Oh My Goodness it was ugly.........I tell you!!!

Really............ This was awful, as I was making these cupcakes, I was thinking........ Hey, these are like a Dump cake, just throw in the ingredients mix them up.......And bake........But that is not what happened........It was a disaster............The peanut butter cup instead of staying on top of the cupcake, like it was suppose to (No need to frost, that way) sank right straight to the bottom.
Thou I was told they still tasted delightful...........( I think my husband was just being kind), what a mess and a waste of time.........

This just does not happen to me very often.........But I guess that is what my blog is about, testing various recipes..............And like I have said before this is about what I can master and what will be a disaster.............!!

"This was a disaster"

What kind of cupcake was it suppose to be, you ask..........It was called Peanut Butter Cup Cupcakes.............Never again!!

From Paula Deen's Sweet shop........Peach Cream Tart

Hi Y'all............... As Paula would say...................Every time I watch her show, she always puts a smile on my face............I happen to catch one of her shows last week........Where she was making a Peach Cream Tart and with fresh peaches in season..............Oh yeah!! You know what I am talking about.

This recipe is so quick and easy and incredibly delicious, the crust is so flaky and the filling superb.............Watching the show made my mouthwater, so I had to give it a try...........

In reading the reviews for this particular recipe, every one gave it a five star rating and I could not agree more.............Served with a scoop of vanilla ice cream, while it is still warm and life is divine.............

If you too would like the recipe...........Click on my link to the Food Network and type in Peach Cream Tart............Or go to Paula's Home Cooking and look for the episode "The Sweet Shop"

My husband and also enjoyed Paula in the movie Elizabeth Town starring Orlando Bloom, the scene with her and Orlando is very memorable............This movie may not be for every one but we found it entertaining.............

"Happy Baking"

Cupcakes have cousins???

Using my mini cheesecake pan............I made Frozen Pistachio and Chocolate Ice Cream cupcakes..............

It has been noted that these are known to be cousins of cupcakes??? Who Knew? Because of the fact that their are build up in a cupcake pan....................Hmm, build a cupcake, what an interesting idea.

These are so easy anyone can make these, but I do suggest using round cookie cutters, when making them. It makes it so much easier and with my mini cheesecake pan, I froze then over night, then I was able to just push them right out the top, after I had let them sit for about 15 min..............Drizzle with chocolate sauce and whipped cream, sprinkled with Pistachio nuts.


These are great for do-ahead desserts, something that is not quite cake yet when you want something sweet, these will help feel avoid.............Perfect for serving guests.

I layered these as suggest in "Cupcakes from the Cake doctor" by Anne Byrn.............Using pound cake, Chocolate fudge brownie Ice cream and topped again with pound cake and then another layer(this time) of pistachio ice cream.

I think I am hooked on this book, I like the ideas because they are so easy and all the ingredients are easy to find in the store. (Good for me.................. Since I live 25 miles to the closes grocery store)

"And with this summer heat..............The good news............No
baking"

The combinations are endless

We're having a Heat Wave and it isn't Tropical!!!!!

We are right smack in the middle of this horrible heat wave that the country is experiencing this week, with record temps in the 100's it has been miserable and to top it off we have fires all around us so that air is very thick with smoke, good day for staying in............. But, too hot to even think of turning on the oven.

So I decided to share my signature recipe, the one dessert that is most requested by friends and family............I found this recipe years ago after I was first married and have been making it ever since. ("I have lost of years of practice with this one!!")

This recipe is found in"The Southern Heritage-JUST DESSERTS- cookbook from Southern Living...............It is called Chocolate Charlotte................This must be a true southern dessert because I never see it here on the West Coast...........Yet I don't know why?
This will certainly cure any chocolate craving.

My husband claims it to be richer than cat Sh*t but how he knows,I am not sure (LOL)

It may seem like a lot of work at the first time you make it............But it does get easier the more you make it............Honest!!

