BAKING MUST-HAVE of the DAY!!!

     I've come to the conclusion that today's BAKING MUST-HAVE of the DAY is... a PASTRY BAG!!! i honestly believe that without this ingenious tool your cupcakes are also going to be just slightly less than AMAZING!!! and no body every wants that! 
     Think about it, without the use of a pastry bag, your cupcakes are going to look just average and kinda boring. However, with the infinite number of different decorating tips out there, your cupcakes can be transformed into edible art!! and who wouldn't want to eat that? Plus, the pastry bag can make frosting a cupcake go from messy and time consuming to quick and clean!
    
     There are many different styles of pastry bags out there from disposable to reusable and all that's in between. I'm partial to disposable ones, even though I do reuse them. I feel the disposable material of the pastry bags allows better control while decorating cupcakes and other desserts. Plus, even though they're meant to be disposable, they wash super fast and are ready to be used again. 

     Such a nifty little tool that I couldn't possibly live without! Definitely the BAKING MUST-HAVE of the DAY!!

Which do you prefer? Disposable? Reusable? Homemade, perhaps? What's your BAKING MUST-HAVE of the DAY? 

DAILY CUPCAKE RECIPE

I'm starting to post some daily items to STC BLOG that will have recipes, photos of cupcakes, tips and tricks from the kitchen and other things like that. Today's post is going to be part of the DAILY CUPCAKE RECIPE.

Today's recipe is simple and classic. A basic chocolate cupcake with a recipe for chocolate buttercream frosting.

Chocolate Cupcake Recipe:
Prep time: 15 minutes
Cook time: 15 minutes
Ready in: 30 minutes

Ingredients:
2 cups all-purpose flour
1/4 teaspoon baking soda
1 tablespoon baking powder
1 cup & 2 teaspoons unsweetened cocoa powder
1/8 teaspoon salt
1/4 cup & 1 teaspoon butter, softened
2 1/4 cups white sugar
3 eggs
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 1/2 cups milk

Directions:

1.  Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Line a muffin pan with paper or foil liners. Sift together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, cocoa powder and salt. Set aside.
2.  In a large bowl, cream together the cutter and sugar until light and fluffy. Add the eggs one at a time, beating well with each addition, then stir in the vanilla. Add  the flour mixture alternately with the milk; beat well. Fill the muffin cups 3/4 full. 
3. Bake for 17-20 minutes in the preheated oven, or until a toothpick inserted into the cake comes out clean. Frost with your favorite frosting when cool. 

CHOCOLATE BUTTERCREAM RECIPE:
Ingredients:
12 (1 ounce) squares bittersweet chocolate
2 cups unsalted butter
1/8 teaspoon salt
2 eggs
4 cups confectioners' sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Directions:

1. Melt the bittersweet chocolate, and allow to cool slightly
2. Place the butter or margarine, salt and vanilla in a mixing bowl. Beat with a mixer until very light and airy, about 4 minutes. 
3. Add the powdered sugar a little at a time while beating on low speed. 
4. Mix well and beat on medium speed for about 4 minutes.
5. Add the eggs one at a time, and beat for 5 minutes more. 
6. Add the melted chocolate, and beat for 4 minutes.

Nutritional Information:

Amount Per Serving  Calories: 358 | Total Fat: 24.6g | Cholesterol: 72mg

Now your ready to frost your cupcakes!

Let me know if you try out this recipe and send pictures to ardiana_adili@yahoo.com so i can post them on STC!!

Sugar + Sunshine Bakery in Plainsboro, NJ

     As I was searching through the Internet for some unique looking bakeries in my corner of the world, I came across one in particular that caught my eye instantly! Sugar + Sunshine Bakery serves homemade, made from scratch baked goods that look delicious! They're located in Plainsboro, NJ and I unfortunately have not be able to visit there establishment yet however, their website makes me wish I had! Everything is made daily and from scratch! How could you not want one of their amazing treats!? And they not only make cakes and cupcakes, but they also make  homemade brownies, pies and cookies! Plus they serve freshly brewed coffee, hot chocolate and single origin teas! YUMMY!!

Make sure to visit their website if you don't live in the area:

 Sugar + Sunshine website!

     I'm hoping to make a trip to their bakery in the very, very near future!

If anyone has ever been to Sugar + Sunshine, let me know! Or if anyone knows of any other amazing bakeries in the Northern New Jersey area, PLEASE let me know about them! 

thanks everyone! : D