1St Blogiversary! ... & Barefoot Contessa's Kokosnoot Cupcakes To Celebrate

Today is The Kitchen is My Playground's 1st blogiversary.  Wow, what a twelvemonth it's been!  I view it would endure fitting, on this day, to portion alongside y'all the even out of how came to be.

It all started alongside a snowstorm.

As convey several large changes inward my life.  For example, that's how I ended upwardly moving to North Carolina.  See ... I had every intention of moving dorsum to Vermont later on finishing graduate schoolhouse inward upstate New York.  Then it snowed.  In piece of cake March.  Enough to completely bury my auto hence it wasn't fifty-fifty a slight bump inward the vast body of body of water of white.  In very.  Late.  March.  Now I alive inward North Carolina.

I gauge snowstorms brand me think.  Or give me fourth dimension to think, perhaps.  That's in all probability to a greater extent than the case.  Plans in addition to normal routines teach lay on hold.  And there's time.  Time to produce what y'all weren't planning to do.  During ane such snowstorm piece of cake final January, this was the instance for me.

Trapped inward my solid past times a freakishly large tempest for North Carolina (that led to schoolhouse beingness cancelled for a week, heed you), I watched the moving painting "Julie & Julia" - y'all know, the ane close a adult woman named Julie who decides to laid her agency through Julia Child's cookbook in addition to start a weblog close it?  Well, I had only published a household unit of measurement cookbook in addition to given it equally a Christmas introduce to all the ladies inward my family.  Inspired past times Julie, I decided I should laid my agency through my ain family's cookbook (though non equally ambitiously equally Julie, who alone gave herself a year!). 

To teach myself started, I made a listing of recipes to teach to during 2011 (my "50 for 2011" list) in addition to shared it out alongside my Facebook friends.  They then, inward turn, requested updates in addition to that the recipes endure shared equally I worked through them.  I tried sharing the outset couplet of recipes (that really same calendar week - yes, quick turn-around, but retrieve schoolhouse was canceled for a calendar week in addition to I was natural springtime to my house), and, good ... decided peradventure a weblog would endure a ameliorate way.  I mentioned the view to a few friends, in addition to they whole-heartedly encouraged me to start a blog.  I wasn't withal convinced.

On the eventide of Feb 5th, 2011, spell watching TV alongside my husband, I decided to only poke or hence Blogger for a flake in addition to explore these things called blogs.  I clicked a few blueprint buttons ... thought, hmmmm, I mightiness endure able to figure this out ... thought, I wonder what this push clit does?  Thought, what would I telephone scream upwardly my blog?

Around 10:00, my hubby Mark said goodnight.  I replied, "I'm going to play or hence alongside this weblog materials only a footling flake more.  I'll endure upwardly soon."  At close 3:00 inward the morn of Feb 6th, was born.  The initiative post? ... "50 Recipes for 2011" Project - I ameliorate teach cooking!

Now, though I haven't done really good working through my "50 Recipes for 2011" projection list, I've had tons of fun taking on many other cooking adventures throughout 's outset year.  I've had tons of fun ... and, sometimes, a flake of frustration (especially alongside the photography part!!) ... trying to figure out this risk called blogging.  I've had tons of fun 'meeting' readers in addition to other bloggers.  Thank y'all hence really much for reading my footling infinite inward blogland.  And give thank y'all you for all your wonderful comments.  I genuinely read in addition to appreciate each in addition to every one, in addition to treasure them similar gifts.  I'm excited to consider what adventures 's 2d twelvemonth holds!

Now, let's celebrate 's outset blogiversary alongside cupcakes!  Barefoot Contessa's Coconut Cupcakes, to endure exact.

These are a moist, decadently rich, in addition to deliciously coconutty cupcake selected from my "30 Recipes for 2012" Project. Loaded alongside butter in addition to sugar, I wouldn't consider them to endure "everyday cupcakes" ... I would salve them for to a greater extent than of a special occasion. I view my 1st blogiversay was only such the perfect special occasion! And oh. my. goodness. - these are hence good. H5N1 groovy pick for my celebration!  I dear that there's kokosnoot both inward the batter itself in addition to on the laissez passer on of the frosting.  Yum, yum, yummy.  And the hint of almond extract gives these a fabulous flavor. 

So, if you've got a special occasion coming upwardly or only experience similar indulging inward some kokosnoot deliciousness, I highly recommend giving these beauties a whirl.  Thank y'all for joining me on my blogiversary!

