Texas Women Bloggers : The Women Behind the Keys

I have joined the wonderful group of women blogging in Texas at TexasWomenBloggers to create comradery and connection with my fellow Sweet Tea Sipping Sisters! As a newer member, I'd like to share a little bit about myself.


1. What part of Texas do you call home?
I currently live in the NE side of Houston, so i guess you could say that I am currently a Houstonian. But, lets make something clear. I was born in Plano, raised and Lewisville and called the Dallas Area home for my of my life. I am a Lewisvillian. I am a Dallasite. I am more than anything, A Texan! My husband managed to bring me down here and to my sisters in Dallas I'd just like to say, it isn't so bad. ;)

2. How long have you been blogging?
I've been blogging since 2008. I started just as the blogging craze begun. I joined the niche of the cupcake bloggers. It was a fun time back then. It still is, but there are so many bloggers now and so many new sweet treats that i find myself reading blogs a lot more than I post. I'm guilty.

3. Why did you start blogging?
I started blogging because of Iron Cupcake: Earth (ICE). It was a monthly competition similar to Iron Chef that presented an ingredient to develop our monthly cupcake creation around. We had to post pictures, recipes and link up to everyone. The community and comradery between the contestants was amazing! The best part, besides possibly being featured and the exposure, was the gifts you received when you won! It lasted for 2 years, but was a lot of work. 

4. When we visit your blog, what can we expect to discover?
When you visit BakingUpChaos, you will find my crazy musings. Mostly they are related to food, wine, photography or the recent events that have transpired with my four boys. Occasionally  you might find something spiritual, something about sales and marketing or something related to parenting.

5. How did you come up with your Blog Title and what is its meaning?
When i started, this was mostly about baking. That was my main hobby. I only had 2 boys, but I had great foresight on the chaos that was to come. Two additional boys later and my blog couldn't be better titled. It is chaos when we all get in the kitchen and try to cook. Its chaos when we had to the local winery and have to fight with the turtles over our glider wing that some how just "fell" into the pond, all while trying to write a review. My life simply is chaos and I simply love to bake! What good Southern Woman doesn't?

6. What do you love about being part of Texas Women Bloggers?
Well, I'm not really sure yet. I just joined. But so far I'm loving visiting the other bloggers and getting connected to them. I need a new community now that ICE isn't around anymore.

7. Who inspires you to blog?
My blog inspiration isn't so much about who, its about what inspires me. I am inspired by food. I am inspired by flavor combinations. I am inspired by the joy it brings to my family. I am inspired by the tidbits I can share with other women that might be in the same place I am. I am inspired to hear about the peace they find knowing they are not the only ones living in Chaos.

8. If you could pick a favorite blog post from this past year, what would it be?
http://bakingupchaos.blogspot.com/2013/07/change-is-constant-that-much-is-true.html



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ICE: Music

It has returned!!!!

Iron Cupcake Earth, that is! And this time with an even more open area of interpritation and experimentation. This month is Iron Cupcake Earth: Music.

The gifts this year are amazing!!!

Our Generous IronCupcake:Earth Prize Providers:
The Demy™ by Key Ingredient
Hello, Cupcake by Karen Tack & Alan Richardson
Bella Cupcake Couture
Cupcake Stackers by Gourmac
The Cake Mix Doctor Returns! by Anne Byrne

And when you have the chance, "To help get IronCupcake onto The ELLEN Show, please take a moment to contact Ellen via facebook at "The Ellen DeGeneres Show"; on Twitter @TheEllenShow or on the website, http://ellen.warnerbros.com/. Tell them you want to see IronCupcake hit the national airwaves! With the local challenges and our launch of IronCupcake:Earth, year 2...there is no time like the present. The more who ask, the more likely it will happen!!!!"

ICE_006: Wine - Mimosa Sunrise Cupcakes

To start the New year off with a BANG, Sandy announced the first 2009 Iron Cupcake Earth challenge ingredient as Wine. It could be sweet, savory, red, white, bubbly...it didn't matter as long as it was wine.

So I chose Champagne...and paired it with oranges for a nice Mimosa Cupcake. Start off the day with a good Mimosa and start off the year with a great Mimosa Cupcake!

Happy New Year!

