Rapunzel is back!

I have not fallen off of a cliff, gotten lost in a forest, or had anything too terribly bad happen to me, all though I have been MIA in the blog world.

But look what I've done!

I've became a cupcake chief!  These are chocolate cake, with cream cheese frosting, a red sugar heart (which I made my self with a little Pintrest inspiration), and a raspberry Hershey's kiss inside. This little project was for a neighbor's wedding, so aside from being extremely fun, I got paid to make these. I would consider it the best way to make money in the world...cash for creativity!

Cream Cheese Frosting:

Ingredients:

-1 cup butter softened

-16 ounces cream cheese softened

-8 cups sifted confectioners sugar (about 2 lbs)

- 2 T Milk (I would start out with one and add the other if needed. It works better for cupcakes if it thick)

- 1 T orange juice (I just use a little concentrate out of my freezer, sometimes I add a little vanilla instead)

- 1 t orange zest…I never actually do this part:)

Makes about 5 ½ cups icing. Good for 24ish cupcakes

Instructions

In a medium mixer bowel, cream butter and cream cheese together until smooth. Add sugar one cup at a time and milk. Mix well. Beat on high until smooth 9only 30 secs to a minute). Thin to ice cake smoother; use full strength for piping borders.

NOTE: DO NOT use LIGHT cream cheese or butter substitute. If margarine is used, icing will be softer.

How to make...
Chocolate cake 

Sugar Hearts

This weekend's project is Lemonade Cupcakes with Raspberry icing! I'm extremely excited...this recipe screams summer!

Lots of ♥,

Rapunzel 

#21 (again)

Due to the fact that cheesecake is sooo good, I made another cheesecake desert.

I found this one on Pintrest, and I really loved it! I mean seriously, how could you not love Oreo Cheesecake Cup Cakes?

Have fun!

Lots of ♥,

Rapunzel 

#21

Tonight's dessert fulfilled item #21 on my Summer List!

A yummy cheesecake/lemon square combo, which was very flavorful, but not too rich.

I'll defiantly be making this one again!

Lots of ♥,

Rapunzel 

Cinnamon Roll Pancakes

So I got on Pintrest in need of a creative dinner idea that was fairly easy...here is what I found.

 via  Making Memories

They were supper yummy, although kinda messy...mine did not look like hers at all!

Defiantly something to try:) 

Lots if ♥,

Rapunzel 

Popcorn poping...

I looked out the window and what did I see? Popcorn popping on the apricot tree. Spring has brought me such a nice surprise! Popcorn popping right before my eyes. I can take a handful and make a treat. A popcorn ball that smells so sweet. It wasn't really so, but it seemed to be Popcorn popping on the apricot tree.

I've sang the song ever since I was little...but I've never actually made popcorn balls.

They were so easy and fun. Defiantly a good spring treat:)

by Rapunzel

Here are tips.

You can substitute Marshmallow cream for marshmallows, one 7 ounce jar for twenty full sized marshmallows.
And, spray your hands with cooking oil to make them into the balls:)

Have fun:)

Lost of ♥,


Rapunzel 

via LDS music now

Puffins:)

I found these on Pintrest and tired them out...so easy and yummy:) 

via pintrest

Busy Mom Puffins (Pancake Muffins)


Preheat oven to 350, mix 1 c pancake mix, 2/3 c water, 1/2 c syrup. Mix together, pour in greased muffin pan. Top with banana, blueberries, chocolate chips, pecans, sausage, bacon....etc. Bake for 12-14 minutes and serve. Easy, fast, delicious & no syrupy mess!!


Lots of ♥,




Rapunzel 

Dr. Seuss Day

According to Pascal and Friends, today is Dr. Seuss day.

So, here is the question of the day.

To make green eggs and ham, do  you use green or blue die?

It's green.

I think it turned out pretty cute. Don't you?

Lots of ♥,

Rapunzel 

From the ♥

After a lot of trial and error, I finally made a dozen of successful heart shaped cherry chocolate chip cookies. It really is a hit and miss idea, but turns out so cute of you have the energy for the experiment.

by Rapunzel 

by Rapunzel 

Cherry Chocolate Chip Cookies
(which high altitude adjustments)

Wet Ingredients:
2 cups softened butter
1 1/2 cups sugar
1 1/2 cup brown sugar
2 teaspoons vanilla
4 eggs

Dry Ingredients:
4 1/4 cups flower
2 teaspoons baking powder
2 teaspoons baking soda
2 teaspoon salt
4 cups old fashioned oatmeal

1 cup white chocolate chips
1 cup cherry chips
1 cup milk chocolate chips

Cream the butter and sugar together. Add the other wet ingredients into the butter and sugar mixture. Mix well.

In a separate bowl, mix the dry ingredients.

Add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients a little at a time and mix in.

Stir in chocolate.

Line the cookie sheets with parchment paper.

To create the heart shape, take a small (it needs to be really small if you want it to work) heart cookie cutter. Pack cookie dough in tightly, then place the heart on the cookie sheet.

