Are you ready? The fun starts at 7pm tonight.
Wednesday, April 13, 2011
Thursday, April 7, 2011
Meet the Amateur Bakers - Jen @ BeantownBaker.com
How long have you been baking?
10 years
What is your favorite thing to bake?
That's a tough one. I definitely go through phases. Right now I'm on a big layer cake phase, because they're complicated and "special" but I love a great brownie recipe any day of the week!
What is the most challenging thing you've ever baked?
Hard to say... Maybe my first yeast bread just because yeast used to scare the crap out of me.
What is your favorite ingredient?
My homemade vanilla extract
What is your favorite cookbook or recipe resource?
Cooks Illustrated
Do you have a blog? If so what is the URL?
Beantown Baker
How long have you been blogging?
Almost 4 years
What is the one baked good you're know for or would like to be known for?
I think I'm known for my cupcakes (and the snapware container that I carry them in!)
Are you on Twitter? If so, what is your Twitter name?
@beantownbaker
What will you be baking for Cupcake Camp?
Chocolate chip cookie dough cupcakes
Feel free to include any additional information about yourself, your baking, your favorite baking story, etc
My Hubby recently took a new job. I ran into his old boss the other day. His old boss said he thinks the group misses my baked goods more than they miss Hubby. I promised not to tell Hubby that story!
10 years
What is your favorite thing to bake?
That's a tough one. I definitely go through phases. Right now I'm on a big layer cake phase, because they're complicated and "special" but I love a great brownie recipe any day of the week!
What is the most challenging thing you've ever baked?
Hard to say... Maybe my first yeast bread just because yeast used to scare the crap out of me.
What is your favorite ingredient?
My homemade vanilla extract
What is your favorite cookbook or recipe resource?
Cooks Illustrated
Do you have a blog? If so what is the URL?
Beantown Baker
How long have you been blogging?
Almost 4 years
What is the one baked good you're know for or would like to be known for?
I think I'm known for my cupcakes (and the snapware container that I carry them in!)
Are you on Twitter? If so, what is your Twitter name?
@beantownbaker
What will you be baking for Cupcake Camp?
Chocolate chip cookie dough cupcakes
Feel free to include any additional information about yourself, your baking, your favorite baking story, etc
My Hubby recently took a new job. I ran into his old boss the other day. His old boss said he thinks the group misses my baked goods more than they miss Hubby. I promised not to tell Hubby that story!
Wednesday, April 6, 2011
Meet the Amateur Bakers - Mindy Langweiler
How long have you been baking?
About 10 years
What is your favorite thing to bake?
Anything sweet!
What is the most challenging thing you've ever baked?
Baklava...don't think I'll ever get the hang of it!
What is your favorite ingredient?
Sugar!
What is your favorite cookbook or recipe resource?
Hello, Cupcake!
Do you have a blog? If so what is the URL?
Sugar High
How long have you been blogging?
2 months
What is the one baked good you're know for or would like to be known for?
Fun cakes and cupcakes
What will you be baking for Cupcake Camp?
Cookies and Cream Cupcakes
About 10 years
What is your favorite thing to bake?
Anything sweet!
What is the most challenging thing you've ever baked?
Baklava...don't think I'll ever get the hang of it!
What is your favorite ingredient?
Sugar!
What is your favorite cookbook or recipe resource?
Hello, Cupcake!
Do you have a blog? If so what is the URL?
Sugar High
How long have you been blogging?
2 months
What is the one baked good you're know for or would like to be known for?
Fun cakes and cupcakes
What will you be baking for Cupcake Camp?
Cookies and Cream Cupcakes
Meet the Amateur Bakers - Joyce (aka BCAllegra)
How long have you been baking?
Since 5th grade
What is your favorite thing to bake?
It changes from month to month - I'm currently into scones! For April, I'll obviously be trying some new cupcake recipes and I'm thinking about desserts for Easter, perhaps even a coconut cream pie?
