Happy 1st Birthday, Taybear!

It's here!

It's Taylor's birthday!

Going GREEN for Taylor's Birthday.

1:20 pm

So I decided to do something special. I decided to make 'professional' cupcakes. I wanted it to be the best cupcakes I've ever made, but also not from scratch considering that can cost more than a boxed mix these days. It was real simple, and I'm currently waiting on them to come out! I will say though, the batter tasted great! I know, I know...you're not supposed to eat raw egg. It's something my family has done since before I was born, and nobody has been sick from it. Since I'm an adult, and there are no kids around, I feel it's not a big deal. I'll take responsibility for myself if I get sick.

Everything but the pan.
So Simple!

Anyways, so here is the recipe I used:

RECIPE:

- 1 box cake mix (any flavor - I used Pillsbury Moist supreme Classic Yellow

- 3 Eggs (you can substitution with 4 egg whites)

- 1 Cup Milk (I used 2% so others should be fine as well AND omit the oil)

- 2 1/2 tbsp butter, melted (salted or unsalted will work. I used blue bonnet)

- 1 tsp Vanilla extract or flavoring (I used flavoring)

That's it! That is all the ingredients you need. And the best part? I didn't bother with a cupcake pan! Those things end up getting dirty somehow, they take up room in the cabinets, and it's hard to get the cupcakes out. So I grabbed some Reynolds Foil Baking Cups (35ct) for $1.88. They come lined with a paper cup, but since I bought the special butterfly ones for Tay (75ct for $1.88), I just decided to save those for another time! Then I put the special ones in the foil, and now I can reuse the foil cups! It's great. More on that later...

Cups and my flower liners

1. Melt the butter in the microwave
2. Add 3 eggs, cake mix, and milk (or soy milk, or whatever you are using) in a bowl on top of the butter.
3. Using a hand mixer, mix on low for 1 minute, then go up one for another minute. If using a spoon, make sure it is a large spoon and stir for 2 minutes. It may have a few clumps and won't looks as creamy, but it will still work.
   
   

   

   The mix! So creamy!
   It's almost a texture to brownies!

4. Line the foil cups with the liners that come with them, or your own pretty liners.
   
   

   

   Cups and my liners.
5. Place on cookie sheet (should bake a dozen at a time.
6. Fill cups with a tablespoon (just under halfway).

   

   1 tbsp batter into the cups

   
   
7. Place in preheated oven at 350 degrees for 13-20 minutes (my oven always makes the sides hard if I do full time, so for these it took 13 minutes to be done). Just keep an eye on them. As soon as they start to brown on the top, pull them out and off the sheet.

   

   Browned on top.

   
   
8. After they cool slightly, turn upside down in your hand and the cupcake and the liner will slide right out of the foil. Now you can store the foil and reuse!
9. Let cool at least an hour

Now what about the icing?

ICING:

- Pillsbury Creamy Supreme Cream Cheese (any vanilla should work $1.88)

- Betty Crocker Classic Gel Food Colors (I think it was around $3)

1. Let cupcakes cool COMPLETELY
2. Open the icing and stir.
3. Add 10 drops of food coloring of your choice, then stir until blended well. (I wanted darker green, so I used a lot)
4. Fluff with a fork, then use a knife to scoop onto the cupcakes.
5. Spread gently.
6. Optional: Let stand a few minutes, then squeeze out the Confetti Gel in a zigzag pattern (Extras - below)

Extras (Can be omitted):

- Cake Mate Confetti Gel (I used Pink Dots, around $2)

- Cake Mate Confetti Candles ($1)
- Cake Mate Happy Birthday Candles (Around $3)

 Here are some pictures throughout Tay's birthday.

Finished Cupcakes!

Lit candles at the beach
One for Daddy
One for Mommy

Mommy eating the cupcake
and thinking about her Taybear

Gorgeous sunset on her birthday.

The gorgeous bridge all lit up.

The bridge lit up.
Great ending to her celebration.