Harvey Wallbanger Cupcakes

These cupcakes definitely tantalize the taste buds...................They have to be my over all favorite cupcake, YUM-O!!

The recipe for the Harvey Wallbanger Cupcakes, can be found in Cupcakes from the Cake Doctor by Anne Byrn, I really believe it to be one of the best of the best cupcake recipes she has come up with..............

I normally prefer to make my cupcakes from scratch...........And avoid recipes with self-rise flour, those always in up with what they call a frosting cup...........I call it a caved in hole on top and really don't care for them....They all ways seem heavy to me as well......Give me all purpose flour any day!!!!! So when it does comes to Box mix vs. Homemade..............I over all do recommend making your cupcakes from scratch.

But in this case...............This cupcakes made with a Orange cake mix, Galliano and Vodka, rocked my world...................(LOL) Move this recipe to all time FAV!!!!!

Also just a quick note, Anne Bryn also explains how the drink got its name, which I thought was interesting, as the story goes, Harvey was a surfer dude along the southern California coast who drank too many cocktails made of Vodka, orange juice, and Galliano at a local bar, and banged his head on the wall when leaving.......

Fact or fiction who cares, these cupcakes are great!!!!!!

"Thanks Harvey!!"

The King's Chocolate Peanut Butter Banana Bourbon Cake

From Marcel Desaulniers, Death by Chocolate Cakes comes this moist and unbelievably extraordinary cake..................The King's Chocolate Peanut Butter Bourbon Cake.

I really enjoyed making this cake.........There is something about baking a banana cake, that just makes my home feel so good, the aroma from my kitchen oven flowed all through the house, with such a comforting feel to it.

It has been said the Elvis's favorite sandwich was a Grilled Peanut Butter Banana sandwich, I made one once with my Panini machine and to me it was fabulous, almost like dessert itself, so when I saw this cake, I knew I had to make it..........

I also heard Elvis like fried Pickles..........This I could and will pass on (LOL)

This cake is made in four different steps and did take me, two days to make it.

First you bake the Banana Cake, then you make the Sweet Chocolate Peanut Butter Icing,
assemble cake and refrigerate several hours or over night which is what I did.
Next...........You make the Quintessential Chocolate Ganache..................I have never made a Ganache this way, a little different, but not much, it was easy to work with.........
Last, garnish with reserved icing, Banana slices and whole peanuts

"Elvis would have loved it!!"

Chocolate-Dipped Crispy Pops

It's hot today and just could not bring myself to turn on the oven, this does not happen to often.............

So I decided on an old time favorite, Yep!! Rice Crispy treats that have been dipped in chocolate.

Kids love these as well as adults, I think any thing made on a stick in the summer time is always welcomed.
This recipe is found in a Pillsbury Classic Party cookbook (5-93) and is called Chocolate-Dipped Crispy Pops. To make these, you will need:

6 Cups crisp rice cereal

3 Tablespoons margarine or butter

1 (10 oz pkg.) marshmallows

2 (1.75 oz) containers candy sprinkles

24 wooden sticks

8 oz chocolate flavored candy coating melted for dipping, (I used milk chocolate chips)

Microwave directions

Spray 13x9 inch pan with nonstick cooking spray.

Place butter in large bowl. Microwave on HIGH for 20 to 30 seconds or until melted. Add marshmallows, stir to coat.

Microwave on medium for 1 1/2 to 2 minutes until marshmallows are melted, stirring once. Stir until smooth. Pour over marshmallow mixture over cereal, mix gently. Let stand 5 minutes, stir in some of the candy sprinkles, about a tablespoon. Press mixture into spray coated pan. Cool. Cut into bars. Insert 1 stick into side of each bar.

Place candy coating in 2 cup microwave safe measuring cup. Microwave on medium for 1 to 2 minutes or until melted.

Dip 1/3 of each bar in candy coating, sprinkle with candy sprinkles. Place on waxed paper, allow to set.

(I put them on the shelf of the frig for about 30 minutes, I like to serve them really cold)

Makes 24 Pops

"Summer is Here!"

Fresh Pear and Gingerbread Cupcakes with Lemon Frosting

Gee, with all the technical trouble I have been having with my computer, I thought I would never be back here......................

But I am back and life is GOOD!!!!

This lastest cupcake is bursting with lots of different flavors and spices, I think my mouth was a little overwhelmed...........While baking I have to say the whole house smelled divine.

The recipe for this cupcake can be found in "Cupcakes" From the Cake Doctor by Anne Byrn, while thumbing through this book I noticed the section called "Your Cupcake Horoscope" and being an Aries, I wanted to see what she would suggest.............The Fresh Pear and Gingerbread cupcake was a perfect fit..................The Lemon frosting is outstanding.............Next I will have to try other zodiac signs from other family members, could get interesting!!

