How to Swirl a Cupcake with Buttercream

I should learn how to do this!
My Oreo Cupcakes are finally done but I lack of this art of swirling the cream...

The Feel...

On this sunny day and it's TGIF, I make myself a move towards this website, just to write and make a confession. I have been so damn stress this week, not just about my work but also in my relationship. I do not know where to start but somehow, I hope you will understand which part is the firs and why it happened.

I know he just started work and it is kinda busy-man. He involved in roadshows and events. The job field is just the same with me, where i do have my peak time for roadshows and events. Anyway, I just want him to understand my situation as I am trying so hard to understand his situation too.

1. What is the big deal of telling me, seeing me or even just say 'Goodbye' when you're about to go for outstation.
2. It's OK if you are busy and you cannot make time to text me, I understand. But, I don't like when you started texting me, but it takes about 15 - 30 minutes for your reply.
3. Don't you have a sensitivity elements in you??? Do you know what makes you girl pissed off? Do you realize by applying your natural attitude could just splash me away??? THINK!
4. All I want is the man who is really crazy about me not the type that just need me. It is different concept between NEED and CRAZY. Need is something you just need but if you don't get it,it's fine. You can still find another options. Crazy is like you really crazy of it and you can't live without it. There will be no options for you to replace that.

*sigh*

I threw my tears just like that, wasting it to such obtuse reasons. I am tired of this! I don't want to be sad anymore. I miss the old me.

Oreo Cookies Cupcakes

Oreo Cupcakes
Yield: 24 cupcakes

Ingredients:
For the cake:
2 1/3 cups all-purpose flour
1 cup unsweetened cocoa powder, sifted
1 1/2 tsp. baking powder
1/2 tsp. baking soda
1/2 tsp. salt
12 tbsp. unsalted butter, at room temperature
2 cups firmly packed light brown sugar
2 tsp. vanilla extract
4 eggs
1 1/2 cups buttermilk, at room temperature

For the frosting:
1 3/4 cups plus 2 tbsp. whipping cream
3 tbsp. powdered sugar
1/2 tsp. vanilla extract
6 tbsp. Oreo cookie crumbs

For garnish:
24 Oreo cookie halves

Directions:
To make the cupcakes, preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Line two cupcake pans with paper liners.

In a medium bowl, sift together the flour, cocoa powder, baking powder, baking soda and salt; set aside. In the bowl of an electric mixer, beat the butter on medium speed until smooth. Gradually add the brown sugar and continue beating until fluffy, scraping down the sides of the bowl as needed. Beat in the vanilla. Add the eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition.

With the mixer on low speed, add the flour mixture in three additions, alternating with the buttermilk, beginning and ending with the flour mixture. Mix just until all the dry ingredients have been incorporated, being careful not to overmix.

Divide the batter between the prepared cupcake liners. Bake until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean, about 18-20 minutes. Transfer the cupcakes to a wire rack and let cool to room temperature.

To prepare the frosting, in the clean bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the whisk attachment, combine the whipping cream, powdered sugar, and vanilla extract. Beat on medium-high speed until the whipped cream holds stiff peaks. Gently fold in the cookie crumbs with a spatula.

Scoop the mixture into a pastry bag and pipe frosting decoratively on top of the cupcakes. Garnish with Oreo cookie halves.

http://annies-eats.net/2009/01/10/oreo-cupcakes/

Snickers with Caramel Buttercream Cupcakes

Ingredients

FOR THE CUPCAKES
2/3 cup cocoa powder
2/3 cup boiling water
2/3 cup milk
2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
3/4 teaspoon baking soda
3/4 teaspoon baking powder
3/4 teaspoon salt
3/4 cup (1 1/2 sticks) unsalted butter
1 3/4 cups sugar
3 eggs, at room temperature
1 tablespoon vanilla extract

FOR THE FILLING
1 1/4 cups sugar
1 tablespoon corn syrup (can be omitted, but watch the sugar color more vigilantly)
1/4 cup water
1 cup heavy cream
pinch salt
5 tablespoons butter
1/4 teaspoon vanilla extract

36 Snickers miniatures, quartered

FOR THE FROSTING
1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, at room temperature
1 lb. confectioners’ sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/3 cup caramel sauce (from the filling)
1 to 2 tablespoons heavy cream

FOR THE GARNISH
24 Snickers miniatures, quartered
about 7 tablespoons (scant half cup) of caramel sauce (from filling)

METHOD

To make the cupcakes: Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Line a muffin pan with cupcake liners.

In a large (4 cup) measuring cup, combine the water and cocoa powder and whisk thoroughly. Stir in the milk; set aside.

In a medium bowl, combine the flour, baking soda, baking powder, and salt; set aside.

In a large bowl, or the bowl of a stand mixer, cream the butter. Add the sugar and beat until light and fluffy. Stir in the eggs, one at a time, then scrape the bowl and add the vanilla. Sprinkle 1/3 of the flour mixture over the batter and beat until just combined. Add half of the cocoa mixture, mix until combined, then repeat with the remaining flour and cocoa mixtures, scraping the bowl as needed.

Place 2 tablespoons of batter in each cupcake liner and bake for 18-20 minutes, or untila toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.

To make the filling: Place the sugar, water, and corn syrup in a small saucepan, stirring to combine. Without stirring, bring to a boil over high heat, swirling the ingredients in the pan occasionally. Continue boiling until the mixture reaches an amber color. Remove from heat and very carefully (the mixture will quickly expand and sputter) add the cream in a slow steady stream, being sure to stir constantly. Once combined, add the salt and butter and continue stirring until both are completely melted and combined. Stir in the vanilla. Cool to room temperature before using. Reserve 3/4 cup of the filling for the frosting and garnish. Once cooled, stir in the quartered Snickers candy.

