Sweet Things: Vanilla Cupcakes

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This classic recipe is dedicated to the one and only “Grandpa John”, my late grandfather who would be celebrating his 80th birthday today. Although I never got the chance to meet him, I’ve heard he embraced his sweet tooth on special occasions. He loved simple treats like these Simply Vanilla Cupcakes, amongst other favorites like Tapioca Pudding and Angel Food Cake. So here’s to you, Grandpa John. Celebrate big today!

Hope you all find something to celebrate!

xx C&L


Ingredients:

  • 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1/2 teaspoon (t) baking powder
  • 1/4 t salt
  • 1/2 t cinnamon
  • 1/2 c (1 stick) unsalted butter
  • 1 c granulated sugar
  • 2 large eggs
  • 2 t vanilla extract
  • 3/4 c 1% milk

Frosting:

  • 1/2 cup unsalted butter
  • 1 1/2 c confectioners sugar
  • 1 t vanilla extract
  • 2 tablespoons (T) 2% milk

Instructions:

Preheat oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit.

Melt butter in microwave. Pour into medium mixing bowl. Add sugar, eggs one at a time, and vanilla.

Mix all dry ingredients together in large mixing bowl. Make a well in the center. Pour wet ingredients into well, whisking together gently until just combined.

Pour in milk gradually stirring until all mixed. Batter should be smooth.

Pour into lined muffin cups.

Baked 12-15 minutes until light golden brown and knife inserted into center comes out clean.

Yields 12 cupcakes.

Frosting:

Melt butter in medium sauce pan. Whisk in powdered sugar, vanilla, and milk. Let cool. Pour into clear ziploc, cut the corner (very small cut) and pipe onto cooled cupcakes. May decorate with colored sprinkles or colored sugar if desired.

Work Week Wardrobe: Spotted

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This week, take a walk on the wild side by mixing catlike prints with classic cuts. This shift dress gets an exotic twist with J. Crew’s newest “snowcat” print, designed after a trip to the Bronx Zoo. Liven up the black and white scene with a splash of color in your accessories while staying grounded in neutral heels for a solid foundation. The result: classic chic with irresistible flair.

Get the look:

Here’s to a great week!

xx C&L

Sweet Things: Honey Blueberry Bundt Cake

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Ingredients:

2 1/2 cups flour

1 1/2 teaspoon baking powder

1/4 t baking soda

1/2 c (1 stick) unsalted butter

1/2 c canola oil

1 c granulated sugar

1/2 c light brown sugar

1 t vanilla extract

1 Tablespoon honey

1 T fresh squeezed orange juice

4 large eggs

1 c buttermilk

1 pint fresh blueberries (freeze about 3 hours prior to use)

Drizzle topping:  1 T honey, 1 T buttermilk, and 1 T orange juice

 

 

Directions:

Preheat oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit.

Combine dry ingredients in large mixing bowl.

Melt butter and pour into a medium size mixing bowl.Whisk together with oil. Add sugars, vanilla, honey, and orange juice. Add eggs, one at a time, whisking gently with each new addition. Add buttermilk. Whisk together til mixture is smooth.

Make well in the bottom of dry ingredients. Pour in wet ingredients gradually, whisking gently. Do not over-mix. Stop when all ingredients are combined.

Fold in blueberries.

Pour evenly into a greased 12-cup Bundt pan.

Bake for 50-60 minutes until top is golden brown and knife inserted into center comes out clean.

Drizzle honey, buttermilk, OJ glaze over top while still warm. The liquid will be absorbed by the cake.

Serve warm with a small scoop of vanilla ice cream and a cup of orange blossom tea with honey.
Here’s to a midweek sweet treat that will power you through to the weekend. 🙂

Enjoy!

xx C&L

Work Week Wardrobe: Cherry Lemonade

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What could be sweeter than a splash of cherry with your lemonade? Head back to the office donning the delicious combination by adding fun accessories to classic cuts. This ombre pencil skirt gets a boost with the addition of a delicate belt and whimsical cherry bag, making this outfit the must-have flavor of the day.

Here’s to a great week!

Get the look:

xx C&L

Sweet Things: A’s Cocoa-Razzies

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Looking for a simple (and healthy!) treat to satisfy your sweet tooth? Look no further than this delicious two-ingredient recipe I first tasted at a potluck-style girls’ night in college (thanks, A!).
Enjoy while berry season is in full swing!

A’s Cocoa Razzies

Ingredients:

1 container of fresh raspberries

1 cup semi-sweet or milk chocolate chips (may also mix in or substitute white chocolate chips)

Preparation:

Chill raspberries for several hours before handling. Simply stuff a chocolate chip inside a single raspberry. Repeat until all raspberries have been accounted for. Once properly filled with chocolate chips, place all of the raspberries back in the refrigerator to chill for about 30 minutes.

And that’s it! Simple, easy, delicious.

Enjoy!

xx C&L

Work Week Wardrobe: Kelly and Peplum and Spots, Oh My!

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Say hello to a new week with an outfit inspired by three of my favorite things: kelly green, peplum, and polka dots.

Get the look:

xx C&L

Sweet Things: Mocha Brownie Buzz

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Happy Monday, everyone! Before you get too immersed in your daily to-dos, take a moment to check out a new recipe featuring two things I could never live without: coffee and chocolate. In this recipe, I combine decadent dark chocolate, white chocolate chips, and the smooth flavor of Level 3 Seattle’s Best Coffee for a new flavor combination that will leave you nothing short of blissfully buzzed.

Enjoy!

xx C&L

P.S. A big thanks to the Seattle’s Best team for my baking garb! My apron was worn by none other than the Sandwich King himself as he ventures across the country for the Seattle’s Best Coffee Red Cup Showdown.

Mocha Brownie Buzz

2 Tablespoons Level 3 Seattle’s Best Coffee, brewed*

1 cup all-purpose flour

1/4 teaspoon salt

4 oz unsweetened chocolate

3/4 cup unsalted butter

1 cup light brown sugar

1 cup granulated sugar

4 large eggs

2 teaspoons vanilla extract

1/2 cup semisweet chocolate chips

1/2 cup white chocolate chips

* Brew coffee for brownies. Combine 2 T ground coffee with 1/4 cup boiling water. Let steep for 5-8 minutes and pour through coffee filter. Flavor should be intense.

Preheat oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. Grease an 8 x 8 inch aluminum pan.

Measure 1 c flour and 1/4 t salt into a large mixing bowl. Set aside.

Melt unsweetened bittersweet chocolate with butter over low heat on stove top or in 30-second increments in microwave. Blend in a medium size mixing bowl.

Add brown sugar and regular sugar to butter mixture. Stir in vanilla extract.

Add eggs, one at a time, to chocolate/butter/sugar mixture.

Add liquid ingredients to flour and salt in large mixing bowl. Fold in chocolate chips.

Add mixture to greased brownie pan.

Bake for 45 minutes or until knife inserted into center comes out clean.

Work Week Wardrobe: Black & Blue

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Mark your calendars because this week is all about a dynamic duo: navy and black. The slimming shades modernize this classic sheath by creating a defined waist that elongates the leg. Throw on a pair of pumps and grab your favorite black bag to let this monochromatic pair usher you into a productive week ahead.

 

Get the look:

 

xx C&L