My recipe is a modification from a post on the Cupcake Project. The original receipe was a modification from one of my favorite blogs, Ooh You Tastey Little Things.

Mimosa Sunrise Cupcake Recipe

3 cups cake flour
1/2 tsp salt
1 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp baking soda
1 cup (2 sticks) butter
1 cup sugar
1/2 cup + 2 tbsp frozen orange concentrate
3 eggs
3/4 cup plain yogurt

Preheat your oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. Mix together the flour, salt, baking soda and powder and set aside. In a medium sized bowl, cream the butter until smooth then add the sugar and cream together. Once the butter and sugar are creamed add in the orange juice concentrate. Mix in one egg at a time. Add in flour mixture 1/3 at a time. When flour is thoroughly mixed, mix in the yogurt. Batter will be slightly lumpy, but should be smooth kind of like pancake batter. Divide the batter evenly into lined cupcake tins and bake for about 15-20 minutes. Allow to cool.

Poke about 4-5 holes in the top of every cupcake, but not quite all the way to the bottom. You also might want to place the cupcakes on wax paper or a platter as the next step can run over a little.

Champagne Syrup (my modification)
2 cups champagne
2 cup powdered sugar

1pkg of Orange Jello

Bring the champagne, powdered sugar & Jello to a boil and let them reduce about half way. It will thicken up some but will still be liquidy when you are done. Drizzle the syrup over the top of each cupcake. Let it absorb into the cupcake and add more. Keep adding to taste.

Champagne Frosting

It was recommended to use champagne flavoring instead of real champagne, but I didn't have the chance and wanted to make these right away. So I modified this as well but am posting both receipes.

The problem with champagne frosting is that you have to add way too much champagne in order to get a strong champagne flavor. This ends up making your frosting runny.You can buy some champagne flavor from LorAnn Gourmet.

1 cup chilled whipping cream
8 oz mascarpone
2 to 3 cups confectioner's sugar (depending upon how thick you prefer frosting)
8 drops of champagne flavor (use an eye dropper)

Whip up whipping cream in mixer until soft peaks begin to form. Fold in mascarpone. Then, while mixing over low speed, slowly add the confectioner's sugar one cup at a time, being careful not to over whip frosting. Mix in the champagne flavor.

My Modified version:

1 cup chilled whipping cream

4 oz cream cheese, softened

4 oz sour cream

4 Tbl Champagne

3-5 Cups of confectioner's sugar

Cream the sour cream and cream cheese together until well mixed. Whip the whipping cream in mixer until soft peaks form. Add the cream mixture and the champagne. Then slowly add the confectioner's sugar until desired stiffness is acheived.

The frosting didn't set up quite like I wanted, so I will be trying the Champagne flavoring next time.

But regardless, the cupcakes are by far one of my favorites! They are moist, flavorful and just down right Yummy!!!

Special thanks for the amazing prizes this month!!

Our January ETSY PRIZE-PACK is from artists:
DOGBONE ART - http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=22042
as well as a pair of cupcake earrings from LOTS OF SPRINKLES at http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=6057281.
PLUS, IronCupcake:Earth can not forget our good friend, CAKESPY, http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=5243382, who is now going to be doing a piece for our winner each month until further notice - sweet!

As an added bonus for January, our friend at SWEET CUPPIN CAKES BAKERY AND CUPCAKERY SUPPLY will be tossing in another treat as well, http://www.acupcakery.com/index.html.

Last and certainly not least, don’t forget our corporate prize providers: HEAD CHEFS by FIESTA PRODUCTS, http://www.fiestaproducts.com, HELLO CUPCAKE by Karen Tack and Alan Richardson, http://blog.hellocupcakebook.com, JESSIE STEELE APRONS http://www.jessiesteele.com; the CUPCAKE COURIER http://www.cupcakecourier.com; TASTE OF HOME books, http://www.tasteofhome.com. NEW, BEGINNING IN JANUARY; our new friends at UPWITHCUPCAKES.COM http://www.upwithcupcakes.com/ will be providing our winner with one of their cute cupcake attitue t's! Iron Cupcake:Earth is sponsored in part by 1-800-Flowers, http://www.1800flowers.com .

ICE_006: Wine!!

Iron Cupcake Earth: Wine was just announced by Sandy. What a great way to ring in the New Year!

