Cherry Almond Cupcake Recipe

 Today's Cupcake Recipe comes from Better Homes and Gardens. It's a Cherry Almond Cupcake! Its looks absolutely delicious and the perfect cupcake for this beautifully approaching Spring weather! I would have never thought to put cherries and almonds together, so I think I'm going to be baking these this sunday.

So here's the recipe:

Ingredients:

• 1/2 cup butter

• 4 egg whites
• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 teaspoon baking soda
• 3/4 cup buttermilk or sour milk*
• 1/3 cup maraschino cherry juice
• 1-1/2 cups sugar
• 1 teaspoon vanilla
• 1/2 teaspoon almond extract
• 12 maraschino cherries, halved
• 1 recipe Cherry-Almond Butter Frosting
•     Maraschino cherries with stems (optional)

Directions:

1. Allow butter and egg whites to stand at room temperature for 30 minutes. Meanwhile, line twenty-four 2-1/2-inch muffin cups with paper bake cups (or coat with cooking spray). In a medium bowl stir together flour, baking powder, salt, and baking soda. In a 2-cup glass measuring cup combine buttermilk and cherry juice; set aside.

2. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. In a large mixing bowl beat butter with an electric mixer on medium to high speed for 30 seconds. Add sugar, vanilla, and almond extract; beat until combined. Add egg whites, one at a time, beating well after each addition. Alternately add flour mixture and buttermilk mixture to beaten mixture, beating on low speed after each addition just until combined.

3. Spoon batter into prepared muffin cups, filling each about two-thirds full. Use the back of a spoon to smooth out batter in cups. Press a cherry half into batter in each cup.

4. Bake for 15 to 18 minutes or until tops spring back when lightly touched. Cool cupcakes in muffin cups on wire racks for 5 minutes. Remove cupcakes from muffin cups. Cool completely on wire racks.

5. Using a pastry bag fitted with a large star tip, pipe Cherry-Almond Butter Frosting over tops of cupcakes. If desired, top with cherries. Makes 24 (2-1/2-inch) cupcakes.

Cherry-Almond Butter Frosting: 

Allow 1/2 cup butter to stand at room temperature for 30 minutes. In a large mixing bowl beat butter with an electric mixer on medium speed until smooth. Gradually add 1 cup powdered sugar, beating well. Beat in 3 tablespoons maraschino cherry juice or milk and 1/2 teaspoon almond extract. Gradually beat in 3 cups additional powdered sugar. If necessary, beat in additional juice or milk, 1 teaspoon at a time, until frosting reaches a spreading consistency. Makes 2 cups frosting.

Don't they just look soo scrumptious?! 

I'm not sure if you all are liking this new feature, because it's pretty quite around these parts lol... Sooo I would absolutely love it, if any one you who have any sort of opinion/suggestion/comment on not only this post, but my entire blog, please leave a comment to let me know what you're thoughts are and so that I know there's actual people out there lol

Thanks again for being soo super stellar and amazing guys!!

Have a truly fantastic Tuesday everyone!

xxoo

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DIY iPhone Case

Good Morning all!! Happy Monday! I have the cutest DIY for you yet! Mostly all of us own that coveted iPhone and I know for myself at least, I'm always scouring the internet trying to find the most adorable and functional case for it, without my phone turning into a brick. haha I stumbled upon This Tutorial via Pinterest [my favorite website currently]. 

I have a tendency to find a case, fall in love with it, and then maybe a few weeks after purchasing it, I'm already buying a new one because I can't find just one that I love enough to use all the time. This tutorial is perfect for the fickle iPhone case person, as you can change the design of the case!!! 

*Photo courtesy of Oops! I Craft My Pants*

The creative genius behind this lovely Craft Blog and this awesome tutorial is Erika. She had ingeniously crafted an iPhone case that has interchangeable designs. Click here to access this amazing tutorial! She uses a clear plastic iPhone case and then cuts to fit pretty scrapbook pages that you can interchange with one another to fit your current mood or even match your outfit if you feel so inclined. 

