Cupcakes' Crazy Cousins...

MUFFINS!

I don't often make muffins,
but today - I did.

The idea originated from me thinking about
Banana Chocolate Chip Coffee Cake this morning.
A few weeks ago, I had some
from Starbucks, and it was
AH-MAZE-ZING.
So, I started looking for recipes...
but none that I found felt right!
I either didn't have adequate ingredients
(e.g., Buttermilk. Buy a quarter-gallon just to use a quarter-cup? No.)
or I didn't own the right size pans.
(Note to self: Purchase a bundt pan!)

I started thinking about what I did have,
and I remembered my under-used
mini cupcake/muffin pan!
I found a pretty basic, but well reviewed, recipe online.
Then, after one quick trip to the store
to buy bananas and mini chocolate chips
(kind of essential ingredients, I guess),
I was off and baking!

They came out delicious!
I sampled a few (or four) to make sure they were good.

I packaged 'em up
to take to my family tomorrow
for Mother's Day.

Here's hoping all the moms out there
have a very sweet day!
<3

CheerCakes

This past Wednesday night was

the last cheerleading practice of the season
for the team I coach.

To celebrate a successful year,
I brought in some cupcakes for the girls.
They came out pretty cute... I was thinking,
I should call them CheerCakes :)

The cakes were chocolate,
but I added some coffee right into the batter.
They're topped with whipped cream frosting.
Yum!

2 - 4 -6 - 8 -
Cupcakes, cupcakes sure are great!

Happy Easter!

After Easter Mass, my church does an Easter Egg Hunt and reception.
I volunteered to bring some MaryCaseyCakes!
I made a whole bunch of them so that I could bring some to my family, too.

Chocolate, vanilla, and marble cakes,
with creamy chocolate frosting! Yum!

Decorated with some icing "grass," jelly bean "eggs," and "flower" confetti...
and of course, some sparkly white crosses
to remind us of the reason for the holiday!

Faith, family, and cupcakes...
What a perfect day!

A Very Special Occasion

A special occasion calls for a special cake.
Saturday, April 9, 2011, was a very special occasion...
I received my Catholic Confirmation!

To celebrate, a special person got me a special cake for my special day.
I'm over-emphasizing "special," I know... But the day was just that great!
The cake was from Modern Pastry in Boston.

It was chocolate mousse cake,
with an edge of chocolate-drizzled, mini cream puffs.
Cream puffs are my absolute favorite things on the face of the planet.
Seriously.
The sugar calla lilies on top were perfect and so beautiful.
This cake was amazing.

The whole day was amazing.
Thank you to everyone who played a part in it.
I am so blessed!

Not quite cakes...

...but sweet all the same!

A few months ago, I joined a few lovely ladies
at a lovely little placed called SpecialTeas in Northboro, MA.

Our lunch was delightful.
Our teas were delicious.
And our dessert... divine!

Above is a snapshot of everyone's tiny treats.

And here is a shot of my own personal plate of heaven.

I don't remember the official titles of my dessert choices,
but to give you an idea of their flavors...
Chocolate, Toffee, Whipped Cream (left)
Bailey's Irish Coffee Cream (top);
White Chocolate Mousse (right);
and Key-Lime Cheesecake Bite (bottom).
All four were amazing!

I loved, loved, loved everything about my visit to SpeacialTeas,
and can't wait to go back!

Just a little tardy in my postings...

Happy Halloween cakes!
Eight months late... Whoops!

Perfection

A red velvet cupcake from
Lulu's Sweet Shoppe
in Boston's North End.
And a glass of milk, of course.