tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-67600277070430386932024-03-13T00:17:37.239-04:00The CupcaketologistThe Cupcaketologisthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15035139110297888499noreply@blogger.comBlogger199125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6760027707043038693.post-60462999379167247372013-04-23T09:44:00.000-04:002013-04-23T09:44:51.212-04:00Notes from the Field: A goodbye. <div style="text-align: center;">
<i><span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">"To live in this world<br />you must be able<br />to do three things:<br />to love what is mortal;<br />to hold it<br />against your bones knowing<br />your own life depends on it;<br />and, when the time comes to let it go,<br />to let it go."</span></i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i><span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">-</span></i><span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"> Mary Oliver</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-xAVDHdEhw_s/UXWoxyQLEvI/AAAAAAAACm8/k3ykowQ8VWw/s1600/cupcakez.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-xAVDHdEhw_s/UXWoxyQLEvI/AAAAAAAACm8/k3ykowQ8VWw/s400/cupcakez.jpg" width="355" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">Where do you find hope? </span><br />
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">Four and a half years ago, I discovered a creative outlet to soothe a restless and creative mind. I had constant ideas dancing through my dreams and hands that needed <i>to make</i>. I was in between some things and uncertain of others, and so, <a href="http://www.thecupcaketologist.blogspot.com/">"The Cupcaketologist"</a> was born. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">At first the cupcakes were an inspired focus. They fed </span><span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">culinary dreams that were yearning to come true. They had me dancing around the kitchen like a fool, transforming everything from goat cheese and prosciutto to zucchini blossoms and foie gras into decadent delights. They were a hobby, they won awards, and at times, there were a source of income. </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">My
blog willingly took a backseat when I was too busy being happy and it
gave me a place to explore heartache when I needed it most. </span></span></span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">These cupcakes helped me cope.</span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">This blog has followed me from Philadelphia to Connecticut to Manhattan. I've baked in kitchens all over the world.<span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"> Writing "The Cupcaketologist" even</span> led me to create another blog, and in that little journal's short life, I met some of the most important people in my life history thus far: people who are important chapters, lifelines and best friends. I'm in awe over the wonders that I've seen, experienced and felt through it all. </span></span><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-g_zC0JGrHlA/UXaPT86hpqI/AAAAAAAACnc/z0bCn4uaVCo/s1600/cupcakes10.bmp" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="352" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-g_zC0JGrHlA/UXaPT86hpqI/AAAAAAAACnc/z0bCn4uaVCo/s640/cupcakes10.bmp" width="640" /></a></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">When I was
nine, I was pure zen. I was even, balanced and the only kid on the
swim team whose mother led her through finish line visualizations. At
eighteen, I was bottled awareness. I was mature past my own good and above the teenage drama that plagued the high school halls. At twenty-one, I started searching, and a few years later, that search led me her<span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">e: to a place where I could process the world around me by way of a focus and words.</span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">The word "ethnography" quite literally means to “write (or represent) a culture.” My cupcakes were inspired by places I've traveled and the people I've met along the way. </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">They
were truly, in my mind, a series of case studies, whether the topics
explored were foreign, brand new or completely personal. By way of a common medium, </span></span></span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">they attempted to make sense </span></span></span></span> of the broad experiences one might uncover in a lifetime.</span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">I've learned so much about the world in these four years. I've learned about <span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">myself in ways that I don't know I could have otherwise. </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">I've been thinking about this for a long time, and I'm out of words that need to be shared in this space. </span></span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">I will be a baker, a writer and a dreamer for life, but it's time to say goodbye here.</span></span></span> More importantly,</span></span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"> it's time to discover whatever is next and just enjoy making, creating and being in <i>the now</i>. </span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><br /></span></span></span>
<span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">This blog gave me joy and opportunities. More so, it gave me hope. It helped me get lost, come full circle and discover myself again. I'm so thankful to have been able to share the stories of that journey with you. I'm speechless that you kept following after all of these years. </span>Thank you for traveling along with me.</span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><b>In peace, love and cupcakes, </b></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><b>Jessica </b></span></div>
The Cupcaketologisthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15035139110297888499noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6760027707043038693.post-18364322237428233332013-04-10T12:12:00.001-04:002013-04-10T12:12:48.337-04:00Case Study 128: "The Roasted Strawberry Basil Cupcake"<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">OK. So we might have fast-forwarded to summer this week. </span><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-M1aqjZJ0QGc/UWWOEQzRvEI/AAAAAAAACmc/KWmsHFT3_Ek/s1600/roasted+strawberry+1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-M1aqjZJ0QGc/UWWOEQzRvEI/AAAAAAAACmc/KWmsHFT3_Ek/s400/roasted+strawberry+1.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">Like any good culinarian, this got me jonesing for warmer weather things. Like sunset runs and day-drinking and taking my shoes off in absolutely any presence of grass.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">It also got me excited for summer fruits. And flavors. And the sweet sweet magic that occurs when you combine sugar and berries and put them in the oven. </span><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ERALqJ9PE78/UWWOIAG9WAI/AAAAAAAACms/tg-CzuVsLSE/s1600/roasted+strawberry+2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ERALqJ9PE78/UWWOIAG9WAI/AAAAAAAACms/tg-CzuVsLSE/s400/roasted+strawberry+2.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">These cakes are a product of that. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;"><b><i>Roasted strawberry cupcakes with sweet basil-vanilla bean buttercream and balsamic-basil candy on top.</i></b> </span></div>
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">They're like any other strawberry cupcakes...except better. And more exotic. </span><span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">First, I tossed good ripe strawberries with a little sugar, olive oil and coarse sea salt and roasted them in the oven for about 25-30 minutes. I mixed these into the batter of a normal strawberry <a href="http://www.marthastewart.com/258957/sprinkles-strawberry-cupcakes">cupcake recipe</a> that's never failed me in the past. For the buttercream, I steeped basil with sea salt, sugar and milk for 10 minutes, strained it through cheesecloth, and used it in my standard vanilla bean buttercream recipe. And balsamic basil candy? Just reduce a little maple syrup, balsamic vinegar, sea salt and dried basil in a pan until it bubbles, and turn it out onto parchment to cool, before breaking up and sprinkling on top.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;"> </span> </span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-yT3GK5VG58c/UWWOGehUt4I/AAAAAAAACmk/4R5fbOEU6WA/s1600/roasted+strawberry+3.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="325" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-yT3GK5VG58c/UWWOGehUt4I/AAAAAAAACmk/4R5fbOEU6WA/s400/roasted+strawberry+3.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">We might be a little premature in saying that summer has in fact arrived prior to June 21. After all, the days still have to get even longer and the sunsets need to turn a little more gold until I can proclaim it the fairest of the seasons. But my god, if these days are any indication of what we have to come. I. Can't. Wait. </span>The Cupcaketologisthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15035139110297888499noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6760027707043038693.post-19692284655992641892013-03-29T13:05:00.002-04:002013-03-29T13:36:39.993-04:00Case Study 127: The Spring Hummingbird Cupcake<div style="text-align: center;">
<i><span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"> </span><span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">“sweet spring is your<br />
time is my time is our<br />
time for springtime is lovetime<br />
and viva sweet love"</span></i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">- E.E. Cummings</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-n8iweID-6uQ/UVXJdPqX80I/AAAAAAAACmI/fPCWoLU0nxg/s1600/hummingbird2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="295" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-n8iweID-6uQ/UVXJdPqX80I/AAAAAAAACmI/fPCWoLU0nxg/s400/hummingbird2.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">Forgive me for being so quiet lately, but I was busy letting the month of March be so good to me. Luckily, amidst it all, spring finally arrived. We tired of snow, the sky turned blue and the dormant bulbs started pushing green shoots through the ground. </span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">I've got spring fever, and I've got it bad. </span></span><br />
<br />
</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-GMvYQgpKJ44/UVXJcqT6uRI/AAAAAAAACl8/9VzNPOceQvo/s1600/hummingbird1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-GMvYQgpKJ44/UVXJcqT6uRI/AAAAAAAACl8/9VzNPOceQvo/s400/hummingbird1.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">Whatever you do, get outside this weekend. Throw on some shades, lose the socks and try to avoid the shady side of the street. Drink up some crisp nearly April air. Let the spring sunlight wash away the winter sins.</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"> </span></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-9bOo0yEHW1o/UVXJcwFyHxI/AAAAAAAACmE/EO4ZY3teuMw/s1600/hummingbird3.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="310" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-9bOo0yEHW1o/UVXJcwFyHxI/AAAAAAAACmE/EO4ZY3teuMw/s400/hummingbird3.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">And if must spend some hours indoors, make them worth it and bake up these very spring-like Hummingbird cupcakes with cream cheese buttercream, flaked coconut and malted eggs on top.</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">Get awakened. Be new. And viva sweet love. </span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"></span></span></span></span></div>
<a name='more'></a><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><b><span style="font-size: small;">Hummingbird Cupcakes</span></b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">
</span><br />
<ul class="content-multigroup-group-ingredient">
<li class="ingredient first"><span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">1 1/2 cups flour cups all-purpose flour</span></li>
<li class="ingredient"><span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">
1/2 </span><span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">tsp</span> baking soda</span></li>
<li class="ingredient"><span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">
1/2 </span><span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">tsp</span> salt</span></li>
<li class="ingredient"><span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">3/4 </span><span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">tsp</span> cinnamon </span></li>
<li class="ingredient"><span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">
1 stick sweet cream butter, at room temperature</span></li>
<li class="ingredient"><span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">1 1/2 tsp pure vanilla extract</span></li>
<li class="ingredient"><span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">3/4 cup sugar</span></li>
<li class="ingredient"><span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">1 egg</span></li>
<li class="ingredient"><span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">1/2 cup chopped walnuts, toasted </span></li>
<li class="ingredient"><span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">
3 medium bananas, mashed</span></li>
<li class="ingredient"><span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">1/2 cup unsweetened flaked coconut</span></li>
<li class="ingredient"><span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">
1/2 cup crushed pineapple, drained</span></li>
</ul>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><span style="font-size: small;">1. Preheat oven to 3<span style="font-size: small;">50</span> degrees and line a m<span style="font-size: small;">uffin</span> tray with baking cups. In a medium bowl, <span style="font-size: small;">whisk together flour, baking soda, cinnamon and salt.</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><span style="font-size: small;">2. Cream butter and sugar until light and fluffy, 3 minutes.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><span style="font-size: small;">3. Add eggs, one at a time, followed by vanilla. Beat until <span style="font-size: small;">pale<span style="font-size: small;"> at medium speed, 3 minutes. </span></span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><span style="font-size: small;">4<span style="font-size: small;">. In a medium <span style="font-size: small;">bowl, combine <span style="font-size: small;">walnuts, banana, coconut and pineapple. Mix into <span style="font-size: small;">wet ingredie<span style="font-size: small;">nts (butter/sugar/egg/vanilla mixture) unti<span style="font-size: small;">l just combined. </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span> </div>
<span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><span style="font-size: small;">
</span></span>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><span style="font-size: small;">5. Fold in flo<span style="font-size: small;">ur until combined. Do not <span style="font-size: small;">overbeat.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><span style="font-size: small;">6. <span style="font-size: small;">Spoo<span style="font-size: small;">n into <span style="font-size: small;">baking cups until 3/4 full.</span></span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;">7.<span style="font-size: small;"> </span></span></span></span></span>Bake for 22-25 minutes or until an inserted pick <span style="font-size: small;">comes out clean</span>. Remove from tray and let cool completely before frosting.</span></div>
<span style="font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 20px;"></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-weight: bold;">
<span style="font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 20px;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">
</span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 20px;">
</span>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-weight: bold;">
<span style="font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 20px;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">Vanilla Cream Cheese Buttercream</span></span><br />
</span><br />
<div style="font-weight: normal;">
</div>
<span style="font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 20px;">
</span>
<div style="font-weight: normal;">
<span style="font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 20px;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">1 sticks butter, softened </span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 20px;">
<div style="font-weight: normal;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">4 oz. cream cheese</span></span></div>
<div style="font-weight: normal;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">2 teaspoon vanilla extract<br />¼ cup milk </span></span></div>
<div style="font-weight: normal;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">4-6 cups confectioner's (icing) sugar</span></span></div>
<div style="font-weight: normal;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div style="font-weight: normal;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">1. In the bowl of an electric mixer, or by hand, beat the butter and cream cheese until light and fluffy, about 3 minutes. Mix in the vanilla.</span></span>
</div>
<div style="font-weight: normal;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">2.