Now I just need to hit up Amazon.com to purchase a clear case and this is what I will find my self doing this weekend! I'm so happy I found this, it's a god send, seriously!

Have a stellar Monday all!!

xxoo

friday favorites

I almost forgot to post this before leaving for work this morning! I'm going back to work for the first time in over a week today : /  and I really don't want to. I was out of the state for a little over a week due to a family emergency and although I've been back in Jersey for a couple of days, my mind is not focused on work right now...I just want to stay home and spend as much time as I can with my beautiful and loving family. So now that I just went completely sappy on you guys [sorry about that], we can get to my list of favorite things on this loveliest Friday.

This stellar journal! I think they're 

super creative and look like soo much fun!

This simple yet sophisticated desk

This gorgeous side table! I've been wanting this 

for my bedroom for a while now... Don't you just love it?

This super cute calendar! It's on sale currently as well...Sweet!

This pretty awesome tutorial! Kind of really anxious to try this out. Maybe this weekend?

This amazing website! [I already posted about my love for it here]

It may be short, but this list is definitely sweet! 

I'm really looking forward to this weekend, as it will be my first one since I've been back and It is definitely much needed. I plan on doing lots of relaxing, catching up with school and of course, crafting!

Have a very lovely Friday all!!

xxoo

love at first sight...

Okay so I've been scouring the internet for a truly amazing online store that will provide me with all the lovely items I am wishing to own and of course offer those items in my size for a reasonable price. Well, thank the fashion gods, because I'm pretty sure that I have finally uncovered that glorious site! The website is asos.com and let me just tell you that all my prayers have been answered!! The range of product is outstanding, as is the fact that there's free shipping. Both ways. Always. That's awesome!! So far I'm loving everything I've seen. They have a huge selection of clothing items as well as sizes[including plus size for all those curvy ladies, like my self out there], plus tons and tons of accessories and other bits and bobs us ladies love to have. I already order clothes twice this week off line from two other stores and I really shouldn't be buying anything but I really cannot stop myself from purchasing some really lovely items from asos.com. 

So in an attempt to prevent myself from purchasing items that I have no money for, I'm going to list the items I'm drooling over below. Maybe this way I'll be less tempted to purchase them knowing that I'm able to share them with you guys? That doesn't really make sense at all, and odds are, that after I'm done posting this, I'll end up purchasing the items currently waiting for me in my shopping cart! haha oh well, you only live once right? 

 

 

Have a lovely Thursday evening all!!

xxoo

Hazelnut Creme Brulee Cupcake Recipe

These scrumptious Hazelnut Creme Brulee Cupcakes from Better Homes and Gardens are absolutely amazing! Being that Hazelnut is my favorite, I can't get enough of these cupcakes.. they're simple, delicious and are a bit more sophisticated than your average chocolate or vanilla cupcake lol 

Make sure to give these a try and let me know if you do!! Recipe is below!

How delicious does that look!?

INGREDIENTS:

• 3/4 cup butter
• 3 eggs
• 2-1/2 cups all-purpose flour
• 2 teaspoons baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1-3/4 cups sugar
• 2 tablespoons hazelnut liqueur
• 2 teaspoons vanilla
• 1 cup milk
• 1/2 cup finely chopped, toasted hazelnuts (filberts)
• 1 recipe Vanilla-Hazelnut Buttercream
• 1 recipe Caramelized Sugar Drizzle
•    Grated whole nutmeg or ground nutmeg (optional)
• 
  

DIRECTIONS:

1. Allow butter and eggs to stand at room temperature for 30 minutes. Meanwhile, grease and flour twenty-four 2-1/2-inch muffin cups (or line with paper bake cups). In a medium bowl stir together flour, baking powder, and salt. Set aside.

2. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. In a large mixing bowl beat butter with an electric mixer on medium to high speed for 30 seconds. Gradually add sugar, about 1/4 cup at a time, beating on medium speed until combined. Scrape sides of bowl; beat for 2 minutes more. Add eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition. Beat in liqueur and vanilla. Alternately add flour mixture and milk, beating on low speed after each addition just until combined. Fold in nuts.

3. Spoon batter into prepared muffin cups, filling each about three-fourths full. Use the back of a spoon to smooth out batter in cups.

4. Bake for 15 to 18 minutes or until tops spring back when lightly touched. Cool cupcakes in muffin cups on wire racks for 5 minutes. Remove cupcakes from muffin cups. Cool completely on wire racks.

5. Spread Vanilla-Hazelnut Buttercream onto tops of cupcakes. Quickly drizzle with Caramelized Sugar Drizzle. If desired, sprinkle with nutmeg. Makes 24 (2-1/2 inch) cupcakes.

Vanilla-Hazelnut Buttercream: Allow 1/3 cup butter to stand at room temperature for 30 minutes. In a large mixing bowl beat butter with an electric mixer on medium speed until smooth. Gradually add 1 cup powdered sugar, beating well. Beat in 2 tablespoons milk, 1 tablespoon hazelnut liqueur, and 1 teaspoon vanilla. Gradually beat in 3 cups additional powdered sugar. Beat in additional milk (3 to 4 teaspoons) until buttercream reaches a spreading consistency. Makes 2 cups.

Caramelized Sugar Drizzle: In a large skillet cook 1/3 cup sugar over medium-high heat until sugar starts to melt, shaking skillet occasionally. Do not stir. When sugar starts to melt, reduce heat to low and cook about 5 minutes or until all of the sugar is melted, stirring as needed with a wooden spoon. Remove from heat. Immediately drizzle over frosted cupcakes.

Plan on trying out this recipe? Well than, let me know if you do! I'd love to hear what you though of them!

xxoo

Friday Favorites: Mint in the Air...

My favorites this Friday are pretty marvelous, not gonna lie! I'm feeling very mint-y this week. I think it has something to do with this beautiful weather and the fact that St. Patrick's Day is tomorrow haha!

This pretty mint lace dress. Perfect for Spring!

This lovely mint clutch! 

These lovely blush pumps!

 These super stellar shoes! I want need these so badly!

This adorable iPhone case!!


These newly discovered lovely blogs: one, two, three, and four.


Hope you have a fantastic Friday!!

xxoo

Recipe: Irish Car Bomb Cupcake

St. Patrick's Day is just about here!!! It's one of my three favorite holidays! [Christmas and my birthday being the other two] I love everything about St. Patrick's Day and love that my mom is part Irish so we can celebrate the most awesome holiday on the calendar. 

Below is a recipe from Brown Eye Baker where is takes the infamous Irish Car Bomb beverage and turns it into the most delicious cupcake ever!!! One of my good friend's had informed me of what an Irish Car Bomb was a few years ago. [I had never heard of the drink before.]  It wasn't until just a few months ago, that I had gone to this little Irish bar in the next town over called the 'Tilted Kilt,' where myself and my two friends, one them being the friend who had initially told me about Irish Car Bombs, had enjoyed (my first ever) Irish Car Bombs. And I fell in love! They're delicious, almost like a milkshake or chocolate milk. And of course half the fun of this beverage is the steps required to drink it. So below you can make your own Irish Car Bomb cupcakes to celebrate St. Patrick's Day, or any day in my opinion because these cupcakes are way too delicious to only enjoy once a year!

Have a marvelous St. Patrick's Day, and of course 

make sure to enjoy a beer or two...or three!

xxoo

weekly wishlist: springs here!

Here's to my second 'weekly wishlist!' Due to a sudden personal event, I am currently driving on my way to Florida. I'm not comfortable writing why right now, but maybe in time one day I will.. so because of my current inability to access an actually computer, I'm stuck writing this up on my iPhone...

My list this week isn't really a list at all lol there's just a few things I'm wishing for this week, so I hope you guys can understand my half assed post.



Wish #1: Lots of happiness this weekend.. Lord knows I need it!

