Let it Snow, Let it Snow, Let it Snow!

It is nice and snowy in Alberta right now. Not so much down here in southern Alberta. Apparently up north is a winter wonderland! In honor of the snow, here are some cute cupcakes that I made! Plus I used my cricut for the first time. YAY! I decided to start simple. We'll work up to some more intricate designs that have more levels eventually.

The first cut! Seriously, so exciting. I used the frosting sheets that you can buy specifically designed for the cricut. Not 100% sure how I feel about them, but I'll have to try out gum paste and fondant to find which I prefer. They did work though, and that is all that matters!

Aren't they cute?

(Please note my attempt to be artsy by actually placing the cupcakes in the snowbank outside...)

I made an Angel Food Cupcake. I had no idea you could make Angel Food in cupcake form. They were quite tasty! Here is the recipe;

Angel Food Cupcakes

1 1/4 C. All purpose flour

1 1/2 C. sugar

12 egg whites from large eggs (enough for 1 1/2 C.)

1 1/2 tsp. cream of tartar

1/4 tsp. salt

1 1/2 tsp. vanilla extract

Preheat oven to 350. Place egg whites in a large mixing bowl and beat at high speed until frothy (approx. 1 min. - I did 2). Add cream of tartar, salt and vanilla. Mix at high speed until almost till almost stiff (approx. 4 min.). Add 1 C. sugar gradually while mixing on low speed. Scrape bowl. Mix flour and the remaining sugar together in a separate bowl. Spoon 1/4 of the mixture over the egg whites, and fold gently between each addition. Pour batter into cupcake liners until they are 2/3 full. Bake for 20-25 minutes or until tops are golden brown and cracks are very dry. Cool completely prior to removing from pan.

Now I also used a vanilla buttercream icing (a Martha Stewart recipe) which in my opinion was way too sweet. I even left out 2 cups of the powdered sugar the recipe called for. Can we say sugar coma??? But you can use any icing on top of these cupcakes.

Yum. Angel Food...... : )

My family loves me.

Look what I got!

Ok. so this isn't exactly the one I got, but it is the exact same thing! AND I'M SO EXCITED! For those who do not know, this is a Cricut Cake. It allows you to cut shapes of all sorts into fondant, gumpaste, frosting sheets! Intricate or simple, it does it all! And it works with all the cricut cartridges (well except for the imagine, but that's fine) I have ideas a flowing. Will post when follow through occurs!

Christmas Time is....Over?! WHAT THE???

So Christmas has come and gone, and I did not bake a single thing! Not one! How did this happen.... I think it was my overly ambitious idea to sew an apron for every member of my family coming for Christmas. (10) Yep. I made 10 aprons. I am by no means a professional sewer. I can't cut a straight line to save my life, and I can't sew one either! But needless to say, they turned out pretty cute. My family may hate me for this but I have to show off my blood, sweat and tears!

On another note, I guess I'm not entirely truthful in saying I didn't do any baking. Both of my parents have December birthdays, so that makes the already busy month busier! I made a cake for both of my parents this year as they have moved closer to me and I'm actually able to do it!
For my Dad, he's Mr. Handyman, so a tool box it is! And despite my lack of sewing abilities (however, I am working on them) my Mom can sew, and quite well, so a spool of thread seems to be in order. I know I'm a little biased but I think they both turned out kinda cute. : )