Joey's Birthday Cake

I've never made this big of cake before so it was an adventure.  I came across these cake tattoos created by Charm City Cakes' Duff and I just had to give them a try.  I made a lemon cake with lemon frosting in the middle and fluffy vanilla frosting on the outside.  See recipes for fluffy vanilla frosting.  The tattoos where fun and an easy way to decorate the cake.  I just have to work on having a smoother frosting cover before apply the tattoo.  Regardless it was delicious and Joey loved it!

Party Ideas

Giant Reese's Peanut Butter Cup

Giant Reese's inspired by
http://www.pimpthatsnack.com/project/368/

Amazing Fluffy Frosting

I've searched and searched for the perfect cupcake frosting and finally think I've found it.  This is a little time consuming but well worth it.

Note - when making this - plan for some extra time as some cooling is involved.

Perfect Cupcake Frosting and Filling

3 T Flour

1/2 C milk (whole milk is best, but I used non-fat when it's all I have and it's actually fine)

1/2 C real butter (unsalted)

1/2 C sugar (that's granulated sugar, not powdered sugar)

1 t vanilla extract

Whisk together the flour and the milk. Heat in a small sauce pan on medium heat. Whisk continuously until it starts to thicken.  This is the critical! Let it cook, while stirring, until it looks like pudding (you should be able to see the bottom of the pan when you stir it). Even though it's thick, you can still get it through a mesh strainer (I used a spoon to push it through the strainer) and then let it cool completely to room temp. or chill it in the fridge. It needs to be cooled completely. If you don't let it cool completely, it will melt the butter and you'll have runny frosting.

In an electric stand mixer, beat the butter and the sugar for a minute or two until well combined and fluffy. You'll want to use the whisk attachment on a stand mixer, not the flat paddle. Then while beating, add in the thickened milk mixture and the vanilla. Beat for 8 minutes. Yes, 8 whole minutes, maybe even 9. I know that seems like a long time, but that's when the magic happens! It will go from looking like a weird goopy mess to something thick, velvety smooth, and perfectly fluffy.

I added a little food coloring and strawberry flavoring  - they were a hit!

I've also just left it plain and it's wonderful, almost like whipped cream, very light and soft.

Cake Mix Cookies

 This is the easy recipe ever and you will get super soft moist cookies anyone will love.  These cookies use a box of cake mix for the base, yes that's right, cake mix.  I used triple chocolate from Betty Crocker and added mini M&M's.  For the drizzle I used chocolate candy melts.  Melt them in a bowl, then transfer to a sandwich bag, cut the end of the bag off and drizzle away.  I sprinkled chopped walnuts and some cookies for an extra touch.  If you need to make cookies in a rush and want something special try these.

 

Cake Mix Cookies

 

1 package of cake mix (any flavor)

2 large eggs
1/2 cup of oil

2 tbsp. of water 

1 cup of chopped nuts, chocolate chips, or M&M's (anything you like in cookies)

Preheat oven to 350°F.

Blend cake mix, oil, water, and eggs. Stir in chocolate bits and nuts. Drop by teaspoon on ungreased cookie sheet 2-inches apart.

Bake at 350 degrees 10-12 minutes (top of cookies will look soft/pale). Cool on cookie sheet 1 minute, then remove to wire rack.

Makes about 3 dozen. 

Yummy!

Alexis' Birthday