Citrus Cupcakes

Do you love Mountain Dew? I do. But I rarely drink it because I don't like to waste my calories on pop, and the diet stuff just isn't the same. But you know what's fun to waste calories on?


Cupcakes.


So I decided to try this recipie. I tweaked a few things, but in the end, I ended up with these...

Yummmmm.

If you are a fan of citrusy deliciousness, you MUST make these.

Here's what you'll need for the actual cupcake:
2 sticks of butter, softened
2 cups of sugar
Zest and juice from 1 lemon, 1 lime and half an orange (you'll use the other half for the frosting ;)
4 eggs
2 3/4 cups flour
1 1/2 tsp baking powder
1/4 tsp salt
1 cup Mountain Dew

To make:

Preheat oven to 350.
Beat the butter, sugar and zest until fluffy. Beat in the eggs, one at a time.
In a separate bowl, combine the flour, baking powder and salt. Slowly beat the dry goods into your original mixture.
Add the citrus juices and Mountain Dew. Mix to combine.
Pour batter into paper lined or greased tins using 1/4 cup (this makes all your cupcakes the same size and they come out nice and round on the top)
*If using a mini muffin tin, use a heaping TBS to fill.

Bake for 18-20 minutes.
*mini muffins bake for 8 - 10 minutes.

I made 24 minis and 12 "big" cupcakes with this recipe.

Now for the frosting:
2 sticks butter
Zest and juice from half a lemon, half a lime and half an orange.
1/4 cup Mountain Dew
4 - 5 cups powdered sugar
Food coloring (whatever color you want your frosting to be!)

Beat the butter, citrus juice, zest and Mountin Dew until light and fluffy.
Add powdered sugar in small increments until you acheive your desired consistency.
Add food coloring.
Done!

When the cakes cool, frost them. Get creative if you like. My future hubby happened to bring home some colored sprinkles, so we added some of those too. And by we, I mean I had some extra help in the kitchen when these were made.

This is Dylan, future hubby's little brother, with his cupcakes.

And this is Little Sarah. Or just Sarah if I'm not around :) Future hubby's cousin.

Don't their cupcakes look great!!! They taste just as good!


Here's one more reason why you need make these...

How can you say no to that??


Thanks for stopping by!

p.s. I linked this yummy recipe to the Newlyweds Recipe Linky. You should check out all the tasty things others have posted too :)

Iced coffee at home

Ever since we have been teased with summer weather, I have had a craving for some iced coffee. However, I have not felt the need to shell out $4 for a drink at Starbucks that will be gone in 10 minutes. (Hot skinny cinnamon dolce on the other hand is always worth it :) So I made my own. And it's only 3WW points plus!

Here's what you'll need...

Double strength coffee (I brew it by filling the water to the "4" line and add 2 scoops of coffee)

1/4 cup skim milk

2 Tbs of creamer in the flavor of your choice

LOTS of ice

A big glass (that won't crack if filled with hot coffee)

and a straw 

First, fill your glass with ice to the top.

 Then pour the coffee into the glass, leaving some room at the top. Add a few more ice cubes, still leaving room for the milk. Stir with straw.

 Then add your milk and cream. Stir again and ENJOY!

If it's not creamy enough for you, add another Tbs of cream. Keep in mind that this will add an additional point if you're counting.

The perfect warm weather drink :)

Thanks for stopping by!

Cake Stand!

How to make your own cake stand for CHEAP!

1. Gather supplies. You will need a sturdy candle holder, a ceramic plate. sand paper, spray paint, super glue and a sharpie.

2. Remove any excess paint or debris from the plate and candlestick with the sandpaper.
 

3. Turn your plate face down on the table. Center the candlestick and draw a circle around it with your sharpie.

4. Apply super glue to the top of the candlestick and right inside the circle you drew on the bottom of the plate.

5. Adhere pieces. Allow to dry per manufacturer instructions.

6. When your stand is in one piece, take it to a well ventilated area to spray paint it.
 

7. Apply several coats, allowing each coat to dry for a few hours before applying a new one.
 

8. And 24 hours after your final coat, you have...

A Fabulous New Cake Stand!

Now go bake something to put on it :)

Thanks for stopping by!

Cupcake Sunday!

It's cupcake Sunday!

For my first Cupcake Sunday post, I will be featuring the delicious
Chocolate Cupcakes
with
Peanut Butter Frosting!

Yummo :)

For the cupcakes you will need:
1/2 c Cocoa Powder
1c Boiling hot water
1 1/3c Flour
2 tsp Baking powder
1/4 tsp Salt
1 stick Butter, softened
1c Sugar
2 Large eggs
2 tsp Vanilla
1/2c Chocolate chips

DO THIS FIRST!
In a small bowl, stir together hot water and cocoa powder, let cool.

Preheat oven to 375
Line muffin tins with liners (I used a 12 cup tin & a mini muffin tin)
In a medium bowl, combine flour, baking powder and salt.
In mixer bowl, beat butter and sugar. Add eggs in one at a time, then the vanilla.
Beat in flower mix.
Stir in cocoa mix, then chocolate chips.
Fill standard size tins with 1/4 cup batter, mini tins with 1 Tbs batter.
(I made 12 regular cupcakes and 16 mini cupcakes)
Bake 18 - 20 minutes, or until toothpick inserted into center comes out clean.
(this recipe adapted from joyofbaking.com)

For the frosting you will need:
1 stick Butter, softened
1c Peanut butter
Pinch of salt
1 tsp Vanilla
1/3c Milk
3 c Powdered sugar

Cream peanut butter, butter, salt and vanilla.
Slowly add powdered sugar 1c at a time, alternating with milk, until desired consistency.
(this recipe adapted from bakedperfection.com)

Enjoy!

Thanks for stopping by :)