Add 1 cup confectioner’s sugar and mix until combined. Mix in ¼ cup
milk. </span></span></div>
<div style="font-weight: normal;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">3. Mix in remaining cups of confectioner’s sugar, and additional tablespoons of milk depending on consistency and preference.</span></span>
</div>
<div class="ajR" data-tooltip="Show trimmed content" id=":1aw" role="button" tabindex="0">
<span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: small;">4. Frost <span class="il">cupcakes</span> </span></span> </span></span></div>
</span><br />
<div style="font-weight: normal;">
<span style="font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 20px;"></span><span style="font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 20px;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: small;">5. <span style="font-size: small;">Top with toasted f<span style="font-size: small;">laked coconut and malted Cadbury <span style="font-size: small;">m<span style="font-size: small;">ini </span></span>eggs</span></span></span></span></span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></div>
</div>
The Cupcaketologisthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15035139110297888499noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6760027707043038693.post-37527370171442723192013-02-23T13:57:00.000-05:002013-02-23T13:57:04.721-05:00Case Study 126: "The Bacon Caramel Pretzel Cupcake"<div style="text-align: center;">
<i><span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><span class="title">"Be soft. </span></span></i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i><span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><span class="title">Do not let the world make you hard. </span></span></i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i><span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><span class="title">Do not
let pain make you hate. </span></span></i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i><span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><span class="title">Do not let the bitterness steal your sweetness. </span></span></i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><i><span class="title">Take pride that even though the rest of the world may disagree,</span></i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><i><span class="title">you
still believe it to be a beautiful place.</span>"</i> </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">- Kurt Vonnegut </span><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/--6EjWXi49zM/USkPdU2YfLI/AAAAAAAACj4/Vd3RAf2sVMc/s1600/bacon3.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="307" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/--6EjWXi49zM/USkPdU2YfLI/AAAAAAAACj4/Vd3RAf2sVMc/s400/bacon3.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"> </span><br />
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">It's been "a week." Well, actually, it's been a few "weeks." Things have been a little stressful around here, so when I woke up on the wrong side of the bed today, I wasn't too surprised. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">I had pretty much given myself a hall pass when suddenly I thought: <b>"No</b>." Why ruin a perfectly good Saturday? After all, I had places to go, and people to see later. Something had to be done. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">An hour, a trip to the store and some psychedelic 60's Peruvian and Turkish music (just go with it)</span><span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">later</span><span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">, I had an answer. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><span style="font-size: large;">Bacon.</span> </span></b></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-GsZf4OwdlgE/USkPnTjPGdI/AAAAAAAACkE/jZO8Gjiw960/s1600/bacon2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="337" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-GsZf4OwdlgE/USkPnTjPGdI/AAAAAAAACkE/jZO8Gjiw960/s400/bacon2.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">Well, bacon, chocolate, caramel and peanut butter, to be more precise. And a little dancing. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">I turned on aforementioned tunes and got cookin'. I whipped up the most perfectly light vanilla cupcakes, and as they cooled I melted semi-sweet chocolate chips. I laid out my pretzel flats, which were chosen for their ability to hold more things per square centimeter than the average tiny twist. And then </span><span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">I got to dipping. I dipped the pretzel in the chocolate and I rolled it in finely sliced pieces of crispy bacon. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-0-tj7zlsi2Y/USkPnTscTVI/AAAAAAAACkI/P6GKf8oNVLg/s1600/bacon1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="317" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-0-tj7zlsi2Y/USkPnTscTVI/AAAAAAAACkI/P6GKf8oNVLg/s400/bacon1.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">I did a little dance here, and I felt better already. I'm a firm believer that it's hard to stay mad when there's a dance party involved. I then turned to the buttercream, and seeing as my decision-making skills are off for the weekend, I went for peanut butter <b>and</b> caramel <b>and</b> vanilla, and I whipped it all up together. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-3sYKKUC9bQk/USkQuHvWhLI/AAAAAAAACkY/oqmAZBmzlmM/s1600/bacon4.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="336" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-3sYKKUC9bQk/USkQuHvWhLI/AAAAAAAACkY/oqmAZBmzlmM/s400/bacon4.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">The end product? <i><b>Vanilla cupcakes with peanut butter caramel buttercream, caramel drizzle and chocolate-bacon dipped pretzel flats on top. </b></i></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">Coincidentally after that, my phone rang. Plans were set. The sky outside actually looked lighter. And before I hopped in the shower, I looked over my masterpieces again. All was good. I was ready to take the day. </span></div>
</div>
The Cupcaketologisthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15035139110297888499noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6760027707043038693.post-26849345840713919902013-02-18T11:57:00.000-05:002013-02-18T11:57:24.247-05:00Notes from the Field: On family, and Vanilla Speculoos Pecan Praline and Bourbon Caramel Cupcakes <span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">Yesterday I took a bus. </span><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-jlrq-ilhCao/USJbdHuD7pI/AAAAAAAACiE/MTo_Uph2r2E/s1600/caramelspec4.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="327" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-jlrq-ilhCao/USJbdHuD7pI/AAAAAAAACiE/MTo_Uph2r2E/s400/caramelspec4.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">Well, to be fair, I took a subway to the middle of Central Park South, with hot coffee and a black and white cookie in hand, and got on a bus to Staten Island. We zoomed down Broadway, past the Freedom Tower and Bay Ridge, and over the Verrazano Bridge to where my dad and uncle picked me up. We were there for Sunday dinner. It was 1pm. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">My father's parents are south for winter, but we got a little treat anyways: my grandfather and his siblings still meet for Sunday dinner each week. They are 80-96 years old and they are <b><i>amazing</i></b>.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">Dinner was cooked by the girls, at nearly 94 and 96, but Uncle Eddie dropped off his lasagna before he left. He's the baby, and the one that came back from a trip to Italy wearing a basil leaf behind his ear. Uncle Freddy was a butcher, so he carved up the chicken, to go with the antipast, bresaola, the rigatoni and the greens and olive salad. </span><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-T_40ki_iK0Y/USJbc0QcjFI/AAAAAAAACiA/GGvt8it7dls/s1600/caramelspec5.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-T_40ki_iK0Y/USJbc0QcjFI/AAAAAAAACiA/GGvt8it7dls/s400/caramelspec5.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">Dinnertime topics included getting a movie projector in 1936 and rent costs in the 30s ($25/month). They argued about the merits of having dishwashers, and Aunt Lucy proclaimed that she never wanted a machine to take away her beloved chore. My dad and uncle did the dishes. The men went to watch golf. I stayed to talk with the ladies in the kitchen, but out of the corner of my eye, I spotted by 61-year old father get on the ground, grab his 88-year old uncle's foot, place it on his knee and tie his shoe. </span><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<i><span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">And this is when I turned off my phone and really listened hard.</span></i></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">Aunt Ann talked about cruise ships and somehow we got into talking about deep sea fishing off Sheepshead Bay. </span><span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;"></span>I learned the best way to cut the head off big fish (with a saw) and escape seasickness (only drink bouillabaisse). Over Sambuca, cannoli and savoiardi, we talked about getting drunk on Courvoisier and where to buy low acid instant coffee for my grandfather. They talked about humility and each other. They talked about us. They talked about life.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-jNxZcqmpf40/USJbd1rvN5I/AAAAAAAACiY/1MJvChx-Wlo/s1600/caramelspec6.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-jNxZcqmpf40/USJbd1rvN5I/AAAAAAAACiY/1MJvChx-Wlo/s400/caramelspec6.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">These people have a longevity that amazes me, and yet, they also must have done something</span> right. They've seen life in motion go from 8mm movie projectors to Blu-Ray discs. They've gone from sepia to black-and-white to color. </span><span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">They've been through more wars, births, deaths and changes of office then some of us may ever see. </span> </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">But, they are <b>together</b>. They know the importance of family, whatever "family" might mean, and constant support. </span><span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">They can hear strains in each other's voices. </span>They took each other in during times of hardship and even today, when one is down, another stays with them for a week. They still eat together, and they are <i><b>really</b></i> together when they do it. They know what they have. T</span><span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">hey are reminders of a different time and place. </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;"></span></span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;"> </span></span></span></span><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-SnfHPwjOuas/USJbdOcZmfI/AAAAAAAACiI/ariBqj7nMys/s1600/caramelspec2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="306" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-SnfHPwjOuas/USJbdOcZmfI/AAAAAAAACiI/ariBqj7nMys/s400/caramelspec2.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">So what does this have to do with <b><i>vanilla cupcakes with speculoos pecan praline cream filling, bourbon caramel buttercream, and chocolate dipped waffle rolls on top</i></b>? I suppose everything and nothing at all.</span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">I always loved those articles about the <a href="http://www.nytimes.com/2012/10/28/magazine/the-island-where-people-forget-to-die.html?_r=0">people who forget to die</a> or the <a href="http://www.okicent.org/">island of lifelong happiness</a>, but I have my own old person club right across the bridge. This is a lesson. </span></span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">This is</span></span></span></span></span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;"> why I am who I am today. </span></span></span></span></span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">These people are my living history; the best teachers I could have. </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">I am very lucky. </span></span></span></span></span></span> </span></span></span></span></span></span> </span></span> </span>The Cupcaketologisthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15035139110297888499noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6760027707043038693.post-19394654000128613752013-02-09T12:14:00.004-05:002013-02-09T12:14:50.499-05:00Notes from the Field: The Ring of Fire<div style="text-align: center;">
<br />
<i><span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">"Hey June, </span></i>
<i><span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"></span></i><br />
<i><span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><br />
That's really nice June. </span></i><br />
<i><span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">You've got a way with words</span></i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i><span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"> and a way with me as well.</span></i><br />
<i><span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"> </span></i>
<i><span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"></span></i><br />
<i><span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"></span></i><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-sJ86PTKyDCo/URaDLuK_OWI/AAAAAAAACgQ/4EV_x_19wlE/s1600/vday1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="308" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-sJ86PTKyDCo/URaDLuK_OWI/AAAAAAAACgQ/4EV_x_19wlE/s400/vday1.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<i><span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><br />
The fire and excitement may be gone </span></i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i><span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">now that we don't go out there and
sing them anymore, </span></i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i><span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">but the ring of fire still burns around you and I, </span></i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i><span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">keeping our love hotter than a pepper sprout.</span></i><br />
<i><span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"> </span></i>
<i><span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><br />
Love, John"</span></i><br />
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><i>- Johnny Cash </i></span><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-AUvw4RnU25Y/URaDMM2Rv4I/AAAAAAAACgY/hXIaqTwRUao/s1600/vday3.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-AUvw4RnU25Y/URaDMM2Rv4I/AAAAAAAACgY/hXIaqTwRUao/s400/vday3.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><i>Hotter than a pepper sprout. </i>Love is many splendored thing, in all of its varied dimensions, including these <b><i>vanilla cupcakes filled with milk chocolate and toffee cream filling and topped with peanut butter buttercream and chocolate shavings</i></b>. </span></div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-mAo8Kk0sxQ4/URaDMQ2lfNI/AAAAAAAACgc/iuiApa2j3hE/s1600/vday2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-mAo8Kk0sxQ4/URaDMQ2lfNI/AAAAAAAACgc/iuiApa2j3hE/s400/vday2.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">Here's wishing you a holiday of loving whoever you love hard, <i>maybe even a little too hard</i>, this Valentine's Day. <i> </i> </span></div>
The Cupcaketologisthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15035139110297888499noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6760027707043038693.post-80552897662919418632013-02-04T14:23:00.001-05:002013-02-04T14:26:27.963-05:00Notes from the field: Apple Cake and the Greatest Man I Know<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><i><span class="huge bqQuoteLink"> "I am not ashamed to say </span></i></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><i><span class="huge bqQuoteLink">that no man I ever met was my father's equal,</span></i></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><i><span class="huge bqQuoteLink"> and I never loved any other man as much."</span></i></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><i><span class="huge bqQuoteLink">- Hedy Lamarr </span></i></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-l5WOWGKxjGM/URADHImITyI/AAAAAAAACec/Ju2InR4N7sA/s1600/apple1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-l5WOWGKxjGM/URADHImITyI/AAAAAAAACec/Ju2InR4N7sA/s400/apple1.JPG" width="400" /></a><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-E0QQfGcExvA/URADHX9u7UI/AAAAAAAACeY/X1JiChbQ2TU/s1600/apple3.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-E0QQfGcExvA/URADHX9u7UI/AAAAAAAACeY/X1JiChbQ2TU/s400/apple3.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"></span></span></span><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-0BWlCvWtCts/URADHFVZXYI/AAAAAAAACeU/GXhqUU_lkdg/s1600/apple2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-0BWlCvWtCts/URADHFVZXYI/AAAAAAAACeU/GXhqUU_lkdg/s400/apple2.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<b><span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">Happy happy birthday, to
the greatest man I know.</span></span></b><br />
<br />
<a name='more'></a><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: courier new;"><span style="font-size: 85%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Apple Cupcakes</span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: courier new;"><span style="font-size: 85%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><br /></span></span></span>
