I need these.

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I love you so much.

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Rainbow Cupcakes!

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 These were soooo easy! I used a box mix, since I have never made these before I didn't want to take all the time to make my own and then mess up the rainbow..next time I will know it's easy and just make my own though!!  I just topped them with whipped cream..this was sort of a last minute baking decision, plus sometimes it's nice to take a break from the super sweet icing! (and way less sugar for kids).
 AnnaBella seriously couldn't help herself! We practiced colors and made the purple and green from mixing the primary colors, so it was educational too! I actually couldn't even use most of my pics because her little midget hands were creepin' trying to steal whipped cream off of the cupcakes! (4th pic down...ha)

All you need:
White cake box mix
Primary color gel

Directions:
Mix box cake as directed, take about 1/3 cup and place in bowl, repeat 5 more times. Add food coloring, and done!

Don't try and smooth over or blend the colors, that will just make muddy colors. Just plop em down ROYGBIV.

French Toast Cupcakes.

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What could be better? I mean really? Nothing...well, except maybe adding BACON into the mix! I have seen this recipe for a while now, but have just never gotten around to making them..they are delicious! And honestly, I think next time I make them I am going to add bacon to the actual batter, because I'm gross like that!

Recipe:
Cupcake:
- 3/4 cup unsalted butter (1 1/2 sticks,room temp)
- 1 cup sugar
- 1 1/2 cup cake flour
- 1 1/2 tsp baking powder
- 1/4 tsp salt
- 1/2 cup milk, room temp
- 1 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
- 1 tsp nutmeg
- 1 tsp cinnamon
- 3 large eggs,room temp and separated


Maple ButtercreamFrosting:
- 2 sticks unsalted butter, room temp
- 2 3/4 cups confectioners' sugar
- 2 tsp heavy cream
- 3/4 tsp maple extract


Bacon:
I used extra thick cut bacon and baked in the oven at 425 for about 20 minutes, emptying the grease half way..I will warn you, that I REALLY enjoy over cooked bacon though, so it's WELL done.



Directions:
1.) Place a rack in the middle of the oven and preheat to 375 degrees F. Line the muffin pan with paper cupcake liners.
2.) In a standing mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, combine the butter and sugar and mix on low speed until just incorporated. Raise the speed to high and mix until light and fluffy, about 10 minutes. (Occasionally turn the mixer off, and scrape the sides of the bowl down with a rubber spatula.)
3.) Meanwhile, in a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, salt, nutmeg, and cinnamon. Set aside. In a small bowl, whisk together the milk and vanilla, and also set aside.
4.) Add the egg yolks to the creamed butter one at time, waiting for each one to be fully incorporated before adding the next.
5.) Reduce the speed of the mixer to low. Alternately, add the flour mixture in 3 additions and the milk in 2 additions, waiting for each to be fully incorporated before adding the next (scrape the bowl down occasionally). Raise the speed to medium and mix briefly until a smooth batter is formed. Transfer the batter to a large bowl.
6.) Thoroughly clean the bowl of the mixer and put the egg whites inside. Whip the egg whites on high speed, using the whisk attachment, until stiff peaks are formed.
7.) Working in 3 batches, using a rubber spatula, fold the egg whites into the batter, until just incorporated. Divide the batter evenly among the cups in the muffin pan. Bake, rotating the pan once, until golden brown and a toothpick inserted in the center of the cakes comes out clean, about 30 minutes.
8.) Remove the cupcakes  from the oven and cool completely.

Icing.

1.) In a standing mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, or with a hand-held electric mixer in a large bowl, mix the butter and sugar on low speed until incorporated. Increase the speed to high, and mix until light and fluffy, about 5 minutes. (Occasionally turn the mixer off, and scrape the down the sides of the bowl with a rubber spatula.)
2.) Reduce the speed of the mixer to low. Add the heavy cream and maple extract.. Raise the speed to high and mix briefly until fluffy (scrape down the bowl occasionally). Store in the refrigerator until somewhat stiff, before using.

Yummy Dip.

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 So, AnnaBella has been sick for over a week now. Normally she is a total food hog and eats everything and anything, but she seriously hasn't eaten a meal since last week. :( I decided to bribe her into eating by making an irresistible dip that she couldn't refuse. Now it may or may not cancel out the healthiness of the fruit and pretzels, but whatever, I wanted her to eat!
 I served it with pretzel rods, apples, strawberries and blackberries, but really anything is delicious dipped in this...and I think I ate most of it, not her, oh well!

Ingredients:
3 oz cream cheese,softened
1/3 cup creamy peanut butter
1/4 cup chocolate syrup
1/2 tsp vanilla extract
2 TBL milk

Mix cream cheese and PB, then gradually add other ingredients, done! And I added jimmies...you totally don't have to, I am just a 5 year old when it comes to yummy treats.

Peanut Butter Banana Smoothies.

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 It seems I am getting a head start on my smoothie season. Usually from Spring to Fall I drink my first 2 meals of the day in smoothie form, because #1 they are DELICIOUS and #2 they are healthy too.  Duh.  I have a staple smoothie that I make most of the time, just because I know it is delicious and I know I won't be let down if it tastes gross! (it's a strawberry banana, I'll post that recipe later). But I am going to branch out and try lots of different smoothies this year! This morning I made these, and yeah, amazing.

Recipe makes 2 bigger smoothies:

1 cup yogurt (I use vanilla)
2 to 3 Bananas
4 TBL Peanut Butter
1 cup ice
1/2 cup milk
2 tsp honey (optional)
1 TBL sugar (optional..I just love sugar)

Enjoy.

Food trailers!

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Although the thought of trailer food may be sort of sketch to some people, I think they are adorable! While in Austin, we got to see a lot of them.. I almost DIED when I saw Hey Cupcakes trailer! To my dismay, they are closed on Mondays, and of course, I went on Monday..And although I have read reviews of them before and it seems their cupcake is not so delicious, I don't even care. The trailer is so aesthetically pleasing to me that I would still buy their cupcakes, eat them and be happy.

I would totally live here, ha.