of the biz!  It's all about fun for us...and we hope our cupcakes bring a smile to all who sample them!

5 Dollar Check-In

So how are you doing?  I hope your 5-dollar bill collection is growing and growing!

I had made some progress this week, but my husband raided the jar this morning on his way out the door.  He was running late for an appointment and didn't have time to stop at the ATM.  I wanted to give you an update on my progress, but now I don't know my total!  I'll just add it all up on the 31st when I award the prize for the challenge!  I have to admit that I've "spent" (in my mind) my collection over and over.

Three more days until our give-away!  Add up your $5 bills and remember to comment on the 31st and let all our followers know what you're saving for!  If you win the prize, you'll have a great place to continue to store your $5 bills!!

You will love, love, love the next give-away, so tell your friends to become followers too.  The next one is all about friends...things that go well together.  I can't wait to tell you all about it!

The 5 Dollar Challenge Prize

Everyone needs a pretty cookie jar or box or piggy bank to store their 5 dollar bills for the challenge.  Here are the details for our new contest:

From July 21 to July 31, save all the $5 bills you can.  On the 31st, comment on your total dollars saved and the reason you're saving.  I won't judge based on the total or the reason, I just thought everyone would like to hear your success and your story!  Your comment will be your entry, and once again, there will be a blind drawing for the prize.

This beautiful blue jar was a gift from a dear friend.  Over the years it has held everything from cotton balls to candy bars.  I decided to use it as my container for the $5 challenge.  Each time I see it and drop money inside I think of my friend and my ultimate goal!

Over the next 10 days I will be saving right along with you.  But I will also be on the lookout for a special container that will be the prize on the 31st.  I'm not sure exactly what it will be, but it will be functional and pretty.  This gives me a good reason to duck into antique shops along with other favorite stores...maybe HomeGoods or Pottery Barn...I'm going to have a great time looking for something wonderful just for you!!

So, keep saving and let me know how you're doing!  The prize will be awarded on July 31st.

By the way, I put another $5 in the jar today!

The 5 Dollar Challenge

A friend of mine has dreams of traveling to Australia.  She is a world traveler and is adding Australia to her long list of places to see.  In order to "pad" her wallet for the journey, she invented a little game to help her save...not pennies...but five dollar bills!!

Here's how it goes...

Each time you have a five dollar bill, remove it from your purse or pocket.  Find a place to keep the money, one you will not be tempted to raid, and tuck the money away.  It's that simple!  I've been playing the game for 2 weeks and have banked $45 so far.  I never ask for five dollar bills when I get change back from a purchase, but it's kinda' fun now when I get one because I know where it's going!

Last week I was eating dinner out with friends and got THREE five dollar bills back with my change.  (I think my server was looking for a big tip!  Sorry random waiter-guy, my check was less than twelve bucks!)  Even though I could have used an extra ten dollars in my wallet, I stuck with the challenge and saved all three fives.  I guess I never really paid that much attention to five dollar bills, but when you're saving them, the money adds up quickly!!

Your goal might not be to go to Australia but I'll bet there's something else you're saving for.  I'm going to use mine to finance my Christmas shopping this year.  I've already told you how much I love Christmas and since I have a tendency to go a little overboard, my five dollar stash will be a big help.

You probably have something planned that's far more glamorous and I can't wait to hear about it.  So, why not play The 5 Dollar Challenge with me?  Who knows?  There might be a PRIZE (hint, hint) involved in accepting the challenge.  Think about it today and check back with me tomorrow!

Favorites

Although I love cupcakes and have started a cupcake business, city girl cupcakes, I truly love to bake.  Anything with a combination of sugar, butter and flour is fair game.  Add coconut, chocolate chips, nuts and fruit and watch out...I'm probably in the kitchen with my mixer whirring!!

I also enjoy writing, so this blog is a great opportunity for me to share my favorite things with you.  Today's entry is about chocolate chip cookies!