What is the most challenging thing you've ever baked?
I've been on a mission to conquer cheesecake in the past couple of years - an ancient oven in the past resulted in scorched exteriors and undercooked centers. Recent attempts have resulted in more of a mousse-y texture - I vow to make the firm, silken cheesecake of my dreams this year!
What is your favorite ingredient?
I love almond flavoring as a special ingredient for cookies and glazes
What is your favorite cookbook or recipe resource?
Google! It helps me discover other baking blogs . Obviously, Smitten Kitchen and The Pioneer Woman are also favorites, and locally, Beantown Baker!
Do you have a blog? If so what is the URL?
Boston Chomper
How long have you been blogging?
2.5 years
What is the one baked good you're know for or would like to be known for?
As boring as it sounds, I think I'm really known for my cookies. I like to say I have the repertoire of a really good bake sale mom - my most requested cookies are oatmeal cranberry cookies; cranberry, pistachio and white chocolate chip cookies; ginger hermits; and chocolate chip blondies.
What will you be baking for Cupcake Camp?
Chocolate Black Bottom Cupcakes (old favorite)
Brown Sugar Praline Cupcakes (new recipe)
Feel free to include any additional information about yourself, your baking, your favorite baking story, etc
I've been called the half-Asian Martha Stewart by friends and family.
Actually, it's because of my Korean mother that I was inspired to bake -Simply because she is incredibly bad at it! I say this with love and without blame, realizing that she didn't grow up with American sweets.
I started baking in the fifth grade for class projects. Imagine cupcakes with pyramids on top (in actuality, red hots forming a triangle) to accompany a report on Egypt. Pitiful, I know. Despite this unauspicious start, I did progress to making Swedish nut wafer cookies (from the Fannie Farmer cookbook) for a report on - you guessed it - Sweden!
Fast forward to the present. Baking is such a big part of my life that my then-boyfriend, now-husband proposed with a cake, decorated to match my blog and with the words "Will You Marry Me?" across the top.
So that's me in a nutshell - half-Korean, avid baker, newlywed and blogger!
Since 5th grade
What is your favorite thing to bake?
It changes from month to month - I'm currently into scones! For April, I'll obviously be trying some new cupcake recipes and I'm thinking about desserts for Easter, perhaps even a coconut cream pie?
What is the most challenging thing you've ever baked?
I've been on a mission to conquer cheesecake in the past couple of years - an ancient oven in the past resulted in scorched exteriors and undercooked centers. Recent attempts have resulted in more of a mousse-y texture - I vow to make the firm, silken cheesecake of my dreams this year!
What is your favorite ingredient?
I love almond flavoring as a special ingredient for cookies and glazes
What is your favorite cookbook or recipe resource?
Google! It helps me discover other baking blogs . Obviously, Smitten Kitchen and The Pioneer Woman are also favorites, and locally, Beantown Baker!
Do you have a blog? If so what is the URL?
Boston Chomper
How long have you been blogging?
2.5 years
What is the one baked good you're know for or would like to be known for?
As boring as it sounds, I think I'm really known for my cookies. I like to say I have the repertoire of a really good bake sale mom - my most requested cookies are oatmeal cranberry cookies; cranberry, pistachio and white chocolate chip cookies; ginger hermits; and chocolate chip blondies.
What will you be baking for Cupcake Camp?
Chocolate Black Bottom Cupcakes (old favorite)
Brown Sugar Praline Cupcakes (new recipe)
Feel free to include any additional information about yourself, your baking, your favorite baking story, etc
I've been called the half-Asian Martha Stewart by friends and family.
Actually, it's because of my Korean mother that I was inspired to bake -Simply because she is incredibly bad at it! I say this with love and without blame, realizing that she didn't grow up with American sweets.
I started baking in the fifth grade for class projects. Imagine cupcakes with pyramids on top (in actuality, red hots forming a triangle) to accompany a report on Egypt. Pitiful, I know. Despite this unauspicious start, I did progress to making Swedish nut wafer cookies (from the Fannie Farmer cookbook) for a report on - you guessed it - Sweden!
