Sunday, April 24, 2011

Sweet Lemons: Transforming Adversity


Call me: Ray
Decade born: 1920's
Favorite cupcake: Sweet Lemons
Making a difference: Helping children with special needs

In Ray's self-published autobiography, Adam's Apple, he tells the story of how adversity has made him who he is today -- from a bullied, lonely kid living in a dark basement to becoming an innovative educator, film producer and writer.

Through his 88 years, Ray traveled some rough roads. But rather than see himself as a victim, Ray counts himself blessed -- appreciating the positive people who made an impact in his life. "When you start feeling sorry for yourself," he writes, "the best cure is to look for someone you can help."

Along the way, this talented singer, fiddle player and pianist has devoted literally decades of volunteer time to charity work. Not the least of which was the Barbershop Harmony Society (formerly S.P.E.B.S.Q.S.A.). During the organization's 36-year partnership with Heartspring (formerly Institute of Logopedics), they raised over $16 million to benefit children with special needs.

Appropriately, "sunshine yellow" is Ray's favorite color… and the "Sweet Lemons" cupcake is his favorite treat. That's because this 5X great-grandfather has a penchant for taking what seems like the bitter fruit of life and turning it into something sensational.

Make "Sweet Lemons" cupcakes:


Make cupcakes from your favorite lemon cake recipe.

When they are cooled, use a Bismarck tube to fill with lemon pie filling (canned, or make it yourself). (See video below.)

Whip up a fluffy meringue frosting and, using a large star tip, swirl a double layer on top, piling it high on each cupcake.

Zest a lemon and mix it with a few tablespoons of crystal clear Wilton sugar sprinkles. Decorate the tops of your cupcakes with these sweet/tart bright yellow sprinkles and surprise someone who needs a little sunshine in their life today!

Video instructions:





Saturday, April 16, 2011

Friend Me: BFFs who show TLC 121


Call us: Randy and Lindsay
Decade born: 1970's
Favorite cupcake: Friend Me
Making a difference: Supporting leukemia and lymphoma research

Randy and Lindsay's pregnant friend, Jen, was laying on the floor playing with her little boy when she ran her hand across her neck and felt a lump. The most frightening part of her diagnosis was finding a cancer treatment that would not harm her unborn baby. Jen delivered her healthy baby boy, and 6 days later started chemotherapy. Thanks to the latest in cancer research, this devoted mom just celebrated a year since the treatment began, and is able to nurture and enjoy her growing family.

Randy and Lindsay have joined others in raising funds for research that could help people like Jen find victory over this often fatal disease. When this caring couple shaved their heads as an act of solidarity in their friend's battle against cancer, they were able to raise $2,030 for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society online.

Another fundraiser Randy and Lindsay do each year is the Crop Walk… correction: their dog, Ivy, does the Crop Walk. Ivy raises donations online for local and worldwide hunger programs. WOOF!

The perfect cupcake to celebrate this family's special joy in helping others is the "Friend Me" cupcake. A chocolate cake with peanut butter center, topped with dark chocolate ganache, a splooch of icing, and a pretzel! Why the pretzel? For one thing, baking pretzels (from scratch!) is one of Randy's specialties. For another, the pretzel has long represented friendship and prayer -- two hallmark traits of this very special couple!

Make "Friend Me" cupcakes:


"You must be a friend," said Corduroy. "I've always wanted a friend." (from Corduroy by Don Freeman)

Start by dipping and decorating your pretzels (see video instructions below).

Then whip up the filling: half a cup of natural peanut butter with around 5 tablespoons of powdered sugar. Set aside.

Make a batter from your favorite chocolate cake recipe or mix. Pour batter into cupcake papers, drop in a teaspoon of peanut butter filling, cover with a little more batter and bake.

After cupcakes cool, pipe a line of frosting around the edge. Squeeze on some chocolate ganache. Allow ganache to cool. Using a medium sized star tip, pipe a pretty splooch of icing on top and press in a pretzel. Share your creations with 2 dozen of your closest friends.

