Kiss Everyone
Perky Cupcakes
Sadly, I haven’t had much time to bake or even cook lately. It seems the only time I spend in the kitchen the past few weeks is to clean. Especially when my stove was growing hair. I’ve only unpacked half of my utensils and bakeware, and I don’t even know where my plates are. It’s a bittersweet problem to have.
But, since tomorrow St. Paddy’s Day (a day where everyone has a little Irish in them), I figured I’d find the time to whip up something special. I found this recipe that pretty much has every ingredient I love (aside from salted chocolate): liquor, coffee and sugar. Because, is there really anything else you need?
I think not.
And being that I can’t locate my plates, cupcakes are the way to go…
Irish Coffee Cupcakes
Recipe adapted from Martha Stewart (so you KNOW they’re going to be good!)
INGREDIENTS
Cupcakes
2 cups all-purpose flour (because all flour should have a purpose – ha)
1 tsp baking powder
1/4 tsp baking soda
1/4 tsp salt
1/2 cup boiling water
2 tbsps instant-espresso powder
1/4 cup whole milk
1 stick unsalted butter, room temperature
1/2 cup granulated sugar
1/2 cup packed light-brown sugar
2 large eggs
Frosting
1 cup heavy cream
1 tbsp confectioners’ sugar
1 tbsp whiskey
Instant-espresso powder, for dusting
DIRECTIONS
Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Whisk together flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. Pour water over espresso powder; let cool. Combine espresso with milk. Beat butter and granulated and brown sugars with a mixer on medium speed until pale and fluffy, about 3 minutes. Add eggs, 1 at a time, beating well after each addition. Beat in flour mixture in 3 additions, alternating with espresso-milk mixture, beginning and ending with flour (batter may look broken).
Fill 15 cups (of two 12-cup muffin tins) three-quarters full. Bake until a toothpick inserted into the centers comes out clean, 20 to 22 minutes. Let cool; turn out cupcakes from tins.
Whisk together cream and confectioners’ sugar until medium peaks form. Add whiskey (OH YEAH); whisk until slightly stiff peaks form.
Top each cupcake with frosting; dust with espresso powder.
Chevron
Taking a Stand
I have to admit – I let end tables and night stands get the best of me. For weeks, I have been perusing stores and scouring websites to find perfect, small, yet functional, tables. And with no success.
I’ve come to realize that it’s not the tables’ fault. It was me. I had this image of what I thought I wanted stuck in my head. See, if you knew how I shopped for furniture, you’d understand. I don’t just shop for furniture. I room shop.
There are perks – oh yes – but there are also pitfalls. And after almost 4 weeks of being in an end table-less house, it was time to take a stand. In this case, I took 4.
I was pretty much coming to my wit’s end when I finally gave in and went to American Signature Furniture. I have mixed feelings about this place – some of their stuff looks cheap and unoriginal. But sometimes, they’ll have flashes of brilliance that lasts for about a week. This week was one of those weeks.
Hallelujah.
Simple. Different. Cheap. That’s all I ask from an end table. And I get them tomorrow – my lamps with thank me.
Night stands … now those are another story. I almost considered going without them. Then I thought, “where will I put all my clutter? I can’t just leave it on the floor, I want my clutter to look organized and neat!” I know – I’m crazy. And if you follow me on Twitter, you’ll know this has been a topic I’ve been mulling over. (shameless social plug)
Luckily, ManFriend has an eye for design…
He’s my Knight in Shining Armour Bamboo.
Now, I know he liked the design and the fact that it’s eco-friendly (our life resolution), but when he followed up with a “look, no tools required!” – I knew he had ulterior motives. I didn’t mind – because I LOVE them. They aren’t the cheapest, but the quality is there and it’s less damaging to the environment (bamboo can be harvested and regrows quickly).
Now I have got to find some rugs. I still haven’t overcome that mind-game yet…
Happy Weekend
I can tell this weekend is going to be a good one. For starters, I woke up to this…
I can already tell I’m going to be that Mom who shows pictures of her kids to strangers. I’m waaay too obsessed with my dog.
Opening the patio door,(which this has become a morning ritual – with the weather being so nice lately and the lovely view we have – how can I not) and I noticed one of our dead bushes is coming to life!
I LOVE Spring!
Currently listening to this song – loving it AGAIN…
More cleaning, unpacking and shopping this weekend. Hope you all have a great one as well!
See you back on Monday. :)
salted chocolate | life with a dash of flavor 
