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Sunday, 31 August 2008

Fresh Rosemary & Lemon cupcakes

I found this recipe online and have been meaning to try it for a while now, but never got around to buying fresh Rosemary. Then the other day I found the Rosemary and decide it's time to try. Before starting, I could already imagine the smell of lemon that was to fill my kitchen, but didn't know how the Rosemary would smell or taste mixed with lemon ...and in a cake for that matter.
I must say I loved the tangyness of the lemon and the smell of the Rosemary. So folks, Rosemary does work with lemon...and not just for roasting chicken :-)











This is the Recipe

Fresh Rosemary & Lemon Cupcakes

Ingredients
1/2 cup butter, softened
2 eggs
1 3/4 cups cake flour (I use regular, just make sure it's equivalent)
2 tsp. finely chopped fresh rosemary
1 1/2 tsp. baking powder
1/2 tsp. salt
1 cup granulated sugar
1 1/2 tsp. lemon extract
1/2 tsp. vanilla
2/3 cup milk
2 tsp. finely shredded lemon peel
3 TBS. lemon juice

Lemon Glaze:
In a small bowl, combine 1 cup powdered sugar and enough lemon juice (5 to 5 1/2 tsp.) for spreading consistency. Stir in finely shredded lemon peel.

Preparation:
1. Let butter and eggs stand at room temperature 30 minutes. Line muffin tray with cups. In medium bowl combine cake flour, rosemary, baking powder, and salt; set aside.
2. Preheat oven to 350. Beat butter on medium high for 30 seconds. Add sugar, lemon extract, and vanilla. Beat on med-high for 2 minutes until light and fluffy, scraping bowl.
3. Add eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition. Alternately add flour mixture and milk to butter mixture, beat on low after each just until combined. Stir in the lemon peel and lemon juice.
4. Spoon batter into cups. Bake 22-25 minutes.
5. Put on glaze.

Forget me not - cupcakes

My friend Jane (in the US at the mo.) recommended me to her cousin Michelle who was looking for someone to bake a cake for 2 of her friends who were having a joint b'day celebration. Michelle who is in China at the moment could only discuss the details via email and she finally decided on chocolate cupcakes with flowers and the wordings. The colour and type of flowers were up to me. As Michelle was so far away, I thought hmmmm...'forget me not" would be quite appropriate for the toppers. So spent a few hours piping these flowers and getting them to harden before placing them on the chocolate ganache topped cupcakes.

It was a surprise indeed for Chole and JQ who only saw the cakes when they were delivered to them.















A Birthday cake for Indra

Indra's mum wanted to surprise her for her 37th b'day. But wanted just a simple butter cake. I added the piped roses and rose buds to make it something special for Indra.









Apple Blossom & Rose Bud Cupcakes

When this order came in, I was give specific instructions as to what the colours of the icing and flowers were to be. This made my life easier...or so I thought. Then decided to make my own flowers with royal icing to save on having to search for these coloured flowers elsewhere.











Friday, 29 August 2008

More cupcakes

My neighbour order some cupcakes but left the design to me. So just tried some new designs here. Something simple and easy.









Tinkerbell in a field of daisies

Someone saw my 1st Tinkerbell cake and wanted one too, but asked if I could change the design, so this is what I came up with.
Tinkerbell looks a little too plump. The weather was too damp (been raining almost everyday) and it was hard to get the figure to stay the way I molded. Nonetheless, I still need to practise on getting the facial features a little more expressive.









Monday, 25 August 2008

Varied Designs - Cupcakes

Just having fun piping away with the extra butter cream I had.









Some day my Prince will come

Should I kiss him? Would he turn into my prince charming?



Santa Clause is coming to town

You better watch out, you better not cry, he's making a list, checking it twice, gonna find out who's naughty and nice, Santa Clause is coming to town...soon.
Hahahah....never too early to plan for Christmas.







Boob Job

Just having fun working with fondant and used an idea from Debbie Brown to come up with these boob job.