Fast forward to the present. Baking is such a big part of my life that my then-boyfriend, now-husband proposed with a cake, decorated to match my blog and with the words "Will You Marry Me?" across the top.
So that's me in a nutshell - half-Korean, avid baker, newlywed and blogger!
Meet the Amateur Bakers - Kat Keenan
How long have you been baking?
3 Years
What is your favorite thing to bake?
Any type of cake with fondant- I make homemade fondant from a recipe that I found online, which uses a bag of marshmallows instead of the gelatin... so the fondant tastes as good as the cake!
What is the most challenging thing you've ever baked?
Baklava- a Mediterranean pastry made of layers of filo pastry dough filled with chocolate, butter, and chopped nuts, or syrup and honey. This recipe was tricky because you had to make sure none of the layer of filo dough ripped... but it ended up turning out great
What is your favorite ingredient?
banana
What is your favorite cookbook or recipe resource?
Hello Cupcakes!
Do you have a blog? If so what is the URL?
Kat Eats Cake
How long have you been blogging?
only 3 weeks
What is the one baked good you're know for or would like to be known for?
Cake pops!!!
Little bit size cake balls rolled up, covered in chocolate, and placed on a stick YUM
What will you be baking for Cupcake Camp?
Chocolate Oreo cupcakes- filled with a creamy marshmallow filling
Decorated with Oreo sunflowers
Feel free to include any additional information about yourself, your baking, your favorite baking story, etc
Im a 16 year old amateur baker:
Here is another one of my creations- "Cookie Dough Filled Cupcakes"
Chocolate chip cookie dough cake, filled with egg-free cookie dough, topped with brown sugar frosting, and a giant chocolate chip cookie
3 Years
What is your favorite thing to bake?
Any type of cake with fondant- I make homemade fondant from a recipe that I found online, which uses a bag of marshmallows instead of the gelatin... so the fondant tastes as good as the cake!
What is the most challenging thing you've ever baked?
Baklava- a Mediterranean pastry made of layers of filo pastry dough filled with chocolate, butter, and chopped nuts, or syrup and honey. This recipe was tricky because you had to make sure none of the layer of filo dough ripped... but it ended up turning out great
What is your favorite ingredient?
banana
What is your favorite cookbook or recipe resource?
Hello Cupcakes!
Do you have a blog? If so what is the URL?
Kat Eats Cake
How long have you been blogging?
only 3 weeks
What is the one baked good you're know for or would like to be known for?
Cake pops!!!
Little bit size cake balls rolled up, covered in chocolate, and placed on a stick YUM
What will you be baking for Cupcake Camp?
Chocolate Oreo cupcakes- filled with a creamy marshmallow filling
Decorated with Oreo sunflowers
Feel free to include any additional information about yourself, your baking, your favorite baking story, etc
Im a 16 year old amateur baker:
Here is another one of my creations- "Cookie Dough Filled Cupcakes"
Chocolate chip cookie dough cake, filled with egg-free cookie dough, topped with brown sugar frosting, and a giant chocolate chip cookie
Meet the Amateur Bakers - Nina Colon
How long have you been baking?
1 Year
What is your favorite thing to bake?
Apple Crisp, It's so delicious and comforting and makes the entire house smell absolutely amazing.
What is the most challenging thing you've ever baked?
Crusts, something about the delicate nature of the butter and flour and trying not to have everything stick but also not too dry is a bit challenging but so amazingly worth it when you get it right.
What is your favorite ingredient?
Butter!
What is your favorite cookbook or recipe resource?
I love The Silver palate cookbook.
Do you have a blog? If so what is the URL?
Kitty Cupcakes
How long have you been blogging?
About three months or so.
What is the one baked good you're know for or would like to be known for?