Sweet, dry, bubbly...it idoesn't matter, its all game!!

Here's the post from the ICE website:

006_Wine! Toast the New Year!!
The IronCupcake:Earth challenge for January is Wine! Red or White, Sweet or Dry, Bubbly or Still. What can you do with a bottle of wine and a sweet little cupcake? WINE is the challenge for January 2009.

FINAL POSTING DAY is the 24th of every month: SATURDAY, JANUARY 24 at 12 noon. All times are CENTRAL time.

TAKE NOTE:
• Photograph your baking experience and then post about it on your blog.
• Posting your recipe on your blog is optional.
• New creations only, please. No previously submitted cupcakes.
• In your post, please be sure mention that you are competing to win the following prizes, be sure to include reference and an active link to our prize providers and sponsors:

Our January ETSY PRIZE-PACK is from artists:
DOGBONE ART - http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=22042
as well as a pair of cupcake earrings from LOTS OF SPRINKLES at http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=6057281.

PLUS, IronCupcake:Earth can not forget our good friend, CAKESPY, http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=5243382, who is now going to be doing a piece for our winner each month until further notice - sweet!

As an added bonus for January, our friend at SWEET CUPPIN CAKES BAKERY AND CUPCAKERY SUPPLY will be tossing in another treat as well, http://www.acupcakery.com/index.html.

Last and certainly not least, don’t forget our corporate prize providers: HEAD CHEFS by FIESTA PRODUCTS, http://www.fiestaproducts.com, HELLO CUPCAKE by Karen Tack and Alan Richardson, http://blog.hellocupcakebook.com, JESSIE STEELE APRONS http://www.jessiesteele.com; the CUPCAKE COURIER http://www.cupcakecourier.com; TASTE OF HOME books, http://www.tasteofhome.com. Iron Cupcake:Earth is sponsored in part by 1-800-Flowers, http://www.1800flowers.com .

If you are interested in Joining the excitement of Iron Cupcake Earth, please click here to learn how.

No one to blame but myself...

If you are in the world of cupcake blogs, then you know of the drama engulfing iron cupcake earth. It is with my utmost of sincerities that I write this apology...

I try hard to teach my boys values and integrity but today I showed little of both. In my zest to get recognized in the cupcake blogging world, I didn't think before I acted. This type of noticing was not what I had in mind. I'm a big enough woman and have enough integrity to admit when I am wrong.

I apologize to each ICE competitor this month. While my post to a handful of women was not meant maliciously, it was still a public forum and viewed as such. When I posted for these women to vote for me**, I never dreamed that it would be considered cheating. This handful of women would never sit there voting for me continuously, much less once. But never the less, cheating it was. And for that, I apologize.

I apologize to Sandy for all of your hard work coordinating ICE each month. You put so much into the competition that my actions were like a slap in the face. I admire your creativity and your leadership.

I am no longer a contender in this month's challenge. I'm sad because I know based on the number of votes that I might have actually had a chance this month. And no, those were legitimate votes. (Like I said, only a handful of women were advised how to vote more than once and to my knowledge, none have even voted yet.) I will not be participating next month. But would like to assist Sandy to offset the distress I have caused.

Again I apologize for my actions. The challenge might be full of drama this month, but the challenge isn't over and a worthy competitor will win some amazing prizes.

** To be clear, asking friends, coworkers, spouse, family, etc to vote for you is not considered cheating, but telling them how to vote multiple times is.

VOTE NOW!!

Its that time again! GO vote for ME (BakingUpChaos) to win the December Iron Cupcake Earth: Chocolate Twist Challenge!!!

WHATS ON THE LINE?
Our December ETSY PRIZE-PACK is from artists:
BETTY TURBO - http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=5002976
as well as a pair of cupcake earrings from LOTS OF SPRINKLES at http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=6057281.

PLUS, IronCupcake:Earth can not forget our good friend, CAKESPY, http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=5243382, who is now going to be doing a piece for our winner each month until further notice - sweet!

As an added bonus for December we have adorable cupcake pincushions complements of SWEET CUPPIN CAKES BAKERY AND CUPCAKERY SUPPLY, http://www.acupcakery.com/index.html.

