Whenever I make cupcakes, I realize why they've remained so popular. Like donuts, they are such cheerful little things! They conjure up bake sales and children's birthday parties. They're a forum for colorful sprinkles and other fun embellishments and decorations. It's a personal mini cake just for you, and you can have more than one if you want to - it's hard not to love all that!
So maybe I should make cupcakes more often. Right now, I'm "auditioning" this latest batch of vanilla cupcakes with chocolate frosting for my son's birthday next month. He's turning 12! That's amazing because it seems like only yesterday when I was carrying him around in a baby carrier and tucking a blanket around him in his car seat. Now, that baby is growing more and more independent and I can almost see clues of the adult he's going to become.
Everyone's birthday is special, and I think that's especially the case when it comes to kids. We're always trying to find some extra little ways to show our love, especially on their big day. For me, food is a part of that. Now, to be honest, my son would likely choose pizza and a classic store-bought ice cream cake for his day. I'm totally okay with that (those being things I love best as a kid, too)...but that doesn't stop me from making a little something extra - it might be a cake or cupcakes, something that I can put my imprint on and personalize.
So while I've got a lot of things in the archives I can make already, I thought it was a good time to audition another cupcake recipe. This is a recipe from Jessica Seinfeld's new book, Food Swings; the cupcakes sounded easy to make and lovely to eat. Verdict: they passed their audition with flying colors!
The vanilla cupcakes are rich in flavor, moist and tender, yet firm enough that you can eat with your hands without them falling apart. The frosting is smooth and creamy, full of chocolate flavor. I used to say I'm not a big frosting person but I've had to re-evaluate that claim because I'm not so sure it's true anymore - at least not when it comes to chocolate frosting!
My son is certainly a frosting person and he was readily licking this frosting off! These cupcakes go down easy. I know I often say that about desserts I like but it's really true and the best way I can think of to describe it sometimes. So the upcoming birthday boy was a fan and so was everyone else eating it. If you have a birthday coming up and you're looking for a good cupcake recipe to make - one that's great tasting and uncomplicated, I can say these are an excellent choice.
As my son was devouring the last of these cupcakes, he asked me if I'd make them again soon. You know what? He just might see them again next month!
Everyone's birthday is special, and I think that's especially the case when it comes to kids. We're always trying to find some extra little ways to show our love, especially on their big day. For me, food is a part of that. Now, to be honest, my son would likely choose pizza and a classic store-bought ice cream cake for his day. I'm totally okay with that (those being things I love best as a kid, too)...but that doesn't stop me from making a little something extra - it might be a cake or cupcakes, something that I can put my imprint on and personalize.
So while I've got a lot of things in the archives I can make already, I thought it was a good time to audition another cupcake recipe. This is a recipe from Jessica Seinfeld's new book, Food Swings; the cupcakes sounded easy to make and lovely to eat. Verdict: they passed their audition with flying colors!
The vanilla cupcakes are rich in flavor, moist and tender, yet firm enough that you can eat with your hands without them falling apart. The frosting is smooth and creamy, full of chocolate flavor. I used to say I'm not a big frosting person but I've had to re-evaluate that claim because I'm not so sure it's true anymore - at least not when it comes to chocolate frosting!
My son is certainly a frosting person and he was readily licking this frosting off! These cupcakes go down easy. I know I often say that about desserts I like but it's really true and the best way I can think of to describe it sometimes. So the upcoming birthday boy was a fan and so was everyone else eating it. If you have a birthday coming up and you're looking for a good cupcake recipe to make - one that's great tasting and uncomplicated, I can say these are an excellent choice.
As my son was devouring the last of these cupcakes, he asked me if I'd make them again soon. You know what? He just might see them again next month!