Cupcake pop, want some?

I made cake balls on Christmas, to give away with the cookie platters and baskets I did. I made the Red Velvet Cake Balls and they were a hit. I had no idea what cake balls were and then I stumbled into Bakerella's site and I was hooked.This one I made for my cousin for her birthday. I made the cupcakes and stuck the cake pops. Big mistake on my part was, I stuck them in the night before and when the morning comes the whole entire cake pop tipped and all the cupcakes had a big line in the middle. LOL! My lesson would be, stick the cake pops during the party or before the party starts.

The very first one I did was super simple and it was quick, to me at least. I heard from others that they have problems with the chocolate dipping part. I didn't think it was that bad. I didn't even place my cake balls into the freezer. LOL! I completely missed that part when I was reading Bakerella's instruction. I was too excited to make it that I bypassed that part.The cake pops were great and my kids even helped with the sprinkles. As you can tell on the picture (the purple ones) are all made by my kids. They went hog wild with the sprinkles. LOL!

❤ clairebakescakes ❤

Yummy sweet and sour meatballs - Recipe

I made this a couple of weeks ago and I'm finally posting it. I don't make this a lot but when I feel like sweet and sour this is the easiest way to do it. This is my own recipe as I go along I write it down and if I like it I will post it and I guess I liked it 'coz it's here. LOL!
You might wonder why I have it in categories. Well, It was easier for me to explain it this way.

Here's what you need:
A.

• 1 bag (15 oz.) frozen meatball (thawed) or if you're Martha Stewart you probably have one in your freezer waiting to be used (also thawed)
  
• 1 tbsp. butter
• 1 tbsp. olive oil

B.

• 1 tsp. olive oil
• 3 cloves garlic, minced or more if you like garlic
• 1 medium size onion, sliced
• 1 cup cut up carrots
• 1/4 cup chicken broth or water

C.

• 1/2 cup water
• 1 tbsp. soy sauce
• 1 tbsp. ketchup
• 1 tsp. sugar
  
• 1 small can pineapple chunks and juice
• 1/2 cup bell peppers ( I used yellow, red and orange)

D.

• 2 tsp. cornstartch
• 1/4 cup water
• salt and pepper to taste

Direction:
A. Place butter and Olive oil in a large saute pan in medium heat. Add meatballs and let it simmer for a few minutes. Then take the meatball out and set aside.
B. Using the same pan pour the olive oil, then add the onion and cook for a few minutes and add garlic and carrots, add the chicken broth cover and turn the heat down to low. Wait for 5 minutes.
C. While waiting mix water, soy sauce, ketchup and sugar in a bowl and mix well. Add this into the pan and add the pineapple and bell peppers. Turn the heat to medium.
D. Mix the cornstarch and water then add into the pan as well. Wait for this to thicken and add the meatballs back in and let it simmer or until the meatballs are all heated. Enjoy with white rice :-)



❤ clairebakescakes ❤

This has nothing to do with food, whatsoever!

I love bargains, sale, clearance or better yet FREE! I also love yard sales, garage sales and all sorts of sales. Thrifts store are my thing right now. I've been to so many that I lost count.

Lately I've been looking around for a little desk that I can strip and paint, so I can put it in my daughters room. I'm also looking for a little dinner chair that I can also paint. Yes, I refurbish furniture and all sorts of stuff as well. It's one of my many hidden talents, LOL! The hutch below is from a friend who didn't want it anymore. They had it in their basement and it was just old and the sides were just ruined. I told them, I will take it and did work on the cabinet. When they saw it they couldn't believe this was the same one they got rid of. I know it's a bit messy. The kids made it into their own personal cubby holes. LOL!
I like going to Salvation Army on Wednesday, I don't go every Wednesday, I just like going there on that certain day 'coz it's 50% off on everything but 1 color, which changes every week.
There's certain stuff I look for too. I like looking at purses and clutches and decorations. The other place is Volunteers of America, they have sales everyday. Everyday they have .99 cents color of the day. Whatever that color would be you will pay .99 cents for that item. Excluding furniture, I think?

These flowered fence looking things are coat racks or coat hangers for Lex. I was going to paint it, but I changed my mind. I got this for .99 cents, YES! I'm not kidding.

Aren't they cute? I need to put them up in her room but I'm still looking for the right spot. I hate to put it up and take it down again.

Those flowers are just too adorable. I'm glad I found this.

My other find is a GAP clutch and it looked brand new. I did put it in the hot wash and cleaned it. This one I got for 70 cents, LOL! It's nothing fancy, I just like it 'coz I can stick in my purse and use it a make up case.



So, how about you? Do you love a good bargain, sale hunting, going through the clearance bin and no care for the world, thrift store kind of person?

❤ clairebakescakes ❤

CROCK POT SHREDDED BBQ PORK SANDWICH - Recipe

Are you on the go all the time? No time to make dinner at night? Do you have a crockpot? Then this might be for you :-)
This is a 3 ingredient dish and it's sooooooo yummy and the smell is just hmmmmm, hmm!
You can use any type of BBQ sauce on this dish, use your favorite sauce or try something new.

Having a party? This will be a hit and it's only 1 pot. Just double the ingredients.