Last and certainly not least, don’t forget our corporate prize providers: HEAD CHEFS by FIESTA PRODUCTS, http://www.fiestaproducts.com, HELLO CUPCAKE by Karen Tack and Alan Richardson, http://blog.hellocupcakebook.com, JESSIE STEELE APRONS http://www.jessiesteele.com; the CUPCAKE COURIER http://www.cupcakecourier.com; TASTE OF HOME books, http://www.tasteofhome.com. Iron Cupcake:Earth is sponsored in part by 1-800-Flowers, http://www.1800flowers.com .

Iron Cupcake Earth: Chocolate Twist

When Sandy announced this month's Iron Cupcake: Earth Challenge, I just about jumped for joy! But out of fear of being caught and thought to be an even more odd-ball than my cowarkers already think I am, I contained my excitement and started surfing for the perfect combination. By mixing a few recipes across the web, I was able to pull together an amazing entry...

Chocolate Shiner "Stout" Cupcakes with Chocolate Ganache and Bailey's Buttercream Icing...

WOW! I mean seriously. WOW! If that title alone doesn't win this month's Iron Cupcake Earth Challenge, the recipe sure will. This one will warm you from the inside out while calming that chocolate craving that hits mid afternoon. This one is a sure fire winner!! Try it out for yourself if you don't believe me.



Chocolate Shiner "Stout" Cupcakes with Chocolate Ganache and Bailey's Buttercream Icing:

Cupcakes: (makes 44)
2 C Shiner Stout
2 C unsalted butter
1 1/2 C unsweetened cocoa powder

4 C all purpose flour
4 C sugar
1 T baking soda
1 1/2 t salt

4 Large eggs
1 1/3 C sour cream

Preheat oven to 350*. Bring 2 C stout and 2 C butter to simmer in heavy large saucepan (this is important or you'll get a serious mess to clean up). Add cocoa powder and whisk until mixture is smooth. Cool slightly.

Whisk flour, sugar, baking soda and salt in large bowl to blend. Using electric mixer, beat eggs and sour cream in another large bowl to blend. Add stout-chocolate mixture to egg mixture and beat just to combine. Add flour mixture and beat briefly on slow speed. Fold in batter until completely combined. Divide evenly among cupcake liners and bake until cake tester comes out clean. It was about 15 minutes in my oven. Cool completely on rack.



Ganache: (makes 48)
1 1/2 C dark semi sweet cocolate chips
1 1/3 C heavy cream

Heat cream to a simmer then pour over chocolate chips. Let sit for a minute and stir until blended. Dip cupcakes into chocolate and put in refrigerator to set.

Bailey's Buttercream: (makes 48)
4 sticks of butter, softened
4-6 C of powdered sugar
4 T of Bailey's Irish Cream

Cream all ingredients until desired consistancy and pipe big swirls on each cupcake. Dust with cocoa powder if so desired.











Big Thanks to for December's prizes and sponsers!!

Our December ETSY PRIZE-PACK is from artists (taken straight from Sandy's website):
BETTY TURBO - http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=5002976 as well as a pair of cupcake earrings from LOTS OF SPRINKLES at http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=6057281.

PLUS, IronCupcake:Earth can not forget our good friend, CAKESPY, http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=5243382, who is now going to be doing a piece for our winner each month until further notice - sweet!

As an added bonus for December we have adorable cupcake pincushions complements of SWEET CUPPIN CAKES BAKERY AND CUPCAKERY SUPPLY, http://www.acupcakery.com/index.html.

Last and certainly not least, don’t forget our corporate prize providers:
HEAD CHEFS by FIESTA PRODUCTS, http://www.fiestaproducts.com/, HELLO CUPCAKE by Karen Tack and Alan Richardson, http://blog.hellocupcakebook.com/, JESSIE STEELE APRONS http://www.jessiesteele.com/; the CUPCAKE COURIER http://www.cupcakecourier.com/; TASTE OF HOME books, http://www.tasteofhome.com/. Iron Cupcake:Earth is sponsored in part by 1-800-Flowers, http://www.1800flowers.com/ .


Submitted for Art you can Eat's Winter Holiday 2008 Book #6 "Cupcakes"

Iron Cupcake Earth: Chocolate

Sandy over at No One Puts Cupcakes in a Corner is a woman after my own heart!! Its another ICE Challenge, but this month its all about Chocolate and the awesome things you can pair with it!! LOVE IT!!