Coconut Cupcakes alongside Cream Cheese Frosting

Source: Adapted from  The Barefoot Contessa Cookbook past times Ina Garten

(Printable recipe)

Ingredients

Cupcakes:

3/4 lb. (3 sticks) unsalted butter (at room temperature)

2 c. sugar

v eggs (at room temperature)

1 1/2 tsp. vanilla extract

1 1/2 tsp. almond extract

three c. all-purpose flour

1 tsp. baking powder

1/2 tsp. baking soda

1/2 tsp. salt

1 c. buttermilk

fourteen oz. bundle sweetened shredded coconut, divided

Cream Cheese Frosting:

1 lb. cream cheese (at room temperature)

3/4 lb. (3 sticks) unsalted butter (at room temperature)

1 tsp. vanilla extract

1/2 tsp. almond extract

1 1/2 lbs. confectioner's sugar

Directions

Prepare the Cupcakes:

1.  Preheat oven to 325 degrees.  Line 2 muffin pans alongside newspaper liners.

2.  With an electrical mixer, cream the butter in addition to saccharide until lite in addition to fluffy, close v minutes.  With the mixer on depression speed, add together the eggs ane at a time, scraping downward the bowl later on each addition.  Add the vanilla in addition to almond extracts in addition to vii oz. of the coconut; mix well.

3.  Fill each cupcake newspaper close 3/4 total alongside batter.  Bake for 25 to 35 minutes until the tops are lite dark-brown in addition to a toothpick inserted inward the centre comes out clean.  Allow to cool inward the pan for xv minutes.  Remove to a cooling rack in addition to cool completely.

Prepare the Frosting:

4.  With an electrical mixer, blend together the cream cheese, butter, in addition to vanilla in addition to almond extracts.  Add the confectioner's saccharide in addition to mix until smooth.

5.  Frost each cupcake generously alongside cream cheese frosting in addition to sprinkle alongside the remaining vii ounces of coconut.

Enjoy!

Pineapple Upside-Down Cupcakes {2 Sizes}

Pineapple Upside-Down Cupcakes The deliciousness of classic pineapple upside-down cake, inwards an private cupcake size.

My Mom's birthday was a few weeks ago.  Of course, I made her a yummy birthday treat.  I can't allow her particular hateful solar daytime larn past times without making her something special!

Last twelvemonth I whipped upwards 1 of her favorites, cupcakes with coffee frosting.  Well, this twelvemonth I whipped upwards some other 1 of her favorites ... pineapple upside-down cake.

Well, I didn't brand pineapple upside-down cake exactly.  I made Pineapple Upside-Down Cupcakes.  In two sizes.  Ya know, simply because I could.  'Regular' cupcake tin size (pictured below), as well as a slightly-larger oversized cupcake baked inwards ramekins (pictured above).

  

Both sizes follow the same method, simply the ones baked inwards ramekins come upwards out, good ... a fleck bigger.

Start past times making yummy pineapple upside-down cake topping amongst brownish sugar, butter, as well as some pineapple juice.

 If you'd similar to brand ramekin-sized cupcakes, they'll come upwards out looking similar this, amongst whole pineapple rings on top:



It's easy-peasy to whip upwards these footling beauties!  Just ...

1.  Grease ramekin cups generously amongst butter.  This is important!! ... if you lot desire your cupcakes to actually come out of the ramekins, that is.  I usage a slice of waxed newspaper dipped inwards softened butter.

2. Spoon a couplet of tablespoons of the brownish saccharide topping into each ramekin.

3. Drop inwards a whole pineapple ring.

4. Spoon cupcake vanilla cupcake batter over the pineapple telephone ...

5. ... until the pineapple telephone is covered as well as the ramekin is nigh 2/3 full.

6.  Bake ...

7.  ... invert ramekins on a platter ...

8.  ... as well as gently milk shiver the ramekins to unloosen the cupcakes.

Top amongst a cherry as well as VOILA! ... oversized Pineapple Upside-Down Cupcakes.

If you'd similar to brand regular cupcake tin-sized cupcakes, they'll come upwards out looking similar this, amongst pineapple tidbits on top:




Just ...

1. Grease muffin tin cups generously amongst butter.  Again, this is important!!

2. Spoon some of the brownish saccharide topping into each muffin cup.

3. Drop inwards a spoonful of well-drained pineapple tidbits.

4. Spoon cupcake vanilla cupcake batter over the pineapple bits.



 5.  Bake.

6.  While however warm, run a knife some the border of each cupcake ...

7.  ... as well as and thence gently scoop each cupcake out of its muffin loving cup amongst a spoon as well as house inverted on a platter.

