Tiramisu Success =)

So yesterday I had said that I had failed on my cupcakes...and I did. So I probably did not mix the egg whites enough, but its so hard to whip those egg whites with just a whisk. Next time I'm borrowing/bringing up my electric mixer so I dont have to mix it all myself. So that's probably why they turned out so gummy and disgusting.
But I did make the espresso syrup, which was disgustingly sweet, but also kind of good.
Ingredients:
½ cup confectioner’s sugar
2/3 cup water
5 teaspoons espresso powder

Directions:
In a small, heavy saucepan over high heat, combine the water, the remaining 1/2 cup confectioner’s sugar and the espresso or coffee powder.
Bring to a boil, stirring occasionally.
Remove from heat and let cool.

Poured them on top of the cupcakes, but then the cupcakes didnt look so appetizing.

That's where I realized this was my first failed baking project. somewhat.

I went to bed on a sad note, but this morning, I was determined to make things right.
So I decided to go with a simple vanilla cake recipe. Nothing TOO complicated.Ingredients:
1 cup white sugar
1/2 cup butter
2 eggs
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1 3/4 teaspoons baking powder
3/4 cup milk (I used soy milk instead)

Directions:
In a medium bowl, cream together the sugar and butter.
Beat in the eggs, one at a time, then stir in the vanilla.
Combine flour and baking powder, add to the creamed mixture and mix well.
Finally stir in the milk until batter is smooth.
Spoon batter into the prepared muffin tins. (I used two tablespoons and I had gotten 24 cupcakes).
Bake 15 minutes at 350 degrees. (I baked them 12 minutes on one side, and 3 the other.)

Since I still had syrup, poured like two tsps on top.
Then frosted it with my frosting recipe.
Ingredients:
3 c mascarpone
1 c confectioner’s sugar
¼ c marsala wine
¾ c heavy cream, chilled

Directions:
In a medium bowl using an electric mixer set on medium speed, beat together the mascarpone cheese, confectioner’s sugar and marsala until well blended. (I had handmixed it, but it turned out fine)
Add the cream and beat until fluffy, about 1 minute. (I added the cream in little by little, and beat until you think its good enough)

Decorated with some chocolate piped designs.
Final product!

I hope that everyone who got one enjoyed it =). It took a lot of work, but I was very proud once I finished.

Recipes taken from here and here.

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Baker's Fail

AHHH
I totally think I just messed up those wonderful tiramisu cupcakes. =(
I feel so sad right now.
the cupcake part is WAYYY too gummy. i really dont know why. but may it'll be better. but probably not.

So they arent very good tomorrow, you know why. i failed. =(
this makes me really really uber uber sad.

Baking, Party, Plays?

So remember, I mentioned that I had baked cupcakes for Josh? Well instead, I decided to give those cupcakes to Kathleen. Apparently most people really like it, and it was pretty fun to pipe again and make icing by hand. So to get started...
Cupcakes =)
Ingredients:

1/2 cup boiling water
1/4 cup butter
1 cup granulated sugar
1/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon soda
1 egg, beaten
1/2 cup sour cream
1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Instructions:
In a mixing bowl, combine boiling water, shortening, sugar, and cocoa.
Beat until sugar is dissolved.
Add sifted dry ingredients alternately with the beaten egg, sour cream, and vanilla.
Fill greased and lightly floured cupcake cups about half full.
Bake at 350° for 25 minutes.
So they all came out =)

I made icing by hand.
Ingredients:
3 to 4 cups confections sugar
1 stick unsalted butter, at room temperatue
3 to 4 tablespoons heavy cream.

I kinda just mixed them all together, and I added more heavy cream until I got it to a consistency I liked that was pipable, but also speadable.
AND now piped on the beautiful cupcakes

yay piping detail.

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Hurt...

Yes, I am hurt. I burnt my finger. On a hot pan. While baking. =(
It started blistering so I put a bandaid on it so no one has to look at its ugliness.

BUT to get to that point, I did baking. LOTS of it. It's the first time baking in like..half a week. =)
I made Chocolate Kahlua Cake with Brandon. (sorry no ingredients picture people...) But the cake is pretty simple. I found it on all recipes.

Ingredients (for the cake):
1 (18.25 ounce) package yellow cake mix
1 (3.9 ounce) package instant chocolate pudding mix
1 cup vegetable oil
3/4 cup water
3 eggs
1/4 cup coffee flavored liqueur
1/4 cup vodka

There is this wonderful glaze on top as well...
Ingredients:
1 cup white sugar
1/2 cup butter
1/4 cup hot water
2 tablespoons coffee flavored liqueur
2 tablespoons vodka
and instructions are:
Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Grease and flour a 10 inch Bundt pan.
In a large bowl, combine the cake mix, pudding mix, oil, 3/4 cup water, eggs, 1/4 cup coffee liqueur and 1/4 cup Vodka. Mix well, then pour into greased and floured Bundt pan.
Bake in the preheated oven for 50 to 60 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center of the cake comes out clean. Pour glaze over hot cake while still in pan. Let cake sit for 30 minutes.
To make the glaze: in a small saucepan combine sugar, butter and 1/4 cup hot water. Bring to a boil and cook for 1 minute. remove from heat and stir in 2 tablespoons coffee liqueur and 2 tablespoons vodka.

So the only difference is that, we didnt have a Bundt pan, so it took like... 30-45 mins. and well I thought we were supposed to poke holes to make the glaze go through, I guess not, but it was great. =) AND instead of regular ol' coffee liqueur we used Kahlua.

Later, I was going to start to make Kathleen her present but then again, I was going to go to Hedwigs, but I kinda scratched the whole idea because I just DONT have enough time tomorrow. I was going to make her Irish Car Bomb Cupcakes. First off, I cant get the alcohol myself since I am underage, and second, I realized, that I dont have that kind of time to make that extensive of a project...in like 5 hours tomorrow.

Instead, I decided to bake Josh some cupcakes, afterall, I do need to get him something for his show. So I found an interesting recipe...not sure if I really like it, but I'll gauge the opinion of others...tomorrow after his show.

Busy busy day tomorrow. More baking!
Better get some sleep before tomorrow!

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Winner =)

Winner of the poll was - the Tiramisu Cupcakes.
So please claim them asap. 2 max per person please and I will only have 2 dozen.
I won't be baking these until next week probably. =)

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