Over my lifetime of baking, I have tried many, many chocolate chip cookie recipes.  The cookies that get the highest "rating" for me must have a mix of sweet and salt, crunch and chew.  My daughter and I judge our cupcakes on guessing how many glasses of milk you would need with each one.  I believe a good chocolate chip cookie needs at least one glass of cold, cold milk by its side.

My favorite chocolate chip cookie recipe comes from the Barefoot Contessa, Ina Garten.  She is a wonderful cook and an equally wonderful baker and I am totally in love with her chocolate chip cookies.

Two basic differences in her recipes over others are the following.  One, she always uses extra large eggs.  On a recent Barefoot Contessa TV episode (you can catch her on the Food Network), I heard her say that she became a better baker when she started using extra large eggs.  Mmmm...I may have to try that one!  And two, she uses kosher salt.  This one little change adds the hit of salt that I look for in something sweet.  It's fantastic.

So, here is her recipe and at the bottom is a link for her cookbook containing the original.

Chocolate Chunk Cookies
Makes 36 to 40 Cookies

1/2 pound unsalted butter at room temperature
1 cup light brown sugar, packed
1/2 cup granulated sugar
2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
2 extra-large eggs at room temperature
2 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon kosher salt
1 1/2 cups chopped walnuts
1 1/4 pounds semisweet chocolate chunks

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees.

Cream the butter and two sugars until light and fluffy in the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the paddle attachment.  Add the vanilla, then the eggs, one at a time, and mix well.  Sift together the flour, baking soda, and salt and add to the butter with the mixer on low speed, mixing only until combined.  Fold in the walnuts and chocolate chunks.

Drop the dough on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper, using a 1 3/4-inch-diameter ice cream scoop or a rounded tablespoon.  Dampen your hands and flatten the dough slightly.  Bake for exactly 15 minutes (the cookies will seem underdone).  Remove from the oven and let cool slightly on the pan, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.

This recipe comes from Ina Garten's book, Barefoot Contessa Parties!  Be sure to try the chocolate batter version.  I use chocolate chunks instead of white chocolate and add walnuts.  It tastes just like a brownie...so yummy.

I hope you find things in your life that make you happy and are easy to accomplish.  Making chocolate chip cookies is one of those things for me.  It fills my kitchen with activity and my house with wonderful, warm aromas.  What could be better?

Have a great Sunday!  I'm off to have coffee with family visiting me from Florida.  Because Ina loves all things French, I think I'm going to indulge in a chocolate croissant.  I'll have to channel her energy and bake something later this afternoon!

Not exactly apple pie

Tomorrow is the 4th of July.  What a wonderful day to be thankful and celebrate all things American!!

If you're having a picnic or firing up the grill (again), here's a dessert suggestion that you will LOVE if you're a fan of peach cobbler...I know, not the all-American apple pie, but it's super easy to make, foolproof in fact, and is absolutely delicious!!

While the origin of the apple is unknown, some scholars believe the first cultivated apple trees were in Rome.  The peach is believed to have its origin in China or Persia.  There are hundreds of types of apples and only 2 types of peaches.  Cobbler, however, quite possibly began in the British American colonies.  Stewed fruit was covered with scone or biscuit dough and once cooked, reminded the colonists of cobbled streets.  Ahhhh...so this is an American dessert!!

We are supposed to have the most delicious peaches in the world here in Georgia, so I am making peach cobbler for the holiday.  I have used this recipe for more than 25 years and haven't changed a single step or ingredient.  A friend brought dinner over for Mike and me after our daughter was born and she was gracious enough to share her "secret" to the perfect cobbler.

Peach Cobbler

Sift together 3/4 cup flour, 2 teaspoons baking powder and a pinch of salt.

Whisk in 1 cup sugar.

Preheat the oven to 350.  Put one stick of butter in a baking dish (almost any size will do...I use an oval dish that's about 8" x 12") and put it in the oven so the butter will melt.

