Tres Leche Cupcakes … What Brings Friends Together

Last week I went over to my friend’s house and we created some amazing goodness and had fun doing it. How you ask, do we call baking in the kitchen fun? It takes two people who love to cook and bake to make it fun.

We don’t get together as often as we would like, but when we do we always end up cooking. First it starts with some time by the pool looking at cookbooks and then we migrate into the kitchen where, believe it or not, it is cooler and we try out some of those recipes we found. One afternoon we decided to bake eggs. Was it because we craved breakfast? No, we simply had never done it before and wanted to give it a whirl. It worked out great. Another time we made an AMAZING strawberry bread, which I will post next week when I do my belated strawberry series.

This last week, however, we had a cupcake game plan. We skipped the pool and we skipped the cookbook and went straight to creating. I think our inspiration is from all of the little cupcake shops popping up around town and my favorite show ‘Cupcake Wars.’

Early this week I posted about our Kahlua Cream Cupcakes. This post is about our Tres Leche Cupcakes. I hope you enjoy both of them. I think we are going to do a Salted Caramel Cupcake in the near future.


Kahlua Cream Cupcake

Tres Leche Cupcakes
yield 1 dozen
printable recipe

batter
1 1/2 c. cake flour
1 tsp. baking powder
1/2 tsp. Kosher salt
4 oz. unsalted butter, room temperature*
1 c. sugar
5 whole eggs, room temperature*
1 1/2 tsp. vanilla extract

glaze
1/2 can (6 oz.) evaporated milk
1/2 can (7 oz.) sweetened condensed milk
1/2 c. half and half

whipped topping
2 c. heavy whipping cream
1/2 c. sugar
1 tsp. vanilla extract

*Notes: We did this recipe twice; once with cold butter and eggs and once with room temperature butter and eggs. It is much better if you make sure they are at room temperature.*

Cupcake Directions:

1.) Preheat oven to 350 degrees; line muffin tins with paper cupcake liners.

2.) Whisk together the flour, baking powder and salt; set aside.

 

3.) Cream the butter with your electric mixer until fluffy; approximately 1 minute. (I prefer to use my Kitchen Aid with the paddle attachment.)

4.) Slowly add the sugar to the butter and cream together for approximately 1 minute.

5.) Add the eggs in  one at a time, mixing  thoroughly.

6.) Add in the vanilla extract, mix thoroughly.

7.) Add in the flour mixture in 3 batches. Mix until just combined.

8.) Fill cupcake liners about 3/4 full. Bake 15 to 18 minutes until the cupcakes are spongy on top.

9.) Remove cupcakes from muffin tins and allow to cool for about 30 minutes.

10.) Prepare glaze.

glaze directions:
1. ) Whisk together the evaporated milk, sweetened condensed milk, and half and half.

2.) Poke the cupcakes in several places with a skewer. Spoon glaze over each individual cupcake. Continue to spoon over cupcakes until they won’t absorb anymore glaze.

3.) Refrigerate cupcakes for at least 30 minutes to overnight before topping with whipped cream.

whipped cream directions
1.) Place the metal bowl and whisk you will be using for the whipped cream in the refrigerator to get nice and cold.

2.) Remove bowl and whisk from the refrigerator. Add in the heavy whipping cream, sugar and vanilla extract. Using an electric mixer with the whisk attachment, mix on medium speed until fluffy and thick.

3.) Place in a piping bag and pipe onto cupcakes. Drizzle remaining sweetened condensed milk over the whipped cream. It adds a pretty look. Garnish as desired.

This post is linked to the following blogs.
Tempt my Tummy Tuesdays Dr. Laura's Tasty Tuesday Blog Hop at WhoIsLaura.com

Posted in In the Kitchen | Tagged , , , | 4 Comments

Wordless Wednesday – Basket Girl

This little one keeps us all laughing with her sense of style, her form of play and her awesome toddler words. I feel blessed to call her my daughter.

The Head

 

 

The Foot

 

 

Here are some other great Wordless Wednesday posts

Live and Love...Out Loud The Paper Mama5 Minutes for Mom
Better in Bulk

Please link up your Wordless Wednesday below and please leave a comment.



Posted in Wordless Wednesday | Tagged , , | 12 Comments

This Week In Our Kitchen – Week of August 14th

My motivation this week has really been lacking. I did not want to meal plan, but alas I did do it. I hope that I actually make everything on the list. I guess we will see.

My husband’s favorite dinner from last week was the Parmesan Crusted Pork Chops, Smashed Fried Potatoes and Mini Caprese Salad. He said the salad reminded him of his trip to Germany, just with more manageable bites.

Here is what we will be eating at our house this week.

