Cupcakes for a Friend

Tastiest Cupcakes ever and made with Love

Mimi and Miguel

 

My all too cute kiddos decided to make their friend Britton some cupcakes since he had broken his arm. This was all their idea, both are very compassionate. Mimi got started making these as soon as she got home from school today. They were made totally from scratch and boy were they delicious. She even decorated them all by herself. I'm happy that they both love to serve others! So sweet-literally...hehe!

 

Delightful Vanilla Cupcakes

2 cups all purpose flour (spoon in, level)

3 tsp. baking powder

pinch of salt

1 1/2 cup white sugar

2/3 cup butter, softened

2 large egg

1 1/2 cup milk

1 tsp. vanilla extract

 

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees

2. Line 18 muffin tins with paper liners

3. Sift the flour, baking powder and salt in a bowl and mix

4.   In a mixer cream the sugar and butter.  Whisk in eggs.  Gradually add the milk and vanilla.  Slowly add in flour until it is all added and the batter is smooth.

5.  Spoon into the liners to about 3/4 full.  Bake 27-28 minutes, until the tops are golden and spring back when gently pressed.  Cool completely before decorating with frosting.

Yields 18 cupcakes

 

Cupcake Frosting

1/2 cup shortening

1/2 cup butter, softened

4 cups powdered sugar

3 Tablespoons of milk or cream

1 tsp. vanilla extract

a few drops of your favorite food coloring

 

1.  In a large mixing bowl, beat shortening and butter together until light and fluffy.

2.  Add the powdered confectioners sugar, milk, vanilla and food coloring.  Beat until smooth.

3.  Spread or pipe on frosting.  Add extra sprinkles or decorate to your hearts content.

Best Ever Chocolate Chip Cookies

     I have been making these the last 5 years.  It is by far my favorite Chocolate Chip cookie recipe.  I love how the cookies come out soft and chewy every time.  I like my cookies soft not hard and crunchy.  Give them a try they surely will become a favorite of yours too!

1 cup butter or margarine, softened
3/4 cup white sugar
1 cup brown sugar
2 eggs
1 teaspoon vanilla
3 cups flour
3/4 teaspoon salt
3/4 teaspoon baking soda
1 (12 - ounce) bag chocolate chips (we like semi sweet)

Cream together butter, sugars, eggs and vanilla.  In a separate bowl sift together flour, salt, and baking soda.   Add to creamed mixture and beat well.  Stir in chocolate chips.  Drop onto greased cookie sheet by heaping Tablespoons.  Bake at 350 degrees for 8 to 10 min. until lightly browned.  Makes about 3 dozen.

SNICKERDOODLES

The perfect cookie in my book. Soft and sweet and simple to make. Served with a scoop of your favorite sherbet or better yet a sherbet float made with sprite, makes a very refreshing summertime treat.

1/2 cup butter
1/2 cup shortening
1 and 1/3  cup sugar
2 eggs
(cream above ingredients together)
2 and 3/4 cup flour
2 teaspoons cream of tartar
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/4 teaspoon salt
(mix dry ingredients together then add to wet mixture)

Roll dough into 1-2 inch balls then roll in a cinnamon sugar mixture. Smash slightly with the bottom of a glass. Bake at 400 degrees for 8-10 minutes (I take mine out right at 8 min. even if they look a little under done.) Let sit 1 minute on pan and then place directly on a cooling rack. They come out perfect every time. Yum!
Recipe source: my friend Lori

All American Apple Pie

Okay, this apple pie recipe has become an all time favorite at our house. The smells from the oven are enough to make your mouth water and then when you taste this pie with it's tart and sweet flavors you will truly feel like you've gone to heaven. Top with vanilla bean ice cream. YUM!


-PASTRY FOR DOUBLE CRUST-
2 1/2 cups flour
1 teaspoon salt
3/4 cup shortening
1/4 cup (1/2 stick) butter-chilled and cut in small pieces
4-6 Tablespoons ice-cold water

-FILLING-
3 Granny Smith apples
2 Fuji or Gala apples
3/4 cup sugar
3 Tablespoons flour
3/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon allspice

1. To make the crust, stir the flour and salt in a large bowl. Cut in the shortening and butter with a pastry blender or two knives until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs. Sprinkle with ice water, a tablespoon at a time, and stir with a fork to moisten all the dough. Gather the dough into a ball with your hands. Divide the dough in half. Roll out one half on a lightly floured surface and fit it into a 9-inch pie plate. Roll out the other half and set it aside.

2. Preheat the oven to 375 degrees.

3. Peel and core the apples and cut them into thin slices into a large bowl. Combine the sugar, flour, cinnamon, and allspice in a small bowl and toss with the apples. Spoon the filling into the pastry-lined pie plate. Dot with butter.

4. Position the top crust over the pie and seal the edges. Cut steam vents in the top crust in a. Trim and flute the edges.

5. Beat one egg with a fork, brush it over the crst, and sprinkle lightly with sugar. Cover edges with aluminum foil or a pie crust shield. Bake for 25 minutes; remove the foil. Bake an additional 25 to 30 minutes until the crust is golden brown and the filling is bubbly.