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American Flag cake!

I first saw this idea when I stumbled onto this cake from Glorious Treats. I absolutely loved the idea and just had to try it out for myself. Turned out pretty well I'd say!

It was actually super easy, just a little bit time consuming. For the cake batter, all I used was two boxes of white cake mix. I prepared it according to the package instructions but added food color to get red and blue colored cake. I used all the batter from one box to make the red, plus a little added from the second box. Then the remaining was half blue and half left white. 

Assembly is pretty easy, the only layer you actually have to cut into is the top. The circles can be cut by using a cookie cutter or a glass to imprint the right size, followed by a knife to cut it out with. After baking and assembling, you will have a red outer circle ring and a blue inner circle. You can obviously do whatever you want with the remaining cake, but my suggestion would either be to mix it with some frosting and make cake balls, or just eat it. Probably just eat it.

For the decorations on top, all I did was melt red, white, and blue candy melts inside of a disposable plastic bag in the microwave. Now when you're doing this, only melt for maybe 15 seconds at a time, then take the bag out and knead the chocolate together before placing back in the microwave. When its melted throughout, snip the corner of the bag and drizzle squiggles onto a lined sheet of wax paper. Refrigerate until set. 

The idea behind the chocolate squiggles was to resemble fireworks a little and capture the overall excitement of the 4th of July. I also added sprinkles! While I was assembling, yes, many of the chocolate squiggles broke, but I had made plenty to replace the broken ones with.

Red Velvet Cupcakes

       Hello Everyone. I want to start by saying that I'm back for real this time. I recently realized that I hadn't blogged in well over a year. I'm 15 now. I've still been baking though so I don't know what my deal is. Also, I appreciate how nice and encouraging everyone has been towards me! I think the main reason I gave up for so long was that I was so intimidated by the perfection from blogs like Bakerella or Sprinkle Bakes, and I was sort of lazy. I've also been busy with other things. But I'm going to start blogging again for those 1or 2 people that might occasionally read my blog.

      Ok enough blabber. I love all things red velvet: cake, cake balls, whoopie pies, cheesecake, even Duff Goldman's ice cream that I'm kind of obsessed with. Good stuff. So one day I was thinkin that I've never made homemade red velvet cake... I know right? So I got online and started my search. I settled on this recipe from the Magnolia Bakery because well, it's from the Magnolia Bakery. Spotted on The Sweetest Kitchen (fabulous blog btw). I got tons of compliments. It made around 3 dozen cupcakes for me.

Red Velvet Cupcakes

Ingredients
3 1/3 cups cake flour (not self-rising)
3/4 cup (1 1/2 sticks) unsalted butter, softened
2 1/4 cups sugar
3 large eggs, at room temperature
6 tablespoons red food coloring
3 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa
1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract
1 1/2 teaspoons salt
1 1/2 cups buttermilk
1 1/2 teaspoons cider vinegar
1 1/2 teaspoons baking soda

Directions
Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

In a small bowl, sift the cake flour and set aside. In a large bowl, on the medium speed of an electric mixer, cream the butter and sugar until very light and fluffy, about 5 minutes. Add the eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition.

In a small bowl, whisk together the red food coloring, cocoa, and vanilla. Add to the batter and beat well. In a measuring cup, stir the salt into the buttermilk. Add to the batter in three parts, alternating with the flour. With each addition, beat until the ingredients are incorporated, but do not overheat.

In a small bowl, stir together the cider vinegar and baking soda. Add to the batter and mix well. Using a rubber spatula, scrape down the batter in the bowl, making sure the ingredients are well blended and the batter is smooth.

For a 9 inch 3 layer cake: Bake for 30-40 minutes, or until a cake tester inserted in the center of the cake comes out clean. Let the layers cool in the pans for 1 hour. Remove from the pans and cool completely on a wire rack.

For approx. 3 dozen cupcakes: Bake for about 18-22 minutes, or until a cake tester inserted in the center of  cupcake comes out clean.

I frosted my cupcakes with my favorite cream cheese frosting. I may have doubled it for this recipe. I don't remember, but I also use this frosting for my Oreo cupcakes and coconut cupcakes.

Ingredients

1 package softened cream cheese (8 ounces)

3/4 cup softened butter (room temp)

1/2 tsp vanilla (I usually add way more)
1/2 tsp almond extract (I don't add this for all recipes, sometimes I use coconut flavoring)
2 3/4 cup powdered sugar (That's the original recipe, but I pipe it on so I always add more. Sometimes up to 6 cups to get the right consistency. Yes it's pretty sweet.)
Directions
In a large bowl beat the first four ingredients until smooth. Gradually add as much powdered sugar as needed for the consistency you want. Then pipe that bad boy on.

Have a good day now :) I look forward to your comments!

Hello Cupcakers!

      Hello Everyone! I would like to apologize for my lack of posting. To my surprise, some of you actually missed me! Have no fear, I'm back and ready to share more sweet treats with you all! I would love to hear any and all of your suggestions. Take care!