While the butter is melting, peel and slice 2 cups of peaches.  Set aside.  Mix 3/4 cup milk into the flour mixture.  When the butter has melted, take the baking dish out of the oven and pour the batter over the melted butter...do not stir!  The edges of the batter will start to curl...it's already baking!

Add the 2 cups of sliced peaches on top of the
batter...do not stir!!  Put the dish back into the oven.  Bake for an hour or until the crust is golden brown.

I like my crust to get brown so that it's a little crunchy.  The photo below shows the inside of the cobbler where it's warm and buttery.  Though there is rarely any leftover, it is yummy when it's cold too.  I promise, it won't stay in the fridge for long!

Add vanilla ice cream if you dare!!

While I was in the kitchen making cobbler, my curious cat joined in the festivities.  He kept jumping up on the table, trying to get in on the photo shoot.  I thought you might like seeing a picture of him.  Simon is the friendliest, sweetest cat I know.  He doesn't particularly like peach cobbler (good, that's more for me!) but he is all about attention.

Have a safe and happy 4th of July!  Thanks to all those who serve our country.  God bless!!

What summer feels like

I think summer is my favorite season.  Christmas is most definitely my favorite holiday, but summer is by far my favorite time of year.

I vividly remember childhood summers spent in Ocean City, Maryland.  My parents reserved the same apartment each year and we spent 2 glorious weeks renting rafts, playing games in the nickel (yes, five cents!) arcades and walking on the boardwalk in bare feet.  Just thinking of the beach conjures up the very real taste of freshly popped Fisher's caramel popcorn and salty Thrasher's french fries sprinkled with malt vinegar.  I can smell Coppertone and ocean breezes.  I can hear the waves and the sound of the seagulls.  I can see the "footprints" left behind by sandpipers and sand crabs.

When my brother and I were still in elementary school, we took thick cotton thread and braided it to make "shark strings".   The idea was to tie the shark string around your ankle and when you went swimming in the ocean, it would protect you from harm (i.e. sharks!).  We put a towel on the boardwalk and sold shark strings to the tourists for a dollar.  That's how we made money to play in the arcade.

Later, my Dad owned a building in O.C. and we spent entire summers there.  I worked in an ice cream stand and got paid to sing in the church choir each Sunday (I got more if I attended both services!).   As a teenager, I put Sun-In on my hair and baby oil on my skin.  My friends and I baked to a deep, golden brown...something I'm sure I'll pay for later when my skin turns to leather.  There wasn't a worry about SPF then.  We learned how to skim board and body surf and play putt-putt golf.  We walked on the beach with our dog and my Dad would fish in the surf.

I love thinking of those times.  I am blessed that my memories fill all the senses.

Now the lake is closer than the ocean and my husband (who spent his childhood on a beach in Florida) actually prefers the lake.  So when we get the chance, we rent a place that has a dock, pontoon boat and a beautiful view.  Our summers aren't complete without taking in a Braves game or two, eating cold, crisp watermelon and baking fresh peach cobbler.  Good books are mandatory as are card games and dominoes. I  play tennis and Mike plays golf.  Summer flies by.

There's so much more I could say about what summer feels like to me, but here's a picture that says it all.

This year perhaps summer will slow down a bit.  That's my wish anyway.

Happy Father's Day!

Today is barbecue day.  Not the kind of barbecue where you fire up the grill and have Dad (or the "man" of the house") sit in a folding chair outside in the 90plus degree heat with a beer in his hand turning meat from one side to the other.  Around here, Father's Day does not equal something cooking on the grill.

Barbecue day in my house is far less taxing.  I am getting ready to "fire up" the crock pot and start the process for pulled pork sandwiches, Mike's favorite.  In the ever constant debate about barbecue, we stand on the side of pork over beef and mustard/vinegar over ketchup/brown sugar.