Tuxedo Brownie Torte

For some reason, I never really think about Brownies..........And how elegant they can be.
This recipe comes from Patricia Lapiezo, of La Mesa California, She apparently was in a Pillsbury Bake-off contest in 1992, and whether she won or not it does not say.
The recipe can be found in Pillsbury BEST of the Bake-off cookbook.

A little Pillsbury Bake off trivia...........The first one was held in 1949

This Tuxedo Brownie Torte would be perfect to serve for perhaps a romantic dinner for 2. A rather seductive blend of dark chocolate, white chocolate and raspberries, that will awaken your senses..................

"Great recipe Patricia!"

A Forrest Gump Chocolate Favorite

I had forgotten, I even had this cookbook, I was sitting in the office while my husband was helping me with a computer problem, (hate when that happens!) I started looking through my collection of cookbooks, when I pulled this one out to browse thru.

The recipe for the Chocolate-Strawberry Truffle Pie, jumped out at me, since I had recently stopped and bought some fresh strawberries. Add chocolate and oh yea this really hit the spot.

It was pure decadence

Thanks, Mama...........

for makin' me realize that sometimes there are things that we just can't change.

I look forward to making this again soon.........

The Chocolate Mouse Trap

The last and lastest book The Chocolate Mouse Trap in the Chocoholic series by JoAnna Carl, was my second favorite in this series. If there are any new or upcoming books in this series, I have to admit, I am clueless................I have not found any other information. A mystery to me, if you will excuse the pun............

I found this book, delicious to read, the descriptions of the chocolates are enough to make any one's mouth water...........Be prepared and have a box of truffles and bons bons with you at all times.

Enjoyable, as well as entertaining

"The 12 step chocoholic program: NEVER BE MORE THAN 12 STEPS AWAY FROM CHOCOLATE

_Terry Moore

Sounds like good advice...............

The Sweetest Little Cupcake

I dedicate this Cookies and Cream cupcake to the, sweetest little cupcake, I know........

"TAYLAR"

She also has become my favorite cookie monster as well...........Her favorite cookie OREOS!!

I miss you so much, I am sorry, I was not there when you took your first step...........

Lots of Love, Hugs and Giggles

*This recipe came from the new cookbook 500 cupcakes............To be honest I really was not impressed with this recipe, the cupcake came out dry...........Nor am I impressed by this book.

My favorite Cherry Pie

Last week, I was feeling a little restless and decide to take a drive and visit with my parents, who live in San Jose, Ca. I stayed a couple of days and had a really nice visit, I even found time to spend with my bestfriend and catch a movie, we went and saw X-Men, The Last Stand, I thought it was very well done...............I just needed a change of scenery
On the way back I stopped at my favorite Cherry fruit stand in Stockton, Ca on Hwy88..............I stop here every year and buy my Bing Cherries for what I think is the best Cherry Pie.
I never have been a big fan of Cherry Pie until I found this recipe.

Mount Vernon Red Cherry Pie

1 lb Bing Cherries (pitted)

1 Cup sugar

2 1/2 tablespoons Cornstarch

1/8 teaspoon salt

1/8 C water

Pastry for 1 double-crust (9-inch) pie

(My favorite pie crust is Pate Bris'ee from the Martha Stewart cookbook)

Combine pitted cherries, sugar, cornstarch, and salt in a medium saucepan, stir until well blended. Set aside for 10 minutes. Cook over medium heat 15 minutes or until thickened, stirring occasionally. Cool slightly.

Roll half of pastry to 1/8 inch thickness on a lightly floured surface, fit into a 9 inch pie plate. Spoon Cherry mixture into pastry shell.

Roll remaining pastry to 1/8 inch thickness cut into 3/4 inch wide strips and arrange in a lattice fashion over the filling. Trim edges, seal and flute. Bake at 450 for 15 minutes. Reduce heat to 400 and bake an additional 20 minutes. Cool before slicing.

"I love Cherry season I wish it wasn't so short"

This recipe was found in The Southern Heritage Pies and Pastry Cookbook

"OMG!!!! I have been TAGGED!!!!!!!!

I went away for a few days.............I come back, and Wha-La...........I have been tagged............I am just so excited........Me!!!! Tagged............I never thought it could happen and I have www.purplecupcake.blogspot.com to thank. "Thank you Thank You Thank you" You have always been so good to me with all your encouraging words, you will never know how much they mean to me.

10 Simple things that make me smile or remind me that Life is good!!

1. Waking up in the middle of the night and hearing an Owl hooting
2. Watching the sunrise every morning while still laying in bed
3. Birds singing and playing in our bird feeder just outside our bedroom window
4. The wonderful scent of the roses in my garden
5. The way my cat Shelby follows me every where I go in the garden and rubs up against my legs.
6. Hearing the laughter of the children that are over at the church playground
7. The smell, of freshly brewed coffee that my husband made for me before he left for work
8. The phone call I get from my husband during the day, just to tell me, he loves me
9. The aroma of something baking in the oven
10. Most of all knowing, I do have family and friends that care about me

"LIFE IS GOOD!"