red velvet cupcakes with cinnamon cream cheese frosting

I love red velvet cake and I have never been able to make one myself that doesn't just taste like food coloring. That's the most difficult part of this cake. I finally decided to try once again. I always start my recipe search on Joy the Baker's site. So, I searched red velvet on her site and came across a recipe called "My Favorite Red Velvet Cupcakes." The icing was the kicker with these cupcakes. Cinnamon cream cheese frosting, yeah, does that not sounds absolutely heavenly. It is, believe me. If it's not the best icing ever then I don't know what is. If you have a different favorite please let me know so I can try it!

 Here's what I ended up with.

It never fails, the hubs always wants to lick the bowl. He's cute. 

I highly recommend these cupcakes. They are absolutely amazing! Joy never lets me down! 

springtime lemonade

I had a photography assignment due today. The assignment was to take a photo in the style of the person I interviewed for my midterm. I interviewed Joy the Baker, so I had to take a photo in her style. I had bought a bunch of lemons with an idea in my head about a week ago and this was the perfect opportunity to use them. I also ended up making some amazing lemonade with them! It was super simple and seriously probably the best lemonade I've ever had.

This last photo here I may be entering into the student art show at my college. What do you guys think?

Lemonade

for simple syrup:

1 cup sugar

1 cup water

1 cup lemon juice

4 cups cold water

sliced lemons for garnish

Bring 1 cup sugar and 1 cup water to boil to make simple syrup. Combine lemon juice and simple syrup in pitcher. Add 4 cups of cold water and stir. 

You can add slices of lemons to the pitcher or individual cups for garnish. Also, this recipe can easily be doubled or tripled.

I'm hoping that if I keep doing more spring like things that I can hurry up mother nature and spring will get here sooner. I'll keep my fingers crossed.

hot chocolate

I just made hot chocolate...and burned my tongue. Not a good combination. I guess I got a little too excited about it and I couldn't wait for it to cool off. Sad day...but I do know that this is the best hot chocolate that the hubs and I have tried so far! I got the recipe from Joy the Baker. Every recipe that I've tried of hers is amazing! She is the best! 

source

Delicious Hot Chocolate
from Joy the Baker

makes one large or two small portions
1 1/2 cups milk (any fat content you fancy)
3 heaping tablespoon bittersweet chocolate chips
2 heaping tablespoons white chocolate chips

In a small saucepan, gently heat milk over low heat.  Whisk often so the milk doesn’t burn.
While the milk is heating, bring a medium saucepan with two inches of water to a boil.  Place a heat-proof bowl with chocolate pieces over the simmering water.  Make sure the bottom of the bowl does not touch the simmering water.  You’re creating a double boiler.  Cool, right?  Stir the chocolate pieces until melted.

Add the melted chocolate to the hot milk.  Whisk together until completely blended and super delicious looking.  Pour into mugs and top with marshmallows or slightly sweetened whipped cream.

Be careful and don't burn your tongue like I did. :)
Stay warm!!