The recipe I use is no secret, so I'll tell you where to look.  It's the Williams-Sonoma recipe for Easy Pulled Pork Sandwiches.  And the name doesn't lie...it is easy...pork, spice blend, water & onion.  After you pull the pork, add your favorite sauce (we use Sticky Fingers brand) and you're done.  All you have to decide is the kind of sandwich bun, pickles or no, and your personal assortment of sides.

The next item on our plate is another Williams-Sonoma favorite,  Corn Fritters.  They are amazing!  You can used canned or fresh corn.  They are sweet and salty and a great change up from corn on the cob! There are two downsides to this recipe.  One, they are best when eaten right away and two, you can never make too many...they won't sit on the plate, but will disappear immediately.  You've been warned!

Since I'm the only vegetarian in the house, I always add a fresh salad to the menu.  Today I'm going to make a classic Greek Salad, minus the olives.  Sorry, I just can't make myself like olives...I've tried.  I'm going to use a salad dressing developed by my friend, Nancy.  Without question, it's my go-to salad dressing for every occasion.  It's delicious and in Nancy's own words "not a home-made recipe, but a simple adaptation to a store bought packet"!

Nancy's Balsamic Salad Dressing

Buy the Italian Good Seasons packet and cruet from the grocery store.  Not the Zesty Italian, but the original.

Pour balsamic vinegar into the cruet half way up to the water (W) line.

Add red wine vinegar up to the water (W) line.

Add whatever salad oil you prefer up to 1/4 inch below the oil (O) line.  (Nancy remarks that she doesn't typically use olive oil as it gives the dressing a heavy flavor...I agree!)

Add water up to the oil (O) line.

Add the Good Seasons Italian packet, shake and enjoy!

Now, all you need is dessert.  We will probably have key lime pie (again Mike's favorite) or homemade vanilla ice cream.  What??  No cupcakes!!  We have cupcakes in my house almost every day.  This is all about the things he loves...family, good food and today, the U.S. Open Golf Tournament.  It's going to be a good day.

So, if you haven't completed your Father's Day menu, try mine!  Pulled pork sandwiches, corn fritters, fresh salad, definitely watermelon (can't believe I forgot to mention the watermelon!), key lime pie and just for fun, homemade vanilla ice cream.  Visit www. Williams-Sonoma.com and search their recipe file for Easy Pulled Pork Sandwiches and Corn Fritters.  You won't be disappointed.

Before I sign off, I'm going to dial it back a few years to Father's Day when I was growing up.  Our meal would've been fried shrimp, succotash, sliced tomatoes and onions, steamed Chesapeake Bay blue crabs coated in a spicy blend of Old Bay Seasoning, saltine crackers and cold beer or 7-up!  Our dining table would've been covered in newspaper and decorated with rolls of paper towels, crab crackers and mallets and small dishes of melted butter.  The Baltimore Orioles would be on TV if they were playing.  My Dad would've done all the cooking (he was a great cook) and our gifts of Old Spice soap and after shave and homemade cards would've been lovingly accepted.  I can close my eyes and smell the Old Bay Seasoning and Old Spice.  I love you Dad and miss you every day.

Today is about making memories.  I hope you have a great Father's Day!

Inspiration

I had a great blog entry planned for today having to do with summer and our first give-away winner.  But like my blog title says, "a sweet blend of baking and life", life happened today and it wins out over some adorable photos of my dog taken last year at the lake.  The pictures are really cute and I'll post them later this week, I just thought sharing today's experience was more important.

This morning I attended my first "spin" class.  For those of you who have not tried spinning, it's an exercise class based on rides and climbs taken on a stationary bike.  Friends who had encouraged me to join the class said things like, "You'll hate it at first, but don't give up" and "It takes some getting used to, usually 3 or 4 classes, but don't give up".

