Monthly Archives

May 2014

Strawberry Cheesecake Cupcakes!

Granola Girl bakes :: Strawberry Cheesecake cupcakes 11

So, who wants to join me for a Strawberry Cheesecake Cupcake?! πŸ™‚ It had been literally weeks since I baked anything new and I had this recipe going through my mind. So the weekend found its way to me and I found myself in the kitchen! From my posts y’all probably know I have a weakness for a couple few things; coffee, cupcakes, and cream cheese icing. πŸ˜‰ Strawberries are in season and it had been quite some time since I baked cupcakes so it only seemed natural to combine the two and add a few of my favorite things to the mix. πŸ˜€ For the frosting I made a slightly cream cheesier icing with a bit of salt and topped it off with lightly toasted graham cracker crumbs. The result, simply delicious! Y’all will have to give it a try for yourself and see! πŸ™‚

Strawberry Cupcakes 6

Yields 24 cupcakes

Cake Ingredients

  • 1 1/2 sticks butter{softened}
  • 4 oz cream cheese{softened}
  • 1 1/2 cups sugar
  • 3 eggs
  • 1 1/2 tsp pure vanilla extract
  • 1/2 tsp almond extract{optional}
  • 1 1/2 cups white flour
  • 1 tsp salt
  • 1/2 pint fresh strawberries diced

Icing

  • 1 stick butter{softened}
  • 6 oz cream cheese{softened}
  • 3 cups powder sugar
  • 1 1/2 tsp pure vanilla extract
  • 1/2 tsp almond extract{optional}
  • 1/2 tsp salt

Topping

  • 1/2 cup graham cracker crumbs

Directions

  1. Preheat oven to 350Β° Fahrenheit. Line muffin tins with paper!
  2. Cream butter, 4 oz cream cheese, and sugar in an electric mixer on high-speed for 3 minutes.
  3. Add eggs one at a time mixing well after each egg. Stir in Vanilla & almond extract and scrape sides.
  4. Turn mixer on low and slowly add flour 1/2 cup at a time and salt until completely combined!
  5. With a rubber spatula, gentle fold in strawberries. Place 1/4 cup batter in each muffin cup. Bake for 14-17 minutes or until golden and an inserted toothpick comes out clean!
  6. Allow to completely cool while you make the icing!

For the icing:

  1. Place all ingredients in a large mixing bowl and beat on high for 3 minutes. Scrape sides and bottom of bowl and mix for another minute!
  2. Pipe onto cooled cupcakes and top with graham cracker crumbs!
  3. Enjoy!!

 

Granola Girl bakes :: Strawberry Cheesecake cupcakes

Granola Girl bakes :: Strawberry Cheesecake cupcakes 3

Granola Girl bakes :: Strawberry Cheesecake cupcakes 7

 

Strawberry Cupcakes15Granola Girl bakes :: Strawberry Cheesecake cupcakes 10

Granola Girl bakes :: Strawberry Cheesecake cupcakes 8

Β  How sweet are thy words unto my taste! yea, sweeter than honey to my mouth!-Ps 119:103

Espresso Floats with Caramel and Whip!

Espresso Float 2

Spring is here and it is getting warm! πŸ™‚ No longer the season for hot lattes but rather iced Americanos… and Espresso Floats. πŸ˜‰ These floats were originally created by my highly caffeinated sister but after many many days seeing her drink them it was time I try one! Perfection! πŸ™‚ Like aΒ frappuccino but SO much better. Be warned, cut back on the espresso if you don’t like your coffee too strong!

Yields 1 float

Ingredients:

  • 2 Shots Espresso or 1/2 cup strong brewed coffee
  • 2 large scoops Vanilla Ice cream
  • 2 TBS Caramel
  • Fresh Whipped Cream

Directions:

  1. Drizzle 1TBS caramel on the inside of a glass.
  2. Add Ice cream then pour espresso over the ice cream.
  3. Top with whipped cream and remaining caramel!
  4. Enjoy! πŸ™‚

Espresso Float

Espresso Float 1

 

“O taste and see that the Lord is good: blessed is the man that trusteth in Him. ”
Psalm 34:8

 

Whipped Cream Sweetened with Maple!

Fresh Whipped Cream 1

Okay, I know what y’all are thinking, “whipped cream isn’t that hard to make!” True. πŸ™‚ But I often post pictures of my coffee creations on instagram and am always asked for my whipped cream recipe. So, here it is! About 3 years ago we decided to move away from refined sugar as much as possible and started using pure maple syrup for much of our baking and sweetening. At first I was extremely skeptical but since the first taste I can say it doesn’t get much better than pure maple in freshly whipped cream! Delicious on coffee, fresh strawberries, or(if your like me) just by the spoonful! πŸ˜‰

 

Yields 2 or more cups whipped cream

Ingredients

  • 1 cup Fresh Heavy Cream
  • 3-4 TBS Pure Maple{I use 3 but if you prefer less/more sweet adjust accordingly!}

Directions

  1. Place cream and maple syrup in mixer bowl and beat on high until fluffy and stiff peaks form!
  2. ENJOY!

Fresh Whipped Cream

Fresh Whipped Cream 2