Misadventures in Baking

I really love baking and cooking in general.  Being able to experiment in the kitchen and combine flavors is such a fun adventure. Sometimes however there are mishaps. I recently posted about making Churro Cupcakes with Dulce de Leche Filing. I wanted to try making dulce de leche for the first time.

I had completed plenty of research on the different recipes and methods for making this deliciously sweet sauce. Dulce de leche is basically made one of three ways by microwave, by stove top and by oven. I chose to go the oven route because it seemed to be the least labor intensive and would allow me to work on the cupcakes.

Things started out well... I poured two cans of sweetened condensed milk into a glass baking dish and covered with foil. Then, I placed that dish into a larger baking dish filled with water. Lastly, I placed the dishes in the oven at 450 degrees.

Water bath ready for the oven

After two hours of baking the color of the milk had slightly darkened and was starting to congeal. I ran out of patience and decided to change course and poured the mixture into a sauce pan. I continuously stirred the mixture over medium heat until it produced a rich caramel color.

This is where the fun started. I burned my tongue trying to taste test. The mixture had become a huge sticky, messy ball. Luckily, I had a brainstorm and decided to try adding some whole milk to the mixture and voila! I was able to completely revive this disaster. The milk thinned the dulce de leche so that I could pipe it into the cupcakes as filling.

Dulce De Leche Pre-Milk



Dulce De Leche Post-Milk

In the end I felt proud of my creativity in he kitchen. I will definitely try to make dulce de leche again in the future and post a more personally successful method.

 

Also, in case you need some comic relief or to know you aren't alone in your misadventures check out Pinterest Fail. Here's a peek at my personal favorite entry.

Nailed it!

I am dying from laughter at this terrifying breakfast creation.

Note: I do NOT advise trying a complicated and time consuming recipe for the first time, the night before you are supposed to bring cupcakes to an event. Unless you have a loyal pup and a movie on your DVR to keep you company! :)

Thanks for visiting and enjoy the sweet things!

xo 

Whistles and Food Art

There are so many experiences that I cherish from my childhood. Visiting my cousin's in Tulare,Ca during the summer. Riding bikes, chasing lizards, climbing trees, and waking up to the smell of fresh biscuits that I later smothered in my great aunt's homemade jelly.

Although I managed to knock cans over with my cousins slingshot I was never able to master the art of whistling. It seems like such a small thing, but I have always wanted to whistle. I have tried in vain most of my adult life to whistle. Foolishly pursing my lips together, moving my tongue to the perfect position only to blow soundless air every time.

Something amazing happened today however, I WHISTLED! I was so surprised by myself that I whistled for a full minute. I really needed to use the restroom and had been holding it for a while, because I was on a call (TMI, I know). When I was able to finally run to the bathroom and go, I let out a puff of air in relief. Turns out the secret to whistling all the years was holding my pee. LOL

In honor of accomplishing a personal childhood dream I give you some kid friendly food art fun! I look forward to being able to provide fun food art for my children in the future. But in the meantime I am lucky enough to have the greatest niece who just happens to be the cutest little taste tester around.

Banana Bear Toast

All you need is an Eggo waffle, a banana, smear of peanut butter, raisins, and a hungry 17 month old!

Grilled Cheese Chicks and Strawberries

I used a spring time cookie cutter from target for the chickens.

For more inspiration and food art fun check out Selena Kohng on Instagram @howaboutcookie

Thanks for visiting and enjoy the sweet things!
xo 

Churro Cupcakes with Dulce De Leche Filing

A few weeks ago we threw a party for one of our students assistants. She is graduating from college and has been working in our office for four years. We are so proud of her and truly wish her all the best!

She is very proud of her Mexican heritage and has mentioned on a few occasions her love for churros. Churros are FAN-FREAKING-TASTIC so I couldn't resist an opportunity to make cupcakes inspired by this cinnamon/sugar covered treat.

Check out the recipe and deliciousness below:

Churro Cupcakes with Dulce de Leche Filling and Cinnamon Cream Cheese Frosting Makes 24 regular size cupcakes Ingredients 2 cups all purpose flour ½ cups cake flour 1 tablespoon baking powder ½ teaspoon salt 2 teaspoons cinnamon 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, softened to room temp 1 ½ cups granulated sugar 4 large eggs, room temp 2 teaspoons vanilla extract 1 ¼ cup milk 1 can Dulce de Leche 1 . Preheat oven to 350f. 2. Line cupcake pans with 24 paper cupcake liners 3. In a large bowl, add both flours, baking powder, salt and cinnamon. Whisk to combine. Set aside.  4. In a large bowl using electric hand mixer, beat the butter and sugar together until light and fluffy (approx. 2 min). Add the eggs one at a time, mixing after each addition and scraping down the bowl as needed. Beat in the vanilla extract. 5.  Gradually mix in the flour mixture and milk, alternating between the two until combined. (Start and end with the flour mixture) 6.  Divide the batter evenly between the lined cupcake pans filling each cup approx. 3/4 full. 7. Bake at 350f for approx. 20 minutes until the centers are set and a toothpick inserted in center comes out clean. 8. Remove from the pan and place on a wire cooling rack to cool completely. 9. Once the cupcakes have cooled, take a wooden spoon and make a hole in the center of each cupcake. 10. Use a pastry bag with a round tip (or just cut the tip off of a plastic storage bag) and fill it with the Dulce de Leche filling. 11. Pipe the filling into each cupcake

Make the Frosting Ingredients: ½ cup of butter 8 oz cream cheese softened 1 teaspoon vanilla extract 1 teaspoon cinnamon 3 cups powdered sugar 24 mini churros for decorating 1. With an electric mixer, cream the butter and cream cheese together until smooth and creamy 2. Mix in the vanilla extract and cinnamon 3. Gradually mix in the powdered sugar to achieve desired consistency. If frosting is too thick, add the milk. 4. Frost and decorate the cupcakes as desired.

Making the Mini Churros Ingredients: 1 wheat tortilla ½ cup granulated sugar 1 teaspoon cinnamon Vegetable or Canola Oil for frying 1. Combine cinnamon and sugar in a small bowl 2. Heat oil over medium-high heat 3. Cut shapes out of the tortilla using a mini cookie cutter 4. Fry each tortilla until golden brown 5. Remove from the oil and toss in the cinnamon sugar mixture 6. Place the churros on a plate to cool before garnishing the cupcakes

Recipe adapted from Live... Bake... Love...

Mini churros

The frosting was perfect!

 

 

Thanks for visiting and enjoy the sweet things!
xo