Our December ETSY PRIZE-PACK is from artists (taken straight from Sandy's website):
BETTY TURBO - http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=5002976 as well as a pair of cupcake earrings from LOTS OF SPRINKLES at http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=6057281.

PLUS, IronCupcake:Earth can not forget our good friend, CAKESPY, http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=5243382, who is now going to be doing a piece for our winner each month until further notice - sweet!

As an added bonus for December we have adorable cupcake pincushions complements of SWEET CUPPIN CAKES BAKERY AND CUPCAKERY SUPPLY, http://www.acupcakery.com/index.html.

Last and certainly not least, don’t forget our corporate prize providers: HEAD CHEFS by FIESTA PRODUCTS, http://www.fiestaproducts.com/, HELLO CUPCAKE by Karen Tack and Alan Richardson, http://blog.hellocupcakebook.com/, JESSIE STEELE APRONS http://www.jessiesteele.com/; the CUPCAKE COURIER http://www.cupcakecourier.com/; TASTE OF HOME books, http://www.tasteofhome.com/. Iron Cupcake:Earth is sponsored in part by 1-800-Flowers, http://www.1800flowers.com/ .

Holidays are here!!!

Pictures will follow, but I was very pleased to get some baking in this weekend. The church I attend had their annual LWML Bake sale to raise money for one of our members in seminary. So of course I whipped up some Easy Fudge, Peanut butter (With PB2) and Candy Cane.

With it also being the last meeting of the year for the chapter I advise, I baked up some supper yummy Chocolate Crackle Cookies. They were to DIE FOR!!

I still have plans to make Pumpkin Bread Mini Muffins, Chocolate Candy-Cane Cupcakes and Cranberry Bliss Cupcakes some time through out the week.

I was unable to pull through Iron Cupcake: Earth Cranberry this month due to time, but there isn't a doubt in mine that the Cranberry Bliss Cupcakes would have one. Looks like Ill have to try harder next month. :)

VOTE NOW!!

Yep, its time to vote again! So, what are you waiting for?? You know the drill. GO VOTE ALREADY!!

Vote at No one puts Cupcake in a Corner. Find the balot on the right hand side of the screen and select "Bakingu p Chaos". Thank you!!!

Cottage Berry Cupcakes

Cottage Cheese Raspberry Cupcakes:
A variation on a receipe from 500 Cupcakes by Fergal Connolly.

Makes 1 dozen.

Ingredients:
2 1/3 cups cake flour
3/4 cups superfine sugar
1 tbsp. baking powder
Pinch of salt
2 lightly beaten eggs
4 tbsp. sunflower oil
1 1/4 cups low-fat milk
1/2 cup low-fat cottage cheese
2 cups fresh raspberries*

Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 12 cup muffin pan.In a medium bowl, mix the flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt with a spoon.In a large bowl, beat the eggs, oil, milk, and cottage cheese with an electric mixer until smooth. Add the flour mixture and stir until nearly combined. Fold in the raspberries, but do not overmix. Spoon the mixture into prepared pan. Bake in the oven for 20 minutes.Remove pan from the oven and cool for 5 minutes. Then remove the muffins and cool on a rack. Store in an airtight container for up to 2 days, or freeze for up to 3 months.

*You can also use blueberries, cherries, or apricot (the latter being sliced); all of them being 2 cups.

The icing was peculiar as I used 1/2C of butter, creamed with 3C Powdered sugar and 1tsp almond extract. Once blended, add 1C cottage cheese and mix well. My icing didn't set up as well as I wanted, or go through my icing tip as planned. Next time I make this recipe, i will add more sugar and hand ice the cupcakes.

They are delicious with or without the icing. Served with warm butter for breakfast might be a great idea!!

Amazing prizes provided by:
ETSY artist ART ON THE MENU with her awesome little cardboard cupcake, her link is: http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=5738002 and a pair of cupcake earrings from Lots of Sprinkles at http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=6057281.

As an added bonus for October only we have a sassy and sweet T from Bakelove Bakewear, http://www.bakelove.com/cupcake_t-shirt.html.