Chocolate Croissants. Once I've mastered them, that is. ;)
What will you be baking for Cupcake Camp?
I'm bringing traditional cucpakes, Red Velvet Cupcakes, Vanilla Bean Cupcakes, and Chocolate Peanutbutter Cupcakes.
1 Year
What is your favorite thing to bake?
Apple Crisp, It's so delicious and comforting and makes the entire house smell absolutely amazing.
What is the most challenging thing you've ever baked?
Crusts, something about the delicate nature of the butter and flour and trying not to have everything stick but also not too dry is a bit challenging but so amazingly worth it when you get it right.
What is your favorite ingredient?
Butter!
What is your favorite cookbook or recipe resource?
I love The Silver palate cookbook.
Do you have a blog? If so what is the URL?
Kitty Cupcakes
How long have you been blogging?
About three months or so.
What is the one baked good you're know for or would like to be known for?
Chocolate Croissants. Once I've mastered them, that is. ;)
What will you be baking for Cupcake Camp?
I'm bringing traditional cucpakes, Red Velvet Cupcakes, Vanilla Bean Cupcakes, and Chocolate Peanutbutter Cupcakes.
Meet the Amateur Bakers - josiebean
How long have you been baking?
all my life :)
What is your favorite thing to bake?
cupcakes! of course. but also regular cakes, cookies, brownies, and the occasional pie.
What is the most challenging thing you've ever baked?
homemade apple pie. not the actual filling, but just that damn crust. when i finally put it all together it came out amazing, though. hard work does pay off!
What is your favorite ingredient?
alcohol!
What is your favorite cookbook or recipe resource?
Google is a wonderful haven of new recipes
Do you have a blog? If so what is the URL?
what's on the scene, josiebean?
How long have you been blogging?
on and off for like, 3 years?
What is the one baked good you're know for or would like to be known for?
i'm honestly not the best baker, and to be truthful i wouldn't even call myself the biggest cupcake fan (i know, huge gasp). however i do love the way cupcakes look and all the creative spins you can put in making them. thus, my love for making baked goods and trying out new recipes for cupcakes would probably be my forte.
Are you on Twitter? If so, what is your Twitter name?
@josieboston
What will you be baking for Cupcake Camp?
probably my Kahlua cupcakes with a Kahlua infused chocolate ganache and/or my devil's food cupcakes with a hidden Reese's pb cup inside and homemade pb frosting.
all my life :)
What is your favorite thing to bake?
cupcakes! of course. but also regular cakes, cookies, brownies, and the occasional pie.
What is the most challenging thing you've ever baked?
homemade apple pie. not the actual filling, but just that damn crust. when i finally put it all together it came out amazing, though. hard work does pay off!
What is your favorite ingredient?
alcohol!
What is your favorite cookbook or recipe resource?
Google is a wonderful haven of new recipes
Do you have a blog? If so what is the URL?
what's on the scene, josiebean?
How long have you been blogging?
on and off for like, 3 years?
What is the one baked good you're know for or would like to be known for?
i'm honestly not the best baker, and to be truthful i wouldn't even call myself the biggest cupcake fan (i know, huge gasp). however i do love the way cupcakes look and all the creative spins you can put in making them. thus, my love for making baked goods and trying out new recipes for cupcakes would probably be my forte.
Are you on Twitter? If so, what is your Twitter name?
@josieboston
What will you be baking for Cupcake Camp?
probably my Kahlua cupcakes with a Kahlua infused chocolate ganache and/or my devil's food cupcakes with a hidden Reese's pb cup inside and homemade pb frosting.
Meet the Amateur Bakers - Tata Treats
How long have you been baking?
3 years
What is your favorite thing to bake?
Cupcakes of course! I also love to make pasta.
What is the most challenging thing you've ever baked?
Well once I made this really hard Italian pasta meal with my family it was a lot of fun!
What is your favorite ingredient?
Chocolate
What is your favorite cookbook or recipe resource?
