ahhh sizing, stress and cupcakes fix...

So I had a terrible day. I am sick, and my baby has a stuffy nose and is crabby. We are having trouble deciding how much to bottle feed and be able to keep breastfeeding. I am worried about money and a little depressed I am sure.  A few hours later said baby is sleeping peacefully…in a bed…by herself. I decide that baking is in order! Baking always makes me feel better. For this batch I decided to work on Ginger and Molasses cupcakes with mounds of vanilla almond “buttercream” icing. These cupcakes are vegan and make with whole wheat pastry flour. They turn out more muffin like but once you add the icing you have a serious dessert. They are delicious and my partner says they are her favorite.  Not to mention they make me feel better about the world and over my minor stresses of the day. Baking does that for me!

mmmmm......

 I also made them in three sizes to illustrate the options you have for sizing. The tiny is about ¼ of the original cupcake and you can buy 24 for eight dollars. The mega is the size of two originals and you can buy it for three dollars a cupcake. The original size is still 1.25 a cupcake.

Also a note about flexibility: have we not listed a flavor you are waiting to buy for your next cupcake eating adventure? Just call me, we are flexible about size, amount, flavor and most any other detail. We can make things gluten free, non-vegan, nut free, refined sugar free etc. Please let us know what you need in a cupcake and we will make your baked good dreams come true. I am also open to baking other items like scones, etc.

There is also the possibility of a tasting party. For a very small fee we can bring you samples of some flavors for you and your friends to try. Please call to discuss possibilities and pricing!

573-673-6684

Looking forward to your orders!!!

Naturally Yours

not eggs/apples

humm...no these apple cupcakes are vegan. I waited for the apples to break down...not the eggs. Sorry!

Apple caramel cupcakes (hold the caramel)

Apple caramel cupcakes (hold the caramel)
 I was having a dinner with one of my friends after which we decided to walk to an ice cream store to get some treats I ended up having a caramel apple ice-cream (delicious) and thought that this flavor combination would be great in a cupcake. I had really high expectations for this cupcake – caramel, apple filling what could be better?
 I started with a simple vegan cupcake recipe and added spices to the batter to enhance the apple goodness that would be the filling. I added cinnamon, allspice and nutmeg, though ginger would be great as well.

The cupcake turned out great – moist, flaky and just sweet enough. To make the filling I chopped up two apples and sautéed then with ½ stick of butter (hey there, Paula Dean), 1/2 cup sugar, same spices as what went in the batter  and splash of water. I waited for the eggs to start breaking down and stirred in 2 tbsp of corn starch ( dissolve it in some water first to make the process smoother)

It turned out amazing! Light, full of apple flavor, just sweet enough – it was like having a taste of fresh apple cider! Yum!
 I cut the tops of cupcakes, made holes in them and put about a spoon full of apple filling in each cupcake.
 Then I moved onto caramel. Now I have made caramel before. I have even done it well (my favorite dessert is matzo crackers covered with freshly made caramel and chocolate shavings; pop in the over on 300 for 10 minutes chill and try not to eat in one sitting) . But today was not going to be easy. In the process of stirring, melting and boiling (and cursing under my breath, as I apparently should not curse in front of the baby) I made what appeared to by a greenish simple syrup. How did that happen? I though corn starch should fix this right up, but alas, it just made matters worse! My caramel looked like baby’s diaper contents and let’s not even talk about the taste.
 

 So I though this over and remembered that one of my favorite restaurants in Chicago puts almonds in apple crisp and that really brings out the flavor of the apples. So I mixed a simple glaze with almond extract and glazed my cakes. Success!

Featured Cupcakes Right now: Apple Cupcakes-hold the caramel. Call 573-673-6684 to order!
 

Pricing/Contest

Hot off the presses (or cupcake pans)

Our pricing: Will be $1.25 per cupcake (standard size)

We will sell you 3,9,12 or more per your request

Also become our fan on facebook and read our wall for a contest to get a discount on cupcakes!!!

Mhhhmmm look at all that orange zest, you know you want some!!!

little baby cupcake maker

Someone wore their cupcake pants in honor of our first tasting party.

Do babies eat cupcakes? No but that makes these pants humorous!

this cupcake it so me

So one of our featured cupcakes right now is this:

Double Dark Chocolate Cupcake with chocolate chips and a hint of orange

Topped with an orange glaze

All ingredients are real (real orange, etc) The cupcake is also vegan.

I love this cupcake! It has everything I enjoy. Dark chocolate with a hint of acid to balance it out. The cupcake has a bit of coffee as well to help bring out the flavors. If you like chocolate try it!

More to come on featured cupcakes this month and our pricing. To order or to ask questions call Naturally Cupcakes at 573-673-6684.

Here is the story of my favorite cupcake right now---

 Chocolate and orange seemed appropriate for this month. I don't know why, perhaps the orange reminded me of fall, and I love fall nearly as much as cupcakes.

 Little baby cupcake maker. I am a firm believer that babies helping bake the cupcakes means that they end up tasting better.

Mhhhmmm delicious icing. How much would you pay for these vegan delights?

Naturally yours...soon to come...a post about our other featured cupcakes. If you like apple pie don't miss this post!

What Columbia Needs...What I need...

I love cupcakes. My partner happened upon a bargain book about making vegan cupcakes at the Columbia Public Library monthly booksale. My friend and I ate it up. Quite literally. We have made so many of those cupcakes and what we discovered is that vegan cupcakes are delicious. Right now I am working on my recipes with bargain book as inspiration.

Fast forward a few months, and I have gained a baby and lost a job. The idea pops into my head that I should make and sell cupcakes in the city of Columbia which I love!

There is a plethora of independent business in Columbia. Cool people, fun things to do...and many other things. But what I think Columbia could really use is a fun bakery that features cupcakes handmade by local people. The Cupcakes would be natural, organic if possible and made fresh to order. There would be a focus on vegan cupcakes (ask us why) and other baked goods will be rotated and featured.

I love my life, I have a good education, a great and very new baby and a fantastic partner. I need a way to help pay the bills that is fun and allows me to work with my baby. I also love to try new things with baking, especially with a very good friend of mine (she is now in on this project, yay!).

Since these things seem to go together...I decided it is time to get started...

I will post what cupcakes I have available on a rotating basis. Pictures of product will be included as much as possible.
I will post the price and a fun story about where the cupcakes recipe came from or about something funny that happens while baking (i.e. baking with a 12 week old).

Check back and order often!
Tell your friends to check out this blog and help me spread the word!!!

Naturally Yours