Today’s the day when voting starts for the Iron Cupcake Challenge. If you’d like to vote for my Manchego & Membrillo Cupcakes…
VOTE FOR ME HERE!
(The poll is on the right column. Select “VegSF” and click “Vote”)
Thanks!
Vote for me! October 26, 2008
Manchego & Membrillo (Quince) Cupcakes October 22, 2008
This is my first entry in the Iron Cupcake challenge where you, my fair readers can vote for me starting Oct 26th and help me win. I venture into this challenge slightly excited and nervous.
This month’s challenge ingredient is Cheese. After wracking my brain for something unique, I came up with Manchego and Membrillo. Manchego is a sheep’s milk cheese from Spain. It is very frequently paired with Membrillo – a paste made from quince also famously from Spain. (Both these ingredients can be found at a Whole Foods or other gourmet foods store.)
My grandparents on my mom’s side had a quince tree in their back yard. Every year when the quince were ripe, grandma would make quince preserves, jellies, cookies, and other goodies. So, the flavor of the fruit conjures up sentimental feelings. And though they were not from Spain, my grandma on my dad’s side is from Spain.
So, I have to think… What better ingredients to use than Quince (Membrillo) and Manchego for a sentimental and inspired cupcake?
Chocolate Cupcakes with Peanut Butter Frosting October 13, 2008
I’m not normally a chocolate cake gal, but the idea of peanut butter frosting was too enticing to pass up. This peanut butter frosting recipe is light, fluffy, rich, and just all-around delicious. It’s definitely going into my ‘favorites’ list. I was really pleased that it was so light and fluffy while still holding its shape enough to pipe on the cupcakes. Yum!
Cupcake Stands October 3, 2008
I really want these absolutely adorable cupcake stands by Michelle Miller. I think they’d be the perfect thing for this cupcake-crazed gal.
Cupcake Challenges October 3, 2008
I’m debating whether or not to try to join some of the cupcake challenges… This months’ Iron Cupcake challenge is with cheese as an ingredient. Cheese + Cupcake = Two of my favorite things! In fact, I already have an idea for which cheese I would use and combine it with a nice fall ingredient that holds sentimental value from my past.
There’s also Cupcake Hero. The August flavor was “bakers choice” with ingredients from the past year’s CH challenges. I haven’t yet seen what October’s is…
What do you think? Should I do it? You know how much I love baking and especially cupcakes! I’m “this close” to trying it this weekend.
Cake Stands October 3, 2008
I’m loving these cake stands in the latest edition of Real Simple Magazine. With as much baking as I do, I’m surprised I don’t have a cake stand. Maybe someday (or for Christmas – hint, hint).
Check out their site for all the details and where to buy