<span style="font-family: courier new;"><span style="font-size: 85%;">1 c. flour<br />1 tsp. baking soda<br />3/4 tsp. cinnamon<br />1/2 tsp. salt<br />1 c. sugar<br />1/4 c. butter<br />1 egg<br />2-3 apples, minced<br />1 cup nuts (pecans or walnuts), chopped finely<br /><br />1. Set the oven at 350</span></span><span style="font-size: 78%;">º</span><span style="font-family: courier new;"><span style="font-size: 85%;"> and line a one-dozen cupcake pan, sift together the flour, baking soda, cinnamon and salt.<br />2. Cream the sugar and butter together in a bowl until combined and fluffy, roughly 3 minutes.<br />3. Add the egg and mix until combined.<br />4. Blend in the apples. Add the dry ingredients in 3 parts until combined and fold in the nuts.<br />5. Fill the cupcake pan and bake 20-22 minutes, cupcakes will be dark brown.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Bourbon Vanilla-Bean Buttercream</span></span></span><span style="font-family: courier new;"><span style="font-size: 85%;">1 c. butter<br />2-3 tsp. bourbon</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: courier new;"><span style="font-size: 85%;">1 vanilla bean, scraped<br />4-5 cups confectioner's sugar<br /><br />1. Combine the butter and cream cheese with a mixer on a medium speed, 3 minutes.<br />2. Mix in the vanilla bean<br />3. Gradually blend in the confectioner's sugar. If it becomes to dense, cut with 1-2 tsp. bourbon at a time.<br />4. Frost cupcakes generously, and enjoy with fond thoughts of autumn.</span></span><span style="font-family: courier new;"><span style="font-style: italic;"><span style="font-style: italic;"></span></span></span>The Cupcaketologisthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15035139110297888499noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6760027707043038693.post-11144305324187352742013-01-20T13:52:00.000-05:002013-01-20T14:23:27.194-05:00Case Study 125: "The Summer Citrus Cupcake" <span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">Guys... I'm officially over winter. </span><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-NHdt3LVZN0o/UPw7TQ5u_UI/AAAAAAAACcU/p3xJZWK7_Ms/s1600/creamsicle1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="296" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-NHdt3LVZN0o/UPw7TQ5u_UI/AAAAAAAACcU/p3xJZWK7_Ms/s400/creamsicle1.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">I knew it would happen soon enough - the charm of a errant snowstorm would reel me in enough to announce a love affair with the cold. But there's been no skiing yet this January, and quite frankly, I need a tan. Now, I summer hard and well, and what I've learned in my time is that every good summer girl needs an accomplice. I like to call these my <i>"summer sisters" </i>and for the past few years, I've been dealt a very strong hand. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">She and I had rekindled our friendship at a Beach Boys concert, and as far as I'm concerned that in itself is the basis of everything. We kept in touch throughout the winter, but once June rolled around, the spark was lit. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">We went to polo matches. We lied in the grass and drank Dark n' Stormies until the horses went home. We went to Block Island. We drank mudslides and had serious dance parties at Yellow Kittens. We ate hot dogs at all hours of the days, went on a magical late night swim amongst bioluminescents and went skinny dipping at 2AM skinny in Sachem Pond. We celebrated New Years Eve with homemade pinatas and took over an island with 200 of our closest friends we just hadn't met yet. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-k2xz9Yireko/UPw8MKuzBGI/AAAAAAAACc0/oytr7lT_u8g/s1600/creamsicle2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-k2xz9Yireko/UPw8MKuzBGI/AAAAAAAACc0/oytr7lT_u8g/s400/creamsicle2.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">I remember one fourth of July weekend, when we convened under the arbor behind a grey stone house. We threw back a few, and cut through the hedges lined with blue hydrangea as the sun melted over the Long Island Sound and the night turned blue. Twenty of us, in our best summer Nantucket reds, eyelet whites and gingham blues, trekked past ponds and manors, drinks in hand, down the winding Connecticut roads toward the shores of Tokeneke Club. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">There were candlelit cabanas, Seabreezes and fireworks at every angle across the water to New York. There was a seven piece soul band, and now barefoot, we twisted and shouted until no brow was dry against the American flags along the front of the dancefloor. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">The next night we hit the water and strung our boats together like a barrel of monkeys for hours in the misty night, until we sped back to the house to make pizzas with whatever we could get our hands on. We danced to 90s rap hits on marble countertops and drove vintage motorbikes across the lawn at three o'clock in the morning. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-OZGFR2B9uXw/UPw7WMCFbLI/AAAAAAAACcc/7j3V8yUw6MQ/s1600/creamsicle3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-OZGFR2B9uXw/UPw7WMCFbLI/AAAAAAAACcc/7j3V8yUw6MQ/s400/creamsicle3.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">Summer is like a spark to the ridiculously spontaneous - those people who light up like fireflies when the hot sun goes down. And those long summer night talks that happen - the happy ones, the sad ones and the hundreds of talks about men - are memorialized in a
way that seems almost eternal. That's the thing about summer sisters. They cement a time and a place in
your memory that carries us through the remaining cold damp months of
the year. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">Tonight we'll set out on the town to celebrate. And though it's the middle of winter, there will be margaritas, plenty of summer spirit and these <i>creamsicle cupcakes with blood orange-vanilla buttercream and candied blood oranges on top</i>. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">Happy happy birthday, to my summer sister Z. I am so lucky that our paths brought us together again, and I'm fortunate to call such a loyal woman, filled with incredible drive and values, my friend. To continued success and balance, my dear. To more life conversations and real talk, to romantic Greenwich dinners and to many many more nights of mayhem in every month of every year. </span>The Cupcaketologisthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15035139110297888499noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6760027707043038693.post-34824586589291892892013-01-07T10:24:00.002-05:002013-01-07T11:10:41.633-05:00Case Study 124: "The Winter Baby Shower Cupcake" <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-o9zDF9EBGVY/UOrmBBEPSdI/AAAAAAAACac/eeS9I3utpJE/s1600/wintershower2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="321" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-o9zDF9EBGVY/UOrmBBEPSdI/AAAAAAAACac/eeS9I3utpJE/s400/wintershower2.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-tGRdKqqSgAU/UOrmBNPPONI/AAAAAAAACaY/vWduzz_MCac/s1600/wintershower3.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a></div>
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">There are so many things they never tell you about growing up. But that didn't stop me from wondering...</span><br />
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">I had a great childhood. It was a lot of riding bikes until dark up and down the southwestern Connecticut hills. In the
summers we'd live on pool decks, listening to our boombox and swinging high on the swim club swings. In the winters we'd build snowforts and sneak into town after dark, when the streets were white and the tiny clock on Main Street was the only thing that lit our way to go sledding down the elementary school's hills. My youth was
idyllic and romantic in every way...but the minute I turned
eighteen, I was ready to go.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-tGRdKqqSgAU/UOrmBNPPONI/AAAAAAAACaY/vWduzz_MCac/s1600/wintershower3.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-tGRdKqqSgAU/UOrmBNPPONI/AAAAAAAACaY/vWduzz_MCac/s400/wintershower3.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><i>Give me red lipstick and martini bars. Give me Italy and a corner office. Give me all night dance parties on great lawns and let me kiss a lot of boys.</i> <br />
<br />
Well I'm there now, and if I had to recap the past ten years of
adulthood, I'd say they've been pretty great. Lots of adventures and
lipstick, men kissed and cocktails drank. There have been graduations
and moves and even a bunch of weddings. All of those things I knew
would eventually come along. It's just, well, nobody prepared me for how
utterly amazing and surreal life becomes when your people start
making....people.<br /> </span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-gQD4WH2w8J4/UOrmA5-Jx9I/AAAAAAAACaU/2u3SwhqfjGY/s1600/wintershower1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-gQD4WH2w8J4/UOrmA5-Jx9I/AAAAAAAACaU/2u3SwhqfjGY/s400/wintershower1.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">I was lucky enough to have at least one nephew as a primer before this started - albeit one very
high set bar of a primer. But then, as my friends have grown up, more babies have rolled in. I got two at once,
with blue eyes and sweet hearts; then there was a little lady, born with crazy hair, chunky legs and
the exact spirit of her mother at eleven years old, when I met her.<br />
<br />
Yesterday we celebrated the (very) soon birthday of my first New Yorker
baby friend. There were lots of mimosas, MetroCard rattles and laughs about the nuances of raising babies in modern times and in the city. There
were strawberry-stuffed vanilla cupcakes with vanilla buttercream and
little baby penguins and icebergs on top to welcome this sweet winter
child. But in the end, it wasn't any different my other friends' baby showers because it was all about <i>love</i>. About love, about wonder
and awe and about how that all comes together when <i>people make
PEOPLE </i>(will this ever not be mind-blowing?)<i>.</i></span><i><span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"> </span></i><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-MmajS5GHrgQ/UOrmCKESi8I/AAAAAAAACag/pmLeksHZoUM/s1600/wintershower4.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="283" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-MmajS5GHrgQ/UOrmCKESi8I/AAAAAAAACag/pmLeksHZoUM/s400/wintershower4.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">I can't wait meet this new tiny friend and see how see
or he grows. </span><span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">I've had the fortune of watching my friend hit some big milestones, but I really really can't wait to</span> see how she grows as a
mother, a wife and mostly, just in life. </span><span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">Because while our time on earth is amazing feat, there's no denying that the miracle of life is even more
miraculous in itself. </span>The Cupcaketologisthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15035139110297888499noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6760027707043038693.post-3279626835086050262012-12-31T12:07:00.003-05:002012-12-31T12:07:40.279-05:00Notes from the Field: The countdown is on...<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">"We shall not cease from exploration<br />
And the end of all our exploring<br />
Will be to arrive where we started<br />
And know the place for the first time."</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">- T.S. Eliot</span></div>
<span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"> </span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-4DbFk8PUqjQ/UOHDnYVZitI/AAAAAAAACVs/ELptqeAxLjM/s1600/newyears6.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-4DbFk8PUqjQ/UOHDnYVZitI/AAAAAAAACVs/ELptqeAxLjM/s400/newyears6.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">As 2011 came to a close, I made a promise to myself that 2012 would be better. It was going to be my "<a href="http://thecupcaketologist.blogspot.com/2011/12/case-study-104-champagne-year-cupcake.html">Champagne Year</a>," twelve months marked by growth, success and love to outdo the tough ones I had just been through.<i><b> 2012 delivered</b></i>.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-CFcOlp1i04M/UOHDmEBjpeI/AAAAAAAACVk/F2n3HgSQTuc/s1600/newyears4.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="311" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-CFcOlp1i04M/UOHDmEBjpeI/AAAAAAAACVk/F2n3HgSQTuc/s400/newyears4.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">It was a year of travel, on helicopters, in cars and </span><span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">on every train-line in the Northeast</span>. It was a year of romance. New love and lost love, friend love, baby love and dozens of great Manhattan date stories. It was a year of joy. A year of wild Tuesday nights, 2AM skinny dipping, far too much champagne and a lot of best/worst decisions made. And most of all, it was a year of hope. A year of seeing hope in even the bleakest situations, finding hope in the simplest wonders of humanity and acknowledging how having even the littlest amount of faith can change the chemical reaction between your body and the world.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-RfmrTaiu7js/UOHFBvPX4RI/AAAAAAAACXU/ZEM7GvVBgo0/s1600/newyears3.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="326" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-RfmrTaiu7js/UOHFBvPX4RI/AAAAAAAACXU/ZEM7GvVBgo0/s400/newyears3.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">Sitting here on the last day of this year, I can't help but reflect on how just the smallest moments, like meeting a person or changing your view of a situation, can change your life forever. I'm amazed at how virtues like patience and acceptance can completely change the impact of experience in your life. And most of all, I marvel at how allowing yourself to explore people and places for the sake of exploring - with nothing to lose, except maybe yourself for a bit if you're lucky - can bring you back to what you knew all along about yourself.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-DbaDLzVmKu4/UOHDjweg30I/AAAAAAAACVU/UpQn8la2wAI/s1600/newyears1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="316" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-DbaDLzVmKu4/UOHDjweg30I/AAAAAAAACVU/UpQn8la2wAI/s400/newyears1.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">Tonight I'll celebrate with a few of my dearest, a lot of bubbles and good vanilla cupcakes with gold painted champagne buttercream. 2012 may be coming to a close, but as we know, every end is in fact another good opportunity to begin.</span> <span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">And so I raise a toast to the beauty and good fortune that this year has brought me, and look forward to <i>much much more</i> champagne in 2013. </span></div>
The Cupcaketologisthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15035139110297888499noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6760027707043038693.post-72633776578181165072012-12-19T21:34:00.000-05:002012-12-19T23:20:10.127-05:00Case Study 123: "The Winter Wonderland Cupcake"<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-3kIlmSDFB84/UNJ0cC7KnSI/AAAAAAAACNE/al8PlhyGxgc/s1600/wonderland5.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-3kIlmSDFB84/UNJ0cC7KnSI/AAAAAAAACNE/al8PlhyGxgc/s400/wonderland5.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i><span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><span itemscope="" itemtype="http://schema.org/CreativeWork">"Whose woods these are I think I know.<br />His house is in the village, though;<br />He will not see me stopping here<br />To watch his woods fill up with snow.</span></span></i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-hEND0YQDlGw/UNJ0WARjNqI/AAAAAAAACM0/K3DOttVebos/s1600/wonderland3.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="340" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-hEND0YQDlGw/UNJ0WARjNqI/AAAAAAAACM0/K3DOttVebos/s400/wonderland3.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i><span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><span itemscope="" itemtype="http://schema.org/CreativeWork"><br />My little horse must think it queer<br />To stop without a farmhouse near<br />Between the woods and frozen lake<br />The darkest evening of the year.</span></span></i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-1-gx7NRmxGE/UNJ0ZGOb4pI/AAAAAAAACM8/MAmcQwRgqVI/s1600/wonderland4.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="340" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-1-gx7NRmxGE/UNJ0ZGOb4pI/AAAAAAAACM8/MAmcQwRgqVI/s400/wonderland4.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i><span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><span itemscope="" itemtype="http://schema.org/CreativeWork"><br />He gives his harness bells a shake<br />To ask if there is some mistake.<br />The only other sound's the sweep<br />Of easy wind and downy flake.</span></span></i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i><span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><span itemscope="" itemtype="http://schema.org/CreativeWork"></span></span></i></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-7VzKdjwEJEs/UNJ0ThpvXII/AAAAAAAACMs/F332HnQBCE0/s1600/wonderland2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="336" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-7VzKdjwEJEs/UNJ0ThpvXII/AAAAAAAACMs/F332HnQBCE0/s400/wonderland2.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i><span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><span itemscope="" itemtype="http://schema.org/CreativeWork"><br />The woods are lovely, dark, and deep,<br />But I have promises to keep,<br />And miles to go before I sleep,<br />And miles to go before I sleep." </span></span></i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i><span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><span itemscope="" itemtype="http://schema.org/CreativeWork"><br /></span></span></i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span itemscope="" itemtype="http://schema.org/CreativeWork"><i><span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"> - Robert Frost </span></i></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span itemscope="" itemtype="http://schema.org/CreativeWork"><span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span itemscope="" itemtype="http://schema.org/CreativeWork"><span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">Robert Frost was popular in our household growing up, and having a New England childhood, this poem was a favorite of mine. There was just something about the imagery of those dark woods, the never-ending snowfall and a quiet journey. I'll always fondly remember the cozy and romantic feeling it gave me this time of year. </span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span itemscope="" itemtype="http://schema.org/CreativeWork"><span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">The winter solstice falls on Friday, and I have to say is, dear God, <i>let there be snow</i> </span></span><span itemscope="" itemtype="http://schema.org/CreativeWork"><span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><span itemscope="" itemtype="http://schema.org/CreativeWork"><span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">this year</span></span>.