8.  Influenza A virus subtype H5N1 footling fleck of pineapple as well as brownish saccharide topping volition stay behind inwards the pan.  No worries ... simply scoop that on out as well as spoon it over the inverted cupcakes.

 Top amongst a cherry and, again, VOILA! ... regular-sized Pineapple Upside-Down Cupcakes.

Serve warm for a divinely delicious private Pineapple Upside-Down Cupcake treat.  And if you're non planning to swallow them all inwards 1 sitting, nosotros constitute they were simply every bit delicious warmed upwards briefly inwards the microwave.

So whether you lot select regular-sized or oversized, you're inwards for a real tasty treat.
Happy birthday, Mom!

Pineapple Upside-Down Cupcakes

Source:  Concept from a friend, vanilla cupcakes adapted from The Hummingbird Bakery Cookbook

(Printable recipe)

Ingredients
Topping:

• 1 (14 to xv oz.) can pineapple tidbits or rings*, drained amongst juice reserved
• 3/4 c. brown sugar
• 2 T. butter
• 1/8 c. pineapple juice, reserved from draining pineapple
• 1/4 c. ground cinnamon

Vanilla Cupcakes:  (or usage your favorite vanilla cupcake recipe)

• 1 c. all-purpose flour
• A scant 3/4 c. granulated saccharide
• 1 1/2 tsp. baking powder
• pinch of tabular array salt
• 3 T. butter, at room temperature
• 1/2 c. whole milk (I've likewise tried it amongst 2% milk, as well as it worked fine)
• 1 egg
• 1 tsp. vanilla extract
• Maraschino cherries for garnish

Directions

1. Prepare the Topping: Combine brownish sugar, butter, as well as pineapple juice inwards a pocket-size saucepan. Heat over medium heat, stirring frequently, until butter is melted as well as brownish saccharide is dissolved.
2. Remove from estrus as well as stir inwards set down cinnamon. Set aside.
3. Prepare the Cupcake Batter: Put the flour, sugar, baking powder, salt, as well as butter inwards a mixing bowl. Beat on irksome speed until everything is combined as well as you lot accept a crumb mixture amongst a sandy consistency. Gradually pour inwards one-half of the milk; shell until the milk is simply incorporated.
4. Whisk together the remaining milk (1/4 cup), egg, as well as vanilla. Pour into the flour mixture as well as shell until all ingredients are simply incorporated. Beat for nigh some other xxx seconds to 1 infinitesimal until the batter is smooth. Do non over mix.
5. Assembly & Baking: Generously grease fourteen muffin cups (or some ramekins**) amongst butter. Spoon a scant tablespoon of brownish saccharide topping into each muffin loving cup as well as conduct house amongst pineapple. Spoon inwards cupcake batter until cups are 2/3 full.
6. Bake at 325 degrees for twenty - 25 minutes, or until lite golden as well as the cake springs dorsum when lightly touched. Cool slightly inwards the pan.
7. Remove cupcakes from the pan. For regular-sized cupcakes: While however warm, run a knife some the border of each cupcake. Then gently scoop each cupcake out of its muffin loving cup amongst a spoon as well as house inverted on a platter. Spoon whatever pineapple bits as well as brownish saccharide topping that stay behind inwards the pan over the inverted cupcakes.   {For oversized cupcakes baked inwards ramekins: While however warm, invert each ramekin on a platter. Let ramekins sit down inverted until cupcakes unloosen from the ramekin, or gently milk shiver each ramekin until the cupcakes release. Remove ramekins.}
8. Top amongst a maraschino cherry as well as serve warm.***

Notes: 

* I used pineapple tidbits for regular-sized cupcakes baked inwards muffin tins as well as pineapple rings for oversized cupcakes baked inwards ramekins. 

** The set out of ramekins needed volition depend on their size.  This recipe should brand nigh half-dozen to 8 oversized ramekin cupcakes.

***  We constitute that warming these cupcakes inwards the microwave (for nigh 10 - 12 seconds) worked simply great.  They were however deliciously divine when warmed upwards a couplet of days later on baking.

Enjoy!

Please savour these other yummy cupcake creations from ...

The BEST Vanilla Cupcakes amongst the BEST Coffee Buttercream Frosting

German Chocolate Cupcakes

Salted Caramel Cupcakes amongst Caramel Buttercream Frosting

Pineapple Upside-Down Cupcakes {2 Sizes}

Pineapple Upside-Down Cupcakes The deliciousness of classic pineapple upside-down cake, inwards an private cupcake size.

My Mom's birthday was a few weeks ago.  Of course, I made her a yummy birthday treat.  I can't allow her particular hateful solar daytime larn past times without making her something special!