Wish #2: Have a really stellar St.Patrick's Day... even though I won't be in jersey to celebrate with friends

Wish #3: For everything [in my life currently] to turn out okay and for the better...



Well that's all have this week.. sorry for being so odd and not have much to say, but hopefully in time and once I know for sure what's happening, I'll be comfortable enough to share it with you all.

Have a beautiful Wednesday all!

xxoo

cupcake: a new feature!

Hi all!! I started a baking blog last spring and really enjoyed posting on it while I was in between jobs, but once I found employment again, I ceased to post any longer. I've recently decided that maintaining one blog is more than engough for me so I'm going to have a weekly feature here on 'My {Garden State} of Mind', which will consist of a Cupcake of the Week post. This feature is going to consist of scrumptious cupcake recipes of all sorts, as well as my favorite cupcakes from bakeries all over New Jersey!! I hope you all enjoy this new feature, because I'm so happy to add one of my other passions in life to my blog! Enjoy the first Cupcake post below!

   Today's cupcake of the day comes from a bakery in Rutherford, NJ called, Sweet Avenue Bakeshop. I've chosen their Lavender Lemon cupcake. Reason 1, because I always wanted to try a lavender cupcake and 2, because Sweet Avenue's looks absolutely scrumptious!! 

    The Lavender Lemon cupcake is a lemon cake filled with fresh lemon curd, and topped with fresh lavender frosting. Doesn't it just sound soo delicious!? Here's a photo of this sweet perfection!

Oh, and did I mention that every single, delicious cupcake the amazing people at Sweet Avenue bake is completely vegan and/or 100% gluten free!!! Pretty rad, huh? I thought so too!

Have you ever tried a lavender cupcake before? How was it? 

a quilting adventure...

Hello all! As some of you may already know, one of my many interests in life is sewing. Ever since I was little I always wanted to make/sew my own things, be it clothes, bags or hair accessories. It took me up until my senior year of high school to start expressing my true interests to others and let them know the 'real' me. I have to thank my gram for gifting me my very first sewing machine when I was 18. I wanted to go to design school so badly, but my parents did not like that idea too much. [I currently study accounting at my local community college.] Don't get me wrong, I actual really love accounting, as strange as that sounds.. the honest to betsey truth of the matter is though, that i don't know what I want to do with my life, so for now I just attend school to earn a degree, and [hopefully] figure out what I am going to do with rest of my life.

But back to the purpose of this post [geez, i ramble an awful lot.. sorry guys!] I am taking my love of sewing in a new direction, once again thanks to my gram. I've suddenly become extremely interested in quilting. She has made some seriously badass quilts and the detail on them it amazing! I give her mad props for being able to create such works of art.. plus they're super comfy! I stumbled upon this tutorial, and decided that this was the perfect choice for two reasons, 1. IT"S A UNION JACK!!!! Anyone who knows me knows i have an insane fascination obsession with all things British! so naturally, as soon as I laid my eyes on this tutorial, I knew I was going to attempt to make it. 2. It's not your grandma's quilt, it's much more contemporary and awesome! haha

I decided to change the dimensions a bit, since this is going to be my first quilt ever. For right now, the smaller, the better in my opinion. The final measurements of my attempt at this union jack quilt is [i think] 22 x 22, give or take a few inches. I didn't use Lynne's tutorial word for word. I mostly used it as inspiration and a guideline to create my own quilt block.

Here's is what I have started so far. The very beginning of my soon-to-be Union Jack quilt. I started working on this last weekend and realized that I didn't purchase enough fabric [the ultimate cliche first-time quilter mistake ha] So I quickly hopped on Etsy and purchased some more fabric from the always lovely, Laura of Fabric Square Shop. It arrived only a day or two after I ordered it, which was a very pleasant surprise...Thanks again, Laura! 

I going to be posting about my progress as I get further along, so stick around to see how my Union Jack quilt comes out!

Have a happy Monday everyone! 

xxoo