Sunday: Stuffed Burgers with fries

Monday:  Beef Fajitas, refried beans and homemade tortillas

Tuesday: Cajun Oven Fried Chicken, cheddar-bacon mashed potatoes, and Brussels Sprouts.

Wednesday: Cilantro Pesto Chicken, Cilantro Lime Rice and Grilled Corn with Chipotle Butter

Thursday: Pepperoni Strombolli and a garden salad

Friday: BBQ Pepsi Chicken, Dill Potato Salad and a tomato-onion salad

Saturday: Tilapia Athenian (A mild fish pan-fried and topped with spinach, plum tomatoes and feta cheese), couscous, and Greek salad.

As recipes are posted on Kitchen and Kids, I will link them up to my menu plans, so if something interests you check back and see if I’ve posted a recipe.

Feel free to leave your ideas, too. Happy Cooking!

You can find other wonderful ideas at the links below.

   StoneGable

Posted in This Week In Our Kitchen | Tagged , , , , , , , | 4 Comments

Pretty as a Picture … Kahlua Cream Cupcakes

Tuesday night I received a text that said “Come over tomorrow,” and then a few short hours later another one that said “Come over today!” They were from my best friend, who lives a mere 30 minutes from me, but I see just a few times a year because of our crazy schedules. A little later, after I confirmed I was going to go over, I felt like I was in a Phineas and Ferb show as my friend sent me another text and said “Amy, I know what we are going to do today… make Tres Leche Cupcakes!” Okay, so not quite as elaborate as Phineas and Ferb but for moms I think it is pretty good, especially since we haven’t made them before.


Tres Leche Cupcakes

Now, I know you might be confused because the title of this post says Kahlua Cream Cupcakes, but those came about after the Tres Leche Cupcakes. I thought we were on a cupcake-baking-roll and wanted to try our hand at something else, so “Ta Da – Kahlua Cream Cupcakes!”

Kahlua Cream Cupcakes
yield at least 12 cupcakes
printable recipe

1 1/2 sticks unsalted butter at room temperature
1 1/2 c. granulated sugar
3 large eggs at room temperature
1 1/2 tsp. pure vanilla extract*
1 c. sour cream
1/2 c.  Kahlua liqueur
2 1/2 c. cake flour (not self-rising)
2 tsp. baking powder
1/2 tsp baking soda
1/2 tsp kosher salt

1.) Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Line muffin tins with paper cupcake liners.

2.) Cream the butter and sugar with an electric mixer for 4 minutes, until light and fluffy. (I use my Kitchen Aid fitted with the paddle attachment.)

3.) Add in the eggs one at a time, making sure each egg is mixed in before adding the next one.

4.) Add in the vanilla, sour cream and Kahlua; mix thoroughly.

5.) In a separate bowl, sift together the flour, baking powder, baking soda and salt.

6.) Slowly add the flour mixture to the sugar mixture until combined. (Use a spatula to make sure the flour mixture is completely combined with the sugar mixture. Sometimes flour gets stuck at the bottom and is not mixed well.)

7.) Fill cupcake liners 3/4 full. Bake 15 to 18 minutes, until the top is spongy. Cool completely before icing.

*If you are looking for a great pure vanilla extract you can purchase the same vanilla we used at Savvy Tea and Herbs.*

Basic Buttercream Icing
yield 3 cups
printable recipe

1/2 c. shortening
1 stick butter, softened
1 tsp. vanilla extract
4 c. powdered sugar
2 Tbl. milk

1.) In a large bowl cream shortening and butter with an electric mixer. (I use my Kitchen Aid with the whisk attachment.)

2.) Add in vanilla.

3.) Gradually add in the sugar, 1 cup at a time. Mix on medium speed.

4.) After all of the sugar is mixed in the icing will be very dry, add in the milk. Beat at medium speed until light and fluffy.

5.) Cover with a damp rag until ready to use.

6.) Place icing in a pastry bag, and pipe on top of your cooled cake or cupcakes.

*Store leftover icing in an airtight container in the refrigerator. Re-whip the icing before using refrigerated icing.*

After icing your cupcakes, decorate them with sprinkles for a little something extra.

You can find this post linked to the following blogs.
Tempt my Tummy Tuesdays Dr. Laura's Tasty Tuesday Blog Hop at WhoIsLaura.com

Posted in In the Kitchen | Tagged , , , , | 8 Comments

This Week In Our Kitchen – Week of August 7th

Well I have about half of last week’s menu carrying over to this next week. My husband enjoyed some great east coast seafood, and I spoiled my 11-year-old with his favorite fast food places. After all, he missed out on some great eats with his dad and I; and secondly, he really did great his first week at football practice. I did make sure and tell him to not even expect getting food every night on his way home from practice after this last week.