Last twelvemonth I whipped upwards 1 of her favorites, cupcakes with coffee frosting.  Well, this twelvemonth I whipped upwards some other 1 of her favorites ... pineapple upside-down cake.

Well, I didn't brand pineapple upside-down cake exactly.  I made Pineapple Upside-Down Cupcakes.  In two sizes.  Ya know, simply because I could.  'Regular' cupcake tin size (pictured below), as well as a slightly-larger oversized cupcake baked inwards ramekins (pictured above).

  

Both sizes follow the same method, simply the ones baked inwards ramekins come upwards out, good ... a fleck bigger.

Start past times making yummy pineapple upside-down cake topping amongst brownish sugar, butter, as well as some pineapple juice.

 If you'd similar to brand ramekin-sized cupcakes, they'll come upwards out looking similar this, amongst whole pineapple rings on top:



It's easy-peasy to whip upwards these footling beauties!  Just ...

1.  Grease ramekin cups generously amongst butter.  This is important!! ... if you lot desire your cupcakes to actually come out of the ramekins, that is.  I usage a slice of waxed newspaper dipped inwards softened butter.

2. Spoon a couplet of tablespoons of the brownish saccharide topping into each ramekin.

3. Drop inwards a whole pineapple ring.

4. Spoon cupcake vanilla cupcake batter over the pineapple telephone ...

5. ... until the pineapple telephone is covered as well as the ramekin is nigh 2/3 full.

6.  Bake ...

7.  ... invert ramekins on a platter ...

8.  ... as well as gently milk shiver the ramekins to unloosen the cupcakes.

Top amongst a cherry as well as VOILA! ... oversized Pineapple Upside-Down Cupcakes.

If you'd similar to brand regular cupcake tin-sized cupcakes, they'll come upwards out looking similar this, amongst pineapple tidbits on top:




Just ...

1. Grease muffin tin cups generously amongst butter.  Again, this is important!!

2. Spoon some of the brownish saccharide topping into each muffin cup.

3. Drop inwards a spoonful of well-drained pineapple tidbits.

4. Spoon cupcake vanilla cupcake batter over the pineapple bits.



 5.  Bake.

6.  While however warm, run a knife some the border of each cupcake ...

7.  ... as well as and thence gently scoop each cupcake out of its muffin loving cup amongst a spoon as well as house inverted on a platter.

8.  Influenza A virus subtype H5N1 footling fleck of pineapple as well as brownish saccharide topping volition stay behind inwards the pan.  No worries ... simply scoop that on out as well as spoon it over the inverted cupcakes.

 Top amongst a cherry and, again, VOILA! ... regular-sized Pineapple Upside-Down Cupcakes.

Serve warm for a divinely delicious private Pineapple Upside-Down Cupcake treat.  And if you're non planning to swallow them all inwards 1 sitting, nosotros constitute they were simply every bit delicious warmed upwards briefly inwards the microwave.

So whether you lot select regular-sized or oversized, you're inwards for a real tasty treat.
Happy birthday, Mom!

Pineapple Upside-Down Cupcakes

Source:  Concept from a friend, vanilla cupcakes adapted from The Hummingbird Bakery Cookbook

(Printable recipe)

Ingredients
Topping:

• 1 (14 to xv oz.) can pineapple tidbits or rings*, drained amongst juice reserved
• 3/4 c. brown sugar
• 2 T. butter
• 1/8 c. pineapple juice, reserved from draining pineapple
• 1/4 c. ground cinnamon

Vanilla Cupcakes:  (or usage your favorite vanilla cupcake recipe)

• 1 c. all-purpose flour
• A scant 3/4 c. granulated saccharide
• 1 1/2 tsp. baking powder
• pinch of tabular array salt
• 3 T. butter, at room temperature
• 1/2 c. whole milk (I've likewise tried it amongst 2% milk, as well as it worked fine)
• 1 egg
• 1 tsp. vanilla extract
• Maraschino cherries for garnish

