birthday treats

it's almost 2 weeks since i last dropped a line here in my blog... I've been busy with stuff that i barely had the time to visit my own site.

a lot of things happened since my last post... i bought me a new toy... i am now a certified owner of a nikon d5000... it wasn't really planned, but, what the heck, i still got one.

i also made red velvet cupcakes again and they turned out pretty well... wanna see??? here they are:

so after baking the entire day followed by one toxic shift, it was time to fly to Puerto Princesa for some birthday weekend R&R... it was an amazing experience, it sure was one memorable birthday.

and like any other story, it must come to an end. it was time to go home, but before that, i had to grab me some cashews from palawan. the following day i thought, i'd put the cashews into use by making some butterscotch treats that i can bring to the office. it was the first time i'll be baking from scratch and not the usual off-the-rack mixes in groceries.

so here's the recipe i used:

BUTTERSCOTCH BARS

Ingredients:

1/2 cup margarine or butter

2 cups brown sugar

2 eggs

1 tsp. vanilla

2 cups all purpose flour

2 tsp. baking powder

1/4 teaspoon salt

1 cup shredded coconut (optional)

1 cup chopped nuts (optional)

Procedure:

1. Melt butter over low heat. Remove from heat and add the sugar. Add eggs and vanilla. Make sure eggs are well blended into the sugar.

2. Sift together dry ingredients and add to the brown sugar mixture. Mix gently but thoroughly.

3. Spread on greased 13.5 x 10.5 x 1 inch baking dish. Bake at 350 deg F for about 25 minutes.

Notes:

Careful not to burn the butter during melting.

Make sure to pack the brown sugar firmly into the measuring cup.

how did they turn out? here they are...

blue blue blue

it's my bestie's bday and i decided to surprise him with cupcakes inpired by him... i thought, i'm gonna bake some blue cupcakes since he loves blue, he loves blue so much that even his fb name is blue.

at first, i was thinking, i'd use my red velvet recipe then just change it to blue. but then, i didn't have much resources to fund it since it's that "linggo de peligro" moment. so i turned to my ever reliable friend mr. google and searched for possible cupcake base recipes. then i saw this vanilla cupcake recipe and said to myself, "this will do!"

since i still have some missing ingredients, i went to the supermarket. there, i passed a row of white chocolate chips and i thought of adding them just to give life to the cupcake. so i grabbed me a pack then paid for it.

when i got home, off i went to mr. google again to find a recipe that will include the choc chips but there i cant find any that is plain and simple. so i just decided, i'll just use my vanilla cupcake then add a portion, maybe that would do.

the cupcakes turned out pretty well... it looked weird... it looked cute... here they are:

unfortunately, the cupcakes weren't able to reach him since we both had tight schedules for the day. it didnt go to waste though, my officemate bought it for her heart's delight. ;-)

oh! here's the recipe by the way:

Ingredients

• 2 1/4 cups all purpose flour
• 1 1/3 cups sugar
• 3 teaspoons baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 cup shortening
• 1 cup milk
• 1 teaspoon vanilla
• 2 large eggs
• 1/2 tablespoon food coloring (optional)
• 1/2 cup white chocolate chip minis (optional)

Directions

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Line cupcake pans with paper liners.

Combine flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt in a large mixing bowl. Add shortening, milk, and vanilla. Beat for 1 minute on medium speed. Scrape side of bowl with a spatula.

Add eggs to the mixture. Beat for 1 minute on medium speed. Scrape bowl again. Beat on high speed for 1 minute 30 seconds until well mixed.

Add food coloring and mix well then add white chocolate.

Spoon cupcake batter into paper liners until 1/2 to 2/3 full.

Bake for 20 to 25 minutes or until toothpick inserted in center comes out clean.

Cool 5 minutes in pans then remove and place on wire racks to cool completely.

Once cupcakes are completely cooled, frost with your favorite frosting recipe or decorate as you desire.