MSCC | Sweet Potato Cupcakes

I didn't think I was going to like these cupcakes at all... I didn't even want to try them. But I am glad I did, these cupcakes are amazing! You can barely taste the sweet potato, if anything I think it adds moisture and texture to the cupcake. These cupcakes are what fall is all about - fall spice, roasted marshmallows and candied pecans... um, yum!!! They are not too sweet and are therefore extremely dangerous because you could find yourself eating too many of these delicious morsels.

I followed the cupcake recipe exactly how it is written in Martha Stewart's book. When it came time to roast the marshmallows, the book recommends placing a few marshmallows on to a metal tray and then roasting them with a creme brulee torch. We tried this and it wasn't melting the marshmallows fast enough, instead we got blackened marshmallows. Next, I decided to place little mounds of marshmallows under the broiler. Although this worked... it was a little messy transferring the marshmallows onto the cupcakes. So, I tried another technique. I placed the marshmallows and candied pecans bits onto the cupcake and then placed the cupcakes under the broiler - much easier! And it didn't leave a mess, score!

I didn't use the candied pecan recipe from Martha Stewart. Back in October, I made pecan bars for my engagement party... my mom really wanted to try some, but living in Hawaii she wasn't able to attend our engagement party. We are going to visit my mom this week, so I decided to make her some pecan bars. I used the pecan part of my bars as the candied pecans on the cupcakes. I use orange and lemon zest in the bars, so it definitely gives a little extra flavor.

Now that I am working, I have two companies to share by goodies with... so I made a batch for Tyler to take to school with him and I made a batch of mini cupcakes for me to take to work. Look at how cute these are! They are the perfect bite!And I wanted to show off our new platter... wood grain to add to the rustic feel of these cupcakes. Thanks to Shira for the platter, we love it!

Unitl next time, happy baking!

~Danielle

The difference a camera makes

I did an engagement cake this past weekend for a good friend of the family's and I had left over red velvet cake batter. So, I decided to make mini red velvet cupcakes for my coworkers. At work, we have a photo box to take pictures of our product and my boss graciously took pictures of my cupcakes. This picture is 5 million times better than what my little camera takes, so I just wanted to share it. I like how the cupcakes are reflected onto the plate! Tyler and I are looking at used professional cameras online, crossing my fingers that we can find one soon! Until next time, happy baking!

~Danielle

Engagement Party Treats

Tyler and I celebrated our engagement with a few of our friends down here in Southern California and I of course had to create a mini dessert spread :)

Thank you to Byron for taking photos of my desserts!!!

First up... Mini Chocolate cupcakes with Peanut Butter Frosting and Salted Caramel (all my favorite things in one little bite)


Next... a local Hawaiian treat, Mini Haupia Pie (normally, graham cracker crust, haupia and chocolate pudding... but in my version I replaced the chocolate pudding with chocolate ganache)


Pecan Bars... I love pecan pie and I love these Pecan Bars!!! I piped a monkey tail fern design on the bars with chocolate ganache.


Mini Vanilla Buttermilk cupcakes with Lemon Cream Cheese Frosting


Mini Red Velvet Cupcakes with Cream Cheese Frosting


And Vegan Red Velvet Cupcakes with a Vanilla Glaze


I am so sorry for the bad picture quality, my camera just doesn't take good photos of food. If anyone out there has any recommendations of a good camera, please let me know. And if you have any advice to give on taking pictures of food, I'd like to hear them! Thank you!

Until next time, happy baking!

~Danielle

P.S. I wanted to add a few extra pictures... meet two of my closest friends, Bryon and Aaron... they decided to take my mini cupcakes aka cuppies and dip them in the chocolate fountain :)


adding to the chocolate cupcake, peanut butter frosting and salted caramel...


You gotta love it!