And if there is not, at least let there be vanilla cupcakes with
vanilla buttercream and flaked glitter, coconut and gold painted
woodland creatures on top. </span><i><span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"> </span></i></span></div>
The Cupcaketologisthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15035139110297888499noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6760027707043038693.post-17552891851087677582012-12-17T16:32:00.000-05:002012-12-17T16:42:14.814-05:00Case Study 122: "The White Christmas Tree"<span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">I have to be honest here...it took me a bit longer than usual this year to get into the Christmas spirit. </span><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-pom3oQRUTzk/UM-OyHyMJVI/AAAAAAAACK8/yHEhxIuJo-Y/s1600/gingerbread1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="336" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-pom3oQRUTzk/UM-OyHyMJVI/AAAAAAAACK8/yHEhxIuJo-Y/s400/gingerbread1.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"> </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">This had me concerned because normally, Christmas is <i>my jam</i>. See, I'm nostalgic almost to the point of fault. I find joy in the smell of roasted nuts in the night air on New York City streets. I relish in falling asleep early in my childhood bed, with that safe feeling that my parents are still awake in the living room. And there is no greater sound than the whirring of our aging cookie shooter gun that, after thirty Christmas seasons, still churns out the best damn butter cookies in all of the land.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">Now this year, Thanksgiving came early. I've been on the road, heading north to south and back again, all in a week's worth of time. And last week the weather in Manhattan hit sixty-three degrees. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">Whatever the reason, last week I finally decided something had to be done. I strung garland around the antlers on my wall. I trimmed our family tree. I baked Christmas cookies by candlelight. Yet, still the feeling held out. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">Until about nearly four o'clock on Tuesday afternoon. </span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-kcewDZ1M-3A/UM-PCV2edxI/AAAAAAAACLM/wW5b0jBscBs/s1600/gingerbread3.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="350" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-kcewDZ1M-3A/UM-PCV2edxI/AAAAAAAACLM/wW5b0jBscBs/s400/gingerbread3.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">It was a cold day in Massachusetts, and from my desk, tiny lights twinkled around a little tree as the sky turned dark from gray to blue. I had no meetings, just work to do, and so I plugged in and pressed play. I passed the kitschy eighties holiday tracks. I even made it through the Vince Guaraldi Trio just fine. And then I hit Sinatra, <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=52db1eVHQjw">"Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas,"</a> and I was a goner. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">The thing about Christmas is that it defies time and space. It reminds me of years past, when nobody was tethered to anything but each other. When we sat by the fire, the kids rolling around like puppies on the floor and the adults telling stories on the couch. It makes me think of driving through cold streets, bundled up in the backseat as we checked out Christmas lights and slowly crept through snow-dusted Connecticut roads. And it reminds me that no matter how hard I try to bring back those feelings again, the world will never be exactly the same as it was those days. People grow up, time moves on and though we can never go back home to that place, the way we hold onto it is what sets the foundation for what we make our Christmases today. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-DQd7oQhW-Oo/UM-Oy1jdnjI/AAAAAAAACLE/CBCEABMfYMM/s1600/gingerbread2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-DQd7oQhW-Oo/UM-Oy1jdnjI/AAAAAAAACLE/CBCEABMfYMM/s400/gingerbread2.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><i>I literally cannot wait for next week.</i> I can't wait to bake more holiday cupcakes, like these <b><i>gingerbread cupcakes topped with vanilla and orange peel buttercream trees and edible glitter.</i></b> I can't wait to finish work and snuggle in for a few quiet weeks. I can't wait for my dad to keep the fire going all day long. And I really can't wait to see my nephew in footie reindeer pajamas and his little round face on Christmas morning. But that's the thing about Christmas. The spirit, the memories and that real <i>Christmas feeling</i>? It's timeless. </span>The Cupcaketologisthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15035139110297888499noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6760027707043038693.post-83807168352941784312012-11-20T10:37:00.003-05:002012-11-20T10:41:59.027-05:00Case Study 121: "The Bourbon Salted Caramel Pumpkin Cupcake"<span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">Are you feeling what I'm feeling? </span><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-zzuiqT_xZgQ/UKui3DLF2GI/AAAAAAAACIc/iQk4FbXVESM/s1600/pumpkinbourbon1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="302" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-zzuiqT_xZgQ/UKui3DLF2GI/AAAAAAAACIc/iQk4FbXVESM/s400/pumpkinbourbon1.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">It's the end of November, the early frost is setting in and we've all reached the same point: <i>pumpkin fatigue</i>. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">And from reading the title above, I know what you guys are thinking. <i>Holy bananas</i>,<i>this chick isn't going to whip up another pumpkin cupcake, is she? </i> </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">Well, I am. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">But wait, here's the thing. This is the end... the very very end(until 2013). I promise. There will be no more pumpkin chocolate chip cookies, or gold-flecked caramel figs. You see, by the time we reach Friday, when we're all full from that big day where we eat <i>all of the things</i>, we'll have already started to be served new stuff like peppermint, Christmas carols and dreams of potato latkes with wings(personal dreams, but...as you were).</span><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-tTfP9FByKDM/UKui5cWF12I/AAAAAAAACIs/a6hGTtFjUWI/s1600/pumpkinbourbon3.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="295" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-tTfP9FByKDM/UKui5cWF12I/AAAAAAAACIs/a6hGTtFjUWI/s400/pumpkinbourbon3.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">So let's think of this as "one last hurrah." One last fling before the ringing Hershey Kiss commercials hit TV and that baby polar bear slides down a glacier and somehow finds a bottle of Coca-Cola.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">I think pumpkin cupcakes topped with bourbon salted caramel buttercream and spiced shortbread leaves will do the trick, don't you?</span><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Y1d7spyYv8Y/UKui7ydZXYI/AAAAAAAACI8/RRgrFEat4P0/s1600/pumpkinbourbon6.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="301" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Y1d7spyYv8Y/UKui7ydZXYI/AAAAAAAACI8/RRgrFEat4P0/s400/pumpkinbourbon6.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">Good. So here's what we're going to do. First we'll whip up the fluffiest pumpkin cupcakes in all of the lands. I'm going to suggest you get all crazy and use "organic" pumpkin if going the canned route here because the consistency is perfect for creating said fluff. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">Then, while the cupcakes cool, get down and dirty with some caramel sauce. This isn't your mother's best friend from high school's mom's caramel sauce. No, this one has salt. And bourbon. I used <a href="http://www.nytimes.com/2010/06/20/magazine/20food-t-001.html">this recipe</a>. Now tread lightly here. If you put a spoon from the cooking bourbon salted caramel into your mouth, you <i>will get burned</i>. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">When the caramel has cooled COMPLETELY, make your frosting using a basic vanilla frosting recipe. But instead of using milk and vanilla, use the <b>bourbon salted caramel</b>. See where I'm going here? Use your eyes and watch the consistency. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-r5G8Z6sQuiM/UKui4IlM0lI/AAAAAAAACIk/-Yv9_sORKqk/s1600/pumpkinbourbon2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-r5G8Z6sQuiM/UKui4IlM0lI/AAAAAAAACIk/-Yv9_sORKqk/s400/pumpkinbourbon2.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">We've reached the grand finale. Time to frost those cupcakes! Are you ready? Let's go. </span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">P</span>ipe or schmear your <b>bourbon salted caramel </b>buttercream onto your cupcakes and top with something festive. It's Thanksgiving, which stands for abundance and overload and thankfulness of things, so this could be sprinkles, some form of cornucopia tchotchke or my choice, spiced shortbread leaves (<a href="http://www.thesisterscafe.com/2011/11/spiced-shortbread-brown-butter-icing">recipe here</a>).</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">We're done! </span><span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">One last hurrah of Pumpkin Cupcakes. </span><span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">See, that was easy. </span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">Now go forth and eat! </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"></span><br />
<a name='more'></a><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><span style="color: windowtext;"><b><span class="il">Pumpkin</span>
<span class="il">Cupcakes</span> (makes approx. 12 <span class="il">cupcakes</span>)</b><br />
<br />
</span><span style="color: windowtext;">1 cup all-purpose flour<br />
1 teaspoon baking powder<br />
1/2 teaspoon baking soda<br />
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><span style="color: windowtext;">1 teaspoon ground ginger</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><span style="color: windowtext;">1/2 teaspoon cloves</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><span style="color: windowtext;">1/2 teaspoon nutmeg</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><span style="color: windowtext;">1/2 vanilla bean, scraped<br />
1/4 teaspoon salt<br />
1 large egg</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><span style="color: windowtext;">1/2 stick butter<br />
3/4 cup light brown sugar</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><span style="color: windowtext;">2 tablespoons granulated
sugar<br />
3/4 cup pureed <span class="il">pumpkin</span></span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><span style="color: windowtext;">1/4 cup milk<br />
<br />
1. Set oven to 375º and line a one-dozen <span class="il">cupcake</span> pan. Sift together the flour, baking soda, baking
powder, cinnamon, ginger, cloves, nutmeg and salt.<br />
2. Cream the butter and sugars together in a bowl until combined and fluffy,
roughly 3 minutes.</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><span style="color: windowtext;">3. Add the egg into the
mixer, beating until smooth and scraping down the sides. Mix in the vanilla bean <br />
3. Alternate adding in the dry ingredients and the milk in 3 parts, just until
combined and smooth, and ending on the dry ingredients. Do not overbeat!</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><span style="color: windowtext;">5. Gently fold in the
pureed <span class="il">pumpkin</span>.</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><span style="color: windowtext;">4. Fill the cooled and
crusted <span class="il">cupcake</span> pan with the batter, until each cup is 2/3 full. Bake 15-18 minutes, or until a toothpick
comes out clean when inserted into the middle of the cake. </span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><span style="color: windowtext;">5. Remove from pan to a
wire rack and let cool completely before frosting.</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><b><span style="color: windowtext;">Bourbon Salted Caramel Buttercream (makes enough frosting for 12 <span class="il">cupcakes</span>)</span></b><span style="color: windowtext;"><br />
<br />
1.5 c. butter</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><span style="color: windowtext;">1/2 c. bourbon salted caramel </span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><span style="color: windowtext;">4-5 cups confectioner's
sugar</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><span style="color: windowtext;">1. Cream the butter with a mixer on a medium speed, 3 minutes.<br />
2. Mix in the half of the bourbon salted caramel.<br />
3. Gradually blend in the confectioner's sugar, 1 cup at a time. After
about 2 cups, add in more salted caramel</span><span style="color: windowtext;">. Continue to add sugar and caramel until
desired consistency is reached.</span><br />4. Frost <span class="il">cupcakes</span></span></span>The Cupcaketologisthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15035139110297888499noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6760027707043038693.post-73263938068443814042012-11-16T13:17:00.001-05:002012-11-16T13:21:34.004-05:00Notes from the Field: The Classic Birthday Cupcake<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">It's no surprise that I <i>love</i> me a good birthday celebration.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-UpiXKHhZIY8/UKaCjhMV9kI/AAAAAAAACHA/Bo_yyp6X_vA/s1600/birthdaycake3.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-UpiXKHhZIY8/UKaCjhMV9kI/AAAAAAAACHA/Bo_yyp6X_vA/s400/birthdaycake3.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">I'm all about the birthday signs, the party hats and the crazy nights out. But I reserve a special kind of celebration for my nearest and dearest people. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">It seems like the older I get, the more I value my truest friends. And if the past weeks of chaos in the northeast have taught us anything, it's that these kinds of connections are to be held very dear. </span><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-MS5tkvdVav4/UKaCiVuXcMI/AAAAAAAACG4/bhAhuzCKVvg/s1600/birthdaycake2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="332" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-MS5tkvdVav4/UKaCiVuXcMI/AAAAAAAACG4/bhAhuzCKVvg/s400/birthdaycake2.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">I'm talking about the kind of friends that don't play games. They are honest, true and direct. They are without expectations and are full of respect. When you meet people like this, you know that you're kindred spirits. Whether introduced by fate, friends or virtual connection. The ones that know your secrets, your passions and your values just by being in your life. And so, these are the people that you look forward to celebrating most. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">I think vanilla bean cupcakes with double vanilla buttercream and rainbow sprinkles do it best. </span><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-gEnocFFJg08/UKaCgrbD0_I/AAAAAAAACGw/ZnlPh9cgx4s/s1600/birthdaycake1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-gEnocFFJg08/UKaCgrbD0_I/AAAAAAAACGw/ZnlPh9cgx4s/s400/birthdaycake1.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">Now, it's not typical that I share my recipes, but I do believe that every baker should have a good classic birthday cake recipe on hand for celebrations such as these. So after the jump, you can find mine.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">And so, happy, happy birthday to my sweet and true friend, Silvie. Here's wishing you a new year filled with happiness, love, fortune, wild adventures and much much more. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><span style="line-height: 20px;"></span></span></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-weight: bold;">
<div style="font-weight: normal;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><span style="line-height: 20px;"><br /></span></span></span>
<br />
<a name='more'></a><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><span style="line-height: 20px;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><b><span class="il">Vanilla</span> <span class="il">Cupcakes</span></b></span></span>
</span></span></span><br />
<div>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><span style="line-height: 20px;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"> 1 ½ sticks of unsalted butter<br />
1 ½ cups granulated sugar<br />
2 eggs<br />
2 tsp of pure <span class="il">vanilla</span> PLUS scraped seeds of 1 <span class="il">vanilla</span> bean<br />
½ tsp of salt<br />
2 ½ teaspoons of baking powder<br />
2 ½ cups of flour<br />
1 ¼ cups of milk</span></span></span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><span style="line-height: 20px;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">1. Preheat oven to 375 degrees and <span style="font-size: small;">fill a cupcake pan with <span style="font-size: small;">baking cup<span style="font-size: small;">s</span></span></span>.</span></span></span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><span style="line-height: 20px;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">2. Cream butter and sugar until light and fluffy, 3 minutes.</span></span></span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><span style="line-height: 20px;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">3. Add eggs, one at a time, followed by <span class="il">vanilla</span> and <span class="il">vanilla</span> bean.</span></span></span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><span style="line-height: 20px;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">4. Add in baking powder and salt.</span></span></span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><span style="line-height: 20px;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">5. Mix in the flour and milk in three parts, alternating, and ending with flour.</span></span></span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><span style="line-height: 20px;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">6. Bake for <span style="font-size: small;">18<span style="font-size: small;">-20</span></span> minutes or until the tops spring back to touch. Remove from tray and let cool completely before frosting.</span></span></span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-weight: bold;">
</div>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><span style="line-height: 20px;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><span style="line-height: 20px;">
</span></span></span></span></span></span>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-weight: bold;">
<br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><span style="line-height: 20px;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><span style="line-height: 20px;"><span class="il">Vanilla</span> Buttercream</span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><span style="line-height: 20px;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><span style="line-height: 20px;">2 sticks butter, softened</span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
<div style="font-weight: normal;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><span style="line-height: 20px;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><span style="line-height: 20px;">2 teaspoon <span class="il">vanilla</span> extract</span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><span style="line-height: 20px;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><span style="line-height: 20px;">¼ cup milk </span></span></span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-weight: normal;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><span style="line-height: 20px;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><span style="line-height: 20px;">4-6 cups confectioner's (icing) sugar</span></span></span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-weight: normal;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><span style="line-height: 20px;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><span style="line-height: 20px;"><br /></span></span></span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-weight: normal;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><span style="line-height: 20px;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><span style="line-height: 20px;">1. In the bowl of an electric mixer, or by hand, beat the butter until light and fluffy, about 3 minutes. Mix in the <span class="il">vanilla</span>.</span></span></span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-weight: normal;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><span style="line-height: 20px;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><span style="line-height: 20px;">2.