Video instructions:




Saturday, April 9, 2011

Endless Love: Unbreakable family ties




Call us: Don and Jackie
Decade born: 1950's
Favorite cupcake: Endless Love
Making a difference: Supporting Salvation Army

Although they met through mutual friends, Jackie thinks of Don as her gift from heaven sent from her mom.  It didn’t take her long to fall in love with this romantic man and his precious five-year-old son, Spencer.

The three of them got married (Spencer got a ring, too!) on April 9, 1994. A few years later, they were blessed with a darling daughter, Maddie,  and the four of them share an unbreakable family bond of love that started with a providential meeting of hearts.

There’s no doubt that their marriage turned life around for more than just the two of them. That’s what love does — it has the power to change lives. Today, Don and Jackie support the Salvation Army for that very reason. This organization is all about showing love to folks who may be down on their fortune, and need a way to turn things around. To see how the Salvation Army (“Sally’s”) transformed one homeless man’s life, check out Richard LeMieux’s book, Breakfast at Sally's.

Without a doubt, the “Endless Love” cupcake is the perfect choice for this devoted family. Featuring 4 different chocolate components, and topped with a romantic double-dipped cherry, these flavors blend beautifully to bring your mouth and heart into harmony.

Make Endless Love cupcakes:



Make your double-dipped cherries first from Maraschino cherries with stems. Here's how:

  • Liquify red Wilton "melts" in the microwave (Check JoAnn's or Michael's). 
  • Add a spoonful of coconut oil or vegetable oil to thin out only slightly.
  • Dip cherries to the top and let cool on parchment paper.
  • Melt dark chocolate, adding coconut oil or vegetable oil as needed.
  • Dip cooled cherries a second time, but only half way up.
  • Put cherries in refrigerator while you make the cupcakes.
Make the filling by whipping up a chocolate mousse.

Make cupcakes from any chocolate cake recipe or mix.
Let cupcakes cool. Using a Bismarck tube, pipe the mousse into the center of the cupcakes (see video below).

Swirl on a white chocolate frosting. If you're like Maddie and like your frosting extra sweet, make a batch of confectioner's icing and whip in about 4 ounces of melted Baker's white chocolate. (Don't try to use melted white chocolate chips... you'll have a disaster on your hands!)

Melt some dark chocolate and pipe it on in a swirl. Top with a double-dipped cherry.

Video instructions:










Sunday, April 3, 2011

Heart of Gold: a man and his cupcake


Call me: Steve
Decade born: 1950's
Favorite cupcake: Heart of Gold (chocolate and peanut butter)
Making a difference: Mentor for at-risk kids

Steve remembers being a kid, spending Saturday afternoons in front of the TV watching guys like The Crusher, Mad Dog Vachon and Dick the Bruiser create high drama in the wrestling ring. Between rounds, Steve spread peanut butter on Hershey bar squares and stuck them in the freezer. By the time the next commercial came on, his snacks were frosty cold and ready to enjoy.

Nowadays this grandfather spends one free afternoon a week being a kid again -- not watching wrestling, but mentoring an at-risk child. It may involve playing a game, working on a craft, or just taking a walk and talking about "stuff."

That's why the "Heart of Gold" chocolate cupcake with a golden peanut butter filling and fudge frosting is a perfect celebration for Steve. A sweet guy with a heart of gold!

To discover more about mentoring, call your local school or go online to: www.mentoring.org

Make Heart of Gold cupcakes:

Make filling first by whipping a half cup of natural peanut butter with around 5 tablespoons of powdered sugar (depending on how sweet you want to make it). Set aside.

Make batter from any chocolate cake recipe or mix.

Pour a couple of tablespoons of your batter into the cupcake papers. Add around a teaspoon of peanut butter filling. Top with batter and bake as usual.

For the fudge icing, follow your favorite recipe or:
  1. Whip a stick of butter with electric mixer till softened.
  2. Begin adding around 4 cups of powdered sugar a little at a time, dripping in a bit of milk (1/4 cup) as needed and continuing to beat till fluffy.
  3. Mix in a teaspoon of vanilla.
  4. Melt 3 ounces unsweetened Baker's chocolate squares and drizzle into the frosting while beating at high speed. Whip for another 3 minutes or until smooth and fudgy.
  5. If you want stiffer icing, add more sugar. Softer use more milk.
  6. Frost the cupcakes and sprinkle with crushed peanuts or mixed nuts.