My instructor was absolutely darling...of course she would be...she's in her 30's, wears her blond hair in a pixie cut and is in the kind of shape you are already imagining...amazing, enviable.  She welcomed me warmly,  "fit" my bike to my body (I have long arms and long legs) with a series of adjustments, told me how to work the tension dial, and got right down to business.  In roughly 2 minutes, the obligatory niceness was over.

Now before I go much further, I have to say that I thought I was in fairly good shape.  I could lose a few pounds, no argument there, but I play tennis 2 or 3 days a week, work in a job (until the cupcake biz catches fire...watch out DC Cupcakes) where I'm on my feet the entire time and hit my treadmill once or twice a week.  I'm not a marathon runner but not a marshmallow either.  I need to also say that I'm a pretty competitive person...no one-wheeled bike was going to get the best of me.  That being said, I am loathe to admit that none of my previous athletic endeavors prepared me for the next 55 minutes.

The first five minutes were fairly uneventful.  I was keeping pace and actually enjoying myself.  Not long thereafter, I had sweat dripping in my eyes and burning forearms.   That was at approximately the 20 minute mark.  I was ecstatic when Miss Pixie Haircut announced that we were half way done with our workout at 30 minutes.  I focused on the "don't give up" part of my friends' warnings.

I needed to focus in the worst way.  Part of my challenge was that I had parked my bike near a TV monitor that was tuned into "The Doctors".  We were listening to the driving sounds of workout music while the sissies on the treadmills plugged into the TV program.  Once, as I raised my eyes to check the clock and gauge my progress,  I saw the Doctors answering questions about constipation.  They had props for demonstration purposes...dear heaven.  I had to look away later when they were lancing something that required stitches.  Yuck!  My burning quads were torture enough!!

45 minutes in, my legs felt like jelly, my clothing was soaked and my quart bottle of water almost drained.  I was thinking that I had never worked so hard, perspired so much, drank so much water and prayed for time travel simultaneously.  In spite of myself, I finished the class and realized I learned something in addition to spinning.

Oddly, somewhere in the middle of the session (you see I really wasn't watching TV) I had a kind of epiphany that I need to mention because it is the real subject of today's entry.  During a water break, where you sit up, drink and keep pedaling,  I looked around and found that I was truly impressed with every single woman in the class.  They were every shape and size, every age and ethnic background and were all there, "not giving up".  Every one had a reason to be there.  Every one had a goal, a dream, a story.

And I don't think it was the oxygen deprivation that made my thoughts drift.  I began thinking of some women I know who are true inspirations to me:

My sister-in-law who just posted on FB that she has dropped 2 dress sizes!

My niece who is training to run a half-marathon in October, is working full-time AND in school!

My cousin who is a public school teacher!

My daughter who serves coffee in the morning and chases her dream of being a professional actor at night!

and

My sweet friends, true "Steel Magnolias", who go through each ordinary day and then each crisis that presents itself with the same amazing grace.

These are a few.  There are many more.

Part of a journey through life is about striving to be the best person you can be.  Be the healthiest, strongest, most fit.  Be the friendliest, happiest, most generous.  Be the kindest, smartest, most honest.  Be the sweetest, funniest, most dependable.  As your friend, I am going to encourage you to grab your personal goal, dream or story with both hands and "don't give up".  You may hate it at first, but don't give up.  It may take a while to get used to, but don't give up.

There's another class on Friday and I plan to be in it.  I hope the darling blond girl with the beautiful smile, who spins along with the class, is my instructor.  I will fit my own bike, warm up by spinning at my own pace, and I'll take a good look around.   Who knows what else I'll discover??

* * * * * * 

Last but not least, here's the fun part.

I wrote all your names on pink paper, folded them neatly and stirred them up.  With my precious dog, Kasey, watching the proceedings for authenticity, I turned my head away, reached into the bowl and picked our first winner!

Paulette, I'll be in touch!

Stay tuned for our next give-away announcement!  And have a eye-opening day tomorrow.

2 days!!