Add 1 cup confectioner’s sugar and mix until combined. Mix in ¼ cup
milk. </span></span></span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-weight: normal;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><span style="line-height: 20px;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><span style="line-height: 20px;">3. Mix in remaining cups of confectioner’s sugar, and additional tablespoons of milk depending on consistency and preference.</span></span></span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-weight: normal;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><span style="line-height: 20px;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><span style="line-height: 20px;">4. Frost <span class="il">cupcakes</span> and decorate as desire<span style="font-size: small;">.</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div>
</div>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><span style="line-height: 20px;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><span style="line-height: 20px;">
</span></span></span><!--more--></span></span></span></div>
</div>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><span style="line-height: 20px;">
</span></span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"></span>The Cupcaketologisthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15035139110297888499noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6760027707043038693.post-33806790520333015752012-11-04T16:11:00.000-05:002012-11-04T16:18:23.645-05:00Notes from the Field: On turning 28...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<i><span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">Tuesday is my twenty-eighth birthday. </span></i></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/--SvzVs_98rk/UJbJ_EGdtvI/AAAAAAAACFU/wiOp-lGTjsQ/s1600/birthday3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="365" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/--SvzVs_98rk/UJbJ_EGdtvI/AAAAAAAACFU/wiOp-lGTjsQ/s400/birthday3.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">I was going to whip up a nice long post commemorating the end of my twenty-seventh year. It would have been a chronicle of love. It would have talked about going all in, seeing things through and watching hard work pay off. It would have drawn a picture of four seasons in Central Park, helicopter rides to work and getting windblown on the northern California coast. It would have thrown in jokes about crying on New York City subways, a slew of hilarious dates and a one-toothed dog named Ferdinand. It would have told the story of new life, a wild summer and one thousand champagne cocktails. </span> </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-gdhQ-OlDeQw/UJbJ-subXiI/AAAAAAAACFM/Plfr9XaPq4Y/s1600/birthday2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="336" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-gdhQ-OlDeQw/UJbJ-subXiI/AAAAAAAACFM/Plfr9XaPq4Y/s400/birthday2.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">But instead, I'll tell you about Saturday night, when we gathered around a long harvest table in a tiny uptown pub bathed in candlelight and laughter. Thanks to the storm, it was intimate. </span><span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">There were a few hurricane refugees and the ones who could make the trek uptown. </span>There was flowing champagne, sparkler fires and tiny crown fascinators atop our heads. There was a bar takeover, and we played musical chairs, had a soul shakedown and convinced complete stranger friends to join us for a birthday limbo. It was perfect. </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-IPS8r0mgyyo/UJbJ99bf4RI/AAAAAAAACFE/iZ_hz0pSlRI/s1600/birthday1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="295" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-IPS8r0mgyyo/UJbJ99bf4RI/AAAAAAAACFE/iZ_hz0pSlRI/s400/birthday1.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">And then there were these: pumpkin cupcakes topped with vanilla buttercream, fresh figs and a gold-flecked caramel drizzle. They were shared with family, friends, random bystanders and a few of our favorite British pub boys in the world. They were <i>divine</i>.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">When I think of what really <i>makes</i> a year, I am reminded that it's what we learn from the ups and downs, the experiences, the trials and those <i>moments</i> that we find completeness. Saturday night was a reminder that I so have what I need and more. I'm overwhelmed at what twenty-seven brought. I</span><span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">t was everything I could have never even dreamed of</span>, and one hell of a trip around the sun. I can't wait to see how my new year unfolds</span><span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">. </span>The Cupcaketologisthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15035139110297888499noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6760027707043038693.post-91963457559089165342012-10-26T11:07:00.002-04:002012-10-26T11:07:30.580-04:00Case Study 120: "The Ginger Pear Cupcake"<span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">Today is for reunions and it looks like the weather is going to play along.</span><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-C-5JoTvZ6BI/UIqmIOdzBZI/AAAAAAAACDQ/9L-xw4mEK1s/s1600/gingerpear2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-C-5JoTvZ6BI/UIqmIOdzBZI/AAAAAAAACDQ/9L-xw4mEK1s/s400/gingerpear2.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">Days like this always remind me of fall in Bologna. </span>The gray sky, the smell of the coming November rain and the first sights of marzipan in the pasticerria windows. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">It reminds me of how we roused late and brewed caffe in our tiny perk before indulging in biscuits and Nutella from the jar. How the</span><span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">
light would peek around the corners of the narrow streets, and in the
early morning the grates would go up at the Mercato delle Erbe as the statue of Ugo Bassi pointed ahead. </span><span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"> </span></span><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-1VMmQxDBNuc/UIqmJv5ijFI/AAAAAAAACDg/ozy-u6yQHVs/s1600/gingerpear4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="310" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-1VMmQxDBNuc/UIqmJv5ijFI/AAAAAAAACDg/ozy-u6yQHVs/s400/gingerpear4.jpg" width="400" /> </a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">It makes me remember our homemade haircuts and long lasagna lunches. </span>Parties at the house, marked by Nina Simone and hash cigarettes. The long walks up the six hundred and sixty-six portici that led to the sanctuary on the hill. And most of all, it brings memories of long afternoons at Il Cortile Cafe, where the day faded to night and we started every evening with prosecco by candlelight and listening to Django Reinhardt covers played live.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"> </span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-nvkgkpI9xPE/UIqmHBVw5EI/AAAAAAAACDI/7ZdtGKEe21M/s1600/gingerpear1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="323" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-nvkgkpI9xPE/UIqmHBVw5EI/AAAAAAAACDI/7ZdtGKEe21M/s400/gingerpear1.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">And
so it's nothing but fitting that on a gray late October day, I'll
reunite with my best Bologna people right here in New York. </span></span><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-KU7mEHLfu98/UIqmK1BOOyI/AAAAAAAACDo/Jzjv2BzHq8o/s1600/gingerpear5.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="301" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-KU7mEHLfu98/UIqmK1BOOyI/AAAAAAAACDo/Jzjv2BzHq8o/s400/gingerpear5.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">Back then we ate. And we ate. And we ate. For fun, for sustenance and really for no reason at all. We always went back for seconds, we never did it with shame. All of our senses and our gastronomical dreams were awakened and brought to life. And so, there's no way in hell that I would welcome friends to America empty-handed without the best that fall could offer. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><i>Fresh ginger and molasses cupcakes with vanilla-pear buttercream and dark chocolate candied ginger shavings on top. </i>Yes, I think that will do.<i> </i> </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-OWFT3kWUiL8/UIqmJHBs0qI/AAAAAAAACDY/E5bFx8fEEoE/s1600/gingerpear3.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="295" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-OWFT3kWUiL8/UIqmJHBs0qI/AAAAAAAACDY/E5bFx8fEEoE/s400/gingerpear3.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">Today we'll stroll
arm and arm like we used to. We'll take in an early aperitivi in a dim
light cafe before the rest of the working world joins in. We'll drink
prosecco, chats about boys and share memories about the dear old days
of our adventures abroad nearly eight years ago. And as true friendship always goes, nothing, <i>nothing</i>, will have changed at all. </span>The Cupcaketologisthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15035139110297888499noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6760027707043038693.post-88390991973326558202012-10-18T21:43:00.000-04:002012-10-19T12:43:21.163-04:00Notes from the Field: An anniversary.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<b><span style="font-family: Courier;"> </span></b><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-5oC-fzTqEYA/UICrkITsslI/AAAAAAAAB9c/PsEAbtorTk4/s1600/logo.bmp" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-5oC-fzTqEYA/UICrkITsslI/AAAAAAAAB9c/PsEAbtorTk4/s400/logo.bmp" width="316" /></a></div>
<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:WordDocument>
<w:View>Normal</w:View>
<w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom>
<w:TrackMoves>false</w:TrackMoves>
<w:TrackFormatting/>
<w:PunctuationKerning/>
<w:ValidateAgainstSchemas/>
<w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>
<w:IgnoreMixedContent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent>
<w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>
<w:DoNotPromoteQF/>
<w:LidThemeOther>EN-US</w:LidThemeOther>
<w:LidThemeAsian>X-NONE</w:LidThemeAsian>
<w:LidThemeComplexScript>X-NONE</w:LidThemeComplexScript>
<w:Compatibility>
<w:BreakWrappedTables/>
<w:SnapToGridInCell/>
<w:WrapTextWithPunct/>
<w:UseAsianBreakRules/>
<w:DontGrowAutofit/>
<w:SplitPgBreakAndParaMark/>
<w:DontVertAlignCellWithSp/>
<w:DontBreakConstrainedForcedTables/>
<w:DontVertAlignInTxbx/>
<w:Word11KerningPairs/>
<w:CachedColBalance/>
</w:Compatibility>
<w:DoNotOptimizeForBrowser/>
<m:mathPr>
<m:mathFont m:val="Cambria Math"/>
<m:brkBin m:val="before"/>
<m:brkBinSub m:val="--"/>
<m:smallFrac m:val="off"/>
<m:dispDef/>
<m:lMargin m:val="0"/>
<m:rMargin m:val="0"/>
<m:defJc m:val="centerGroup"/>
<m:wrapIndent m:val="1440"/>
<m:intLim m:val="subSup"/>
<m:naryLim m:val="undOvr"/>
</m:mathPr></w:WordDocument>
</xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:LatentStyles DefLockedState="false" DefUnhideWhenUsed="true"
DefSemiHidden="true" DefQFormat="false" DefPriority="99"
LatentStyleCount="267">
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="34" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Normal"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="heading 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 9"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 9"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="35" QFormat="true" Name="caption"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="10" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Title"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" Name="Default Paragraph Font"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="11" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtitle"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="22" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Strong"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="20" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="59" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Table Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Placeholder Text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="No Spacing"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Revision"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="34" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="List Paragraph"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="29" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Quote"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="30" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Quote"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="19" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtle Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="21" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="31" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtle Reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="32" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="33" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Book Title"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="37" Name="Bibliography"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" QFormat="true" Name="TOC Heading"/>
</w:LatentStyles>
</xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 10]>
<style>
/* Style Definitions */
table.MsoNormalTable
{mso-style-name:"Table Normal";
mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0;
mso-tstyle-colband-size:0;
mso-style-noshow:yes;
mso-style-priority:99;
mso-style-qformat:yes;
mso-style-parent:"";
mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt;
mso-para-margin-top:0in;
mso-para-margin-right:0in;
mso-para-margin-bottom:12.0pt;
mso-para-margin-left:0in;
line-height:12.0pt;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
font-size:11.0pt;
font-family:"Arial","sans-serif";
mso-ascii-font-family:Arial;
mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-fareast;
mso-hansi-font-family:Arial;
mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi;}
</style>
<![endif]-->
<br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Courier;"><b><i><span style="font-family: Courier;">Four years ago, I started a blog.</span></i><span style="font-family: Courier;"> </span></b></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Courier;">I'm not quite sure what drove me to this
madness. Perhaps it was because I was twenty-three, over the top and running
with a pack of international Philadelphia foodies that were 8-15 years older
than myself. Or maybe it was because I needed a place to diary my travels as a
young anthropology major working in the insurance industry and trying to make
sense of it all. Journals were never my strong suit, so maybe this could work.
