Football Cupcakes!

This post is extremely late but what's new, I have a million things to do in this hectic college life of mine! It was so exciting to see the San Francisco 49er's in the Super-Bowl this year and devastating to see them lose, but they did not go down without a fight. Proud to be a native Bay Area sports fan these days!

I made these a few weeks ago for the Super-Bowl and anyone who was watching in my lounge a few weeks ago.  I'll take any excuse I can to bake, let's be honest. 

Just so you all know before I proceed this is going to be a decorating post, not a recipe post!  I totally cheated because of my time constraints and used boxed chocolate cake mix and bought frosting.  I rarely do this but I had to so sorry about that.

These cupcakes look adorable and are quite simple to execute.  All you need is a few ingredients and a little bit of patience.  They are not only perfect for professional sporting events but also for kids birthdays or just for fun!

I have not been on my baking game lately and I really miss it so I am hoping that maybe this weekend I will be able to carve out a few hours to relax and "whip" out (see what I did there) my oven mitt and electric mixer.  

If any one has any suggestions just let me know, I'm always interested in all of your opinions and could always use some fresh ideas. 

What you will need: 

- Cupcakes and liners

- Frosting (both of these can be found in my recipe index)

- 24 unwrapped Tootsie Rolls

- Small star piping tip and bag

Directions:

Step 1: Start off with 24 ready made chocolate or vanilla cupcakes and your choice of frosting, which must be thick enough to pipe.  Dye 90% of it green for the grass and leave the other 10% white for the lacing on the footballs.

 

Step 2: Microwave the Tootsie Rolls for 15-20 seconds, so that they are still in tact but just soft enough to mold into shape.  Shape each Tootsie Roll so that it is an oval to represent a football.  Using the smallest round piping tip you have, pipe one line in the center vertically and 3 lines across horizontally to displaying the lacing. 

           

Step 3: Pipe the green frosting onto each cupcake using a star tip to try and represent green grass. 

Step 4: Place one football on the top of each cupcake and you are done! Hand them out, bring to a party, make for a birthday, and enjoy!

As always, I hope you try it out and have a good rest of February- spring is going to be here before we know it! 

Happy baking everyone! 

Christmas Cookies Galore!

I apologize for the fact that I am posting a Christmas cookie recipe after the holidays but I actually made these cookies on December 26th and handed them out after that so I was a little late but who cares right? They still tasted delicious!

This is pretty much just a basic sugar cookie recipe with royal icing frosting.  I had a package of royal icing that you just add water too until you reach the desired consistency.  Unfortunately it did not make very much so I also just made a lot of plain milk and powdered sugar frosting (continue to add sugar until it is thick enough). 

My mom, my sister and I spent the whole night making these and it was quite fun and quite the project! We had a variety of cookie cutters such as snowflakes, Christmas trees, Santa Claus, birds, bells, hearts, candy canes, gingerbread men, and more!

                 

                               

I used Ziploc bags for piping and had a different bag designated for each color.

Tip: If you are going to do multiple layers of color (which most cookies do have), first outline the cookie, fill it in several minutes later, and allow this base color to dry most if not all the way before moving on to secondary colors.

    

     

Feel free to search the internet to get inspired, use sprinkles, create unique colors, and use your imagination!

I am just going to provide a sugar cookie recipe and provide you with this great royal icing recipe from the blog Bake at 350: Royal Icing.  My mom has been making these cookies since I was a little girl so it is definitely a family recipe that will be passed down.

Ingredients:

3 cups all-purpose flour

2 tsp. baking powder

1/2 tsp. salt

1 stick unsalted butter

1.5 cups sugar

2 eggs

2 tsp. vanilla

Directions:

Preheat the oven to 350.

Combine dry ingredients in a small bowl: flour, baking powder, and salt.

Cream butter and sugar in a mixing bowl with an electric mixer and once it is thoroughly combined add eggs and vanilla.

Slowly add the dry ingredients until blended.

Divide the dough in half and roll out each one between 2 sheets of parchment paper to form a 15' x 11' rectangle about 1/8-1/4 inch thick. Refrigerate until firm.

Remove dough from parchment paper and cut out desired shapes.

Bake on cookie sheets lined with parchment paper.

Baking time varies based on cookie thickness and size so try to bake cookies of apprx. the same size together.  Remove from the oven when the edges begin to turn golden brown.  

Let them cool completely and then go ahead with your decorating!  

These cookies can be used for any occasion, it does not have to be for Christmas... I hope you try them regardless! 

Happy New Year and Happy Baking!