My husband’s favorite dinner from last week was his mom’s lasagna, cheesy crescent rolls and banana pudding. But, he also really enjoyed the chicken and waffles we made on Wednesday. I will try very hard to get that recipe up for you guys some time this next week. I must admit that chicken and waffles did not sound all that great to me, but since my husband had mentioned it many times I thought we might as well give it a try, and guess what? It was really good.

Here is what we will be eating at our house this week.

Sunday: Chicken Spaghetti (I will try to get this recipe up by the end of the week.)

Monday:  Parmesan Crusted Pork Chops, Smashed Fried Potatoes and Caprese Salad (since I don’t have this salad on my blog, this is identical to what I do at our house.)

Tuesday: Baked Potato Bar, using slow cooked baked potatoes

Wednesday: Taco Salad

Thursday: Steak Baquettes with oven sweet potato fries

Friday: Beef fajitas, homemade tortillas and refried beans

Saturday: Tilapia Athenian (A mild fish pan-fried and topped with spinach, plum tomatoes and feta cheese), couscous, and Greek salad.

As recipes are posted on Kitchen and Kids, I will link them up to my menu plans, so if something interests you check back and see if I’ve posted a recipe.

Feel free to leave your ideas, too. Happy Cooking!

You can find other wonderful ideas at the links below.

   StoneGable

Posted in This Week In Our Kitchen | Tagged , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

Memories … in Memaw’s Lasagna

For years there have been a few items I have let my mother-in-law corner the market on cooking wise, but after a bit of insistence from my sweet husband I decided to make her lasagna.

Her lasagna is very good, but it is so simple that it just didn’t fit with my style. I go gourmet, she goes country simple cooking; I go exotic herbs, she goes without; so you can imagine the challenge for me. I wanted to jazz up her lasagna, add another layer of flavor, etc… and every time my husband said “It just isn’t mom’s.” So after years of fighting the lasagna battle I have finally acquiesced.

I hope you guys enjoy this recipe. It is super simple to throw together and very tasty. And most importantly, it is an all-time favorite of my boys. They get it for birthdays, and special occasions, but I have to be careful to not make it too often so it doesn’t lose its specialness.

Memaw’s Lasagna
Printable Recipe

As I say many times, gather all of your ingredients before you begin.

1 lb Italian ‘Mild’ Sausage
1 lb ground beef
1 pkg Lasagna noodles (I do not use the oven ready noodles. I like to boil them and layer them that way. Seems more traditional)
6 c. Mozzarella cheese
1 can tomato paste
1 Jar Prego – Chunky Garden Pasta Sauce
1/2 c. ketchup (more or less)
1/4 c. sugar (more or less)

1.) Brown the Italian sausage and ground beef together, drain off fat and return to skillet.

2.) To browned meat, add in the pasta sauce, ketchup, tomato paste and sugar; mix well. Simmer for 30 minutes.

3.) Preheat the oven to 375 degrees.

4.) While the sauce is simmering boil the lasagna noodles according to the package directions. Since you are baking them in the oven, cook the noodles for the least amount of time stated; they will finish cooking in the oven.

5.) Layer a thin coating of sauce in a 9 x 13 pan, layer the lasagna noodles, 1/3 of the pasta sauce and 1/3 of the cheese; repeat layers finishing with the last third of the mozzarella cheese.

  

6.) Bake at 375 degrees for 30 minutes.

Serve with a nice Ceaser Salad and Cheesy Crescent Rolls for a complete dinner.

I would love to hear what you guys make for special occasions.

This post is linked up at the following blogs. I hope you stop by and see what is cooking with them.
Dr. Laura's Tasty Tuesday Blog Hop at WhoIsLaura.com Tempt my Tummy Tuesdays

Posted in In the Kitchen | Tagged , , , , | 5 Comments

Wordless Wednesday – Little Diva

Yes, she dressed herself! First the outfit mommy picked out and then her favorite swim suit. Thank goodness she left the size 9 month sweater in the house to go out in the 100 degree heat. Maybe I should put away the clothes that are too big and too small for her…

Here are some other great Wordless Wednesday posts

Live and Love...Out Loud The Paper Mama5 Minutes for Mom
Better in Bulk Dagmar’s Momsense

Please link up your Wordless Wednesday below and please leave a comment.



Posted in Wordless Wednesday | Tagged , | 7 Comments

This Week In Our Kitchen – Week of July 31st

Wow! I have everything leftover from last week to cook this week. When I said last week I wasn’t feeling 100%, I didn’t really think it would knock me completely off kilter, but it did. Now that I am feeling soooo much better, I better start cooking. I just tallied up our receipts from take-out and such and about fell out of my seat. First off, I am sick of take-out, and secondly, we will be in the poor house if we keep it up. I am also ready to make some bread (I had to eat store-bought, and I am now craving my own.)