Directions

1. Prepare the Topping: Combine brownish sugar, butter, as well as pineapple juice inwards a pocket-size saucepan. Heat over medium heat, stirring frequently, until butter is melted as well as brownish saccharide is dissolved.
2. Remove from estrus as well as stir inwards set down cinnamon. Set aside.
3. Prepare the Cupcake Batter: Put the flour, sugar, baking powder, salt, as well as butter inwards a mixing bowl. Beat on irksome speed until everything is combined as well as you lot accept a crumb mixture amongst a sandy consistency. Gradually pour inwards one-half of the milk; shell until the milk is simply incorporated.
4. Whisk together the remaining milk (1/4 cup), egg, as well as vanilla. Pour into the flour mixture as well as shell until all ingredients are simply incorporated. Beat for nigh some other xxx seconds to 1 infinitesimal until the batter is smooth. Do non over mix.
5. Assembly & Baking: Generously grease fourteen muffin cups (or some ramekins**) amongst butter. Spoon a scant tablespoon of brownish saccharide topping into each muffin loving cup as well as conduct house amongst pineapple. Spoon inwards cupcake batter until cups are 2/3 full.
6. Bake at 325 degrees for twenty - 25 minutes, or until lite golden as well as the cake springs dorsum when lightly touched. Cool slightly inwards the pan.
7. Remove cupcakes from the pan. For regular-sized cupcakes: While however warm, run a knife some the border of each cupcake. Then gently scoop each cupcake out of its muffin loving cup amongst a spoon as well as house inverted on a platter. Spoon whatever pineapple bits as well as brownish saccharide topping that stay behind inwards the pan over the inverted cupcakes.   {For oversized cupcakes baked inwards ramekins: While however warm, invert each ramekin on a platter. Let ramekins sit down inverted until cupcakes unloosen from the ramekin, or gently milk shiver each ramekin until the cupcakes release. Remove ramekins.}
8. Top amongst a maraschino cherry as well as serve warm.***

Notes: 

* I used pineapple tidbits for regular-sized cupcakes baked inwards muffin tins as well as pineapple rings for oversized cupcakes baked inwards ramekins. 

** The set out of ramekins needed volition depend on their size.  This recipe should brand nigh half-dozen to 8 oversized ramekin cupcakes.

***  We constitute that warming these cupcakes inwards the microwave (for nigh 10 - 12 seconds) worked simply great.  They were however deliciously divine when warmed upwards a couplet of days later on baking.

Enjoy!

Please savour these other yummy cupcake creations from ...

The BEST Vanilla Cupcakes amongst the BEST Coffee Buttercream Frosting

German Chocolate Cupcakes

Salted Caramel Cupcakes amongst Caramel Buttercream Frosting

Neapolitan Cupcakes {Happy Birthday To Me!}

Happy birthday to me ... happy birthday to me ... happy birthday dear, Tracey ... happy birthday to me!

Psssst! ... It's my birthday. 

Hadn't figured that out yet, had you?  Well, it's true.  Today is my birthday!

Ever since I tin remember, my Mom has made me Neapolitan Sheet Cake for my birthday.  Ever since I tin remember, without neglect ... fifty-fifty arranging for mortal else to larn far for me 1 twelvemonth when she was going to hold out out of town.  She's a proficient Mom similar that.  This twelvemonth was no exception.  Though Mom made me my cake ii weeks early.  But no complaints here.  Nope, non a one.

I simply love the classic Neapolitan flavour trio ... vanilla, chocolate, as well as strawberry.  Mmmmmm, yummy.  In accolade of my Neapolitan birthday tradition, I decided to portion a novel Neapolitan sweetness process amongst you lot today - these Neapolitan cupcakes.

Now, allow me simply say you lot ... these cupcakes convey been a project of love.  I've been working on perfecting them for most a twelvemonth now.  A year!  Can you lot believe it??  I've had the cupcake itself figured out for that entire year.  But the frosting?  That's around other story.  The frosting had been eluding me.  I had failed crusade later failed attempt, amongst several versions turning out not-as-I-desired.

Until now!  Finally!!!!  Finally, a friend of mine who knew I was working on this cupcake flora a strawberry frosting I was happy with.  Thanks thus much, Jennie as well as Southern Lady magazine!

Not exclusively exercise I love the sense of savour of these cupcakes, I also love the "Hey, how'd you lot exercise that?" reaction I larn from people when they come across them.  Truth hold out told, it's actually non that hard.  And I'm going to portion amongst you lot how to exercise it!

Start past times whipping upwards your favorite vanilla cupcake batter as well as favorite chocolate batter ... making certain they're of the same 'base' recipe amongst the same required baking temperature as well as time.  I utilization my BEST Vanilla Cupcake recipe from the wonderful bakers at The Hummingbird Bakery, along amongst their corresponding chocolate cupcake recipe.

Once your batters are mixed, seat a trivial chocolate batter on 1 side of a newspaper cupcake liner laid upwards inwards a muffin pan.  I've flora tipping the pan simply a tiny chip to move along the chocolate batter to 1 side is helpful ... but you lot exclusively postulate to tip genuinely a tiny bit.

Then, seat around vanilla batter on the other side.  I've flora the chocolate batter to hold out simply a teeny chip thicker, thus it 'runs' simply a trivial chip less ... that's why I offset amongst the chocolate.

