Cake In A Cup

I really need to start asking my cousin Jamie for suggestions on article titles. I was legitimately going to call this Cupcakes. Then, I was like no be original. I came up with Cupcake Mania. Decided that was basic as fuck. I finally settled on Cake in a Cup. I still don't think it's that great of a name, but it's better then Cupcake.

Cupcakes are like portion controlled heaven. They are just everything. The only people who don't like cupcakes are people who don't like cake. That is strange. There might be something wrong you. Were you abused as a child. Do we need to talk. These are all the questions I think of when people don't like cupcakes.

I am here if you need counseling. For a brief moment my mother was on top of the cupcake game. All she made was cupcakes. Now cupcakes are really great. They're easier to decorate then a cupcake, there finger food, and the presentation options are one in a million. We have three cookbooks dedicated to cupcakes. My mother needs to calm herself.

What my mother came to find out was that she really liked the complicated cupcakes. Of course she did. My mother is not one for the easy route.

She wants that fancy cupcake, that has that filling and that icing that takes you ten years to make. It's like no. We do not have time for this, but that is what she lives for. My mother has always been this gourmet human being. She also does it to impress people. She will tell you she does it for herself. I have lived with this woman for 18 years of my life. I know her. I know how she thinks. I have some skill in reading her.

If where I live is anything like where you live, there are a million cupcake shops. First it was yogurt and now it's cupcakes. We have this one chain called Gigi's. I have no idea if you have one, but people are obsessed with this place. I am not a fan. There is no filling. They are three dollars. And, there is ten inches of butter cream frosting on top.

I took a cake decorating class. I know what butter cream tastes like. The recipe they use is basic beginner shit. If you ever take a cake decorating class you will learn how to make this by the pound. About the only thing they do is put sprinkles on their cupcakes.

As you can tell, I am not impressed with Gigi's. There is a place that I adore. There's only one of them and Rosencrantz and I go there all the time. Basically whenever we hang out we get cupcakes.

People around campus even wear shirts with the name emblazoned on it. This cupcake shop is the shit and is so much better then Gigi's. This is the kind of place where people could get me cupcakes for my birthday and I could be like you are the best friend I have ever had in my entire life.

Rosencrantz literally bought me cupcakes for my birthday. She is queen. Like thank you Thunder and J. Lo for my very thoughtful gift of Lily Allen. But, Rosencrantz gave me the gift of diabetes.

Now these are the cupcake recipes that my mother and I like. I'm totally serious about these being a great party food. You make three different kinds. Set them up. Have like a vegetable tray on the side with some dip and you are good to go. Everyone will think your so fancy and all you did was make some cupcakes. As I say that. I realize sometimes that's easier said, then done.  

RECIPES
Limoncello
Cupcakes
1 package of Lemon Cake Mix
4 Eggs
1 Package of Lemon Instant Pudding
½ cup of Vegetable Oil
½ cup of Vodka
½ cup of Water
Glaze
4 cups of Powdered Sugar
1/3 cup of Lemon Juice
4 tablespoons of Vodka
Candied Lemon Peel

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Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Line 24 standard muffin cups with paper baking cups.

Beat cake mix, eggs, pudding mix, oil, ½ cup of vodka, and water in large bowl until smooth. Spoon the batter evenly into prepared muffin cups. Bake for 15 minutes or until center comes out clean. Cool completely in pans on wire rack.

For glaze, whisk powdered sugar, lemon juice, 4 tablespoons of vodka in medium bowl until smooth. Dip tops of cupcakes in glaze, garnish with candied lemon peel. Let stand until set.

NOTE: You can also sprinkle coarse sugar on top if you would like.

Cookies & Cream Cupcakes
2 ¼ cups of Flour
1 tablespoon of Baking Powder
½ teaspoon of Salt
1 2/3 cups of Sugar
1 cup of Milk
½ cup of Butter
2 teaspoons of Vanilla
3 Egg Whites
1 cup of Crushed Oreos
1 container of Vanilla Frosting

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Line a standard 24 muffin pan with paper baking cups.

Sift flour, baking powder, and salt in large bowl. Stir in sugar. Add milk, butter, and vanilla; beat with electric mixer at low speed for 30 seconds. Beat at medium speed for 2 minutes. Add egg whites, beat 2 minutes. Stir in 1 cup of crushed cookies. Spoon batter into prepared muffin cups about 2/3 full.

Bake for 20 minutes or until toothpick inserted comes out clean. Cool in pans for 10 minutes. Remove to wire racks; cool completely.

Frost cupcakes, garnish with additional crushed cookies.

Boston Cream Pie Minis
1 package of Yellow Cake Mix
1 cup of Cold Milk
1 package of Vanilla Flavored Instant Pudding
1 ½ cups of Cool Whip
4 squares of Semi-Sweet Baking Chocolate

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Line a standard 24 muffin pan with paper baking cups. Prepare cake batter and bake. Cool for 10 minutes in pan. Remove to wire racks to cool completely.

Beat milk and dry pudding mix with wire whisk 2 minutes or until well blended. Let stand 5 minutes. Meanwhile, use serrated knife to cut cupcakes horizontally in half. Gently stir ½ cup of the whipped topping into pudding. Spoon about 1 tablespoon of the pudding mixture onto bottom half of each cupcake, cover with top of cupcake.

Microwave remaining 1 cup of of whipped topping and the chocolate in small microwaveable bowl on high for 1 ½ minutes or until chocolate is almost melted, stirring after 1 minute. Stir until chocolate is completely melted and mixture is well blended: spread onto cupcakes. Refrigerate at least 15 minutes before serving. Store leftovers in refrigerator.  

Maple Bacon Cupcakes
Cupcakes
1 ½ cups of Flour
1 ¾ teaspoons of Baking Powder
½ cup of Butter
¾ cup of Granulated Sugar
2 Eggs
2 tablespoons of Maple Syrup
½ cup of Milk
8 slices of crisp, finely chopped Bacon
Maple Frosting
½ cup of Butter
3 tablespoons of Maple Syrup
2 tablespoons of Milk
3 cups of Powdered Sugar

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Line 12 muffin cups with paper baking cups. Whisk flour and baking powder in small bowl.

Beat ½ cup of butter and granulated sugar in large bowl with electric mixer at medium speed until light and fluffy. Add eggs and 2 tablespoons maple syrup, beat well. Add flour mixture and ½ cup of milk, beat at low speed just until combined. Stir in all but 2 tablespoons of chopped bacon.

Spoon batter evenly into prepared muffin cups. Bake 20 minutes or until toothpick comes out clean. Cool in pan for 10 minutes. Remove to wire rack; cool completely.

For frosting, beat ½ cup of butter, 3 tablespoons of maple syrup and 2 tablespoons milk in large bowl with electric mixer at low speed for 1 minute. Add powdered sugar: beat at medium speed until fluffy. Frost cupcakes, top with reserved chopped bacon.