Chocolate Cake {Super Bowl XLVII}

Be warned, this is not a post about football. It is about a chocolate cake. I just used the Superbowl as an excuse to bake and decorate a cake (like I need an occasion, right?)

My next project after these perfect vanilla cupcakes was to hunt for a good chocolate cake recipe. I don't care much for chocolate...yes I know it is insane, but it's just not my thing. However, I knew as a budding baker, I should have a go-to chocolate cake recipe under my belt.

Well, I am glad to say that I have found the one!

 

Mr. J and I just moved into a new apartment and our friends were so helpful on that cold January day. I wanted to send them some cupcakes along with our thank-you cards. And I also wanted to bake a football-themed cake.

I found this cake recipe from Ina Garten and I made a double batch.  I was able to get two 8' square cakes and 36 cupcakes, killing two birds with one stone.  I used my favorite go-to frosting; a Swiss Meringue buttercream, with a chocolate addition. This cake is moist, rich, fluffy and yet not too sweet.

 'It is the best chocolate I have ever had' - Mr J.

Strawberry Cake with Strawberry Meringue Buttercream

This weekend was a busy one. One of my best friend's sister was in town and it was her birthday. She loves strawberries and even though it's the middle of winter, I decided to make her a strawberry vanilla birthday cake. But with only two hours to bake in between lunch dates and shopping with the hubby, I whipped this cake up.

The cake was inspired by Martha Stewart's strawberry cupcakes. I used the roses I made in my Wilton class this previous week. I used my favorite buttercream, Swiss Meringue buttercream! The Whisk Kid has a great step-by-step tutorial on how to make swiss meringue buttercream. It is daunting at first, but once you get the hang of it, it is a versatile frosting to work with. It pipes great on cupcakes and very easy to ice a cake with.

In the end, I was not very pleased with the rushed job, it could have looked prettier but the birthday girl was very happy and loved it!

Vanilla Cupcakes with Cream Cheese Frosting

After several weeks of trying vanilla cupcake recipes, I am happy to share that I have found the ONE. This recipe gives a flavorful vanilla cake that is moist but yet light and fluffy. It is simple and I love it. It will become my go-to vanilla cake. The recipe is from Glory of Glorious Treats.

I have been taking the Wilton decorating courses. In Course II, we are learning how to make flowers with royal icing and it is difficult. But I am sure with lots of practice I will get the hang of things.

Back to the star of this post, the vanilla cupcakes!! They are the best and I will be re-making them soon again.

Cranberry Orange Coffee Cake

This was an easy pleasure. The recipe is from Joy the Baker and I halved it because two loaves seemed like a lot for two people. Now I wish I made more. It was so good and it is going super fast.

The ingredients...it's always so easy when you lay them all out before starting.

The crumble coating was my favorite and it took the cake to a whole new level!

The finished product...yummm!! I was in such a hurry to have a piece that I didn't wait for the cake to completely cool before drizzling the glaze.

A cup of tea and a piece in hand made my morning very relaxing. I'm holding on to this recipe for a while.