Happy Birthday, BFF!

I really wish someone, somewhere would invent a transporter ala Star Trek.  It would make days like this so much easier to port yourself where you want to go and still be back in time for dinner.

Today is my dear friend's birthday and it pains me that we're almost 3000 miles away.  I haven't seen her since last August and I can't tell you how much I miss her.  Phones and emails are just not the same as being there I'm sad to say.  In honor of her birthday, I decided to give her virtual cupcakes that I made yesterday (I still haven't figured out how to mail them - darn!) and post to her here. 

I debated back and forth about what kind of cupcakes to make - and finally decided on Red Velvet since her favorite color is red.  Usually Red Velvet cake is frosted with a boiled vanilla frosting but I went with a basic cream cheese frosting because I know how much she (and I) like cheesecake.

Happy, happy birthday, Gigi, hope your day is filled with love and joy because you deserve it!  Love you!

Making this recipe yesterday I realized how much I miss baking.  There's nothing quite like the calm I feel when I'm in the midst of creating something edible.  This recipe made me smile because of how gorgeous the batter looked once it was all mixed together and coming out of the oven it still had that red hue to it.  I had also found some new paper liners with patterns that didn't fade when baked.  I'm totally in love.

If you happen to have a birthday for someone special coming up, I'd suggest these - they are beautiful, easy to put together and taste delicious.  The cupcakes come from the book Cupcakes Galore by Gail Wagman (great book - I'd highly recommend it!), and the frosting is my own creation.

Red Velvet Cupcakes

• 2 cups all purpose flour
• 2 tbsp unsweetened cocoa powder
• 2 tsp baking powder
• 1 tsp baking soda
• 1 tsp salt
• 1/2 cup unsalted butter, room temperature
• 1 1/2 cups sugar
• 2 eggs
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 1 tsp white vinegar
• 1 tbsp red food coloring
• 1 cup buttermilk

1. Preheat oven to 350.
2. Mix flour, cocoa, baking powder, baking soda, and salt together in a medium bowl and set aside.
3. Cream butter and sugar together until light and fluffy.  Add eggs, one at a time, mixing well after each addition.  Blend in vanilla, vinegar, and food coloring.  Alternately add flour mixture and buttermilk and beat until batter is smooth.
4. Spoon batter into cupcake papers, filling about 2/3 full, and cook for 20 to 30 minutes or until a tester inserted into the center comes out clean.  Remove from oven and cool.

Easy Cream Cheese Frosting

• 8 oz cream cheese, room temperature
• 4 oz butter, room temperature
• 1 tbsp milk
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 2-3 cups powdered sugar

1. Cream together the cream cheese, butter, milk and vanilla extract until smooth.
2. Gradually add in the powdered sugar until you get your required thickness.

Comments

[paula]

You could send her one in a Cup-a-cake. I used to send Nick's cupcakes to school in these. With his peanut allergy I had to supply birthday cupcakes.

http://www.cupacake.com/

[Alisha]

Ooh thanks Paula. I used to have some of those and forgot totally about them. Unfortunately one of those items that didn't make the move :-(. I might have to get some more, though, for occasions like this.

[Gigi McDougal]

WOW those cupcakes look so good and you couldn't have chosen better... miss you too sweet Alisha... too many miles. LOVE Gigi