Regardless of the reason, "The Cupcaketologist" came to existence in October of 2008. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Courier;">It started fast, and I had plenty of
tasters. My first posts were lofty. I baked chocolate salted caramel<i> </i>cupcakes,
inspired by some odd Marcello Mastroianni dreams. My chef friend approved, but
advised that next time I should use <i>Maldon</i>. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Courier;">Next came one of my signature and most
beloved cupcakes ever made: honey and fig cake topped with goat cheese
buttercream and a carmelized fig. </span><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-5b_iry5rz8Y/UICrvhAuXhI/AAAAAAAAB9k/uVe3vGtOcyA/s1600/la+femme.bmp" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-5b_iry5rz8Y/UICrvhAuXhI/AAAAAAAAB9k/uVe3vGtOcyA/s400/la+femme.bmp" width="400" /></a></div>
<div align="center" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Courier;"> </span><i><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10.0pt;"><a href="http://thecupcaketologist.blogspot.com/2008/10/case-study-2-la-femme-mditerranenne.html">La
Femme Mediterranenne</a></span></i></div>
<i><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10.0pt;"> </span></i><span style="font-family: Courier;"> </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Courier;">Now I had everyone's attention. I even
created a logo (by hand,using old recipe books that I folded, glued, scanned,
and inserted into the blog).</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Courier;">I did bacon before bacon was cool.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Courier;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-s5i1QRStEJ0/UICssqB3xjI/AAAAAAAAB90/UXRI-39Rsys/s1600/bacon.bmp" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="341" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-s5i1QRStEJ0/UICssqB3xjI/AAAAAAAAB90/UXRI-39Rsys/s400/bacon.bmp" width="400" /></a></div>
<div align="center" class="separator" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;"> <span style="font-family: Courier;"><i><a href="http://thecupcaketologist.blogspot.com/2009/01/case-study-12-heartattack.html">The
Heartattack</a></i> </span></span></div>
<br />
<span style="font-family: Courier;">I concocted disastrous malted egg cupcakes
after a rough day of work and made the epitome of my confectionary dreams come
true: the foie gras cupcakes that had me dancing around my kitchen like a fool.</span><br />
<br />
<div align="center" class="separator" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Courier;"> </span><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-dN12JbqMw9k/UICst-qSWgI/AAAAAAAAB98/FPDbBArGARk/s1600/dauphin.bmp" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="353" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-dN12JbqMw9k/UICst-qSWgI/AAAAAAAAB98/FPDbBArGARk/s400/dauphin.bmp" width="400" /></a></div>
<div align="center" class="separator" style="text-align: center;">
<i><span style="font-family: Courier; font-size: 10.0pt;"><a href="http://thecupcaketologist.blogspot.com/2011/01/case-study-79-dauphin.html">The
Dauphin</a></span></i><span style="font-family: Courier;"> </span></div>
<br />
<span style="font-family: Courier;">I featured pets.</span><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-8OFwThMJLLw/UICtNzmcFAI/AAAAAAAAB-E/e9oAvfARd6g/s1600/francis.bmp" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="307" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-8OFwThMJLLw/UICtNzmcFAI/AAAAAAAAB-E/e9oAvfARd6g/s400/francis.bmp" width="400" /></a></div>
<div align="center" class="separator" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Courier;"> </span><i><span style="font-family: Courier; font-size: 10.0pt;"><a href="http://thecupcaketologist.blogspot.com/2009/08/case-study-27-peach-pit.html">The
Peach Pit</a></span></i><span style="font-family: Courier;"> </span></div>
<br />
<span style="font-family: Courier;">I chronicled my travel diaries through
cupcakes.</span><i><span style="font-family: Courier; font-size: 10.0pt;"> </span></i><span style="font-family: Courier;">From Newport to Austria, England, France and to
Italy more than anyone could even count.</span><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-DGtdpUVgKb8/UICtY2moepI/AAAAAAAAB-M/FB4W6lp1TZQ/s1600/cliff.bmp" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-DGtdpUVgKb8/UICtY2moepI/AAAAAAAAB-M/FB4W6lp1TZQ/s400/cliff.bmp" width="400" /></a></div>
<div align="center" class="separator" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Courier; mso-no-proof: yes;"></span><span style="font-family: Courier;"> </span></div>
<div align="center" class="separator" style="text-align: center;">
<i><span style="font-family: Courier; font-size: 10.0pt;"><a href="http://thecupcaketologist.blogspot.com/2010/09/case-study-70-cliffwalk.html">The
Cliffwalk</a></span></i><span style="font-family: Courier;"> </span></div>
<div align="center" class="separator" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-EIc5_ZU7mLE/UICtrkL89DI/AAAAAAAAB-U/My3hT_X6CHA/s1600/redhead.bmp" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="323" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-EIc5_ZU7mLE/UICtrkL89DI/AAAAAAAAB-U/My3hT_X6CHA/s400/redhead.bmp" width="400" /></a></div>
<div align="center" class="separator" style="text-align: center;">
<i><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10.0pt;"><a href="http://thecupcaketologist.blogspot.com/2009/05/case-study-20-redheaded-sicilian.html">The
Redheaded Sicilian</a> </span></i></div>
<div align="center" class="separator" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-S0IM3Y9-2yU/UICt1gxx9hI/AAAAAAAAB-c/S5krfm0GIWc/s1600/hotchoc.bmp" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="296" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-S0IM3Y9-2yU/UICt1gxx9hI/AAAAAAAAB-c/S5krfm0GIWc/s400/hotchoc.bmp" width="400" /></a></div>
<div align="center" class="separator" style="text-align: center;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-no-proof: yes;"></span></i><i><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10.0pt;"> </span></i></div>
<div align="center" class="separator" style="text-align: center;">
<i><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10.0pt;"><a href="http://thecupcaketologist.blogspot.com/2011/11/case-102-bourbon-hot-chocolate.html">The
Bourbon Hot Chocolate</a> </span></i></div>
<div align="center" class="separator" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-family: Courier;">I baked my way through birthdays,
breakups,</span><span style="font-family: Courier; font-size: 10.0pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: Courier;">and more than one career change.</span><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-K_cIluTD6cw/UIGDCvgwILI/AAAAAAAACBU/MkSg8JN6u6o/s1600/roars.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="297" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-K_cIluTD6cw/UIGDCvgwILI/AAAAAAAACBU/MkSg8JN6u6o/s400/roars.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Courier;"> <span style="font-size: x-small;"><i><a href="http://thecupcaketologist.blogspot.com/2011/05/case-study-83-roars.html">The Roars</a></i></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-64BHko-lSxs/UICuAn_-y3I/AAAAAAAAB-k/8haTsWRXhPI/s1600/tender.bmp" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="366" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-64BHko-lSxs/UICuAn_-y3I/AAAAAAAAB-k/8haTsWRXhPI/s400/tender.bmp" width="400" /></a></div>
<div align="center" class="separator" style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-SwuLh2C5L7o/UICXY-ZLPLI/AAAAAAAAB6E/DGni1wE2Fm8/s1600/exploding+heart.jpg"><span style="mso-no-proof: yes; text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;"><span style="mso-ignore: vglayout;"></span></span></a></div>
<div align="center" class="separator" style="text-align: center;">
<i><span style="font-family: Courier; font-size: 10.0pt;"><a href="http://thecupcaketologist.blogspot.com/2009/06/case-study-22-savage-heart.html">Tender
Heart Cupcakes</a></span></i><span style="font-family: Courier;"> </span></div>
<div align="center" class="separator" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-vfZi88CGyH8/UICuXJ3pQEI/AAAAAAAAB-s/lxoaGwwTjZ0/s1600/bday.bmp" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="291" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-vfZi88CGyH8/UICuXJ3pQEI/AAAAAAAAB-s/lxoaGwwTjZ0/s400/bday.bmp" width="400" /></a></div>
<div align="center" class="separator" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Courier; mso-no-proof: yes;"></span></div>
<div align="center" class="separator" style="text-align: center;">
<i><span style="font-family: Courier; font-size: 10.0pt;"><a href="http://thecupcaketologist.blogspot.com/2011/11/notes-from-field-day-is-mine.html">Twenty-Seventh
Birthday Cupcakes</a> </span></i></div>
<div align="center" class="separator" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-family: Courier;"></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">I made a lot of cupcakes inspired by New
York.</span> <span style="font-family: Courier;">From Woody Allen's New York...</span><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-w5nasApz6HQ/UICuksG2LkI/AAAAAAAAB-0/yj4Zwxt-QzM/s1600/apple.bmp" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="317" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-w5nasApz6HQ/UICuksG2LkI/AAAAAAAAB-0/yj4Zwxt-QzM/s400/apple.bmp" width="400" /></a></div>
<div align="center" class="separator" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Courier; mso-no-proof: yes;"></span><span style="font-family: Courier;"> </span></div>
<div align="center" class="separator" style="text-align: center;">
<i><span style="font-family: Courier; font-size: 10.0pt;"><a href="http://thecupcaketologist.blogspot.com/2011/09/case-study-95-big-apple.html">The
Big Apple Cupcakes</a> </span></i><span style="font-family: Courier;"> </span></div>
<div class="separator">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator">
<span style="font-family: Courier;">To the architecture of New
York (I was reaching here)...</span></div>
<div class="separator">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-WsLpQ0LZJ_w/UICusqZtlYI/AAAAAAAAB-8/9Zy4jsWdl1E/s1600/apple2.bmp" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-WsLpQ0LZJ_w/UICusqZtlYI/AAAAAAAAB-8/9Zy4jsWdl1E/s400/apple2.bmp" width="400" /></a></div>
<div align="center" class="separator" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Courier; mso-no-proof: yes;"></span><span style="font-family: Courier;"> </span></div>
<div align="center" class="separator" style="text-align: center;">
<i><span style="font-family: Courier; font-size: 10.0pt;"><a href="http://thecupcaketologist.blogspot.com/2010/10/case-study-72-artful-pecan.html">The
Artful Pecan Cupcakes</a></span></i><span style="font-family: Courier;"> </span></div>
<br />
<span style="font-family: Courier;">To a recent spin around Central Park in
the fall.</span><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-EjJLZGrL1Gs/UICuzeMAC8I/AAAAAAAAB_E/Xe8_Ify5BBk/s1600/apple3.bmp" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="340" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-EjJLZGrL1Gs/UICuzeMAC8I/AAAAAAAAB_E/Xe8_Ify5BBk/s400/apple3.bmp" width="400" /></a></div>
<div align="center" class="separator" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="mso-no-proof: yes;"></span> </div>
<div align="center" class="separator" style="text-align: center;">
<i><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10.0pt;"><a href="http://thecupcaketologist.blogspot.com/2012/10/case-study-119-pumpkin-chocolate-chip.html">The
Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Cookie Cupcakes</a></span></i> </div>
<br />
<span style="font-family: Courier;">My cupcakes won awards, raised money, and
were commissioned for parties, companies and gifts. </span><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-zsBh7oosg-U/UICu8e7y7yI/AAAAAAAAB_M/_ozdzk-LuCc/s1600/award.bmp" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="326" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-zsBh7oosg-U/UICu8e7y7yI/AAAAAAAAB_M/_ozdzk-LuCc/s400/award.bmp" width="400" /></a></div>
<div align="center" class="separator" style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-G9tIVniWn84/UICdpJC0Y0I/AAAAAAAAB7w/ajmfW9gWiJY/s1600/cupcakescompetition+002.jpg"><span style="mso-no-proof: yes; text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;"><span style="mso-ignore: vglayout;"></span></span></a></div>
<div align="center" style="text-align: center;">
<i><span style="font-family: Courier; font-size: 10.0pt;"><a href="http://thecupcaketologist.blogspot.com/2011/10/notes-from-field-prizewinning-pumpkin.html">Prizewinning
Pumpkin Cupcakes</a></span></i><span style="font-family: Courier;"> </span></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-COKm2LTPynM/UICvEhlO1lI/AAAAAAAAB_U/I90eWCFr0zg/s1600/love.bmp" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="317" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-COKm2LTPynM/UICvEhlO1lI/AAAAAAAAB_U/I90eWCFr0zg/s400/love.bmp" width="400" /></a></div>
<div align="center" class="separator" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Courier;"> </span><i><span style="font-family: Courier; font-size: 10.0pt;"><a href="http://thecupcaketologist.blogspot.com/2011/02/case-study-81-long-distance-love.html">The
Long Distance Love</a> </span></i></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-FeIHL6udJDQ/UICvQs8j_kI/AAAAAAAAB_c/W92fht-ma4w/s1600/quartet.bmp" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-FeIHL6udJDQ/UICvQs8j_kI/AAAAAAAAB_c/W92fht-ma4w/s400/quartet.bmp" width="400" /></a></div>
<div align="center" class="separator" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Courier; mso-no-proof: yes;"></span><span style="font-family: Courier;"> </span></div>
<div align="center" class="separator" style="text-align: center;">
<i><span style="font-family: Courier; font-size: 10.0pt;"><a href="http://thecupcaketologist.blogspot.com/2010/02/notes-from-field-candyshop-quartet.html">The
Candyshop Quartet</a></span></i><span style="font-family: Courier;"> </span></div>
<div align="center" class="separator" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-xSNJP8wjUQo/UICvYq3wzVI/AAAAAAAAB_k/b8RCZutQIxg/s1600/schott.bmp" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="330" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-xSNJP8wjUQo/UICvYq3wzVI/AAAAAAAAB_k/b8RCZutQIxg/s400/schott.bmp" width="400" /></a></div>
<div align="center" class="separator" style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div align="center" class="separator" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="mso-no-proof: yes;"></span></div>
<div align="center" class="separator" style="text-align: center;">
<i><a href="http://thecupcaketologist.blogspot.com/2011/02/case-study-80-schott-trio.html"><span style="font-family: Courier; font-size: 10.0pt;">The Schott Trio</span></a></i></div>
<div align="center" class="separator" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-family: Courier;">It's funny to think of blogging today and
what it was back then. Now people do it for money. They do it for fame. They
publish books from their blogs and they travel around the world as marketers
for brands. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Courier;">I'm not sure that this will ever be like
that for me. My blog has introduced me to a lifetime of experiences, and I
think those are things more valuable than anything easy to spend. It's opened
doors to friends, to conversations and to a whole side of myself that sees baking
as a therapy, a passion and an art. A side that bakes to soothe, to make sense
of my crazy imagination, to feed my friends and to translate experiences from
my past and present into something tangible and good. I also did it for the
writing.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Courier;">This blog has followed me from a tiny
Naudain Street galley to my Wall St. apartment with a dishwasher (!!). From
kitchens in France and the South Coast of England to nearly every Philadelphia
oven I could find. These are the moments, the times and the places that in some
wild, whimsical and very strange ways have helped define life in my 20s. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Courier;">Thank you for being part of my journey so
