Cupcake in a Jar

Source: mycakies.blogspot.com via Sunny on Pinterest

I think trend of putting cupcakes in a jar is adorable. They look almost too pretty to eat. The lovely blog Cakies shares how to bake and put together these delicious Red Velvet Cupcakes in a Jar with easy step-by-step instructions. These would be perfect for picnics and for when you are throwing a party.

Red Velvet Cake

After making red velvet whoopie pies. We decided to give a red velvet cake a try. This cake had a beautiful red color and a delicious taste.

Ingredients: 1 cup vegetable oil
2 cups sugar
4 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder
2 ounces red food coloring
1 cup buttermilk
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
2 eggs
2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour, sifted
1 1/2 teaspoons baking soda
1 teaspoon white vinegar

Directions:
1. Grease two 9 inch round pans. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
2. Combine the buttermilk, salt, vanilla, and red food coloring. Set aside. 3. In a large bowl, cream together the vegetable oil and sugar. 4. Beat in the eggs one at a time. 5. Stir in the cocoa. 6. Mix in the flour until just incorporated. 7. Add in the buttermilk mixture. 8. Stire together baking soda and vinegar, then gently fold into the cake batter.
9. Pour batter into prepared pans. 10. Bake in the preheated oven for 30 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the ceter of the cake comes out clean. Allow to cool completely before frosting.

Frosting Ingredients: 2 8oz. cream cheeses (at room temperature)
1 teaspoon vanilla
1 cup heavy whipping cream
4 cups confectioner's sugar

Directions for Frosting:
1. Cream the cream cheese and confectioner's sugar together. Beat in the the vanilla and heavy whipping cream.
2. Frost the cake.

Happy baking,
Sunny & Star

Red Velvet Whoopie Pies

Last weekend we whipped up some Red Velvet Whoopie Pies in honor or Valentine's Day. Whoopie pies are so adorable we just can't get enough of them. Red Velvet is really a Devil's Food flavor and is a popular Southern dessert. These little treats make a wonderful snack and are extremely easy to make.

Ingredients: 2 oz. semisweet chocolate, chopped
3/4 cup butter, softened
1 cup sugar
2 eggs
1/2 cup sour cream
1 Tbsp. red food coloring
1 1/2 tsp. white vinegar
1 tsp. vanilla extract
2 1/2 cups all-pupose flour
1/4 cup baking cocoa
2 tsp. baking powder
1/2 tsp. salt
1/4 tsp. baking soda

Directions:
1. Chop chocolate. In a microwave, melt chocolate; stir until smooth. Set aside. 2. Sift the flour and set aside. 3. In a large bowl, cream butter and sugar until light and fluffy. 4. Beat in the eggs, sour cream, food coloring, vinegar and vanilla. 5. Add the cocoa, baking powder, salt and baking soda to the flour.
6. Gradually add the flour mixture to the creamed mixture and mix well. 7. Stir in melted chocolate. 8. Drop by tablespoonfuls (we used a cookie scooper) 2 inches apart onto parchment paper-lined baking sheets. Bake at 375 degrees for 8 - 10 minutes or until edges are set. Cool for 2 minutes before removing from pans to wire racks to cool completely.

Filling Ingredients: 1 package (8 oz.) cream cheese, softened
1/2 cup butter, softened
2 1/2 cups confectioners' sugar (we used a little over 3 for a thicker filling)
2 tsp. vanilla extract

Directions:
1. For filling, in a large bowl, beat cream cheese and butter until fluffy. Beat in confectioners' sugar and vanilla until smooth. 2. Spread filling on the bottoms of half of the cookies. Top with remaining cookies. Happy Baking,
Sunny & Star