Hi friends.  Just a quick reminder.  There are two days left until the drawing for our first give-away.  In order to win our prize you need to:  register as an official follower of the blog and add a comment.  That's it!

The next prize is a little more than a month (2 days more to be exact!) away.  So stay tuned!!

Have a happy Monday.

So much to celebrate!!

Late Spring and Summer bring the beginning of back-to-back-to-back-and-more celebrations in my family.  The string of special days goes something like this:  Mother's Day, my birthday, our anniversary, Father's Day, Mike's birthday, the 4th of July and our daughter's birthday.  This year will add a special wedding to the mix in July and we're still trying to fit a short vacation into our crazy summer days.

For our anniversary, Mike took me to a place you have to see for yourself.  Nestled in the Chattahoochee Hill Country is a community called Serenbe (named for the combination of words "serenity" and "be").   This community is home to The Inn at Serenbe, The Farmhouse Restaurant, organic farms, equestrian centers and so much more!!  You can take a look by starting at www.serenbeinn.com.

We had a delightful dinner at the Farmhouse Restaurant which is part of the Inn.  The meal was simple and rustic...delicious for me because I got to enjoy vegetables (I'm a vegetarian) from the organic farms along with spoon bread and rough cut grits.  My mixed garden salad (fresh from their garden!) was topped with fried green tomatoes...fantastic!!  That's an idea I'm going to use soon.

After dinner, we went to a play at the Serenbe Playhouse.  The night was perfect...not too hot with a little breeze.  Why is this worth mentioning??  Because the theatre experience is "al fresco"!!  Ordinary Days is a musical that "tells the story of four young New Yorkers whose lives intersect" staged in the beautiful setting of the Serenbe Courtyard.  Funny and completely entertaining, Ordinary Days makes the trip to Serenbe even more special.

Upon returning to the Inn, we were greeted by a mother and daughter who were on a "hunt" in the bushes with flashlights and giggles.  Two eight-week-old baby pigs had gotten out of their pen on the farm.  They were found, very easily, rooting around and seemed to enjoy the attention and extra petting.  The daughter remarked, "Go ahead and pet them.  They're just like puppies!"   Mike loved the piglets.

The next morning we walked the grounds getting to see the cottages, special event outbuildings, lake, pools & cabana, labyrinth, and croquet lawn.  We found the piglets in their pen, sheep, chickens and down the country road, some very large bulls!!  Less than a mile down this same road is the Serenbe community and the Saturday morning farmers' market.  I bought green garlic, crazy organic radishes, onions and beautiful zinnias.  Sadly, the tomatoes were sold out when we got there...you know what I wanted to do with them.

All in all, it was a wonderful getaway...too short as they always are, but a place where I hope to return.  I can picture myself on one of the covered porches, relaxing in a chaise, reading a good book and unwinding!!

I hope your summer is filled with special reasons to celebrate!

Good morning!  It's Sunday and I couldn't think of a better start for your day than this delicious blueberry crumb cake.

Obviously, I have a serious sweet tooth.  city girl cupcakes was born out of my obsession with baking, particularly things that are made, in large part, of sugar and sweet cream butter.  Sorry, Dr. Oz.

I have to say that it's more than the taste that lures me into the kitchen.  I love the whir of my kitchenaid mixer, the exact measuring that is the science of baking and the way the fresh aromas fill my house!  It would be impossible to eat all the things that I bake, so the last bit of enjoyment (and perhaps the best bit) comes from giving my baked goods away.  Nothing is prettier than a cellophane package tied with grosgrain ribbon holding something yummy inside!!  Baking is fulfilling on so many levels!

Speaking of give-aways, there are 10 days left to register for the "Something Borrowed" contest.  Remember to tell your friends to visit the blog and enter.  Each time they do, your name is entered an additional time into the drawing.  Our next contest is ready to go, so stay in touch!!

Back to breakfast...

Here is the recipe for Blueberry Crumb Cake.  You could use other berries as they sit on top of the cake batter, but blueberry is my favorite.