far. </span>The Cupcaketologisthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15035139110297888499noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6760027707043038693.post-40920304379995050872012-10-14T11:53:00.002-04:002012-10-14T16:32:40.758-04:00Case Study 119: "The Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Cookie Cupcake"<div style="text-align: center;">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-V3xtnBbPKNE/UHrfk-6jZbI/AAAAAAAAB1Y/jd-6AJZjmUg/s1600/pumpkinchip3.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="316" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-V3xtnBbPKNE/UHrfk-6jZbI/AAAAAAAAB1Y/jd-6AJZjmUg/s400/pumpkinchip3.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: left;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><i>Good God</i>, it's lovely out there. There's something about autumn in New York that makes it more wonderful than the smell of roasted nuts, burning leaves and cold hayrides together. It's the light. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">Put on your headphones and head to Central Park. Dave Brubeck should come first:<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=faJE92phKzI">"Take Five."</a> </span>There are young </span>women walking arm and arm down Park Avenue in capes and brogues. The church bells at St. Ignatius Cathedral toll 6pm and there are tourists huddling on the stairs of The Met. The street musician dressed like Michael Jackson drops his horn to play their hasty photographer. Head north and a bespectacled gentleman in a navy blazer strolls past Guggenheim, trailing cigar smoke behind him. A Westie in a plaid coat trots leash-less at his side. </span><span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"> </span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-T0wwXjIcjpw/UHrRTariKXI/AAAAAAAABzU/tVm1w6h-jxY/s1600/fall1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-T0wwXjIcjpw/UHrRTariKXI/AAAAAAAABzU/tVm1w6h-jxY/s400/fall1.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">Cross the Rhododendron Mile and take a lap around the Reservoir. Now your song is Duke Elligton's <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cb2w2m1JmCY">"Take the A Train,"</a> but you're still on foot. The sun begins to set and the light on the water is illuminated a sort of yellow tinge under the watchful eyes of The Eldorado's twin peaks. <i>Golden indeed</i>. Head back across the Eighty-Six Street Traverse to the Great Lawn and weave down to the Lake. Put on the Armstrong and Fitzgerald version of <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=50zL8TnMBN8">"Autumn in New York."</a> Stop to see the way the Weeping Willows cast monster shadows across the water past the Boathouse. </span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Qx0d0B3Ez1o/UHrfh0aI7JI/AAAAAAAAB1I/7UYwCadKKJc/s1600/pumpkinchip1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="305" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Qx0d0B3Ez1o/UHrfh0aI7JI/AAAAAAAAB1I/7UYwCadKKJc/s400/pumpkinchip1.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">Take off your headphones as you climb the steps at Bethesda Terrace. A lone trumpeter stands where the shade meets the sun through the arching elms on The Mall, and he wails a dirty wah-wah version of "Summertime." <i>In memorium, </i>you think, but you carry on. Under statues of literary greats, an accordionist plays Edith Piaf's standard "Autumn Leaves." Your heart aches a little every time you hear it, but it's in the way that only fall can cause an ache, by juxtaposing warm sentimental feelings with a time of year when everything dies.<span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"> Turn on Coltrane's <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t5Z63UHrjKE">"Central Park West"</a> and make your way back uptown. </span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-V2EBR6P5qxU/UHsVublKUbI/AAAAAAAAB3E/UA-hpUypRcs/s1600/fall3.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="295" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-V2EBR6P5qxU/UHsVublKUbI/AAAAAAAAB3E/UA-hpUypRcs/s400/fall3.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">Back in my kitchen, I can't help but keep things cozy. Candles are lit, windows are cracked open, and I throw on wool socks and flannel while my oven heats up. I bake and I bake and I end up with these deliciously airy pumpkin cupcakes topped with coffee and vanilla bean buttercream and a pumpkin chocolate chip cookie on top. I eat them for breakfast, I deliver them to friends and on my way back home, I head back to the park.</span></span><br />
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Tw9yn7E7hG8/UHrfj8MqvhI/AAAAAAAAB1Q/FOaopyeWUdg/s1600/pumpkinchip2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="342" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Tw9yn7E7hG8/UHrfj8MqvhI/AAAAAAAAB1Q/FOaopyeWUdg/s400/pumpkinchip2.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">This is how I dreamed it up. As a child, I imagined New York as a sort of love affair, and it always took place in the fall. We'd hide away in the dark of Bemelman's while the sun set gold outside, secretly wishing and praying that on any other day but Monday, Woody Allen would stroll right into The Carlyle and fill the air with a <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PsDhAgtD3jI">clarinet sound</a> even moodier than the clinking of ice cubes in Scotch and the quick swishing of white-coat waiters.</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-U9OKapJ7PJ8/UHrRUXTe4gI/AAAAAAAABzc/xwZGBRXKwMU/s1600/fall2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="312" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-U9OKapJ7PJ8/UHrRUXTe4gI/AAAAAAAABzc/xwZGBRXKwMU/s400/fall2.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">I'd smooth out my skirt and he'd straighten his tie. We'd throw on our trenches and slip outside - skipping first across Fifth to the Ramble, where we'd make a dash for the steps of the Museum of Natural History. We'd ascend, step by step by step, until he stopped. And time would slow, nothing else would exist and the chilling city would whirl at a million light years' speed around us, just as is does on every other day of any other year.</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">If you come to the city and open your eyes and ears, you'll find it. There's romance all around, and there is no season and no city that reminds you of that quite like autumn in New York. </span></span></div>
</div>
The Cupcaketologisthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15035139110297888499noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6760027707043038693.post-69726294345580726722012-09-29T11:18:00.001-04:002012-09-29T11:18:32.543-04:00Notes from the Field: What's more American than apple pie?<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-OmfKfDHTDPg/UGcPpeBNs9I/AAAAAAAABxs/u1rrZ1HKKv0/s1600/applepumpkin1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-OmfKfDHTDPg/UGcPpeBNs9I/AAAAAAAABxs/u1rrZ1HKKv0/s400/applepumpkin1.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">This morning I woke up - refreshed, bright eyed, ready for a long day of fun <a href="http://globalfestival.com/">around</a> the city - and prepared to make cupcakes for a bon voyage party. When you're a cupcake baker, the answer to "what's more American than apple pie?" is always "apple cupcakes." </span><span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">And so, I put on some moody music to match the gray sky outside and set to coarsely chopping my apples from the farmers' market.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"> </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">My favorite apple cupcake is adapted from a fail proof cake recipe passed down from an orchard that my family used to pick-our-own at in New Jersey thirty years ago. It's hearty and spicy and chock full of fresh fruit. This time I topped it with a plain vanilla buttercream and called it a day.... </span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">Or did I?</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"> </span><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Q0CF0YAUzb8/UGcPqT9OAOI/AAAAAAAABx0/uzTG0T6Nm2c/s1600/applepumpkin2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="308" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Q0CF0YAUzb8/UGcPqT9OAOI/AAAAAAAABx0/uzTG0T6Nm2c/s400/applepumpkin2.JPG" width="400" /> </a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-JQvQyNnMECw/UGcQnNj5AqI/AAAAAAAAByE/znIJr_X4W-E/s1600/applepumpkin5.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-JQvQyNnMECw/UGcQnNj5AqI/AAAAAAAAByE/znIJr_X4W-E/s400/applepumpkin5.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">Well <i>shit. </i>I thought. Am I satisfied by <i>that</i>? Sure, there's nothing more "American" than apple pie, but I've never set out to be average. This is AMERICA, for Christs' sake, we've never been like anybody else. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"> </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">And so I got back into the kitchen, pumped up my tunes and churned out a batch of baked pumpkin donuts. And then I dipped them in butter. And then I rolled them in cinnamon and maple sugar and put them on top of the cupcakes. And I looked at my masterpiece and decided it was <i>good</i>. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"> <span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"> </span></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-guC1RzcgC9Y/UGcPrk9bJWI/AAAAAAAABx8/FQRktFhZ9ho/s1600/applepumpkin4.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="301" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-guC1RzcgC9Y/UGcPrk9bJWI/AAAAAAAABx8/FQRktFhZ9ho/s400/applepumpkin4.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">Being full of opportunity and equality means being more </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">national than Old Hollywood, a Ford Buick and a Georgia peach combined. </span></span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">I believe that innovation and freedom are </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">better than Monticello, the redwood forest and the entire state of Texas all at once.</span> </span></span> </span>And on a cloudy September afternoon in Manhattan, you can bet that New York state apple cupcakes with vanilla buttercream and pumpkin cinnamon sugar donuts on top are much more Americana than that that plain old patriotic pie. <span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"> </span></span></span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">And like a third grader at the end of a presentation, I can say, <i>that's what being American means to me</i>. </span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"></span></span></span>The Cupcaketologisthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15035139110297888499noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6760027707043038693.post-72370482985614218072012-09-21T07:43:00.001-04:002012-09-21T08:38:04.797-04:00Notes from the Field: 21 days to Fall and Maple Pumpkin Fig Cupcakes<br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">On the first
of September, I put on my bikini and took a trip to the boat. The water
was cold and the sun was weak. I cancelled my plans, a trip and a date,
and relaxed in anticipation of what would come next.</span><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-xxDH3Owlu3g/UFxRXq224fI/AAAAAAAABvk/CPNXWUf1bMI/s1600/pumpkinfig1.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-WTTiX_2isq0/UFxRaltyPcI/AAAAAAAABv0/eq7f7Lfv-40/s1600/pumpkinfig3.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="362" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-WTTiX_2isq0/UFxRaltyPcI/AAAAAAAABv0/eq7f7Lfv-40/s400/pumpkinfig3.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">On
the fourth I slept late. I worked in my pajamas and made sense of my
closet. I ran in the park and caught up with friends. On the fifth,
there were butterflies. There was rose' and sidewalk pizza and a late
night neighborhood bar. There was a kiss. Maybe two. On the eighth, I
painted my nails one last coat of Clambake. A late summer storm rolled
in and when it broke, we ate pulled pork and watermelon in the backyard.
On the twelfth, I woke up and the air was cool. I got news, or what one
could be a certain kind of gift, and I packed my bags and headed north
to see what it was all about.</span><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-sdIpZ9_ErAo/UFxSKcmzMuI/AAAAAAAABv8/vnqnOTKiqMQ/s1600/SuzesBday+065.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-sdIpZ9_ErAo/UFxSKcmzMuI/AAAAAAAABv8/vnqnOTKiqMQ/s400/SuzesBday+065.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">On
the fifteenth I hopped the jitney east. The air was perfect and the sun
was warm. I wore boots below bare knees and frolicked in sun scorched
vineyards. We drank too much wine and donned captains' hats for dinner.
We drank rum, lit sparklers and talked for hours at the table under the
backyard tree strewn with streamers and lights. We slept with the
windows open; we wore towels for warmth. </span><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-p7kWDWWBEmw/UFxSN9iqgJI/AAAAAAAABwE/0hK3H5WpqrU/s1600/SuzesBday+085.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-p7kWDWWBEmw/UFxSN9iqgJI/AAAAAAAABwE/0hK3H5WpqrU/s400/SuzesBday+085.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">On
the sixteenth, the beach past the Swordfish Club was dotted with
hundreds of monarch butterflies. Where they were going, we had no idea,
but they pushed past the wind down the beach and stopped for nobody. The
water was warm and the waves crashed tall as </span><span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">we drank mimosas in our rolled up jeans. </span></span><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-kJ8QpgTw9Mw/UFxRZNtUAVI/AAAAAAAABvs/R20ToKlA9EU/s1600/pumpkinfig2.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="348" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-kJ8QpgTw9Mw/UFxRZNtUAVI/AAAAAAAABvs/R20ToKlA9EU/s400/pumpkinfig2.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">On
the seventeenth, I hopped the shuttle and took my next step. I worked
hard during the day and settled into a new pace at night. I drank cold
white wine and shame danced my way through a few good miles on a hotel
treadmill in the middle of New England suburban slum. </span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">Yesterday
I woke up and cancelled my plans. I boarded the helicopter home, and as
we approached New York, the clouds turned dark. We flew low and fast,
as did my cab uptown, where I dropped my bags, strapped on my sneakers
and bee-lined it to Central Park. I crossed Lexington to Park, and
caught the wind of three ladies in bobs and Chanel No. 5 by the Met. The
86th street Hot Dog man donned a yellow plaid scarf. I skipped up to
the reservoir and ran a lap. The perfect song came on, and I thought of
you. I ran another half, past the brown water reeds and was reminded
that you can only really welcome a season by ending another first. </span></span><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Q7_dG9Z_HgI/UFxdyTwnRJI/AAAAAAAABwg/NX7O41vXZLg/s1600/reservoir.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="307" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Q7_dG9Z_HgI/UFxdyTwnRJI/AAAAAAAABwg/NX7O41vXZLg/s400/reservoir.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">I
went to the store for figs and came out with pumpkin as well, which in
the end might just be the perfect pair as we start to tilt a little
further from the sun. From here, on the cusp, I think pumpkin cupcakes
with a maple buttercream topped with fresh figs, candied pecans and
maple sugar will help celebrate the both seasons just fine. </span></span></span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">I'm
not sure what will happen this fall. Maybe I'll hit it big at work,
make strides and shake hands. Maybe I'll pick apples and pumpkins and
make a batch of Christmas limoncello much better than the last. Maybe
I'll spend my birthday abroad. Maybe I'll fall in love again.</span></span><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-xxDH3Owlu3g/UFxRXq224fI/AAAAAAAABvk/CPNXWUf1bMI/s1600/pumpkinfig1.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="286" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-xxDH3Owlu3g/UFxRXq224fI/AAAAAAAABvk/CPNXWUf1bMI/s400/pumpkinfig1.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">For
now, all I know is that today is September 21st. I know that this
weekend will be for dinner parties, dark cocktails bars and Sunday
football. I know that I'll watch the leaves turn gold each week in
Massachusetts and when Thursday arrives, I'll watch the New York City
skyline approach and get that same feeling of love for the city I've now
called home for two years. I know that I'll have expectations, and
things might turn out differently, but I'll be ready for whatever comes
at me because that's what new seasons give you. Another chance. </span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">So are you ready? Here we go...</span></span>The Cupcaketologisthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15035139110297888499noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6760027707043038693.post-39475747210146486742012-09-14T13:09:00.002-04:002012-09-14T13:46:53.081-04:00Notes from the field: On a very special 30th birthday... <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-yJzzehEdXBo/UFNiRzDlSjI/AAAAAAAABu0/6IvINo152n0/s1600/shells5.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-yJzzehEdXBo/UFNiRzDlSjI/AAAAAAAABu0/6IvINo152n0/s400/shells5.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<i><span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">We met on the internet. </span></i><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">It started with a few mutual interests - namely the sea, the sun and a little South Coast English town called Brighton. Our first date was at <a href="http://www.themermaidnyc.com/">The Mermaid</a>, where we shared a silver tower of shellfish big enough for a party of grandpas in the Catskills. And we resolved, no matter the distance, to stay in touch. From there, the rest was history. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">We ate lobster rolls and reminisced about <a href="http://www.bills-website.co.uk/">Bills</a>. </span><span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">I showered her in champagne, confetti and sparkler fire as she finished her <a href="http://thecupcaketologist.blogspot.com/2011/09/notes-from-field-sweet-sunny-september.html">29th lap around the sun</a>. She dried my breakup tears with a wild weekend away and a crazy night at a beachside bar with rum punch, handsome young men and late night lifesaving egg sandwiches. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-FqSbpYKCmrw/UFM-4GXjmyI/AAAAAAAABuM/6s4X-0iVu70/s1600/suz2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="335" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-FqSbpYKCmrw/UFM-4GXjmyI/AAAAAAAABuM/6s4X-0iVu70/s400/suz2.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">There are some
