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...

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...

Oooohhhhh yeaaaaaaaahhh. I made my Grandmother’s chicken and dumplings Monday night, oh Lord they are so yummy. Well, today I got permission from her to share the recipe. Here ya go! Homemade Chicken and Dumplings CHICKEN and STOCK 4 Boneless, skinless chicken breasts 2 sticks of butter 2 T Sweet Basil 2 T Onion Powder 2 T Coarse Salt 2/3 C chicken bouillon (paste works best) Fill 6 qt stockpot 3/4 with water Add chicken breasts Add sweet basil, salt and onion powder Add chicken bouillon Boil for 30 minutes, stirring occasionally Once chicken is done, remove from pot with tongs and...

I love to bake, but you guys already know that.  What you don’t know is that I love potatoes.  Forrest Gump’s shrimp love “ain’t got shit” on my potato love.  Potato chips, potatoes au gratin, raw potatoes (yes, I’ll even take a few bites when I’m cutting or peeling them for cooking), french fries, tator tots, tator crowns, hash browns, mashed potatoes, potato salad, roasted potatoes, baked potatoes (twice and fully loaded).  Trust me, I could keep going.  Mashed are my absolute favorite, with a tiny bit of sweet cream butter and 2% milk.  I only like...