The Hello Cupcake Series
What is the one baked good you're know for or would like to be known for?
CUPCAKES :)
What will you be baking for Cupcake Camp?
My famous Boston Creme Cupcake
Feel free to include any additional information about yourself, your baking, your favorite baking story, etc
I run a small local cupcake business in the Boston suburbs. I'm 11 (turning 12 the day after cupcake camp) and I have always loved baking pastries. My grandmother is a cake decorator and has always been an inspiration to me. My family has helped me every step of the way. My future will definitely be in baking. My business is called Tata Treats (my last name is Tata) and I can't wait to come to Cupcake Camp.
3 years
What is your favorite thing to bake?
Cupcakes of course! I also love to make pasta.
What is the most challenging thing you've ever baked?
Well once I made this really hard Italian pasta meal with my family it was a lot of fun!
What is your favorite ingredient?
Chocolate
What is your favorite cookbook or recipe resource?
The Hello Cupcake Series
What is the one baked good you're know for or would like to be known for?
CUPCAKES :)
What will you be baking for Cupcake Camp?
My famous Boston Creme Cupcake
Feel free to include any additional information about yourself, your baking, your favorite baking story, etc
I run a small local cupcake business in the Boston suburbs. I'm 11 (turning 12 the day after cupcake camp) and I have always loved baking pastries. My grandmother is a cake decorator and has always been an inspiration to me. My family has helped me every step of the way. My future will definitely be in baking. My business is called Tata Treats (my last name is Tata) and I can't wait to come to Cupcake Camp.
Tuesday, April 5, 2011
Meet the Amateur Bakers - Cara
How long have you been baking?
As long as I've been eating
What is your favorite thing to bake?
Regular ol' chocolate chip cookies. Can't beat the dough! Unless you add oatmeal, of course. I'll go with oatmeal chocolate chip cookies.
What is the most challenging thing you've ever baked?
Probably the chocolate cupcakes with champagne buttercream I made for a friend's engagement party. Sounds easy enough, but I'm very picky about my chocolate cake and wanted to get it just right. (There's a lot of not-very-good chocolate cake out there.) If you asked my husband, he'd say the Bailey's chocolate mousse cake we made for St. Patrick's Day one year. This was before we owned a stand mixer, and the poor guy went through a tough workout whipping that mousse!
What is your favorite ingredient?
chocolate
What is your favorite cookbook or recipe resource?
Epicurious and Eating Well
Do you have a blog? If so what is the URL?
Cara's Cravings
How long have you been blogging?
4 years
What is the one baked good you're know for or would like to be known for?
The brownies I make for Passover, which are made with almond meal instead of flour - they're incredibly rich and delicious. Not only the best Passover brownie ever, but quite possibly the best of any brownie, ever!
Are you on Twitter? If so, what is your Twitter name?
@carascravings
What will you be baking for Cupcake Camp?
Bailey's Mint Chocolate Chip (mini) Cupcakes
Feel free to include any additional information about yourself, your baking, your favorite baking story, etc
Fitness and healthy food are staples in my life, and most of the recipes on my blog are original, healthy recipes utilizing wholesome, clean ingredients and bold flavor combinations. I love to eat, and it's my mission to show the word that eating healthfully doesn't need to be boring! But, I also have a huge sweet tooth - probably the biggest one you'll ever meet. When I bake, I don't mind going all out with real sugar, butter, etc - but I only do it on special occasions, when I have the opportunity to share with others. This is why I'm happy to be participating in Cupcake Camp.
As long as I've been eating
What is your favorite thing to bake?
Regular ol' chocolate chip cookies. Can't beat the dough! Unless you add oatmeal, of course. I'll go with oatmeal chocolate chip cookies.
What is the most challenging thing you've ever baked?