Blueberry Crumb Cake
Preheat the oven to 350.  Butter one 8"x 8" pan.

Mix the topping first.  Pulse all these ingredients in a food processor:

1/2 cup pecans
1/3 cup brown sugar, firmly packed
1/4 cup all-purpose flour
2 Tablespoons cold, unsalted (sweet cream!) butter

Pulse until crumbly.  Set aside in a bowl and wipe out the container for the food processor to mix the cake batter.

In the food processor bowl, pulse the following:

1 stick cold unsalted butter cut into pieces
2 cups all-purpose flour
1 cup granulated sugar
2 teaspoons baking powder
1 teaspoon kosher salt
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon

Pour milk into a measuring cup.  Add eggs and vanilla.  Stir.  Pour dry ingredients into a mixing bowl and add the milk mixture.  Stir with a wooden spoon until blended.

2 large eggs
1 cup whole milk
1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract

Wash and dry berries.  Remove any stems you see!

Approx. 3 cups fresh blueberries

Pour cake batter into the prepared pan.  Add berries on top until the batter is covered...don't press the berries into the batter.

Sprinkle the crumb topping on top of the berries.  Bake in the oven for 55 to 60 minutes.  I start "testing" around 45 minutes as I like the cake to be very moist, not dry from over-baking.  Bake until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.  Cool before serving if you can wait that long!!

So today I say, "Let them eat crumb cake!"  I'm off now to watch the French Open Tennis Final.

Have a fantastic day.

Win something wonderful from "Something Borrowed"!

I told you that I loved Emily Giffin's books, so I'm happy to share a link with you so that you can pick them up easily through Amazon.com.  This is great reading for summer...especially if you're sitting on the beach or by the pool.

I'm also thrilled to announce my first give-away!!  It's so much fun to get goodies from the city girl cupcake diary.  Here's all you have to do:

-Become an official follower of the city girl cupcake diary.

-Comment on cupcakes, movies or life in general by Wednesday, June 15th, 2011.

-If you refer a friend to our blog and have them enter the give-away contest, your name will be entered again!  Just think, if 10 friends enter, your name will be in the drawing 11 times!!  Wow!  I like those odds!

On June 15,  your name will be entered in a drawing to win the movie soundtrack from "Something Borrowed".   The winner will be posted on the blog after the drawing and we'll get in touch via e-mail after that!

I love listening to music while I bake, so I thought you might like baking R.E.D.D. Velvet cupcakes with Meringue Buttercream to the sounds of the movie!

Keep checking back with us to see what's new in our diary!  Have a great Memorial Day Weekend!

Happy Birthday to Me!

Today was my birthday and unlike some birthdays past, I am happy that today was MY day.

I think I was particularly chipper today because I've been in a birthday-state-of-mind for about a week.  In the last few days I've:

-gotten a funny birthday card from my 82 year old mother (she never forgets birthdays)

-played tennis under the lights with dear friends who brought champagne, snacks and presents (these "girls" that I've known for more than 20 years always make me feel special)

and

-seen a really good movie! (the movie has in turn inspired the rest of today's post)

My husband, Mike, and I went to see "Something Borrowed".  I've read all four books in the series by Emily Giffin.  I can enthusiastically recommend them for light-hearted summer reading.  We both enjoyed the movie...not a stretch from a couple whose favorite films include "The American President" and "Notting Hill".

"Something Borrowed" is funny, poignant and generally speaking, pretty to watch.  Rachel's apartment looks exactly like the picture I have in my mind of a single girl's place in NYC.  With the backdrop of the city and the beach, I was in heaven.

Anyway, I thought it would be fun to create a cupcake based on the movie that's a variation of the city girl cupcakes red velvet.  The result, a R.E.D.D. Velvet cupcake with white chocolate ganache filling and Meringue buttercream frosting.  If you've read the book or seen the film, you know that Rachel, Ethan, Dex, Darcy and Marcus are the main players.  The cupcake is sweet like a love story and sticky like complicated relationships.  I think you'll love it!

