let them eat (cup)cake

I'd planned a bunch of things to blog about after that first low beta. Things like baking and the incredibly lame-o thing the mister did the other week. Then I got all distracted by those numbers. Since I've graduated from betas (how will I ever get through tomorrow morning without a good vein stick), I figured I might as well get back to some of the subjects at hand.

That brings me to cupcakes. My newest obsession.

One of the bad things about the past couple of months is that I haven't been baking much. I have this gorgeous, nearly finished* kitchen and I just haven't wanted to use it much. I've wanted to get back into the swing of baking but it's just been too overwhelming to even begin. Some of the things I love to make take hours and have many steps. I just don't have that in me right now.

So I decided to break it down. I figured I'd start with cupcakes. They're easy, they're tasty and they're fun. It's hard not to be happy with a cute cupcake in your hand.

Once upon a time a year or so ago a friend of mine  who shall remain nameless made fun of perfecting the art of cupcake baking. I knew back then that I'd have to do it, just because. Now, said friend was making a bigger political statement about sahms and cupcakes and such but I just felt like someone needed to stick up for the cupcakes.

Then another friend from pastry school did the food styling for a new cupcake book. I figured this would be a good launching point.

I still wasn't to the point of putting batter to liner as it were. Until the Wednesday food section did a big spread on cupcakes a couple of weeks ago. And quoted cupcake blogs. Yes, there are many, many cupcake blogs it turns out. Who knew? So I've added another whole genre to my blog reading and begun my cupcake odyssey.

I started with the recipe in the paper. It's from one of my fave bakers. Simple but sweet: vanilla cupcakes with milk chocolate frosting.

I broke out my nifty new silicone muffin cups and preheated my fabo blue-lined oven. Mixed the batter, and we were off to the races.

I'd love to tell you they came out spectucular but that would be a lie. I was unimpressed with the cake. Disappointed with the crumb. And the frosting was lack-luster. I doubled the amount of milk chocolate called for and still could barely taste it. It was a Swiss meringue buttercream (which is my fave buttercream technique) but not a great example of that style.

Still, it turns out that so-so cupcakes are better than no cupcakes. The mister and I indulged between betas. I've found the next recipes to try and am looking forward to finding a few recipes that I love and then really going to town.

I did make a kick-ass lemon bundt cake yesterday thanks to C00k's Illustrated. It's still never let me down.

Up next: finding the perfect yellow cupcake and lemon cream cheese frosting. Then maybe devil's food with caramel frosting.

*I also haven't had the energy to do the last few things on the kitchen. But I did order the last door fronts that I need. And may get the rest done in the next couple of weeks.

Comments

[thalia]

I haven't made cupcakes in a very long time. Of course, here we call them fairy cakes, which used to make my american friends shriek with laughter.

What is a swiss buttercream frosting?

[Sophie D]

God, I love cupcakes. I actually hate to cook but I do like to bake. The problem is that after I bake, I like to eat. So, I dont bake. I have zero willpower. Sigh. BTW, I am SO excited for you!!

[Demeter]

You sound so joyous! I am so happy for you that you can now talk about cupcakes, and happiness. Cooking is nurturing. You are starting anew and this is proof of it. Enjoy your recipes!

[pixi]

Will you share if you find a good recipe? After reading your post, I'm feeling inspired to do some baking.

Wishing you lots of luck tomorrow. Hope everything looks great.

[fertilityfauxpas]

I was going to type in some witty comment here, but got all distracted as soon as you mentioned devil's food with carmel frosting.

Great news on the doubling numbers, by the way. Hoping for great news at the ultrasound too. Good luck!

[coloratura]

Cupcakes are dee bomb -- when can I come over and help you taste test...? just kidding :P

I love Cook's Illustrated as well. Watch them a lot here in my design den at lunch, wolfing down whatever while wishing I had the time to make what they're making... and please DO share the recipe, I'm a collector.

If we have a cronefest again, maybe you and I should make cupcakes for all?

David Sedaris' sister makes and sells them in NY. Her decorations are really cute.

P.S. Your betas are rockin'... yeah!

[Bonnie]

I'm with Pixi. I'd love to find a really good recipe.

[daisy mae]

omg - that cooks lemon pound cake is to die for! i love that!

i've been on a quest for a nice moist plain ole vanilla/white cake recipe for years now. i'm beginning to think such a thing doesn't exist!

do you think you could reschedule your us tomorow to 5am. so those of us on the east coast don't have to wait all day for results???

~daisy

[Pamplemousse]

I am with Thalia in that they are fairy cakes over here!!! I will be thinking of you tomorrow and could you get in early and post the good news at a decent time of the day?? Hahaha! Smooches with frosting, my friend.

[Ornery]

Mmmmmmm...cupcakes!! Such a great thing to obsess about.

I think it's fabulous that you are doing cupcake experimentation. And, in order to do my part towards advancing the culinary science of cupcake-making, I will even volunteer my taste-testing services if you ever need a second (or third, or fourth) opinion.

[Red Headed Momma]

You HAVE to get Nigella Lawson's How to be a Domestic Goddess book. I think that's the baking one. Tons of cupcake recipes, most of which you can make in the food processor! There's a burnt butter cupcake recipe that is TO DIE FOR.

How are you feeling?

[daysgoby]

God love Cook's Illustrated. Please share the lemon bundt recipe - if it's as god as the lemon pound cake one in their cookbook - oh, my mouth is watering.

[daysgoby]

WHY IS THERE NO SPELL CHECK ON COMMENTS?

That's 'good' in the above comment. If it's as good as the lemon pound cake.

Cheers!

[Fran]

I am not a "cook-type" person... That is DH's job (and you've met him so can you believe it!)...

Anywoo, I am IMPRESSED with your culinary talents and would love to taste your cupcakes (sounds kinda kinky - huh?) so-so one's and all.

xox, Fran

[Tertia]

I rushed back to check on you. Update, dammit.
xx

[Catherine]

So, where are some of these cupcake blogs!

Catherine