Chateau Cupcake

From Chateau Reeder "Where life is Sweet"

Name:
Location: Smith, Nevada, United States

I love to bake, and recently discovered I have a Passion for baking cupcakes. I seem to do my best baking in my favorite pajamas. MMMmmmm, add a good cup of Coffee...call me Happy!!!! This is my journey of Baking techniques and recipes to see what I can master....And what may become a disaster..... WELCOME!!

Thursday, January 25, 2007

Cappuccino Mousse


Calling all Coffee Lover's..........How about topping off dinner with a coffee-enhanced mousse.............This has a intense flavor that comes from the syrup of coffee and liqueur.


"This is one incredible dessert"


Cappuccino Mousse


Bloom in 2 T. cold water

1 teaspoon powdered gelatin

Beat 2 eggs

3 T. sugar

1 T. water

Pinch of salt


For the coffee syrup

Stir together 3 T. instant coffee

2 T. Coffee Liqueur, (optional coffee may be substituted)


For the whipped cream

Melt Bloomed gelatin

Beat and fold with 1 cup heavy cream

2 T. sugar 1 teaspoon vanilla extract Cooled melted gelatin

Coffee syrup

Egg mixture.

Garnish with Additional whipped cream and chocolate shavings or sprinkles.


Bloom (soften) the gelatin for the base in 2 T. water for about 5 minutes (the granules will absorb the water and turn rubbery). Bring 1" of water to a simmer in a sauce pan. (I used a candy making double boiler made of ceramic)


Beat the eggs, 3 T. sugar, water, and salt in a glass bowl set over but not touching the simmering water. Using a hand mixer whisk, beat the mixture until it triples in volume and forms ribbons, 5-7 minutes. Remove from the heat and cool to room temp.


Stir coffee and liqueur together for the syrup in a small bowl.

Melt gelatin in a pan of simmering water until liquefied cool slightly.


Beat the cream, 2 T. sugar, vanilla, gelatin, and coffee syrup to soft peaks in a large bowl. Stir 1/3 of the cream in 2 parts (don't over work it) Divide mousse between serving cups, cover and chill at least 1 hour or overnight. Garnish with whipped cream and chocolate before serving.


"Add a Biscotti cookie and you have an icredible dessert your friends and family will love!"


**This recipe was found in Cuisine at home Issue 58 Their website is www.CuisineAtHome.com You'll find fantastic recipes and cooking tips as well............

Tuesday, January 16, 2007

Boston Cream Pie Cupcakes


I have never really tried to make a cupcake that was filled and the other night I had a craving for Boston Cream Pie but didn't need a whole pie to satisfy that craving so I went in search of a cupcake recipe to fill the need. And this is the recipe I found...........I think it will be one that I make over and over again and the Chocolate glaze is TO die for............I have even used that on an Angel food cake I made recently..........Oh yum!!


Here's the recipe:

