Happy Birthday to Me!

Happy Birthday to me, Happy Birthday to me, Happy Birthday to dear OLD me, Happy Birthday to meeeeeeee! :)

I just wanted to post on my birthday presents which I received early from Sisters No. 3 and 4. I had wanted to bake my own birthday cake from a recipe from one of the books but I didn't in the end. A few years ago, if somebody had suggested that I bake my own birthday cake, I probably would've balked at the idea. But now, and I'm sure this has got to do with aging *gasp*, I'm very comfortable with the thought of baking my own birthday cake.

Why didn't I then? Well, my hubby went out and bought me an ice-cream cake. At first, I thought "It's ice-cream. It's not the same. We can have cake AND ice-cream". Moreover, I had already bought all the ingredients. But then, my older son had a birthday party to go to in the afternoon and of course, he would have cake there. And I thought that's just too much cake for him in one day (not to mention the ice-cream, pancake and various other desserts he had during our buffet lunch!). So I decided not to make the cake. Maybe next year!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, Sister No.2!!!

Made our usual chocolate cupcakes with peanut butter frosting yesterday and it is Sister No.2's favourite so here's to you sis, HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!!

Happy Birthday, Baby Sister!

These are apple and cinnamon cupcakes from my Sue McMahon book. Yes, it seems that I have tried a lot of recipes from there now. My six-year-old chose this recipe and helped me made them. He creamed the butter and sugar. By that, I meant he switched on the Kitchenaid and stood next to it. He cracked the eggs and poured them in. He stirred in the grated apple and spooned the batter into the paper cases. Erm, okay, okay, I helped him and not the other way round :P

The cakes came out really moist and had a great cinnamon-y smell and taste to it.

These are dedicated to our youngest sister, who lives in Melbourne.

Happy Birthday, V! I hope you had a wonderful day!

Strawberry Shortcake Cupcakes

These are white chocolate cupcakes with chopped strawberries in them and white chocolate buttercream frosting. This recipe is from a new cupcake book I received from Sister no. 3 - an early birthday present. In fact, I received THREE cake books and one cookbook from Sister no. 3 and Sister no. 4. I will post on them later :)

Anyway, this one is from Wild about Cupcakes by Rachel Lane. They were really yummy and the cake was very soft. But I have to say, it was a tad too sweet for my taste. Probably because of the white chocolate.

I filled the paper cases too full. And when they were done, it overflowed out and the top was very flat, like pita bread! hehe. But after I cut the top off and slapped on the frosting, it looked ok :P

Coffee Cupcakes with Baileys Buttercream Frosting

This is a backdated post as my kids have not been feeling well. I made these coffee cupcakes with Baileys buttercream frosting for New Year's Day. They are from my Sue McMahon Cupcakes book, though it's called 'Irish Coffee' there.

The Baileys buttercream was really soft as I didn't put as much icing sugar. And there was only a hint of Baileys, which was good enough for me as I'm not much of a drinker (I actually find beer and wine quite .......erm, yucky). But overall, it was a nice combination.

Happy New Year and Wishing everyone a Wonderful Year 2010!