Probably the chocolate cupcakes with champagne buttercream I made for a friend's engagement party. Sounds easy enough, but I'm very picky about my chocolate cake and wanted to get it just right. (There's a lot of not-very-good chocolate cake out there.) If you asked my husband, he'd say the Bailey's chocolate mousse cake we made for St. Patrick's Day one year. This was before we owned a stand mixer, and the poor guy went through a tough workout whipping that mousse!
What is your favorite ingredient?
chocolate
What is your favorite cookbook or recipe resource?
Epicurious and Eating Well
Do you have a blog? If so what is the URL?
Cara's Cravings
How long have you been blogging?
4 years
What is the one baked good you're know for or would like to be known for?
The brownies I make for Passover, which are made with almond meal instead of flour - they're incredibly rich and delicious. Not only the best Passover brownie ever, but quite possibly the best of any brownie, ever!
Are you on Twitter? If so, what is your Twitter name?
@carascravings
What will you be baking for Cupcake Camp?
Bailey's Mint Chocolate Chip (mini) Cupcakes
Feel free to include any additional information about yourself, your baking, your favorite baking story, etc
Fitness and healthy food are staples in my life, and most of the recipes on my blog are original, healthy recipes utilizing wholesome, clean ingredients and bold flavor combinations. I love to eat, and it's my mission to show the word that eating healthfully doesn't need to be boring! But, I also have a huge sweet tooth - probably the biggest one you'll ever meet. When I bake, I don't mind going all out with real sugar, butter, etc - but I only do it on special occasions, when I have the opportunity to share with others. This is why I'm happy to be participating in Cupcake Camp.
Meet the Amateur Bakers - Sara N
How long have you been baking?
6 years
What is your favorite thing to bake?
Anything with the word "cake" in it. Cupcakes and cake are my specialty.
What is the most challenging thing you've ever baked?
I do a lot of amateur cake decorating and made the Shrieking Shack from the third Harry Potter book for a friend's birthday. While the actual cake was simple, the detail that went into making the cake look like a creepy building was a challenge! But the hard work paid off. I submitted a photo of the cake to the WB to be printed on a Harry Potter mug and they loved the image so much, they're showcasing it in the Harry Potter museum on set in LA!
What is your favorite ingredient?
High quality vanilla extract
What is your favorite cookbook or recipe resource?
SmittenKitchen.com
Do you have a blog? If so what is the URL?
Chomp Zone
How long have you been blogging?
A few months
What is the one baked good you're know for or would like to be known for?
I'm definitely the "cake girl."
Are you on Twitter? If so, what is your Twitter name?
@saranoonan
What will you be baking for Cupcake Camp?
"Hamburger cupcakes (don't worry, they're meat free!). This is a combo of vanilla cupcakes and chocolate cupcakes stacked in burger form. Complete with frosting condiments.
6 years
What is your favorite thing to bake?
Anything with the word "cake" in it. Cupcakes and cake are my specialty.
What is the most challenging thing you've ever baked?
I do a lot of amateur cake decorating and made the Shrieking Shack from the third Harry Potter book for a friend's birthday. While the actual cake was simple, the detail that went into making the cake look like a creepy building was a challenge! But the hard work paid off. I submitted a photo of the cake to the WB to be printed on a Harry Potter mug and they loved the image so much, they're showcasing it in the Harry Potter museum on set in LA!
What is your favorite ingredient?
High quality vanilla extract
What is your favorite cookbook or recipe resource?
SmittenKitchen.com
Do you have a blog? If so what is the URL?
Chomp Zone
How long have you been blogging?
A few months
What is the one baked good you're know for or would like to be known for?
I'm definitely the "cake girl."
Are you on Twitter? If so, what is your Twitter name?
@saranoonan
What will you be baking for Cupcake Camp?
"Hamburger cupcakes (don't worry, they're meat free!). This is a combo of vanilla cupcakes and chocolate cupcakes stacked in burger form. Complete with frosting condiments.
Meet the Amateur Bakers - Michelle
How long have you been baking?
5 years
What is your favorite thing to bake?