Then bake 'em up, as well as they'll expect similar this.

Aren't they neat looking?  I love the side-by-side expect of the ii flavors.  I tried marbling them together instead inwards 1 batch, as well as spell they sense of savour the same, the expect simply isn't equally 'dramatic.'  Mark as well as I decided nosotros similar the side-by-side expect wayyyyyy better.

Once the cupcakes are cooled, whip upwards around strawberry cream cheese frosting, made a chip fluffy amongst the improver of around whipped topping.  This was the substitution to a frosting the means I wanted it ... whipped topping.  I didn't wishing the 'density' of a butter cream or truthful cream cheese frosting ... don't larn me wrong, I love both those types of frosting.  It's simply non the texture I wanted for these cupcakes.  I also tried a Swiss meringue ... total fail.  I'm thinking I may non convey done it right.

Anyway, whip up this strawberry cream cheese frosting ... 

... as well as pipage it onto your beautiful 1/2-and-1/2 cupcakes.  Sprinkle on a few pinkish carbohydrate pearls, simply for fun.

Then give away as well as indulge.  Mmmm, mmmm ... it's a yummy birthday political party inwards your mouth!

Neapolitan Cupcakes

Source: Cupcake batters adapted from The Hummingbird Bakery Cookbook , Strawberry Frosting adapted from Southern Lady magazine, March/April 2011

(Printable recipe) 

Ingredients

Vanilla Cupcake Batter:
1 c. all-purpose flour
H5N1 scant 3/4 c. sugar
1 1/2 tsp. baking powder
Pinch of salt
iii T. butter, at room temperature
1/2 c. whole milk (I also tried it amongst 2% milk, as well as it worked fine)
1 egg
1 tsp. vanilla extract

Chocolate Cupcake Batter:

3/4 c. + 2 T. all-purpose flour

2 1/2 T. unsweetened cocoa powder

H5N1 scant 3/4 c. sugar

1 1/2 tsp. baking powder

Pinch of salt

iii T. butter, at room temperature

1/2 c. whole milk (I also tried it amongst 2% milk, as well as it worked fine)

1 egg

1/2 tsp. vanilla extract

Strawberry Frosting:

1 (8 oz.) packet cream cheese, softened (I exercise non recommend using reduced fat)

1/4 c. butter, softened

1/4 c. strawberry jam

1 tsp. strawberry extract (optional*)

1 (8 oz.) container whipped topping (such equally Cool Whip)

1 c. confectioners' sugar

Directions
Prepare the Vanilla Cupcake Batter:
1.  Put the flour, sugar, baking powder, salt, as well as butter inwards mixing bowl. Beat on tedious speed until everything is combined as well as you lot convey a crumb mixture amongst a sandy consistency. Gradually pour inwards one-half of the milk; musical rhythm out until the milk is simply incorporated.

2.  Whisk together the remaining milk (1/4 cup), egg, as well as vanilla. Pour into the flour mixture as well as musical rhythm out until all ingredients are simply incorporated. Beat for most around other xxx seconds to 1 infinitesimal until the batter is smooth. Do non over mix.

Prepare the Chocolate Cupcake Batter:

3.  Put the flour, cocoa powder, sugar, baking powder, salt, as well as butter inwards mixing bowl. Beat on tedious speed until everything is combined as well as you lot convey a crumb mixture amongst a sandy consistency.

4.  Whisk together the milk, egg, as well as vanilla. Slowly pour most one-half into the flour mixture as well as musical rhythm out until simply combined.  Turn the mixer upwards to high speed for a few seconds to musical rhythm out out whatsoever lumps.

5.  Reduce the mixer speed to depression as well as slow pour inwards the remaining milk mixture.  Beat until all ingredients are simply incorporated. Beat for most around other xxx seconds to 1 infinitesimal until the batter is smooth. Do non over mix.

Cupcake Assembly:

6.  Spoon a trivial chocolate batter into 1 side of a muffin pan loving cup lined amongst a newspaper cupcake liner; thus spoon a little vanilla batter into the other side.  Repeat amongst remaining muffin cups, filling each cup a total of 1/2 full. 

7.   Bake at 325 degrees for twenty - 25 minutes, or until lite golden as well as the cake springs dorsum when lightly touched. Cool slightly inwards the pan earlier removing cupcakes to a wire rack. Cool completely earlier frosting.

Prepare the Strawberry Frosting:

8.  Combine cream cheese as well as butter; musical rhythm out at medium speed amongst an electrical mixer until smooth.  Beat inwards strawberry jam as well as strawberry extract until good combined.  Beat inwards whipped topping as well as confectioners' sugar.

