April 30, 2013

Home-Made Funfetti Cupcakes


Sometimes I get cravings for things. These things tend to center around chocolate and sometimes around cake. This time it was funfetti cake--funfetti cake immediately takes me back to childhood.  The only time I've seen these cakes has been from a box, and I wanted to try to make them from scratch.

I found this great recipe from Annie's Eats and decided to try it. They were a little complicated to put together (lots of steps), but the end product was delicious and totally worth it!



Funfetti Cupcakes with Buttercream Frosting
slightly adapted from Annie's Eats


For the Cupcakes:
  • 1 cup whole milk, divided
  • 6 large egg whites
  • 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
  • 1/2 teaspoon almond extract (optional)
  • 2¾ cups cake flour
  • 1½ cups sugar
  • 1 tablespoon plus 1 teaspoon baking powder
  • ¾ tsp. salt
  • 12 tbsp. (¾ cup) unsalted butter, at room temperature
  • ½ cup multi-colored jimmies sprinkles (like these)


For the Frosting
  • 3 sticks plus 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
  • 3 cups powdered sugar
  • Pinch of salt
  • 2 tablespoons heavy cream
  • 1 ½ tablespoons vanilla extract

  • Extra jimmies for decorating


Funfetti Cupcakes
  1. Line cupcake pans with paper liners.  
  2.  In a measuring cup, combine ¼ cup of the whole milk, egg whites, vanilla and almond extracts.  Whisk together.  
  3. Whisk or sift the cake flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt together.
  4.  Add in the butter and mix with a  mixer on low until the mixture resembles wet sand--about 30 seconds.  
  5. Mix in the remaining ¾ cup of milk, then increase the speed to medium and beat for about 90 seconds more.  
  6. With the mixer on low speed, add the egg white mixture in three additions, mixing for about 20 seconds after each addition.  Scrape down the bowl as needed.  
  7. Gently fold in the sprinkles with a spatula.
  8. Divide the batter between the prepared cupcake liners, filling each about two-thirds of the way full.
  9.  Bake about 12-15 minutes until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.  
  10. Prepare frosting while cupcakes are baking.
  11. Let the cupcakes cool in the pan briefly, then transfer to a wire rack and allow to cool completely before frosting.


Buttercream Frosting
  1. Place butter in bowl and whip with an electric mixer until smooth--about 1 minute.
  2. Add powdered sugar in 3 parts until just combined.
  3. Add salt, cream, and vanilla. Mix until combined.
  4. Increase mixer speed and whip the mixture until light and fluffy--about 5 minutes.  
  5. Use an offset spatula to frost your cooled cupcakes. Definitely don't eat any extra frosting! Or do..lots of it. 

April 19, 2013

Great Colorful Front Doors

I love colorful front doors. They're my favorite. Because of our slightly really faded siding it was difficult to decide what color to paint our front door. We decided to match it to the inside of our house--I love it!  Here are a few colorful front doors that may inspire you to paint your front door!

Oregon_rect540

Turquoise front door from Apartment Therapy

yellow front door

Yellow and blue front door from HGTV


Our neighbor's great orange front door

Create Eye-Catching Curb Appeal
Red! I love red! And the westie--he's adorable too! From BHG


And finally a bright green front door. I love those house numbers too! From BHG

p.s. If you're going back and forth about a colorful door--JUST DO IT! It will make you happy everyday! 

What color is your front door? Did you choose tame or wild?
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