I love to bake cookies, especially decorated sugar cookies, and my favorite, the chunky Lola cookie from Flour.
What is the most challenging thing you've ever baked?
Doughnuts, hands down. I was always afraid of frying anything, and by making doughnuts, I conquered my fear.
What is your favorite ingredient?
Vanilla Extract
What is your favorite cookbook or recipe resource?
Organic and Chic: Cakes, Cookies, and Other Sweets That Taste as Good as They Look
Do you have a blog?
Savory Favorites
How long have you been blogging?
About 1 year
What is the one baked good you're know for or would like to be known for?
I am definitely known for baking cupcakes, though no specific kind. My friends at work are always asking what I will bring in next to share, but are always asking for cupcakes.
Are you on Twitter? If so, what is your Twitter name?
@michellet11
What will you be baking for Cupcake Camp?
Pancake cupcakes with Maple Bacon Frosting
5 years
What is your favorite thing to bake?
I love to bake cookies, especially decorated sugar cookies, and my favorite, the chunky Lola cookie from Flour.
What is the most challenging thing you've ever baked?
Doughnuts, hands down. I was always afraid of frying anything, and by making doughnuts, I conquered my fear.
What is your favorite ingredient?
Vanilla Extract
What is your favorite cookbook or recipe resource?
Organic and Chic: Cakes, Cookies, and Other Sweets That Taste as Good as They Look
Do you have a blog?
Savory Favorites
How long have you been blogging?
About 1 year
What is the one baked good you're know for or would like to be known for?
I am definitely known for baking cupcakes, though no specific kind. My friends at work are always asking what I will bring in next to share, but are always asking for cupcakes.
Are you on Twitter? If so, what is your Twitter name?
@michellet11
What will you be baking for Cupcake Camp?
Pancake cupcakes with Maple Bacon Frosting
Monday, April 4, 2011
Meet the Amateur Bakers - Erin from The Sweetest Times
How long have you been baking?
About 2 years
What is your favorite thing to bake?
Everything! Cupcakes and cakes are probably my favorite - I love frosting! But cookies are fun too, and less time consuming!
What is the most challenging thing you've ever baked?
Chocolate Espresso Souffle - it did NOT turn out well :)
What is your favorite ingredient?
Can I name 2? Chocolate and Peanut Butter!
What is your favorite cookbook or recipe resource?
Joy of Cooking and The Pioneer Woman
Do you have a blog?
The Sweetest Times
How long have you been blogging?
2 months!
What is the one baked good you're know for or would like to be known for?
I don't think I am known for any outside of my family, but I'd like to be known for cupcakes (I'm a little obsessed, if you haven't noticed)!
Are you on Twitter? If so, what is your Twitter name?
@SweetestTimes
What will you be baking for Cupcake Camp?
Girl Scout Thin Mint Cupcakes
About 2 years
What is your favorite thing to bake?
Everything! Cupcakes and cakes are probably my favorite - I love frosting! But cookies are fun too, and less time consuming!
What is the most challenging thing you've ever baked?
Chocolate Espresso Souffle - it did NOT turn out well :)
What is your favorite ingredient?
Can I name 2? Chocolate and Peanut Butter!
What is your favorite cookbook or recipe resource?
Joy of Cooking and The Pioneer Woman
Do you have a blog?
The Sweetest Times
How long have you been blogging?
2 months!
What is the one baked good you're know for or would like to be known for?
I don't think I am known for any outside of my family, but I'd like to be known for cupcakes (I'm a little obsessed, if you haven't noticed)!
Are you on Twitter? If so, what is your Twitter name?
@SweetestTimes
What will you be baking for Cupcake Camp?
Girl Scout Thin Mint Cupcakes
King Arthur Comes Home: Back to Boston for Cupcakes
As many of you know, CupcakeCamp Boston has partnered with King Arthur Flour this year to put on a show-stopping event. Enjoy today's guest post from King Arthur Flour editor and recipe developer Susan Reid. Be sure to check out Susan's baking and cupcake-decorating demo next Wednesday at CupcakeCamp.
