A Cupcake Challenge and Audition

I must admit—posting cupcakes twice in a row is a unusual even for this cupcake lover. But I have two good reasons. First Hoosier Homemade has thrown down the gauntlet with a fun cupcake challenge on Tuesdays during the month of August. The theme is summertime fun and each week will have a specific challenge. Secondly, since I am hosting a baby shower in the near future, I am “auditioning” recipes.

Let the games begin!

Our first challenge is to create a cupcake with a flavor that screams summer to us. Now, for me, smells evoke memories more than sights or sounds. The minute I smell fresh- cut grass I am once again a barefoot little girl shadowing my father as he does yard work. My feet are covered in damp St. Augustine grass and I am hot as I struggle with a rake in the humid Mississippi heat. But I know that a reward in the form of a treat and air conditioning is right around the corner.

Mom always had pink lemonade waiting in the kitchen for us. Yes, it was just made from frozen concentrate. But it was ice cold and full of pulp. More than that, it was sharing a victory and a job well done. Fresh cut grass and pink lemonade don’t scream summer to me….they whisper in my ear of happy times gone by.

So yesterday I tried my hand at a pink lemonade cupcakes. It would be just perfect for a little princess, princess in waiting, or bride to be. It could be made in pale yellow with regular lemonade for a gender neutral baby shower. Oh yeah, and it makes a fabulous lunch :)

Pink Lemonade Cupcakes

1 (9 oz.) pink lemonade frozen concentrate, thawed and divided

3/8 cup water

1 white cake mix ( your favorite brand)

3 egg whites

2 tablespoons vegetable oil

Preheat oven to 350 degrees and line muffin pans with paper liners. Mix all ingredients with an electric mixer until just blended. Fill muffin cups with about 1/4 cup batter each to insure cupcakes of a uniform size. Bake according to package directions or until a toothpick inserted in the middle comes out clean. Cool five minutes in pan and remove to finish cooling on wire rack. Frost with Lemonade Buttercream. Garnish with sprinkles if desired.

Lemonade Buttercream Icing

3 cups confectioners’ sugar

1 stick unsalted butter, softened to room temperature

3 tablespoons lemonade concentrate

red or pink food coloring (a little dab will do!)

Blend butter with 1 cup confectioners’ sugar on low to medium speed with electric mixer. Gradually add remaining two cups of sugar and concentrate. Blend well. Mix on medium to high speed until the mixture is fluffy and uniformly pink. Pipe or frost onto cooled cupcakes. Sprinkle with pink sugar crystals if desired.

Pink (or any color) Sugar Sprinkles

Shake 1 cup of sugar with 2 drops of food coloring in a plastic zip bag. Shake well!! Pour onto paper plate and allow to dry 15 minutes before using. Sprinkle with a spoon or shaker onto frosted cupcake. Store leftovers in sealed plastic bag for later use.

Don’t forget to join Hoosier Homemade on Tuesday for the Cupcake Challenge. I can’t wait to see the recipes! You can join the party I am also joining Blessed With Grace for Tempt My Tummy Tuesday. You'll find the party here! I am also linking to Beverly at How Sweet the Sound to share this sweet pinkness! You can join the party here.I am so glad you stopped by!!! Thanks for coming and don’t forget to say hello!

Nostalgic Summertime Cupcakes

I’ve been thinking a lot about what summer means….what it meant to me as a child. The only thing bigger was Christmas. It meant playing chase outside ‘til dark thirty….catching lightening bugs….running through sprinklers….the smell of fresh cut grass….and the ice cream truck’s happy music wafting through the neighborhood. He had the timing down just right….early enough not to “ruin my supper” as my grandmother said.

All the kids raced inside to retrieve their allowance or beg for small change. My mother gave me enough money for two treats—one for me and one for my beagle named Rebel. This was a defensive move on her part :). It prevented the inevitable tears over stolen ice cream. Rebel preferred vanilla. But my favorite was a push up…. about four inches of cold delicious orange sherbet….air conditioning for your insides.

I saw this recipe for creamsicle cupcakes in Woman’s Day magazine and was immediately reminded of those days. They are light with just the right amount of orange flavor.

Creamsicle Cupcakes

2 1/2 cups all purpose flour

2 cups granulated sugar

1/2 tsp. each baking powder, baking soda, and salt

3 large eggs

2 tbsp. grated orange zest

2 tsp. vanilla extract

3/4 cup vegetable oil

1 cup buttermilk

Orange Cream Frosting

8 ounces cream cheese, softened

1 tsp. vanilla extract

2 tsp. grated orange zest

1 1/2 cups confectioners’ sugar

orange paste food color (optional—I used red and yellow mixed)

For the cupcakes preheat oven to 350. Line 24 muffin cups with paper liners. In a medium bowl whisk flour, 1 cup sugar, baking powder, baking soda and salt until blended. In a large bowl mix eggs, orange zest, and vanilla until blended. I used my new Kitchen Aid mixer from Designs by Gollum! Beat in remaining 1 cup sugar. Add oil and then buttermilk until blended. On low speed, beat in the flour mixture until just blended. Spoon about 1/4 cup mixture into each muffin cup

**Measuring the amount I put into each muffin liner is one of the best hints I learned from the Viking Cooking School. It ensures uniform sizes.

Bake 25-28 minutes. Remove to wire rack to cool completely

For the frosting, beat the cream cheese, vanilla and orange zest on low until well blended. Add confectioners’ sugar and beat until fluffy. Add food coloring (if using) until light orange. Refrigerate until firm enough to spread. Garnish as desired. I made flowers with the homemade fondant recipe.

Sometimes you can go home again….even if it’s just for a moment.

I am joining our generous and gracious hostess Michael Lee West for Foodie Friday. Check out her giveaways and click on her button on my sidebar for immediate transportation! I am also linking to Stepahanie Lynn at Under the Table and Dreaming for the Sunday Showcase Party. You can find her here!