people that you meet and feel like you already know, and that right
there is where the connection lies. </span></span><br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-3gIWspQoA3Y/UFNiTP7_VnI/AAAAAAAABu8/aKcGhD9ZUTM/s1600/shells6.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="317" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-3gIWspQoA3Y/UFNiTP7_VnI/AAAAAAAABu8/aKcGhD9ZUTM/s400/shells6.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">Not long after that first sip of
wine, you're gifting each other rainy day bouquets and finishing each
others' sentences. You're sharing burgers and Bloodies at <a href="https://plus.google.com/104933563027646747675/about?gl=us&hl=en">J.G. Melon</a> and throwing back champers cocktails at your <a href="http://www.joneswoodfoundry.com/index.html">local pub</a>. You are turning random Manhattan weeknights into spectacularly good shows - what with the endless bottles of champagne, back garden chats and dessert on the house - and the </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">entire bar joins in to celebrate the nuttiness of life around you. </span></span></span>You are touching base from Germany, from Vegas, from San Diego, from Philadelphia, from New York. You're talking about <span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">boys, work, lighthouses and travel dreams. About life, loss and the middle place in between it all.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;"> </span></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-QUKnYw2dCtU/UFM-4jjq90I/AAAAAAAABuU/lTvzHYFZOeQ/s1600/suz3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-QUKnYw2dCtU/UFM-4jjq90I/AAAAAAAABuU/lTvzHYFZOeQ/s400/suz3.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">Some people came into your life at the right time, even though I think that somehow they've been there all along. See, I believe that there are many types of soulmates. Past what we already know, we find soulmates in those that we are attached to forever, usually family, whose souls are as complexly entwined with ours as the double helix strands that tie us together. <span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">We
can find soulmates in people that we attach onto, for however brief a
time, and no matter what, they leave a lasting mark on us as they drift away.</span> </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">But then there are those people that were meant to be with you. They respect everything about you and expect nothing from you all at once. They think about you just when you think about them. They tell you you've "nailed it" even when you haven't because they know that sometimes life's failures are just too good to have a laugh about. They stand up for you, they challenge you and for Christ's sake, they just get you.</span><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-MrtSyFh0B0A/UFNiUKR6V5I/AAAAAAAABvE/PvzAhCHBYAI/s1600/shells7.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="327" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-MrtSyFh0B0A/UFNiUKR6V5I/AAAAAAAABvE/PvzAhCHBYAI/s400/shells7.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">And so, when they tell you that their favorite flavors are banana, Nutella and <i>sea salt</i>, you make it work and whip up fluffy banana cupcakes in a HobNob crust with Nutella filling and fleur de sel caramel buttercream and hand painted Belgian chocolate seashell on top.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"> </span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ufhw2sJfwTU/UFM_b19pVYI/AAAAAAAABuc/HkW7UWEn41U/s1600/suz4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="366" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ufhw2sJfwTU/UFM_b19pVYI/AAAAAAAABuc/HkW7UWEn41U/s400/suz4.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">Happy 30th birthday, my sweet sweet Suze. You are a wonder and a joy, and this shines true in the people and the love around you. I'm so happy to get to share a brain, a thousand bottles of champagne and a little piece of my soul with you. To this weekend, and to many many more. </span>The Cupcaketologisthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15035139110297888499noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6760027707043038693.post-47730349644194930762012-08-22T20:42:00.002-04:002012-08-22T20:42:46.114-04:00Notes from the Field: Until fall...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-W128rUjFUBE/UDV3drvTl2I/AAAAAAAABtA/F4QGI__F3N4/s1600/fall2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="293" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-W128rUjFUBE/UDV3drvTl2I/AAAAAAAABtA/F4QGI__F3N4/s400/fall2.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-KzXT81NEa3U/UDV5rnUtVPI/AAAAAAAABtU/mIueeBCSyWc/s1600/BlockIsland+035.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="355" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-KzXT81NEa3U/UDV5rnUtVPI/AAAAAAAABtU/mIueeBCSyWc/s400/BlockIsland+035.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Nf_6e72UM3o/UDV3c-8XuPI/AAAAAAAABs4/U9w91CT5IRY/s1600/fall1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="285" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Nf_6e72UM3o/UDV3c-8XuPI/AAAAAAAABs4/U9w91CT5IRY/s400/fall1.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-JAmToOQ_DJE/UDV24-FMCJI/AAAAAAAABsw/C81L7yGDqKY/s1600/fall4.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-JAmToOQ_DJE/UDV24-FMCJI/AAAAAAAABsw/C81L7yGDqKY/s400/fall4.JPG" width="400" /></a> <br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-UEjY9iDX5bY/UDV7YF-_UnI/AAAAAAAABtk/iSmmJic_G3U/s1600/BlockIsland+026.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="298" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-UEjY9iDX5bY/UDV7YF-_UnI/AAAAAAAABtk/iSmmJic_G3U/s400/BlockIsland+026.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">No big words here today. Just a few pictures from this summer's travels, some chocolate Nutella raspberry cupcakes from the beach last weekend and quick note to say that in my annual end-of-August fashion, I'm signing off to live the rest of summer to the fullest. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">Hope you enjoy these long days of sun as much as I will. See you in the fall, as we close out the fourth (!) year on this little blog of mine. </span>The Cupcaketologisthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15035139110297888499noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6760027707043038693.post-23349009860691750852012-08-12T08:59:00.003-04:002012-08-12T11:29:40.333-04:00Case Study 118: "The Peach Crumble"<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-bt-Lp6WXP7k/UCeifgBrpqI/AAAAAAAABr4/8v2EyP-tjV8/s1600/peach2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="313" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-bt-Lp6WXP7k/UCeifgBrpqI/AAAAAAAABr4/8v2EyP-tjV8/s400/peach2.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><br /></i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">"This is the plum season, the nights</i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><i>blue and distended, the moon</i></span><br />
<i style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">hazed, this is the season of peaches</i><br />
<i style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">with their lush lobed bulbs</i><br />
<i style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">that glow in the dusk, apples</i><br />
<i style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">that drop and rot </i><br />
<i style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">sweetly, their brown skins veined as glands</i><br />
<i style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">No more the shrill voices</i><br />
<i style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">that cried </i><span style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline: none 0px;">Need Need</span><br />
<i style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">from the cold pond, bladed</i><br />
<i style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">and urgent as new grass</i><br />
<i style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">Now it is the crickets</i><br />
<i style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">that say </i><span style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline: none 0px;">Ripe Ripe</span><br />
<i style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">slurred in the darkness, while the plums</i><br />
<i style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">dripping on the lawn outside</i><br />
<i style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">our window, burst</i><br />
<i style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">with a sound like thick syrup</i><br />
<i style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">muffled and slow</i><br />
<i style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">The air is still</i><br />
<i style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">warm, flesh moves over</i><br />
<i style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">flesh, there is no</i><br />
<i style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.292969);">hurry"</span></i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><i>- </i><b>Late August</b><i> </i></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><i>by Margaret Atwood</i></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><i><br /></i></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-QXh7IGcc7k8/UCeiiAN7MSI/AAAAAAAABsA/e--eFDFTxx8/s1600/peach4.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-QXh7IGcc7k8/UCeiiAN7MSI/AAAAAAAABsA/e--eFDFTxx8/s400/peach4.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><i><br /></i></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">It's hot outside. The August days march on and the air is heavy, as if every passing thunderstorm is a sign of the summer's passionate heat clashing in the sky. I crave clams. I only want rum and saltwater, and I'm pretty sure that my feet don't fit into normal shoes anymore. We are in barefoot season. Clothes are a nuisance, work is a chore and the sight of sunlight after three o'clock constantly brings to mind that Henry James poem: "Summer afternoon, <i>summer afternoon...."</i></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">We are in the heart of summer's sweetest fruit harvest. Blackberries stain sweet honey on fingertips, watermelons provide the best hydration and the peaches are so swollen and ripe they can be sliced with a butter knife. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">Where there's seasonal fruit, there <i>must</i> be cupcakes, and better yet, Peach Crumble Cupcakes. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/--evp3pvlrUY/UCeidgn8QlI/AAAAAAAABrw/8zKqjWNkzC8/s1600/peach1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/--evp3pvlrUY/UCeidgn8QlI/AAAAAAAABrw/8zKqjWNkzC8/s400/peach1.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">The sweet local stone fruits of August were peeled, roughly chopped and thrown into moist vanilla and brown sugar cupcakes. I topped them with a vanilla buttercream, mixed with a scoop of whipped cream cheese for good measure. A peach's best sweetness is brought out by toasted bits, and so a crumble topping was necessary, making these cupcakes almost like mini- peach cobblers reconstructed. This crumble consists of flour, brown sugar, crumbled walnuts and melted butter, spread on a baking tray and cooked crisp in the oven before topping. The crowning glory: I slid in a fresh peach slice for good measure.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">Late August approaches, and to be honest, I'm in denial that anything close to fall could be on its way. But luckily, somehow, time moves slowly. Three more August weekends left for these traveling summer hands and feet. Whatever they lead us to, they won't be wished away. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><i><br /></i></span></div>The Cupcaketologisthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15035139110297888499noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6760027707043038693.post-40017863040102673982012-08-02T16:59:00.000-04:002012-08-02T16:59:33.351-04:00Notes from the Field: On baby showers...<div style="text-align: center;">
<i><span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">"Snips and snails </span></i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i><span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">and puppy dog tails, </span></i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i><span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">that's what little boys are made of..."</span></i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-DHgNFcGHfMY/UBrnABc9-rI/AAAAAAAABrI/_DeyjuXTguU/s1600/cakes3.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="267" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-DHgNFcGHfMY/UBrnABc9-rI/AAAAAAAABrI/_DeyjuXTguU/s400/cakes3.JPG" width="400" /> </a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-style: italic;"></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">I love a good summer party, and even more so, I love the opportunity to dream up some whimsy for them too. Today's cupcake order is in celebration of the sweet baby boy of a chic Manhattan mummy-to-be.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-hWE3XfvrXF4/UBro2kPQxnI/AAAAAAAABrQ/pyjp3Q6d8x4/s1600/cakes6.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="252" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-hWE3XfvrXF4/UBro2kPQxnI/AAAAAAAABrQ/pyjp3Q6d8x4/s400/cakes6.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-BrvT4Mx88Ok/UBrp4kpwKaI/AAAAAAAABrY/4LRk0g-kE0g/s1600/cakes4.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="286" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-BrvT4Mx88Ok/UBrp4kpwKaI/AAAAAAAABrY/4LRk0g-kE0g/s400/cakes4.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">Devils' food
cupcakes with vanilla, Nutella and salted caramel buttercreams topped
with chevron safari toppers. Decadent, glamorous and oh-so-sweet for a
West Village baby shower on a gorgeous summer night. </span> </div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;"><br /></span></div>The Cupcaketologisthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15035139110297888499noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6760027707043038693.post-6868431058293892332012-07-30T20:50:00.000-04:002012-07-30T20:51:34.967-04:00Case Study 117: "The Chocolate Hazelnut Mousse Cupcake"<span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">Sometimes, when there's party in three hours and only a half cup of flour in the house, life requires improvisation.</span><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-l5Z7V8enHUA/UBcq1rmXs3I/AAAAAAAABqo/vXcyAv2U1LE/s1600/hazelnut+chocolate.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="297" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-l5Z7V8enHUA/UBcq1rmXs3I/AAAAAAAABqo/vXcyAv2U1LE/s400/hazelnut+chocolate.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">You're about to embark on a six week adventure through Block Island, Cape Cod, Newport, Philly, Stone Harbor and Westhampton, so you're resting your tired legs for the night because there'll be beach jaunting, wild kitchen counter dancing and dark n' stormy drinking to do. </span><span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">It's pouring outside, the Olympics have been on for five hours and you're happy to oblige. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">
There's good butter in the fridge and that funny little bottle of hazelnut liquor
dressed like a monk in the bar. There's an endless supply of chocolate in the
cabinet, and so you change things up a little bit. Whip the butter with the eggs, mix the cocoa with the milk and somehow, eighteen minutes later you've got the most perfect devils' food cakes cooling on the counter. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">The aroma fills the house and the rain beats on the skylight above. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><br /></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-HJ6libIlvw4/UBcq3efZ8iI/AAAAAAAABqw/7XUC0t-R1tY/s1600/hazelnut+chocolate2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-HJ6libIlvw4/UBcq3efZ8iI/AAAAAAAABqw/7XUC0t-R1tY/s400/hazelnut+chocolate2.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">Maybe you'll fill them with cream and those little hazelnut wafer bites - or what if you just get out your aggression and beat those cookies thin and make a chocolate hazelnut wafer bite bark instead? The cream filling somehow turns into a mousse, which seems sturdy enough to become a frosting, and suddenly, with an old tiny piping tip and a plastic freezer bag, you've fanned out some lion-like petals on top of the perfect devils food cakes and stuck the bark in tight. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">Where there's a will there's a way, and where there's a way there are devils' food cupcakes with chocolate-Frangelico mousse frosting and hazelnut wafer bit bark on top. Sometimes you are right where you're supposed to be, and good things come from the possibilities in that. </span>The Cupcaketologisthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15035139110297888499noreply@blogger.com0