You may or may not know that King Arthur Flour is the oldest flour company in America. The company started on Boston’s Long Wharf in 1790. That’s when a guy named George Washington was the country’s president. It’s also before there were such things as cameras.
At that time, it wasn’t uncommon for the flour available (all of it was imported; the Midwest wasn’t quite settled yet) to be “stretched” by additions of things like ground bone and chalk. Yuk.
Horse-drawn wagon with barrels for flour being loaded on the wharf in Boston.
Flour was sold in 196 pound barrels, or in fractions thereof.
In case you’re wondering, at these prices, a 5 pound bag of flour would cost you $.17.
The company was founded on the principle that people would be willing to pay a few pennies more for quality and purity they could trust; we still live by that principle every day, 221 years later. The company is 100% employee-owned now, so everyone you deal with at King Arthur has a stake in making sure you’re happy with our product and with us.
Allow me to introduce myself: I’m Susan Reid, and my job at King Arthur Flour is to edit, write, and manage the circulation for our paid baking newsletter: it’s called The Baking Sheet.
I work in our test kitchen, where my efforts range from the sublime
to the humbling.
I do demonstrations and television and video appearances from time to time.
On April 13th, I’ll be throwin’ down about cupcakes at CupcakeCamp Boston. I’ll show you some groovy decorating ideas, we can talk about flavors, frostings, flours, technique, and any other baking problem or question you have on your mind. I did some cupcake calisthenics today to warm up. I started with my favorite coconut cake recipe, which uses our coconut milk powder. I baked some of the batter in our zebra cupcake papers, and some “commando.”
I was planning to make a top that echoed the pattern of the paper when the cupcake was done. So, black and white, coconut and chocolate, here we go. Once the cupcakes were cooled, I used some of our Super Simple Chocolate Frosting to stick a naked mini cupcake upside down on top of one of the big bases.
I took another mini cupcake and used a pastry tip to cut it into a tapered top.
Time for a frosting swirl.
And some more….
Now for the crowing glory: I believe decorations should be tightly linked to the flavors involved; since the cupcake is coconut, I reached for some of our large flake coconut to make zebra stripes above as well as below.
There she is. A towering, tasty treat. There will be more where this came from at the Armory next week. For King Arthur, it’s back to the beginning, near the place where it all began for us more than two centuries ago. Hope to see you there.
Friday, April 1, 2011
Meet the Bakers: VCVC Cupcakes
I've got another bakery to introduce you to today. Today's Meet the Baker profile is featuring VCVC Cupcakes. VCVC Cupcakes is based in Melrose, MA and Cathy is more than happy to work with people to customize their cupcake order.
Cathy brought me a dozen cupcakes to taste. I got coconut creme, peanut butter me up, and
pumpkin butterscotch with pumpkin rum buttercream. The cupcakes came in a brown box with a VCVC Cupcakes sticker on the top. I like the pink and brown logo - so cute!
As you can see, the coconut creme cupcakes had a beautiful fondant flower on the top of each cupcake. The cupcake and frosting weren't overly coconuty. It was more of a subtle coconut cupcake, which I appreciated.
The pumpkin flavor had a strong flavor of rum in the frosting. I love rum so I really enjoyed it. Sometimes when alcohol gets added to frosting, the flavor get dilluted by the sugar.
The peanut butter me up cupcake is for the serious peanut butter lover. It had a half of a peanut butter cup on the top of the cupcake and whole peanut butter cup baked into the chocolate cupcake. And of course, the frosting was a peanut butter buttercream.
VCVC Cupcakes can be found at their website, on Facebook, or at their blog. Be sure to check them out at Cupcake Camp on April 13th.
And, check this out! VCVC Cupcakes is on Eversave - $18 for a dozen creative made-to-order cupcakes from VCVC Cupcakes ($36 value). Click here to get in on the deal.
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