9.  Pipe frosting onto the cooled cupcakes.  I flora it proficient to chill the frosting for most twenty to xxx minutes earlier piping onto the cupcakes.

NOTES: 

- This recipe makes 24 cupcakes. And it really does brand 24! Fill your cups exclusively 1/2 full, equally this batter rises quite a bit. When I divided the batter betwixt only 20 or so muffin cups, I had several that rose over the sides of the cups means likewise much. If you're similar me, you'll experience similar there's non plenty batter to stretch to 24 cupcakes ... but at that spot actually is.

*-I've made this frosting both amongst as well as without strawberry extract.  Strawberry extract tin hold out hard to honor (here's a link to strawberry extract on Amazon.com ... you lot tin firm it).  If you're unable to honor it, you lot tin larn ahead as well as brand the frosting without it.  While the strawberry flavour won't hold out quite equally prominent, the frosting is however peachy without it.

Enjoy!

Neapolitan Cupcakes {Happy Birthday To Me!}

Happy birthday to me ... happy birthday to me ... happy birthday dear, Tracey ... happy birthday to me!

Psssst! ... It's my birthday. 

Hadn't figured that out yet, had you?  Well, it's true.  Today is my birthday!

Ever since I tin remember, my Mom has made me Neapolitan Sheet Cake for my birthday.  Ever since I tin remember, without neglect ... fifty-fifty arranging for mortal else to larn far for me 1 twelvemonth when she was going to hold out out of town.  She's a proficient Mom similar that.  This twelvemonth was no exception.  Though Mom made me my cake ii weeks early.  But no complaints here.  Nope, non a one.

I simply love the classic Neapolitan flavour trio ... vanilla, chocolate, as well as strawberry.  Mmmmmm, yummy.  In accolade of my Neapolitan birthday tradition, I decided to portion a novel Neapolitan sweetness process amongst you lot today - these Neapolitan cupcakes.

Now, allow me simply say you lot ... these cupcakes convey been a project of love.  I've been working on perfecting them for most a twelvemonth now.  A year!  Can you lot believe it??  I've had the cupcake itself figured out for that entire year.  But the frosting?  That's around other story.  The frosting had been eluding me.  I had failed crusade later failed attempt, amongst several versions turning out not-as-I-desired.

Until now!  Finally!!!!  Finally, a friend of mine who knew I was working on this cupcake flora a strawberry frosting I was happy with.  Thanks thus much, Jennie as well as Southern Lady magazine!

Not exclusively exercise I love the sense of savour of these cupcakes, I also love the "Hey, how'd you lot exercise that?" reaction I larn from people when they come across them.  Truth hold out told, it's actually non that hard.  And I'm going to portion amongst you lot how to exercise it!

Start past times whipping upwards your favorite vanilla cupcake batter as well as favorite chocolate batter ... making certain they're of the same 'base' recipe amongst the same required baking temperature as well as time.  I utilization my BEST Vanilla Cupcake recipe from the wonderful bakers at The Hummingbird Bakery, along amongst their corresponding chocolate cupcake recipe.

Once your batters are mixed, seat a trivial chocolate batter on 1 side of a newspaper cupcake liner laid upwards inwards a muffin pan.  I've flora tipping the pan simply a tiny chip to move along the chocolate batter to 1 side is helpful ... but you lot exclusively postulate to tip genuinely a tiny bit.

Then, seat around vanilla batter on the other side.  I've flora the chocolate batter to hold out simply a teeny chip thicker, thus it 'runs' simply a trivial chip less ... that's why I offset amongst the chocolate.

Then bake 'em up, as well as they'll expect similar this.

Aren't they neat looking?  I love the side-by-side expect of the ii flavors.  I tried marbling them together instead inwards 1 batch, as well as spell they sense of savour the same, the expect simply isn't equally 'dramatic.'  Mark as well as I decided nosotros similar the side-by-side expect wayyyyyy better.

Once the cupcakes are cooled, whip upwards around strawberry cream cheese frosting, made a chip fluffy amongst the improver of around whipped topping.  This was the substitution to a frosting the means I wanted it ... whipped topping.  I didn't wishing the 'density' of a butter cream or truthful cream cheese frosting ... don't larn me wrong, I love both those types of frosting.  It's simply non the texture I wanted for these cupcakes.  I also tried a Swiss meringue ... total fail.  I'm thinking I may non convey done it right.

Anyway, whip up this strawberry cream cheese frosting ... 

