Superbowl Sunday!

We had a few people over to watch the game and it really was more about the food than the game, although im soooooo happy for the Saints!! they deserved it! great season and a great way to end it! We celebrated Drew Brees & Co by having many a beer and yummy finger foods :) i used my fail proof Giada recipes, cause on game days failure is not an option!

Who knew Wal-Mart was so festive?

($2)

Meatball sliders! Used Giada's recipe but tweaked it and added some bbq sauce too

Twice Baked Potatoes

(also Giada)

my cousins yummy spam musubi rolls

some spread: my friend Maries super yum corn dip

Farmers Market Veggies from Cuzzie

i made color coordinating cupcakes for each team and even though we weren't

rooting for the Colts, these cupcakes were a big hit!

(Blueberries & Cream, Martha Stewart's Cupcakes)

... and the Saints Cupcakes come marching in!

WHO DAT?!?

(Peanut Butter and Chocolate Cupcakes, Martha Stewart's Cupcakes)

National cupcake day!

Rudolf cupcakes!

SOOO super easy! whenever i make decorated cupcakes like these, i just use cake mix and pre made frosting. i figured you're doing extra work on the decorating so cake mix is a-ok. and they taste perfect every time!

anyways. easy. duncan hines chocolate cake mix & chocolate canned frosting.

antlers-pretzels. eyes-white m&ms & chocolate chips. nose-holiday mint m&ms (or you can use anything. cherry heads/sour balls would actually work well) mouth area - mini nilla wafers & black icing

happy holidays!

Duncan Hines part 2

Who says cupcakes in a box can't be classy? :)

lovin my new cakestand! $14.99 at Target

Duncan Hines Yellow Cupcakes

Sometimes a little Duncan Hines is all you need. I wanted to do the whole "from scratch" thing but decided against it cause I'm too lazy. BUT I did make my own frosting so its 1/2 scratch :)

Amaaayzing Chocolate Frosting

1 stick butter
4 tablespoons unsweetened dutch process cocoa powder (I get mine from Surfras in culver city)
1/3 cup whole milk
3 cups confectioners sugar, sifted

Melt the butter on low heat (2-3 minutes).
Add cocoa powder and milk, stir to combine.
Cook until mixture thickens and just begins to boil.

Remove from heat.
Stir in confectioners sugar until frosting is thickened and smooth.

Immediately spoon on top of cooled cupcakes and it will set itself. It might drip but I think drips are cute. Let them dry on a cooling rack and slide some parchment paper under the rack in case it drips on the counter, cleanup is easy.

Excuse me while I gorge myself.

Valentines Day Treat

To lift my spirits from my royal icing fiasco, i decided to make some easy cupcakes for the boyfriend in honor of St. Valentine to redeem myself.  I remembered seeing some Hostess-esque chocolate cupcakes in the new Martha Stewart Living Mag and decided to give it a go.  The recipe was so EASY, its even called One Bowl Chocolate Cupcakes cause you only use, One bowl for the whole thing. The only tips i have for this is try to fill the cupcakes with more batter so that when it puffs up you can dip it into the chocolate glaze without it touching the paper liner.  And try to choose a dark paper liner, instead of white (like i did) to make it more uniformed.  Happy baking!