Heads Up!  When making a cupcake with meringue buttercream, plan on eating them right away or within a few hours.  This frosting, while amazingly delicious, doesn't hold up well over time.

The "Something Borrowed" R.E.D.D. Velvet Cupcake


Ingredients & Prep Instructions:
2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1/4 cup cocoa
1 teaspoon baking powder
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon salt (use kosher salt if you like a kick of salt with the sweet frosting)
*sift the first 5 ingredients together
1 cup room temp buttermilk
1 Tablespoon red food coloring
1 teaspoon white vinegar
1 teaspoon vanilla
*mix these four ingredients together
1/4 lb. softened butter
1 1/2 cups sugar
2 room temp large eggs

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
Place paper cupcake liners in cupcake pans.  This recipe makes 24 cupcakes.

Beat softened butter and sugar together until creamy (about 3 minutes).
Add room temp eggs to butter mixture one at a time until combined.
Add 1/3 of the flour mixture to the butter and blend.  Each time you add flour or liquid to the butter mixture, mix just until blended.
Add 1/2 of the buttermilk to the flour mixture and blend.
Add 1/3 of the flour mixture to the butter and blend.
Add the last 1/2 of the buttermilk mixture to the flour mixture and blend.
Add the last 1/3 of the flour mixture and blend.
All ingredients should be mixed together now!
Fill paper liners 2/3 full.
Bake for 22-25 minutes for standard cupcakes.  Check the cupcakes beginning at 22 minutes.
Insert toothpick/tester into the cupcake.  If it comes out clean, the cupcake is ready!
Allow them to cool on a rack for 10 minutes and then remove from cupcake pan.

*optional white chocolate ganache filling (a twist in the middle, kind of like the movie) 
1/2 cup white chocolate chips
1/2 cup regular heavy cream
1 1/2 cups powdered sugar

Heat cream over medium heat until small bubbles are seen at the edges of the cream.
Pour the cream over the white chocolate chips in a heat proof bowl.  Let stand for 5 minutes.
Stir the chips and cream until thoroughly blended.
Add powdered sugar and blend with a whisk.

Meringue Buttercream
1 cup sugar
3 egg whites
1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
2 sticks unsalted butter, softened

Put sugar and egg whites in a heatproof bowl and set it over a pan of simmering water.
Stir or whisk while bringing the mixture to 140 degrees on a candy thermometer.
Transfer mixture to the bowl of an electric mixer.
Using a whisk attachment, beat until the sugar/egg mixture forms stiff, glossy peaks, about 3 minutes.
Cut the butter into pieces, and add them gradually to the sugar/egg mixture, beating until you have smooth frosting.
Add vanilla.
Use immediately.

Give this a try and tell me how you like it!

A giant leap

About 6 months ago, I began an adventure in baking cupcakes.

It all started in my kitchen at home, with family, friends and co-workers becoming taste-testers and cupcake critics.  I had been baking all my life, so it couldn't be that hard could it?  Buttercream meringue frosting should be a cinch!  Peanut butter batter?  No problem!

Days, weeks and months went by...thousands of cupcakes baked... and finally, the perfect recipes blossomed into delicious treats.  Fewer and fewer experiments ended up in the trash, and more and more samples were being requested.  My passions for baking and creating beautiful things blended together to become city girl cupcakes.

Instead of flying solo, I have a great team to share the journey.  Sample requests have turned into orders and we are now seeking out commercial space to get our product out to the masses.  Business plans are being written, business cards printed...less time in the kitchen right now and more leg work.

Our cupcake diary is a part of the plan.  In it we'll be sharing ideas for baking, crafting and incorporating simple, lovely things into your life.

We are taking a giant leap and as we go through the process of launching a dream,  we want you to leap with us!!  Come along for the ride.  It'll be sweet!