Ice Cream Cone Cupcakes

Thursday we celebrated Amy’s (Spencer’s Mom) birthday, and I wanted to make something special and fun for her. This idea was inspired by something I saw on Pinterest, but when I mentioned the idea to my mom she said she used to make these for my older sisters.

MEET ICE CREAM CONE CUPCAKES!

First I found a blog that mentioned using a cupcake pan to hold the cones might not be the best idea because the lip is so shallow. THIS blog recommended cutting holes into a tin pan from the dollar store… which is easier said than done. I ended up cutting squares that were uneven and off center. In hindsight, I should have drawn the holes with a sharpie.

All of the ingredients (minus the cones)

 Super easy way to fill up pasty or frosting bags. The cup must be really large to hold all of the batter though. Push all of the air out of the bag, tie it off, cut off the tip, and begin piping into the cones.

Here is how much batter I put in the cones. I probably could of put more.

I had a ton of left over batter. You could either do two batches, or make cupcakes too. Next time I will put more batter in each cone to get a bigger "ice cream" effect. 

 All puffed up and light brown on top.

  

Finished product.

Happy Birthday, Amy!!

What you need:

-1 box cake mix of your choice (I used Betty Crocker Super Moist Butter Yellow)

-ingredients box mix requires (This box required 3 eggs, 1c water, and 1/3 c butter softened)

-1 to 2 cans of frosting of your choice (I used Betty Crocker Cream Cheese Frosting)

-24 flat bottomed ice cream cones (I used Food Lion brand)

-Sprinkles

1. Preheat oven according to box directions

2. Cut holes in tin pan

3. Place cones in pan

4. Mix cake ingredients according to box

5. Put zip lock baggie in large (very large) cup and scoop batter into the bag as if it were an icing bag. Cut at very tip.

6. “Pipe” batter into ice cream cones filling up almost the entire way. This method prevents a mess all over the pan.

7. Place pan in the oven on medium rack and cook based on box directions, but watch closely. My box called for 17-22 minutes and I cooked for 21 minutes. Insert toothpick and when it comes out clean, the cupcakes are done.

8. Place on wire rack to cool thoroughly before icing.

9. Repeat step 5, but using the frosting. You can either use a zip lock baggie or an icing bag with tips (what I used).

10. Top with sprinkles and candle!

Inspiration: 

http://www.houseofhepworths.com/2010/06/03/my-i-thought-i-had-an-original-idea-ice-cream-cone-cupcake-pan/

http://qualityrecipes.tumblr.com/post/8538988090/ice-cream-cone-cake-1-box-betty-crocker-r

Next Time: Easy Peppermint Fudge 

Candy Christmas Tree Update

The saga continues. My mom was nice enough to get me new lights today, but she got the only white Christmas tree lights Kmart had left, garland lights. In case you are ever looking, garland lights are not the same thing. The 300 light strand was as long as a 100 light standard strand. The bulbs are clustered much closer together.

So after checking CVS, Kmart, and Home Depot, I go to target tonight. They only have three boxes of 50 white lights left. I bought all three and they just BARELY covered the tree. Note to self, buy white lights early. Spencer prefers colored lights, but I think they are tacky. Judging by the number of colored light boxes left on the shelves, I would say most people agree with me.

And finally, my candy inspired Christmas tree! (Which at one point had gumdrop garland.. but it was too heavy for the little tree branches).

 

 Next Time: Ice Cream Cone Cupcakes

First Post!

Welcome!

I decided to start this blog to provide our family and friends around the country with wedding and milestone updates for Spencer and me. However, I love food blogs and baking so I am sure there will be plenty of recipe review posts as well. I am into healthy cooking for meals, but make wonderfully fattening desserts. I also love to decorate, so once we have our own "nest" home decor will be a big topic.

Tonight I worked on decorating a mini Christmas tree (covered in fake snow from the Farmer's Market), but the lights were these large horrible pine cones bulbs left over from a larger tree last year. After I put the lights on the tree looked great, but once the ornaments were on it was too busy. I took everything down, and later this week I will attempt round 2 with standard tree lights. My success for the evening: tree topper bow.

And if anyone was curious, the glitter from this ribbon is all over me, the couch, the floor aaand the dog...

I also think I need a better camera if I am going to do this blog thing successfully (hint, hint).