Last and certainly not least, don’t forget our corporate prize providers: HEAD CHEFS by FIESTA PRODUCTS, http://www.fiestaproducts.com/, HELLO CUPCAKE by Karen Tack and Alan Richardson, http://blog.hellocupcakebook.com/, JESSIE STEELE APRONS http://www.jessiesteele.com/; the CUPCAKE COURIER http://www.cupcakecourier.com/; TASTE OF HOME books, http://www.tasteofhome.com/. Iron Cupcake:Earth is sponsored in part by 1-800-Flowers,

Iron Cupcake Earth: Cheese

October's Iron Cupcake Earth ~
Sandy over at No One Puts Cupcakes In A Corner is hosting a phenominal blog event that is as much fun as it sounds. Last month was great and if you missed your chance, here it is again.

Details: On the first of every month, a 'secret ingredient' will be posted for all Iron Cupcake participants. The object is to come up with the most creative and delicious cupcake involving the secret ingredient.

Secret Ingredient: This month's secret ingredient: Cheese; Sweet cheese, savory cheese, soy cheese, melting cheese, grated cheese, you name it cheese!

How to Join: The contest is open to everyone. Email IronCupcakeEarth@wi.rr.com with the following information to join:

Name
City, State, Country
Blog Address
Flickr Name
Referral: Baking up Chaos (That's me!)

This months prizes are provided by:

ETSY artist ART ON THE MENU with her awesome little cardboard cupcake, her link is: http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=5738002 and a pair of cupcake earrings from Lots of Sprinkles at http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=6057281. As an added bonus for October only we have a sassy and sweet T from Bakelove Bakewear, http://www.bakelove.com/cupcake_t-shirt.html. Last and certainly not least, don’t forget our corporate prize providers: HEAD CHEFS by FIESTA PRODUCTS, http://www.fiestaproducts.com/, HELLO CUPCAKE by Karen Tack and Alan Richardson, http://blog.hellocupcakebook.com/, JESSIE STEELE APRONS http://www.jessiesteele.com/; the CUPCAKE COURIER http://www.cupcakecourier.com/; TASTE OF HOME books, http://www.tasteofhome.com/. Iron Cupcake:Earth is sponsored in part by 1-800-Flowers, http://www.1800flowers.com/.

Summers End Peach 'N Basil Cream Cakes

Olive Oil Almond Polenta Cupcakes with Peaches in Honey-Basil Syrup

INGREDIENTS:
3/4 cup all-purpose flour1 teaspoon baking powder

3/4 teaspoon salt

1 cup polenta – finely ground

¼ cup sliced almonds

2 large eggs

1 large egg yolk

2/3 cup milk

1/2 cup olive oil

½ teaspoon pure almond extract

½ teaspoon pure vanilla extract

3/4 cup sugar

1/4 cup honey

Poached Peaches in Basil-Honey Syrup:

1/2 cup sugar

1/4 cup water

2 tablespoons honey

2 sprigs fresh basil

2 large firm unpeeled ripe peaches, cut into 1/2-inch-thick slices

METHOD:
Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Lightly grease and flour a 9 by 2-inch round cake pan. Into a medium bowl, sift together the flour, polenta and baking powder. It is important to sift these so that the polenta gets fully incorporated into the flour. Stir in the salt and almonds.In a large bowl, with an electric mixer beat the eggs, egg yolk, milk, olive oil and lemon zest until frothy. Add the sugar, honey, almond and vanilla extracts and mix to combine. Add the dry ingredients, about ¼ cup at a time and beat until the batter is smooth. Pour into the prepared cupcake liners and bake in the middle of the oven for 30 minutes, or until a tester comes out clean. To prepare the syrup:In a large saucepan, combine the sugar, water and honey and bring to a simmer. Simmer until the sugar is dissolved, about 3 minutes. Do not allow it to boil as it will harden as it cools and become unusable for this recipe. Add the basil, and simmer until thick and fragrant, 6 to 7 minutes. Add the peaches. Cook until just tender, about 5 minutes.Remove from the heat and let cool. Remove the basil.

To prepare homemade whip cream: Pour 8 ounces of heavy whipping cream, 1 TBS confectioner’s sugar and a splash of pure vanilla extract into your mixer. Start whipping it at a low speed and as it thickens crank it up all the way. Whip until it is the consistency you like. I added a little extra powdered sugar so the cream would hold up well under the peaches.

