Cupcakes with kids

I bake cupcakes for kids, but am not really good at baking cupcakes with kids, including my own. I get pretty ocd when I'm baking - things have to be done just the right way, in the just right order, etc., etc., and even thinking of adding lots of little hands into the mix makes me nervous!

Self-analysis over. My friend Debbie Koenig, the talented chef, teacher, blogger and food writer, may have shown me the light. She emailed me yesterday looking for inspiration about how to make Flicker cupcakes for her son. Since Flicker is a Disney character and we're a 100% Noggin household, I had no idea who he was. Turns out he's a very cute flashlight guy and is just perfect for piping on a cupcake.

I gave her my favorite vanilla buttercream recipe and some decorating ideas and the rest is baking-with-kids magic. Check out her post about the whole adventure here. Just might have to give it another try sometime:)

Also this weekend I baked....

IMG_9813
Originally uploaded by the schneider clan

A variation on Martha's birthday cake from the Martha baking bible aka baking porn. Filled with two layers of caramel buttercream (left over from Saturday's cake) and one layer of roasted caramel bananas (idea also stolen from Saturday's cake). Brought to a friend's birthday party and was a big hit. Only bummer was the meringue flopped a bit and the points weren't as high as I would have liked - also went overboard with my torch. That's two bummers, isn't it? I think I need a bigger star tip!

This weekend I baked...

A crazy gooey and good Banana Caramel cake from Apartment Therapy Kitchen for our break fast dinner. Topped it with Caramel Whipped Cream. No photo because it tasted better than it looked!

Today I baked....

Key Lime Pie - used the recipe on the back of the key lime bottle, made my own crust and put in one of my new 9" tart pans. I think the crust is going to be very thick, but since it's crushed graham crackers and butter and sugar, I say the more the merrier.

Peach crisp with raspberries - raspberries were 4.99/pint so I used strawberries instead. Also added chunks of bread to soak up the juices. For sweetness I used maple syrup.