To make the frosting: Beat the butter on high speed until light and fluffy. Beat in the sugar until combined. Stir in the vanilla, sugar, and caramel. Add 1 tablespoon of heavy cream and whisk on high for 4 minutes. If necessary, add more heavy cream, up to 1 extra tablespoon.

Assemble the cupcakes: Once the cupcakes are cooled, use a paring knife to cut a small cone of cake out of the center (or use an apple corer to core out a small piece of cake). Fill each cupcake with a portion of the Snickers caramel filling (about a tablespoon each, which will be 5 or 6 candies in each cupcake). Frost each cupcake as desired. Garnish with cupcake with 4 or 5 quartered Snickers candies, per cupcake, and drizzle with caramel sauce.

http://bakingdom.com/2011/03/snickers-cupcakes.html

Love Choc Cookies

Hi, there...

I'm back again with not in a good condition of health but still in a good mood of baking. Well, I have been away from kitchen for long, long time ago and I have forgot the feeling of hanging the pan, batter mixer, looking at the oven and play with the flour! Busy of work - it said. *smiling*
So, I was thinking on something sweet and crunchy to eat on this Deepavali Festive. Unfortunately, I am having a fever, even right now, while typing this blog. Anyway, it must happen...and it did happened last night...

It all started from finding the flour and sugar and then...my COOK BOOK! I can't wait to start baking! I looked at the clock - it was 9.15pm. I really want to do it. Let's start with the pictures...

This is part of my stuffs. I love the egg beater because it's colorful. Thus, I enjoyed myself while beating the egg or batter. The blue spatula light up my eyes as the color is sweet and just nice to look at. Hehehe...

I'm using a simple Butter Cookie recipe for my sweet Love Choc. Trust me, it is very simple and you can find the ingredients at any store/supermarket.

Ingredients
200g butter
300g wheat flour
200g icing sugar
1/4 tbsp Vanilla essence

Method
Put all the ingredients in a large bowl and mix it and keep on mix it until it become a dough. *So that it's easy to roll and cut the cookie*


This is the final dough. Remember, keep on mix it and don't give up or don't even say 'TIRED'.
Hehehe... You will feel the satisfaction once you done it.


Taa-dhaaa....!!! I like to use love-shaped cookie cutter because it always look sweet to me. But, actually... The reason I baked this cookies is because of my sweetheart. We had an argument, kinda huge argument. I have tried to discuss but these things are too complicated and the only way to be back as normal is by toleration. I need to tolerate and consider in any matter. So, I made this Love Choc cookies for him. I hope he will like it..*Sigh*
Alright,let's continue...

Once you have cut the dough, take it up slowly and put it in the bake pan. Arrange it nicely and don't get too close because the dough will double-sized. Not really big but I guess this is the result of having butter. Then, it is ready to bake for about 8-10 minutes until it turn golden yellowish and you can feel the smell...

Busy putting the choc layer

Now, when you have baked the cookies, it's time for you to decorate it! Like me, I chose to dip the chocolate and let it stick on the cookies. Yummy! Can't wait to show you next.

The finishing of Love Choc Cookies

Glory of Thoughts: Dark Night

Glory of Thoughts: Dark Night

Dark Night

It is a dark night, it is a dark outside. As I was sitting in this living room, waiting for this tired eyes with a dark night accompany me. Several things played in my mind and keep on approaching this emotion. These has something to do with my life and future. First of all, I'm writing this because I feel this is the right section or medium for me to express everything I felt about every aspects. I would like to apologize to whom ever that might think I'm expressing this or saying this to them.

I'm such a person who loves making jokes. I love to laugh and laugh and keep on laugh. I love to be outspoken but not at all time, I still have the sensitivity aspect. Well, I know I am not a good person, a good girl or a good lover. I'm just being me. I'm just expressing my character even though I know sometimes or most of the time I have hurt others feeling. And, I'm SORRY for that.

But, tonight, I would like to say about someone that I really love the most, someone that I really care about and perhaps someone that I intend to live and die with.

Dear Lover,

I never want to blame you or makes you feel awful. No, I didn't mean to.
I never want to compare you with somebody else. No, I didn't mean to.
I never want to make you feel sad or regret of what have you done. No, I didn't mean to.
I want you to know that I will always loves you and cares for you. Always.

But, don't you know what I expected from you? A LOVE. That's about it. I need LOVE from you because I believe that once the LOVE is developed, you will appreciate me and so do I. I know my working schedule is sometimes over the line, like crazy when I don't have so much time to spend with you. I know I always come back home late and I don't have so much time to text you. I don't have many choices, sweetheart. There are time that I will be so damn busy especially when it is peak time for roadshows and events. But that does not mean I forget about you, that does not mean I cheated on you, that does not mean I played or even flirt with another man. I always remember you, sweetheart.

Therefore, I need you immediately when I know that is the only time I will have. It's not that I push you, makes you stress out with me or acting so annoying. Definitely, no. Yes, I felt disapointed when everytime you failed to fill my needs. Even though with relevant excuses. That does not mean I hate you or put a blame on you.

It is because I miss you. Thinking how much time I have missed to spend with you and not all of our plans achieved. You still owe me a picnic at the lake.

I'm giving you a space now, for you to think it wisely what will happened to you, me, us and our relationship. I'm giving you time so that you could plan or changed. Again, this doesn't mean I hate you. Like I told you before, I could have left you or dumb you if I wanted to. But, that's not what I dreamed about.

I want you to know... You will always be my sweetheart, my lover, my darling...
I Love You ~


Cordially,
A Lover