Showing posts with label magnolia. Show all posts
Showing posts with label magnolia. Show all posts

Pink Velvet Cupcakes with Buttercream Frosting

These cake toppers are so adorable! At first glance I thought, "Can I eat those?" - I'm no baker, what did I know?  So, my husband said, "YES Jen, they're totally edible." Phew. 

Well, how do they taste?? They actually seem to blend right into the butter cream frosting, so you're pretty much just tasting the frosting! I LOVE how they were inspired by the classic candy conversation hearts! Remember those??? 


My husband & I made these together - they're called Pink Velvet Cupcakes with Buttercream frosting. He made the butter cream frosting from scratch & I swear it tastes just like Magnolia. These goodies are also part of the Love Letter Mag we put together - you can see it all here.  



Recipe is below- don't miss it!
 


Pink Velvet Recipe


1 cup butter, softened

1 1/4 cups sugar
1/4 teaspoon pink food coloring
3 eggs
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
1/4 teaspoon baking soda
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 cup buttermilk

Swiss Meringue Buttercream

-adapted from Martha Stewart-

5 egg whites

1 cup granulated sugar
1 lb (4 sticks) butter
2 tsp vanilla

In a large bowl, cream the butter, sugar and food coloring until light and fluffy. Add eggs, one at a time, beating well after each. Beat in vanilla. Combine the flour, baking powder, baking soda and salt; add to creamed mixture alternately with buttermilk, beating well after each addition.

Fill paper-lined muffin cups two-thirds full. Bake at 350° for 23-27 minutes or until a toothpick inserted near the center comes out clean. Cool for 10 minutes before removing from pans to wire racks to cool completely.

Place egg whites and sugar in a metal electric mixer bowl. Set bowl into a pan of simmering water, and whisk until sugar has dissolved and egg whites are hot to the touch (3 minutes). When its ready, you should feel no sugar granules when you touch it.

Transfer bowl to mixer and use a whisk attachment. Beat on high speed until mixture has cooled completely and formed stiff, glossy peaks (10-11 minutes).

Add the butter, 1/2 bar cut in pieces at a time. Beat until incorporated after each addition. It will initially look curdled but don't worry - it will become smooth again with continued beating. Add vanilla, and beat just until combined.


Change to a paddle attachment, and beat on the low speed to eliminate air pockets (5 minutes). 

Frost the cupcakes then top with the cupcake toppers.

If using the frosting within several hours, cover with plastic wrap and set aside at room temperature in a cool environment. Can be stored refrigerated in airtight container for up to 3 days but bring to room temperature and beat for 5 minutes with paddle attachment before using.







 

-images by jen ramos



Google+ Pinterest

More of my NYC Trip....

BlogFest was a nice event and for only $100 per person to attend, it was a great deal! I enjoyed the short time I attended, which was only the first day. So, that means I can't get really in depth - but I will tell you that I'll probably attend next year as well! We were all introduced to editors from several magazines, including House Beautiful and Veranda


The first event was mostly introductions as well as a nice delicious lunch on the 44th floor of the Hearst Tower hosted by House Beautiful Magazine!  


Below I'm posting pics of the event along with other places I visited while in the city! Enjoy!






Me, Sue DeChiara of The Zhush, Abbe Fenimore of studioten25, Beth Dotolo of PulpDesignStudio, Ashlina Kaposta of The Decorista



above: gift bags given to all os us at the end of the first event! 
below: My pedicure and the peep toe leopard heels I wore on the first day of BlogFest!




below: bracelets galore!!!  A stop at Lord & Taylor was much needed, I left with a few bangles. It's a shame that we don't have so many options here in Las Vegas. I went crazy when I saw the vast selection they had in this one department store!! 








below: I've spotted these studded bracelets all over the place, except here in las vegas. So the minute I saw them in NY, I had to buy one!











I really loved this all black Starbucks storefront. 




below: We ate at this cool spot in Soho called Boom. Lovely Italian dishes & a large skylight in the back.






below: Of course I had to make a stop at Magnolia Bakery. This was my first time ever in this amazing bakery. In fact..... it was so close to my hotel- and I had no idea!!  I always knew about the one located downtown, so this was a nice surprise as I was walking around midtown. They actually have four locations in the city, you can find them all here.



below: I bought these for my mom...











below: The best storefronts are in Soho....



below: my guy and I had lunch at Maze by Gordon Ramsey - which was delicious. Highly recommend it! 








below: I could not leave NYC without visiting the MOMA. Here I am standing in front of a Picasso painting, I was so taken aback...I love ART.



below: this exhibit at the MOMA blew my mind. For all of you who know the iconic 'I LOVE NY' logo by Milton Glaser, they also had the piece of paper he first scribbled his idea on. Very cool. 





below: Corrado on the upper east side was a great place to visit for cappuccino. One of the best I've had in the city. This location was on 70th & Lexington Avenue. Anyone else been there?






below: my guy waiting to hail a cab....right before it started raining, again!!








-most images by jen ramos



Google+ Pinterest