Remembering...

4 years ago, a dear friend of mine left this earth to go someplace which I'm sure is way cooler. I almost can't believe it's been 4 years...it seems like just yesterday, I remember everything.


(This photo from weheartit reminds me of his celebration of life)

I'd like to go out and fly my kite for him...unfortunately it's chilly and I'm supposed to be getting ready to do a show. He would understand, and probably tell me to put my eyeshadow on extra thick.
In lieu of anything grand and memorious (is that a word? It is now.), I'm going to eat a few Hershey's Hugs and think of him. The shoes, the pants, the amazing characters, and mostly the hugs. I need to write a letter to his mother...I wonder if she still brings Hugs to the RHS actors...



I'm searching for a recipe which involves Hugs to make this week...

Love somebody this week...especially if they're a little weird.

Week 7. "Happy Valentine's Day!" Hot Cocoa Cupcakes

Ok, so this is last week's cupcake! It was really cold outside and I wanted to do something that would make people feel like they were curled up by a fire...and hot cocoa was the first thing that came to mind! Also, I was excited to finally make some cupcakes that look as pretty as they taste!

"Happy Valentine's Day!" Hot Cocoa Cupcakes



Devil's food cake:
1 1/4 cups sugar
1 cup buttermilk
2/3 cup vegetable oil
2 eggs
1 teaspoon vanilla
1 1/2 cups all purpose flour
1/2 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
1 1/4 teaspoons baking soda

frosting:
2 cups JET-PUFFED Miniature Marshmallows, divided
4 (1 ounce) squares BAKER'S Semi-Sweet Baking Chocolate, coarsely chopped
1/4 cup milk
1 (8 ounce) tub COOL WHIP Whipped Topping, thawed
1 tablespoon unsweetened cocoa powder


Preheat oven to 350°F. Grease and flour two 8-inch-diameter cake pans with 1 1/2-inch-high sides. Whisk first 5 ingredients in large bowl to blend. Sift in flour, cocoa and baking soda. Stir to combine. Divide batter between prepared pans. Bake until toothpick inserted into centers comes out clean, about 25 minutes. Cool in pans on racks 10 minutes. Turn cakes out onto racks and cool completely.

Place 1 cup of the marshmallows, the chocolate chunks and milk in large saucepan; cook on low heat until marshmallows and chocolate are completely melted and mixture is well blended, stirring constantly. Cool at least 30 minutes. Gently stir in whipped topping.

Frost cupcakes with the whipped topping mixture; top with the remaining 1 cup marshmallows. Sprinkle evenly with cocoa. Cover and refrigerate until ready to serve. Store leftover cupcakes in refrigerator.


**Hannah's Hints**

* Definitely "accidentally" spill this batter and frosting on your hand...sooo delicious! Devil's food cake is something that I feel should be made and eaten much more often...with every kind of frosting!!

* The cake recipe was originally for an actual big cake, and I adapted it for cupcakes...basically just use cupcake liners like you normally would!

* You will have a TON of frosting left over...use it for something else...I have yet to figure out what it should be, but it tasted so good I just couldn't throw it away!

* I suggest you eat chocolate and marshmallows as you go along...you'll never use it all, so you might as well snack, right? And who doesn't feel like a kid while eating marshmallows straight from the bag?

Valentine's Day!

Ok, I've been crazytown busy this week with Carousel and classes...I planned to do a big cupcake + bonus baked goods post last night but my computer was going whacky on me!! I was distraught... but I owe you last week's cupcake post plus an extra (everyone enjoyed all of the treats!)

I do have a eensy bit of time before rehearsal and wanted to comment on my splendiferous Valentine's Day! I simply adore this holiday...probably mainly due to my insane sweet tooth (which I inherited from my Dad) and my love for anything pink and heart-y!

Examples A and B:




Heart measuring cups??!! Brilliant, I say!

My family made the trip down to Cape for a V-Day lunch (and mini day) with me...it was so wonderful to see them! However, I was very upset to hear that Bella Italia no longer serves stuffed olives...start writing e-mails, people!! Anyway, my sister looks like a model (and soon may be one) and I was happy that she immediately put on the heart shirt I made for her! My parents had already sent me a huge box of goodies...it was a grand day.

And take a look at these beautiful, super good smelling flowers from a most wonderful boy...



Love and love and love to you all! More cupcakes on the way!

Week 6. Fresh and Healthy Banana Lime Cupcakes with Chai Icing

This week I wanted to make some cupcakes that were less sweety-sweet and more refreshingly fruity! And when I found this recipe, I knew I'd found it!



Fresh and Healthy Banana Lime Cupcakes

Source: Cupcake Fun

Ingredients:
• 2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 3/4 cup (1 1/2 sticks) butter softened
• 1 1/2 cups granulated sugar
• 3 eggs
• 1 tablespoon lime juice
• 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
• 2 ripe bananas mashed
• 1 teaspoon lime zest grated
• 3/4 cup sour cream

instructions
Preheat oven to 350°F. In medium bowl, combine flour, baking soda, and salt; set aside. In large bowl, cream butter and sugar with electric mixer until light and fluffy. Add eggs, lime juice, vanilla, banana and lime zest; mix well. Add flour mixture alternately with sour cream; blend thoroughly but do not overmix. Pour into prepared pans. Bake 20-25 minutes or until toothpick inserted comes out clean. Cool 10 minutes in pan on rack; remove and cool completely before decorating.

Chai Icing
1 8-ounce package of non-fat or reduced-fat cream cheese
½ cup powdered sugar
½ teaspoon cinnamon
¼ teaspoon ground clove
¼ teaspoon ground cardamom

**Hannah's Hints**

* This original recipe didn't call for a specific type of icing, so I looked through what I had in my files...I love this chai icing, and it was a nice complement to the fruity freshness!

* Fresh limes are fantastic...but you'll probably only need one for this recipe. I bought 4...so now I have 3 limes waiting to be used in something else! They smell heavenly, and are really fun to juice...so find that little juicer and have some fun. Also, it's helpful to roll limes around on the table to get it warm and the juice flowing!

* As has been the case with most of my other recipes, if this batter happens to spill on your hand, you will probably want to spill some more...it's pretty darn delicious!

* In case you were wondering, my new mixer is heavenly!! It has so much power and looks very space-age...I'm in love!


* This batter smells absolutely delicious when you're mixing it...I was reminded of our family Christmas in Cabo a few years back!






* I had high hopes of spending Friday evening baking and crafting...that mostly happened! There are the shirts I made and the brilliant Valentine's made by Carly:



Hopefully more crafts and delicious cupcakes to come, next week the cupcakes will be part of my payment to Tim DePriest for transposing my music...he's my hero!