Valentine’s Gifts for Friends and Family

Valentine’s Day isn’t just about roses and romance. Take the opportunity to show your family members and dearest friends how much they’re loved and admired with a thoughtful gift they’ll cherish well past Valentine's Day.

Versatile Chocolate Chip Cookies, Baking Tips and Ideas

Last night Mr.P and I were ALONE! It was sheer heaven. What did we do? We baked cookies by candle and twinkle lights. With our favorite Christmas tunes playing on the stereo and just the right lighting we had an absolutely wonderful time in the kitchen. I would highly recommend this to anyone in need of a little Christmastime romance with your sweetie.

I keep this cookie dough in the freezer, most of the time.

Meet my trusty 'cookie' scoop. 

It makes perfectly-sized cookies, consistent every time!

COZY CHRISTMAS JAMMIE'S

Christmas pajamas, a holiday tradition I love, probably because they remind me of snuggly kiddos all clean and warm from their baths, cuddles by the fire and happy smiles as they open gifts.

However finding the perfect Christmas Eve Jammie's for your family can be a bit of a challenge especially if you are looking for a particular color, a style that works for boys and girls, in a range of sizes and reasonably priced. No one wants to spend a small fortune on PJ's, specifically during the Christmas season. Personally, I try to keep ours priced under $15-$20 a pair. Here's what I have found this year. ENJOY!

10 Simple, Yet Elegant Small Bites For Easy Entertaining

Far from ordinary, these appetizers will help get your Christmas or New Year's Eve gathering off to a memorable start. Taking ten minutes or less to prepare, these appetizers will please even the most discerning guests. They will never guess you were in and out of the kitchen in a FLASH!

Cupcakes With Buttercream Frosting

Life has been crazy lately. The days that I would love to be cooking, decorating, and blogging, I am busy with life's little crazy moments. The days that I have free, I end up not feeling great or busy playing catch up around the house. This last week I have been shamelessly absent from The Domestic Curator.

Part of last week was spent with Ms.E's boyfriend's family, the Bufords.

Bradley began college and is a Cadet in the Corp at Texas A&M.

We are so proud of him, but Elizabeth will miss her Brad.

Now I have laundry in the wash. I've dusted...ever-so-lightly and the breakfast dishes are in the dishwasher. I have walked through the house, picking up in general and took down all of our Summer flags....I decorate with American flags during the Summer. You can find them in every room of our house. I made 'MeMe's Chicken Salad', every one's favorite. It's in the fridge and  they are on their own for lunch. Now what fun thing can I bake?

I think I will go for something easy and delicious. Cupcakes are a staple in our home, year round. They can be decorated for any occasion.

 

School is about to begin and cupcakes are a great idea for class parties, the teacher's lounge, birthdays,

 HaLLoWeEn and even for the marching band at Friday night football games. This is where our cupcakes will be....Ms. E is a squad leader in the band this year.

We are the Poteet Pirates!!

She will be taking goodies and snacks for the Freshmen on Friday nights.

These trusty recipes for vanilla and chocolate cupcakes are so EASY because they start with a basic boxed cake mix. By adding a few extra ingredients you can turn these cupcakes into a variety of flavors and for any occasion.

Basic Vanilla Cupcakes

Ingredients

• 1 (18.25-oz.) package white/vanilla cake mix with pudding
• 1 1/4 cups buttermilk
• 1/4 cup butter, melted
• 2 large eggs
• 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
• 1/2 teaspoon almond extract
• cupcake liners

What To Do

• Beat first 6 ingredients at low speed with an electric mixer just until dry ingredients are moistened. Increase speed to medium, and beat 2 minutes or until batter is smooth, stopping to scrape bowl as needed.
• Place paper baking cups in muffin pans; spoon batter evenly into baking cups, filling each two-thirds full. I always use my trusty ice cream scoop.
• Bake at 350° for 25 minutes or until a wooden pick inserted in center comes out clean. Cool in pans on wire racks 5 minutes; remove cupcakes from pans to wire racks until completely cool.

Basic Chocolate Cupcakes

Ingredients

• 1 (18.25-oz.) package German chocolate cake mix
• 1 (16-oz.) container sour cream
• 1/4 cup butter, melted
• 2 large eggs
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• Paper baking cups

What To Do

• Preheat oven to 350°. Beat first 5 ingredients at low speed with an electric mixer just until dry ingredients are moistened. Increase speed to medium, and beat 1 to 2 minutes or until smooth, stopping to scrape bowl as needed.
• Place paper baking cups in muffin pans, spoon batter into baking cups, filling two-thirds full.
• Bake at 350° for 20 to 25 minutes or until a wooden pick inserted in center comes out clean. Cool in pans on wire racks 5 minutes; remove cupcakes from pans to wire racks, and let cool completely.

Vanilla Buttercream

Ingredients

• 1 (8-oz.) package cream cheese, softened
• 1 cup butter, softened
• 2 (16-oz.) packages powdered sugar
• 1 tablespoon milk
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1/4 teaspoon salt

What To Do

• Beat cream cheese and butter at medium speed with an electric mixer until creamy. 
• Gradually add powdered sugar and next 3 ingredients, beating at low speed just until blended.
• Increase speed to medium, and beat until well blended and smooth. This icing can be colored using icing color. Decorate and design your cupcakes in a fun fashion.

Caramel Apple Cupcakes can be made

starting with the vanilla cupcake batter.

Gourmet Cupcakes

Now this is where the fun begins, you can take these two cupcake recipes and create almost any flavor, design and theme. Today  cupcakes are showcased at most local bakeries. Do yourself and your pocket book a favor by creating your own gourmet cupcakes. If you can't think of any original ideas of your own.....'GOOGLE' it!

Information is power my friends! If you can master these recipes there is no need to buy cupcakes from the bakery ever again.

Cookies and Cream Cupcakes can be made

starting with the chocolate cupcake batter.

Your possibilities are ENDLESS!

Let your imagination run wild

.......you'll be glad you did!

ENJOY!

The Domestic Curator  
Ronda