Enjoy..........................Here's the recipe:

"Chocolate Charlotte"

32 ladyfingers

18 oz chocolate semisweet chocolate morsels

1/2 sugar divided

1/3 cup water

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

8 eggs, separated

whipped cream (optional) for decorating

Cocoa Powder for sprinkling on top (again, optional)

Line bottom and sides of a 9-inch springform pan with ladyfingers. Set aside

Combine chocolate morsels. 1/4 cup sugar, and water in top of a double boiler. Place over boiling water and cook, stirring constantly, until chocolate melts and sugar dissolves. Remove from heat, and stir in vanilla. Let cool to room temperature.

Beat egg yolks in a large mixing bowl until thick and lemon colored: gradually add chocolate mixture, beating constantly, until thickened.

Beat egg whites (at room temperature) until foamy. Gradually add remaining sugar 1 tablespoon at a time, beating until stiff peaks form. Gently fold egg whites into chocolate mixture.

Alternate layers of chocolate mixture and lady fingers in prepared springform pan.....(One layer of Ladyfingers is all I do)

Beginning and ending with chocolate mixture.

Cover and refrigerate overnight

( I make this first thing in the morning and it is ready by dinner)

Remove sides of springform pan, place Charlotte on a serving platter

Garnish as desired with whipped cream, chocolate curls and/or cocoa powder

"I hope you will make it for your loved ones
too!"

Neapolitan Sundae Cupcakes

These Neapolitan Sundae Cupcakes have some thing for every one, layered batter of Chocolate, Vanilla and Strawberry are just as yummy as the ice cream, even better...........These should also be serve with a spoon........

I believe a scoop of Neapolitan Ice Cream would really compliment these cupcakes.......And like a Ice cream sundae, I set up a condiment bar with lots of toppings so everyone could make their own.

Keeping it basic with this one, I topped it with Whipped cream, drizzled with chocolate fudge sauce, sprinkled with peanuts and chocolate sprinkles, then topped with a cherry.............Very Good!!!!!

This cupcake is a little time consuming to make but well worth the extra time and effort........Perfect for a picnic............

This recipe can be found in "CUPCAKES" from the cake doctor by Anne Byrn, I do recommend this book highly..........It has lots of great ideas and they are quick and easy!!!!!!

Please note: If you should take these on a picnic Cool Whip thawed works very well...............or canned Whipped cream, keep chilled in a cooler.

ARGH!!! Matey! A Pirate's life for Me

With Capt Jack Sparrow (Johnny Depp) taking to the high seas again today in Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man's Chest.....................I thought it would be nice to surprise everyone when we got back from seeing the movie, with a special cake to celebrate!!!!
I found this cake in Betty Crocker's Super Moist Party Cakes (April 2006) This is the same booklet that I used to made the Purse cake and Watermelon cake............This little booklet is just filled with some really great ideas.

I have already seen some mixed reviews of the movie.........but want to see it on the big screen and decide for myself........................I think this is one of the best roles I have ever enjoyed Johnny Depp in.............he is perfect for this role...............I also have heard Orlando Bloom's role in this movie is even better................!!

My Summer Reading

My Summer reading project is under way..............I have decided to read Diane Mott Davidson's Culinary Mystery series.

I really like JoAnne Fluke as a cozy mystery writer by do believe Diane Mott Davidson is the best of the best................

I cannot put these books down...........I seem to have one with me always...............

The first book in this series is Catering to Nobody...........
Then I read Dying for Chocolate
Next came......The Cereal Murders
Then, The Last Suppers

And right now I am reading, Killer Pancake.

I believe there is a total of 13 books in this series to date.................And do plan on having read them all by the time summer passes us by.

If you are a Foodie, like I am and enjoy a really good Culinary Mystery this is the series to read.
The recipes are very good as well.................

"Time to enjoy my Cereal Killer cookies and a Vanilla Latte"