Boston Cream Pie Cupcakes


Filling

1 1/2 cups whole milk

1/2 cup sugar

4 large egg yolks

3 Tablespoons all purpose flour

1 teaspoon vanilla extract


Cupcakes

2/3 cup whole milk

1 cup all purpose flour

1 teaspoon baking powder

1/2 teaspoon salt

4 large eggs

1 1/3 cup sugar

2 teaspoons vanilla extract


Chocolate Glaze

1 cup heavy whipping cream

2 tablespoons unsalted butter, cut into 2 pieces

2 tablespoons light corn syrup

9 ounces (1 1/2 cups) semisweet chocolate chips

1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract


"Let's put it all together"
Making the filling first......, In a medium saucepan, heat the milk over low heat, just until it is hot, it should measure about 150 on a candy thermometer. Remove from the heat.
Meanwhile, in a medium bowl, whisk the sugar and egg yolks until smooth. Whisk in the flour until smooth. Whisking constantly, slowly pour the hot milk into the yolk mixture, then pour it back into the saucepan. Cook over medium heat, stirring constantly with a wooden spoon, until it thickens and just comes to a boil for 1 minute, stirring constantly. Remove the pan from the heat and pour the pastry cream through a fine strainer into a medium bowl. Discard any bits in the strainer. Stir in the vanilla. Press a piece of plastic wrap onto the surface of the pastry cream and use the tip of a knife to poke a few holes in the plastic wrap to let steam escape. Refrigerate for 2 hours, or until cool to the touch and thickened further.
Now make the cupcakes, Preheat oven to 350 degrees and line 12 extra large muffin tin cups with large paper cupcake liners. Spray the paper liners with nonstick cooking spray.
In a medium saucepan, heat the milk over low heat just until it is hot, it should measure about 150 on a candy thermometer. Remover from the heat. Sift the flour, baking powder, and salt into a medium bowl and set aside. In a large bowl, using an electric mixer on medium speed, beat the eggs and sugar until thickened and lightened to a cream color, about 3 minutes. Stop the mixer and scrape the sides of the bowl as needed during mixing. Mix in the vanilla. On low speed, mix in the flour mixture until it is incorporated. Slowly add the hot milk and continue mixing for about 30 seconds, until the batter is smooth, the batter will be thin.
Fill each paper liner with a scant 1/2 cup of batter, to about 5/8 inch below the top of the liner. Bake just until the tops feel firm and a toothpick inserted in the middle comes out clean, about 16 minutes. Cool the cupcakes for 10 minutes in the pan on a wire rack. Turn the cupcakes top side up to cool completely.
Fill the cupcakes (This is so much fun) Remove the paper liners from the cupcakes. Use a serrated knife to slice the top about a 1/4 inch thick slice off each cupcake, set the tops aside. Cut a cone shaped piece about 1 inch across and 1 inch deep, out of the middle of each cupcake. Discard or eat the little pieces. Spoon abut 1 1/2 tablespoons of the cold pastry cream into the hole of each cupcake. Replace the cupcake tops, some of the filling may spread over the middle of the cupcakes when the tops are replaced.
Frost the cupcakes. Using a thin metal spatula, spread 1 tablespoon of the chocolate glaze over each cupcake top, and replace them on top of the cupcakes. Serve, or cover and refrigerate to serve cold.
The cupcakes can be made ahead and refrigerated for up to 2 days.
I found this recipe in Cupcakes by Elinor Klivans and I think it is one of the best I have found to date...........

Wednesday, January 10, 2007

Perfect for sitting by the fire


These are the perfect dessert to warm up your insides when sitting by the fire warming your outsides.............They are called Chocolate Pudding cakes and they are scrumptious...........Do be careful when they first come out of the oven not to burn your tongue, which I did..........!! Do let them sit for about 15 to 20 minutes before eating them but do eat them warm.


I found this recipe in the Baker's Catalogue..........I too, hope you will try this and stay warm during the chilly winter months.


Chocolate Pudding Cakes

Batter:

2/3 cup all purpose flour

2/3 cup sugar

1/4 cup unsweetened cocoa, natural or Dutch process

1/4 t. salt

1 teaspoon baking powder

1 t. vanilla

3 T. melted butter

1/2 cup water


Topping

2/3 cup sugar

1/4 cup unsweetened cocoa, natural or Dutch-process

pinch of salt

3/4 cup prepared hot chocolate


To make the cake:

Whisk together the flour, sugar, cocoa, salt, and baking powder. Beat in the vanilla, ;melted butter, and 1/2 cup water. Divide between four greased mugs or ramkins, using a gerous 1/4 cup to each.


To make the topping:

Whisk the dry ingredients together. Divide among the mugs, using a scant 1/4 cup for each. Top each cup with 3 T. prepared hot chocolate or water. Place mugs on a baking sheet.


Bake the cakes in a preheated 350 degree oven for 28 to 32 minutes. The cake should be puffy, with some liquid boiling up around the edges. Serve hot or warm with whipped cream, a toasted marshmallow or ice cream.......Makes 4 cakes.


"These will warm the tummy nicely"

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Monday, January 01, 2007

Happy New Year 2007




I had such delight making this Mini Cupcake Tree and topping it with Sugar cookies............We then took it outside put sparklers in it and lit it.............I hope none of my neighbors have me arrested for a illegal fire works display (LOL) It was a such fun and a wonderful way to bring in the new year.


"Wishing you and yours a very happy year!"

2007