Simmer Till Done » cupcakes

Third Annual Lurker Buffet

Marilyn — Tue, 02 Mar 2010 15:43:59 +0000

It occurs to me that I’ve not been a good host.

I realize that week after week, you lovely people show up and I open my mouth and it’s just words, words, words. I’m giving you little reason to hang around. Could I not offer you a little something? A cupcake maybe?

Two cupcakes?

Okay, two cupcakes and some spicy cheese straws.

Wait! Two cupcakes, spicy cheese straws and crazy pretzels. I hope you like toffee almond.

Good god you drive a hard bargain. Don’t make me bring the heavy artillery.

Fine. Little banana cakes with sour cream ganache.

You know? I think we’ve done this before. The chocolate bait, the sugar high, the comments. It’s all coming back to me now: I believe we’ve got ourselves a Lurker Buffet. An annual meet-and-greet in which I leave a trail of baked goods and lure you into the light. Remember the first one? And last year, Valentine’s Edition? Good times.

Spring is coming, but while it’s still gray and frozen, we might as well don name tags, grab a cocktail and gaze at treats. No matter how often you visit (or how often I write) I’m grateful for Simmer readers in every season, and I love to hear about you. So whether you’re a regular or just dropped in, grab a treat…

…and leave your chocolate-smudged intro in the comments. Enjoy this year’s buffet, and as always from here at Simmer HQ, many sweet thanks for stopping by.

The Frosting Forecast

Marilyn — Tue, 14 Oct 2008 20:53:01 +0000

Looks like a 75% chance of frosting…

…and this evening, a 25% chance of cake.

We may see a few chocolate sprinkle flurries in the overnight. Stay tuned!

* click here for my favorite, crazy-easy, perfect-for-cupcakes Vanilla Buttercream.

Zen and the Art of Cupcake Maintenance

Marilyn — Sun, 12 Oct 2008 19:12:43 +0000

Is it the end of a trying week or the start of a good one?

Josie once believed that weeks had two Sundays – one ended the old and the other began the new. Maybe we do need an extra day – and maybe all citizens should be issued a wooden spoon, and that day could include twenty minutes of mandatory buttercream-eating. I’m sure we can all agree that at any hour, staring at cupcakes is time well-spent, and a happier way to face the seven – or is it eight? – days ahead.

Favorite Vanilla Buttercream for Cupcakes

8 oz unsalted butter, softened (two sticks)
3 cups powdered sugar, sifted
2 tablespoons plus 2 teaspoons milk
2 teaspoons vanilla extract

In mixer bowl, use paddle attachment to beat butter until smooth, white and creamy. Gradually beat in powdered sugar, occasionally stopping to scrape down bowl, continuing until smooth and combined. Add milk and vanilla on low speed to combine, then briefly beat on high speed until fluffy and fully mixed. Use immediately or store, refrigerated, for several days.

Vanilla Buttercream Plus

When it comes to flavoring buttercream, the spatula’s the limit. Try beating in any of these additions for extra cupcake happiness.

* Orange: finely grated orange zest, plus a few tablespoon of fresh-squeezed orange juice

* Mocha: one tablespoon instant espresso, dissolved in water or Kahlua liqueur

* Berry Pink: a few tablespoons of seedless raspberry jam (pink frosting lovers, take note)

* Minty Goodness: one dozen finely chopped Andes mint chocolate candies (for pastel green color, add one drop at a time of green gel food coloring for desired shade)

* Lemon-Lime: finely grated lime zest, finely grated lemon zest and a few tablespoons Rose’s Lime Juice

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<—- Looking for the world’s…uh…frostiest cupcake? Click here.