Bale at 375 for 8-9 minutes.

For a gift, wrap in cling wrap and tie with baker's twine

via pintrest 

I found this recipe on Pintrest. If you want something easier to try this is probably it. I think its adorable. I plan on trying it...someday.

.

Lots of ♥,

Rapunzel 

Breakfast Cookies

I found this really awesome recipe via Beth Ann of Genuine Beauty, which originally comes from the blog Blueberry Girl.

I loved it!

Below I have included a copy of the recipe, along with my edits. Hope you enjoy!

No Sugar (well almost none) Oat Drops

1 1/2 cups regular rolled oats
1 cup coconut flakes
1/2 teaspoon salt 
1 teaspoon cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon allspice
1/4 cup of almond meal
1/2 cup mixed nuts,finely chopped(I didn’t put these in)
1 cup dried fruit(I used white chocolate chips and craisins. Raisins and chocolate would be good too. I didn’t do exact measurements, about  ¾ fruit to chocolate ratio is goodJ)

3 ripe bananas, mashed
1/4 cup canola oil
1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Preheat oven to 350. Line baking sheet with parchment paper. 

In a large bowl, combine rolled oats, almond meal, mixed nuts and coconut flakes. Stir in allspice and cinnamon. Add dried fruit and stir until well and evenly mixed. Make sure the dried fruit do not stick together in big batches.
In another bowl, combine canola oil, mashed banana and vanilla extract. Pour wet ingredients over dry ingredients and stir until well combined. 

Take a large cookie cutter and press spoonfuls of the batter into it. Remove cookie cutter. (I just used a large cookie dough scoop. They don’t expand. The size it is before you bake it is what you get.)  Bake for about 20 minutes or until edges are golden brown.

I wrapped mine in wax paper and froze them flat in a freezer bag. Warm for 30-40 seconds and instant breakfast!

Yield- About 17

Lots of ♥,

Rapunzel 

Orange Julius

In honor of lazy Saturday mornings here is a treat has long time been one of my favorites.

I useulally don't use a recipe, but here is a good one from the Blendtec cook book.

2/3 cup milk
2/3 cup water
1/4 cup sugar
6 oz frozen orange juice concentrate
1 tsp vanilla
2 cups ice

Now, if you have a Blendtec, put them in the blender in the order they are listed. If you don't, put them in in the opposite order.  Blend until smooth.

Also, if you have a Blendtec, I  recommend peeling a fresh orange and adding that in. The Blendtec will completely pulverize it, so you don't end up with strings and pulp. Unfortunately a regular blender will not.

 

Enjoy!

Lots of ♥,


Rapunzel 

Christmas Day 2

Cookies :)

Christmas defiantly needs cookies.

And candy cane kisses, you need those too.

I love this recipe, because it has BOTH!!!

Although I haven't made this particular recipe , I do love these kinds of cookies.

Enjoy:)

Cream Cheese Heaven

Those beautiful bakery cupcakes always looks so intimidating...How does one swirl the frosting and get it to look THAT good?


Plus, the bakery frosting never is good enough to want to eat an inch of it.


Well, believe it or not the first picture on this page is a picture of bakery cup cakes.


This one,

 is a picture of cupcakes I made.


And the frosting really is good enough to eat an inch.
You might even want  more than that :)


Cream Cheese Frosting
Ingredients:


-1Cup butter (softened)
-2 8oz. packages of cream cheese, softened
-8 cups sifted confectioners' sugar
-2 T. Milk
-1 T. orange juice
-1 t. orange zest


Instructions:


In a medium mixer bowl, cream butter and cream cheese together until smooth. Add sugar one cup at a time and milk. Mix well. Beat in high until smooth (only 30 seconds to 1 minute). Thin to cake smooth; use full strength for piping borders. 


Enjoy!


Lots of Love,

Rapunzel 

Homemade Oreos

Nothing is better than a warm gooey cookie out of your oven. Not only do they taste fabulous, but baking fills your home, or tower, with an amazing smell. Here is a fun cookie recipe  that I am pretty certain you will enjoy.


Chocolate Cookies 
I found this recipe on All Recipes, and I changed it to fit my purposes

Ingredients

• 4 eggs
• 2 18.25 ounce packages triple chocolate fudge cake mix 
• 1 cup vegetable oil

Directions

1. Mix together cake mix, eggs and oil in a large bowl

2. Make little balls with the dough and set on ungreased cookie sheets. ( I put parchment paper on the cookie sheets)

3.Bake at 350 degrees F (175 degrees C) for 4 - 10 minutes.

Peppermint Frosting

1 cube Softened Butter

6 Tbs Milk

4 Tbs Instant Vanilla Pudding

4 c Powdered Sugar

1 Tbs Mint Extract

Red food coloring 

Mix together with an electric Mixer. 

After you have made the cookies and the frosting, you can assemble the Oreo. Put a generous amount of frosting on the backside of one of the cookies, and then stick another cookie on top of it.

yield: 24 Oreos 


Enjoy!




Lots of Love,


Rapunzel