I am going to admit, we are awful parents – we sent our oldest to youth camp, and then used up all of the restaurant gift cards we had lying around. Why, you ask? Simple … my 11-year-old eats like a man, and it was cheaper this way. Will he be mad? Most certainly. Were any of the gift cards his? Absolutely not. Will that make a difference? Not in the mind of my man-child. But … oh well, we are mom and dad and we can do what we want.

My husband’s favorite dinner from last week … well, I don’t think it was the frozen dinners, or the peanut butter and jelly sandwiches, or thin air, so I am not sure. I do know we had a great breakfast Friday morning after we dropped child #1 off at church for youth camp. We went to this place that looked as if it could be a hole in the wall, or abandoned, or just gross, but … not the case. It was spectacular, stupendous, out of this world … I could go on, but I will stop. My breakfast served as my breakfast and early dinner (I had that much left over.) And, my daughter’s french toast … yum! I really wish I could go back today for some french toast, but I can’t. I don’t have a gift card to there, and we spent our dining out budget last week. Boo hoo! Must dry up the tears and move on …

Here is what we will be eating at our house this week (finally!)

Sunday: Take out from Chili’s (We have a gift card, and I will be gone. I am going to go see the musical Guys and Dolls with my mom. Fun, fun, fun. I am so glad my mom sees fit to by season tickets to the theater, and my dad sees fit to not go, more opportunities for me.)

Monday:  Parmesan Crusted Pork Chops, Smashed Fried Potatoes and Caprese Salad (since I don’t have this salad on my blog, this is identical to what I do at our house.)

Tuesday: Memaw’s Lasagna, Cheesy Crescent Rolls, green salad with homemade ranch dressing and Banana Pudding (My son is coming back from camp, so I want to fix him one of his favorite meals, although it seems like we just had lasagna not that long ago.)

Wednesday: Chicken Spaghetti (I will try to get this recipe up by the end of the week.)

Thursday: Chicken and Waffles (A work in progress. Once I have a solid recipe, I will share it with you guys.)

Friday: Beef fajitas, homemade tortillas and refried beans

Saturday: Baked Potato Bar (slow cook the potatoes in the crock pot) and serve with all kinds of fixins. (Yes, I am Texan)

As recipes are posted on Kitchen and Kids, I will link them up to my menu plans, so if something interests you check back and see if I’ve posted a recipe.

Feel free to leave your ideas, too. Happy Cooking!

You can find other wonderful ideas at the links below.

   StoneGable

Posted in This Week In Our Kitchen | Tagged , , , , , , , | 6 Comments

This Week In Our Kitchen – Week of July 24th

I still have quite a few items from last week to go on this weeks menu and since I am not feeling 100% I am not motivated to come up with a in dept menu, but we still have to eat, so here goes.

My husband’s favorite dinner from last week was the pot roast, mashed potatoes and cream corn. However, he also really likes my Cheesy Lasagna which is a family favorite and gone within days. I always have to double or triple the recipe so we have leftovers.

Here is what we will be eating at our house this week.

Sunday: Dinner at my parents house. Grilled Steaks, fried potatoes and Ceaser Salad

Monday: Spaghetti and Meatballs, garlic bread and salad

Tuesday:  Parmesan Crusted Pork Chops, Smashed Fried Potatoes and Caprese Salad (since I don’t have this salad on my blog, this is identical to what I do at our house.)

Wednesday: Chicken Spaghetti (I will try to get this recipe up by the end of the week.)

Thursday: Chicken and Waffles

Friday: Beef fajitas, homemade tortillas and refried beans

Saturday: Tilapia Athenian (A mild fish pan fried and topped with spinach, plum tomatoes and feta cheese), couscous, and Greek salad.

As recipes are posted on Kitchen and Kids, I will link them up to my menu plans, so if something interests you check back and see if I’ve posted a recipe.

Feel free to leave your ideas, too. Happy Cooking!

You can find other wonderful ideas at the links below.

   StoneGable

Posted in This Week In Our Kitchen | Tagged , , , , , , , | 6 Comments

Wordless Wednesday – The Music Man (Boy)

This was his second time performing, and he was performing a song he wrote himself. I couldn’t be more proud!

   

That was a group song! Now for the proud mamma moment, when he sings and plays the song he wrote himself.

  

Here are some other great Wordless Wednesday posts

Live and Love...Out Loud The Paper Mama5 Minutes for Mom
Better in Bulk Dagmar’s Momsense

Please link up your Wordless Wednesday below and please leave a comment.



Posted in Wordless Wednesday | Tagged , , , | 4 Comments