RED VELVET CUPCAKES Cupcake Recipe from Martha Stewart’s Cupcakes 2 1/2 C cake flour (not self rising) 2 T unsweetened cocoa powder 1 tsp salt 1 1/2 C sugar 1 1/2 C vegetable oil 2 large eggs, room temp 1/2 tsp red gel-paste food color 1 tsp pure vanilla extract 1 C buttermilk 1 1/2 tsp baking soda 1 1/2 tsp baking powder (my alteration) 2 tsp distilled white vinegar Preheat oven to 350 deg F. Line muffin tins with paper liners. Whisk together cake flour, cocoa, salt and baking powder. Mix sugar and oil until combined. Add eggs. Mix in vanilla and gel paste. Add flour in three batches,...

VANILLA CINNAMON CUPCAKES Cupcakes 1 1/2 C milk 3 C flour 4 eggs 2 C granulated sugar 2 sticks of butter (softened / room temp) 1 1/2 tsp baking powder 2 tsp butter vanilla or vanilla extract 2 tsp cinnamon Cream butter and sugar until whipped and fluffy Add eggs (already beaten) and mix until whipped Add vanilla In separate bowl sift flour Add cinnamon, salt add baking powder to flour, fold in Slowly add milk to flour and mix Slowly fold in butter/egg/sugar/vanilla mixture to flower Mix well until you achieve desired consistency Add more milk, sparingly, if too thick Ice cream scoop into lined...

Dark chocolate cupcakes topped with chocolate buttercream decorated with hula girls, hula boys, palm trees and mini umbrellas.  They didn’t just taste great, they looked hella-cute too!  The birthday girl (my 9yr old niece) was very pleased, and so were her guests. ...

Vodka and Diet is a pretty traditional drink at a bar or club.  And it is true to its namesake, a bit of vodka and a bit of diet soda, some ice cubes and a straw.  Viola!  Some people may add a cherry or even a lime but it is most often enjoyed without a garnish.  I’ve seen men and women ordering them, I’ve even enjoyed some myself.  This week my sister’s best friend is celebrating her 27th birthday.  She isn’t a big fan of sweets or cakes so I was a little at a loss as to what to whip up for her.  Then I thought to myself, “She goes out dancing at least once a...