To serve, slice and top each cupcake with whip cream, a few poached peaches and their syrup! Serve the peaches with the syrup warm or at room temperature.

Receipe compliments of the LeftOver Queen

Iron Cupcake Earth: Basil

September's Iron Cupcake Earth ~

Sandy over at No One Puts Cupcakes In A Corner is hosting a phenominal blog event that is as much fun as it sounds. Last month was great and if you missed your chance, here it is again.

Details: On the first of every month, a 'secret ingredient' will be posted for all Iron Cupcake participants. The object is to come up with the most creative and delicious cupcake involving the secret ingredient.

Secret Ingredient: This month's secret ingredient: Basil! What a perfect ingredient to end a funfilled summer!

How to Join: The contest is open to everyone. Email IronCupcakeEarth@wi.rr.com with the following information to join:

Name
City, State, Country
Blog Address
Flickr Name
Referral: Baking up Chaos (That's me!)

This months prizes are provided by:

METAL SUGAR is an amazing ETSY artists with some of the most fantastic cupcake goods online. This month's winner gets the infamous CUPCAKE SIGNET RING.

In addition tot he following prizes: .

The Cupcake Courier; Jessie Steele Aprons; Taste of Home Books; Fiesta Products Head Chefs; Hello, Cupcake by Karen Tack and Alan Richardson. That's over $225 retail value!

VOTE NOW!!

You heard me, go vote. Voting is open until noon on Sept 4th. Read the descriptions here and place your vote in the column to the left. Of Course, I'd like you to vote for me. But lets be fair and vote for the one you find the most amazingly photographed and described.

Every baker worked very hard and deserves to be rewarded!! I applaud them all!

Chocolate Chile Burbon Delights

The Iron Cupcake Earth: Chili has finally come to frutition for the month of August. After much trial and error, I created the moistest cake known to man. And what better flavor, CHOCOLATE! You should bake it and try it for yourself. OH? How you might ask, follow these directions...and in the mean time, Visit No One puts Cupcakes in the Corner to vote for my cupcake as the August (And Innaugeral) winner of the Iron Cupcake Earth: Chili Challenge.

I decided to keep it simple yet decadant so the every day chef could enjoy. So here's my venture at a Chocolate Chile burbon delight.

Chocolate Chile Burbon Delight:

1 butter chocolate cake mix

1 stick of butter

2 tsp dried Ancho Chili Powder

2 C water

1 tsp vanilla

1/2 C buttermilk

2 large eggs

Mix all together. Fill 2/3 full in paper lined cupcake pan. bake at 350* for 20 minutes or until cooked thoroughly. (Should spring back when touched on top)

Chocolate burbon Frosting:

3/4 C unstalted Butter

3/4 C unsweetened cocoa powder

1/4 C plus 2 Tbl buttermilk

1 1/2 lbs of powdered sugar

3 Tbl vanilla

Mix all together adding extra powdered sugar to desired texture. Top each cupcake with white chocolate shavings and Chocolate burbon Frosting. Enjoy!

The winner of Iron Cupcake Earth receives prizes from Cakespy's Etsy shop, Cupcake Courier, Fiesta Products, Hello, Cupcake, Jesse Steele, and Taste of Home.

Iron Cupcake: Earth

There's a New Cupcake Competition In Town!!

Sandy over at No One Puts Cupcakes In A Corner is hosting a blog event that just sounds like so much fun it is the inspiration for this new blog.

Details: On the first of every month, a 'secret ingredient' will be posted for all Iron Cupcake participants. The object is to come up with the most creative and delicious cupcake involving the secret ingredient.

Secret Ingredient: This month's secret ingredient: Chili! What an ingredient to kick off the first month!

How to Join: The contest is open to everyone. Email IronCupcakeEarth AT wi.rr.com with the following information to join:
Name
City, State, Country
Blog Address
Flickr Name
Referral: Baking up Chaos

Prizes: There will be monthly prizes for the winner. Augusts prize is worth over $100 already. It includes awesome items like The Cupcake Courier, an apron by Jessie Steele, CAKESPY stuff, and a brand new publication by Taste of Home.

Viola! C'est fini! I'll see you all at the challenge. Said like the Iron Chef Chairman, "Let the baking begin!"