OooO WeeEe...It's hot out there...

So yesterday another weather record was broke or something like that....all I knew was that it was way to hot for me....(I don't do well in heat)

Anyways, on any hot summer day its usually nice to just sit on the porch...drink a beer or lemonade....and just relax. Unfortunately I've been at my desk for the past however long it's been :( It's not just me, but the whole Land of the Lost crew that has been stuck inside not being able to enjoy the weather. Ohhh yah BTW thanks to all you FB people who like to spam us with updates telling us how nice the beach is and how awesomely tan you're getting...we hate you. (only because we're jealous) ;)
There is some good that comes out of this story...I swear....

Strawberry Lemonade Cupcakes!

Since I don't have much time I used a quick and simple recipe that take just minutes to prepare

Ingredients

• 1 white cake mix
• 1 (3 ounce) package strawberry Jell-O gelatin dessert
• 4 eggs
• 1 cup vegetable oil
• 1/4 cup water
• 1 (10 ounce) package frozen strawberries, thawed

Directions

1. Combine cake mix, jello, and eggs.
   

2. Mix well.

3. Add oil, water, and 1/2 the strawberries [Note:for the strawberries its better if you puree' ahead of time].

4. Beat mix in mixer or hand mix for about 2 or 3 minutes.
   

5. Pour into your designated cupcake cups.
   

6. Bake at 350* for 25-30 min...flipping pans halfway through
   

7. Spread on cooled cake.

Sometimes it's not worth the lemon juice in cuts you never knew you had in your hands....

So you cook...etc etc...let it cool bla bla bla....

So then we ice....with lemon glaze which gives the cupcakes a little tart flavor!
Note: lemon glaze is just powdered sugar and lemon juice...

So here comes my favorite part.....FROSTINGG GOODNESS



Here we have a combination of strawberry and lemon frosting. The lemon frosting (obviously the yellow stuff) didn't com out as sour as I expected...but thats okay it'll do for now...definitlly a CBB



Lemon DROPS!!
Growing up you could always find these things in grandma's candy jar or some random jar at an office...If there was no chocolate...this would have to do. Hey it's still sugar :)





I ended up just using them as extra garnish along with funky white chocolate candies.



...and boomshaka...we've got a strawberry lemonade cupcake for you to enjoy...


Thanks for stoppin by!

Tired eyes....

So as we keep working longer hours at work it's getting harder for me to update the blog, but no worries it doesn't completely stop me from baking :)


Anyways, I've had to use my glasses more often lately... staring at the computer all day long can do it to you.
The SOLUTION:

CARROTS!!!

The carrot gets its characteristic and bright orange colour from β-carotene, which is metabolised into vitamin A in humans when bile salts are present in the intestines.^[3]Carrots are also rich in dietary fibre, antioxidants, and minerals.

Lack of Vitamin A can cause poor vision, including night vision, and vision can be restored by adding Vitamin A back into the diet.

-Wiki

Since the whole teams here for the long haul...why not replenish some Vitamin A nutrients with some ....Carrot Cupcakes!!!

Instead of shredding the carrots I pulsed them through my little mini blender...it's the same as grating them, but i feel like there's more flavor when they're grated...plus there's no stringy carrots to freak people out. HA!
The recipe comes from Martha Stewarts Favorite Cupcakes collection.

I left out nuts and raisins just to be careful (people's nut allergies and what not...)Next time I'll have to put them in because it does take away from the flavor. : (

They did turn out very moist though...
mmMMmm...my eyes feel better already hahaha


Finished product: CarrotCupcakes with CreamCheese Frosting and Cocunut Garnish


Moist with Rich carrot flavor



Next time I won't skip out on nuts and raisin....

...and we're off for another long friday at work...Go Team!


Until next time....

Quick Saturday morning Baking...

Here's just a few things made over the weekend....nothing too special...

Lemon Bread with glase compliments of Dozen Flours:

Started with fresh lemons and lemon zest:



I guess the trick to this recipe was to really incorporate the zest with the sugar so the flavor has something to bind with.

Eventually you end up with this :


Then a simple lemon juice and powdered sugar glaze is added...

Next was the larger maple chocolate chip cupcakes for Adam who came to visit for the weekend.....

This recipe is still in the works....

Simple maple frosting....

Not too eventful...but still some of my favorite recipes!

Thanks for stopping by...I swear the next post will be a bit more interesting....

Inspired by a late night snack...

Banana Split Cupcakes!! hoo-raa

So I bought some neopolitan ice cream from the store last week....and I can't stop eating this ice cream...I mean c'mon..Vanilla--classic, Strawberry--classic, Chocolate--just damn good....

...then I thought...Why not turn it into a :cupcake: *sigh*


Where it all begins...

So I had to make 3 different types of batter...then I noticed this is going to be apainintheass but hey...its always worth it in the end!

This to there....


Note: make sure the base is all covered with the chocolate batter....


Next layer....made with actual strawberry puree' yay!

Last but not least...


I tried to make sure each layer was touch the edged....I smoothed these out by just using a spoon because shaking them did absolutely nothing....

So uhh I went for a more artful approach on this project...but it does fit!

I'm glad they did spill over a bit ...it goes with that whole "messy Sundae" look...mm yum!


They even come in Bite size!


....what to expect inside....

BUT I'm NOT DONE!

A sundae isn't complete without the nut topping and....


The Most important garnish ever....well to this cupcake at least: The Banana!


VOi'La!
Complete with frosting,Banana, Nuts, and chocolate' Syrup!

No matter what shape or size...they all get the same treatment of awesomeness...

All up in there...uh*yah!


Final presentation

I know it need's a nice maraschino cherry, but I thought it'd be super over-kill with everything thats going up top there....Plus I forgot to buy them : / maybe next time?

Once again sorry for the delay...I won't wait a week next time... :(

till next time...

OH BTW!!!: the bacon cupcakes for you sceptics turned out fabulous...I'll make them more large and in charge for the next batch!! ---reviews on them were awesome :)

My Classic Favorite...

SOOOOoo soooo sorry....

So overtime started at work so I've been slacking on the updates....

Anywho, for a rough Saturday morning I prepared one of my favorite recipes...

Banana Bread with Cinnamon Swirl

I usually put chopped up pecans in this recipe, but i'm always careful of who is allergic to what....especially nuts so I went with a cinnamon swirl instead

This is the batter layered with my brown sugar cinnamon mix....


Then just to get a little fancy I just swirled the mixture with my chopstick...


MMmm...Super ripe bananas and brown sugar.... :)!

The key to this recipe is to make sure your bananas are really ripe. I usually store them in a brown bag and leave them on top of my fridge where it's a little warmer.


....one hour later....

The kitchen is now basking in the smell of fresh banana bread...it doesn't get better than this...

Note: this bread always turns out super moist and delicious. It's really hard to mess up: recipe coming up soon.

Every bite has a nice hint of my cinnamon swirl ;)


Pair with your favorite coffee or even vanilla ice cream.

Enjoy!