... as well as pipage it onto your beautiful 1/2-and-1/2 cupcakes.  Sprinkle on a few pinkish carbohydrate pearls, simply for fun.

Then give away as well as indulge.  Mmmm, mmmm ... it's a yummy birthday political party inwards your mouth!

Neapolitan Cupcakes

Source: Cupcake batters adapted from The Hummingbird Bakery Cookbook , Strawberry Frosting adapted from Southern Lady magazine, March/April 2011

(Printable recipe) 

Ingredients

Vanilla Cupcake Batter:
1 c. all-purpose flour
H5N1 scant 3/4 c. sugar
1 1/2 tsp. baking powder
Pinch of salt
iii T. butter, at room temperature
1/2 c. whole milk (I also tried it amongst 2% milk, as well as it worked fine)
1 egg
1 tsp. vanilla extract

Chocolate Cupcake Batter:

3/4 c. + 2 T. all-purpose flour

2 1/2 T. unsweetened cocoa powder

H5N1 scant 3/4 c. sugar

1 1/2 tsp. baking powder

Pinch of salt

iii T. butter, at room temperature

1/2 c. whole milk (I also tried it amongst 2% milk, as well as it worked fine)

1 egg

1/2 tsp. vanilla extract

Strawberry Frosting:

1 (8 oz.) packet cream cheese, softened (I exercise non recommend using reduced fat)

1/4 c. butter, softened

1/4 c. strawberry jam

1 tsp. strawberry extract (optional*)

1 (8 oz.) container whipped topping (such equally Cool Whip)

1 c. confectioners' sugar

Directions
Prepare the Vanilla Cupcake Batter:
1.  Put the flour, sugar, baking powder, salt, as well as butter inwards mixing bowl. Beat on tedious speed until everything is combined as well as you lot convey a crumb mixture amongst a sandy consistency. Gradually pour inwards one-half of the milk; musical rhythm out until the milk is simply incorporated.

2.  Whisk together the remaining milk (1/4 cup), egg, as well as vanilla. Pour into the flour mixture as well as musical rhythm out until all ingredients are simply incorporated. Beat for most around other xxx seconds to 1 infinitesimal until the batter is smooth. Do non over mix.

Prepare the Chocolate Cupcake Batter:

3.  Put the flour, cocoa powder, sugar, baking powder, salt, as well as butter inwards mixing bowl. Beat on tedious speed until everything is combined as well as you lot convey a crumb mixture amongst a sandy consistency.

4.  Whisk together the milk, egg, as well as vanilla. Slowly pour most one-half into the flour mixture as well as musical rhythm out until simply combined.  Turn the mixer upwards to high speed for a few seconds to musical rhythm out out whatsoever lumps.

5.  Reduce the mixer speed to depression as well as slow pour inwards the remaining milk mixture.  Beat until all ingredients are simply incorporated. Beat for most around other xxx seconds to 1 infinitesimal until the batter is smooth. Do non over mix.

Cupcake Assembly:

6.  Spoon a trivial chocolate batter into 1 side of a muffin pan loving cup lined amongst a newspaper cupcake liner; thus spoon a little vanilla batter into the other side.  Repeat amongst remaining muffin cups, filling each cup a total of 1/2 full. 

7.   Bake at 325 degrees for twenty - 25 minutes, or until lite golden as well as the cake springs dorsum when lightly touched. Cool slightly inwards the pan earlier removing cupcakes to a wire rack. Cool completely earlier frosting.

Prepare the Strawberry Frosting:

8.  Combine cream cheese as well as butter; musical rhythm out at medium speed amongst an electrical mixer until smooth.  Beat inwards strawberry jam as well as strawberry extract until good combined.  Beat inwards whipped topping as well as confectioners' sugar.

9.  Pipe frosting onto the cooled cupcakes.  I flora it proficient to chill the frosting for most twenty to xxx minutes earlier piping onto the cupcakes.

NOTES: 

- This recipe makes 24 cupcakes. And it really does brand 24! Fill your cups exclusively 1/2 full, equally this batter rises quite a bit. When I divided the batter betwixt only 20 or so muffin cups, I had several that rose over the sides of the cups means likewise much. If you're similar me, you'll experience similar there's non plenty batter to stretch to 24 cupcakes ... but at that spot actually is.

*-I've made this frosting both amongst as well as without strawberry extract.  Strawberry extract tin hold out hard to honor (here's a link to strawberry extract on Amazon.com ... you lot tin firm it).  If you're unable to honor it, you lot tin larn ahead as well as brand the frosting without it.  While the strawberry flavour won't hold out quite equally prominent, the frosting is however peachy without it.

Enjoy!