Sugar Cookie Cutouts!

I sat down today going through my drawer of recipes and decided to start getting a list together for Christmas Cookies this year. I know I'm like way ahead of schedule, but I wanna be ready to go. There will be the traditional cookies, like these sugar cookies, but I want to try a few new cookies. If I get some ideas I can test them out instead of waiting until baking day with my Mom and Grandmother. I had every intention of having a totally lazy day since I was off work but for some reason, I just can't do it. I was up early and ready to go, well after a few Vanilla Bean Lattes (post coming soon). Anywho, I decided that since I have yet to make sugar cookies this year, I usually do for every holiday, it was time! I've been craving them for a few days so it was perfect that I was off today. I'm ready for the holidays and can't wait to try out some new cookies. Here are some photos I took along the baking way today. Enjoy...

Where's all the pumpkin?!

I don't know if I can explain enough about my love for pumpkin. I love pumpkin pie, muffins, and now cupcakes just to name a few treats. Pumpkin is another part of ringing in Fall for me. You can't have Fall without Pumpkin and it's spice spicy companions. I thought I was at my brink of excitement when that Carrot Cake was cooking but I was wrong. When these cupies started baking I can't even explain how happy I was. The house smelled amazing. The spices just filled the house with a smell no Autumn candle can match.

Caramel Frappulicious Cupcakes

I wanted to try something new with a cupcake so I got a recipe and made it my own. I wanted to do a coffee flavored cupcake. I LOVE coffee! lol So I got this coffee cupcake recipe and decided to go with a caramel flavor. I changed the recipe a bit to make it a little richer in flavor. I do however still need to do some work on the recipe. It did turn out decent but I want it to be better! I made some homemade whipped cream and caramel for the topping. The coffee flavor, I think, needs to be a little stronger and I don't think I'll use coffee grinds as the recipe calls for. I would also like to infuse more caramel flavor. Have caramel more present than just on the top. Maybe a caramel filling? I'll post next time I make them and I will post the recipe once I get it completed!

Also, I happened to take some of these to dinner last night. They were well liked. But than can be even better with a lil more work! The Vanilla Bean Cupcakes were a sure HIT! They were all gone! They are just too good to leave sit! hehe Thanks to all who tried them both last night!

Here are a few pics...

Grammie's Strawberry Filled Cupcakes

So I tried something that I've not done before...Filling cupcakes.

Having read through the begining of my new cookbook I thought I'd try a cake recipe from it. However, I didn't want to just make a cupcake. So, I thought that I'd make them extra special and use some of my Grandma's (hence the name) homemade strawberry jam. Was a good idea and the cupcakes did taste decent but not great, to no fault of the jam. I'm still trying to work up my baking supplies and ingredients. I have yet to get a scale and all that jazz to measure properly. The way most recipes were made in the cookbook were by weight. Now they do give you the cup amount to add, but it's important to follow the "dip n scoop" method. I think that's where I failed in this cupcake. The recipe used cake flour which I had to purchase, don't keep it in the cabinet. So, I took the bag out and dumped into the measuring cup rather than doing "dip n scoop". BAD IDEA! It doesn't help that I, still don't know why, I don't have a sifter and the flour was to be sifted. In the end, the cupcakes look AWESOME! Unfortunately, they were a little dry. Even after the filling and frosting, they didn't get much better. I will try this recipe again, but I will make sure to do it properly. Anywho, here are some pictures!

The cupcakes shortly after the oven. They look SO good!

Filled and iced with a very good Cream Cheese Frosting!

And a look inside. Kinda looks like a face sticking out it's tongue. lol

Happy Valentine's!

Here are some new Valentine's Cupcake Critters...Nothing to special, but I had to make ALOT of them!