February 14, 2011

To bake or not to bake...

That is usually my question...but being that Valentine's Day was coming up today, I though that I would give it a whirl.

On Friday I received a little care package from my Mom for Valentine's Day.  Isn't she the best???In it contained a beautiful pair of Chamilia earrings (forgot to take a pic) and these A-DORABLE kitchen towels.



I LOVE.LOVE.LOVE Red Velvet anything...so the minute I saw the towel above, I was going to *gasp* attempt baking from scratch...if you know me, you know that baking is not generally my strong suit...

The last time I attempted baking from scratch was last year. I made an oreo cheesecake that was so awful, I almost gagged. Isn't cheesecake supposed to be like the simplest dessert on the planet to make?!?!? Nope, not for this chica!

So, I gather all my ingredients and follow the towel's directions step by step..at least I thought..and end up with red velvet cupcakes that are not red, didn't rise and are so dry I had to chug a bottle of water to wash it down...

all ready...
looking good...
not sure if this was correct...maybe it was the splenda sugar???
ok, I see the red...
definitely knew something was wrong...
was so aggravated I forgot to take pictures before tossing them...

On a lighter note...the frosting was DELISH!!! So, I put it in a plastic container and went to fetch some devil's food cake mix and more red dye...


*Not from a towel or scratch* Red Velvet Cupcakes
adapted from: Plain Chicken
1 box devils food cake mix
1 1/2 cups milk
1/2 cup vegetable oil 
3 eggs
1 oz red food coloring
  1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Line muffin pans with paper or foil liners.
  2. Using an electric mixer, mix cake mix, milk, oil, eggs and food coloring on medium speed for 2 minutes. 
  3. Pour batter into lined muffin pans, filling each about 3/4 full.
  4. Bake for 20 minutes or until a tester inserted in the center comes clean. I used a butter knife.
  5. Let cool completely before frosting.
Printable Recipe
    Cream Cheese Frosting *From the towel*
    8 oz cream cheese, softened,
    2 tablespoons sour cream
    1/4 cup butter, softened
    2 tablespoons vanilla extract
    16 oz powdered sugar
    1. Beat the cream cheese, sour cream, butter and vanilla until light and fluffy.
    2. Slowly, I REPEAT, SLOWLY beat in powdered sugar until creamy or you will have powdered sugar all over your kitchen.
      SOO much easier...and less messy
      looks right...
      now THAT'S red...
      MUCH better...
      TADA!!!

      Happy Valentine's Day!












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      8 comments:

      The Country Cook said...

      Ain't no shame in a boxed cake mix. And it tastes great, why not? At least you gave it a good try. And the frosting looks scrumptious!!!

      1,000 Apple Pies said...

      Ha! Hilarious. A for effort, right? I actually have made red velvet cake from scratch -- for David's birthday, I think. I know I put in more food coloring than was called for to get the color. I just remember it being a lot of work with little payoff, and making a mental note to just use a boxed mix next time around. Even more laborious: hummingbird cake. It's a gazillion ingredients and takes for-ev-er.

      Now you're making me want to go to Sweet Mandy B's to get more cupcakes! Why bake when they're around??

      Miss you!

      Jennifer said...

      What a sweet mom! I love that you tried, tossed the cupcakes and tried again! I agree...nothing wrong with a cake mix and some add-in ingredients! Happy Valentine's Day!

      GirlyGirlCooks said...

      I LOVE YOUR KITCHEN TOWELS!!!! SO CUTE!

      Bubbe Bites said...

      I was laughing so hard when I read your post. I cant tell you how many things I baked that didnt turn out well. Nice to see I am not the only one.

      Comfy cuisine said...

      What a super cute gift! I've never made a homemade cake that came out right..so join the club! Great blog! Following you as well!

      Unknown said...

      Im LOVIN the kitchen towels! So cute! And I cant resist red velvet cupcakes! YUMMMMM

      Eccentric Kitchen (Steph) said...

      Thanks everyone ! You are all so encouraging!

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