Ingredients:

• 1 boneless pork shoulder (2 lb.) cut in half
  
• 3 onions, sliced, separated into rings
• 1/2 cup Barbecue Sauce (OF YOUR CHOICE)
• 1/2 cup water
  

8 kaiser rolls, split
8 KRAFT Singles (OR CHEDDAR CHEESE)
Directions:

• PLACE meat in slow cooker; top with onions and barbecue sauce. Cover with lid. Cook on LOW for 8 to 10 hours (or on HIGH for 4 to 5 hours).
• REMOVE meat from slow cooker; cut off and discard excess fat. Chop meat into small pieces or shred with fork. Return to slow cooker; stir until evenly coated with sauce.
• FILL rolls with meat mixture and Cheese just before serving.

❤ clairebakescakes ❤

Chocolate Lava Cake - Recipe

I only make this dessert unless it's needed. Not only this little dessert is super rich and soooo filling it's also packed with almost 700 calories for a 1 cup size.

It's easy and it's quick to make.

Ingredients:

• 4 SQUARES BAKER'S SEMI SWEET CHOCOLATE (YOU HAVE TO USE THIS KIND)
• 1/2 CUP BUTTER( 1 STICK)
  
• 1 CUP POWDERED SUGAR
• 2 EGGS
• 2 EGG YOLKS
• 6 TBSP. FLOUR
• 1/2 CUP THAWED COOL WHIP OR WHIP CREAM

Directions:

• PRE HEAT OVEN TO 425 F DEGREES
  
• SPRAY WITH FLOUR SPRAY ( I USE BAKER'S JOY) OR BUTTER 4 CUSTARD CUPS / SOUFFLE DISHES OR RAMEKIN PLACE ON BAKING SHEETS.
• IN A LARGE BOWL, MICROWAVE CHOCOLATE & BUTTER FOR 1 MINUTE OR UNTIL BUTTER IS MELTED. STIR TOGETHER WITH WIRE WHISK UNTIL COMPLETELY MELTED. STIR IN POWDERED SUGAR BLEND WELL. MIX IN THE EGGS & YOLKS, STIR FLOUR AND MIX WELL.
• DIVIDE AMONG THE 4 CUSTARD CUPS AND PLACE ON BAKING SHEET.
• BAKE FOR 13 TO 14 MINUTES TILL SIDES ARE FIRM BUT CENTER IS SOFT. LET STAND FOR 5 MINUTES . RUN A SMALL KNIFE, IF NEED TO LOOSEN THE CAKE. INVERT CAKES INTO PLATE AND SERVE RIGHT AWAY WITH THE COOL WHIP TOPPING.

❤ clairebakescakes ❤

Feel like having chinese food tonight? - Recipe

I love chinese food but my thighs doesn't, LOL! They're quick and delicious but it could get quiet expensive if you buy them all the time. This recipe was given to me by my friend from HongKong and this is one of my fave chinese food.

We have a chinese restaurant maybe about a mile from where we live, but when it's super cold out and when you have 2 kids. It's not so worth it going out in the cold just to get a meal. No, They don't deliver. Thank goodness or I would be their number 1 costumer. LOL!

Ingredients:

• 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
• 2 tablespoons cornstarch
• 1/4 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/4 teaspoon baking powder

~~~~~

• 2 tablespoons low-sodium soy sauce
• 2 tablespoons water
• 1 teaspoon vegetable oil
• 1 dash sesame oil

~~~~~

• 1 pound skinless, boneless chicken breast meat - cubed OR strips

~~~~~

• 1 cup chicken broth
• 1/4 cup white sugar
• 2 tablespoons distilled white vinegar
• 2 tablespoons dark soy sauce
• 2 tablespoons sesame oil
• 1 clove garlic, minced
• 1 cup broccoli (optional)
  

~~~~~

• 1/4 cup cornstarch
• 1/2 cup water

~~~~~

• enough oil for frying
• 2 tablespoons toasted sesame seeds
• green scallion for garnish (optional)
  

Directions:

• Sift flour, cornstarch, baking soda, and baking powder into a bowl.
• Pour in low-sodium soy sauce, water, vegetable oil, and a dash of sesame oil; stir until smooth.
• Stir in chicken until coated with the batter, then cover, and refrigerate for 20 minutes.
• Meanwhile, bring chicken broth, sugar, vinegar, dark soy sauce, sesame oil, and garlic to a boil in a saucepan over high heat.
• Dissolve 1/4 cup cornstarch into 1/2 cup of water, and stir into boiling sauce. Simmer until the sauce thickens and turns clear, about 2 minutes.
• Reduce heat to low, and keep sauce warm.

• Heat oil in a deep fryer or large saucepan to a temperature of 375 F (190 C).

• Drop in the battered chicken pieces, a few at a time, and fry until they turn golden brown and float to the top of the oil, 3 to 4 minutes. Drain on a paper towel lined plate.
• To serve, place fried chicken pieces onto a serving platter, and pour the hot sauce overtop or you can mix them together.
• Sprinkle with toasted sesame seeds to garnish.

❤ clairebakescakes ❤

Ube Cupcake with Ube buttercream frosting - Recipe

In the Philippines, the purple ube variety of yam (Dioscorea alata, also known in India as ratalu or violet yam) is eaten as a sweetened dessert called halaya, and is also an ingredient in another Filipino dessert, halo halo.
I've never made this so it didn't turn out as I thought it would. At least I tried it and, yes, I will try it again. The buttercream on the other hand was super delish. It tasted like Ube, at least I thought so. LOL!

I'm posting the recipe just because, but I will keep tweaking it if I make it again. I want the cupcake to really taste like Ube. MAybe I have to put more Ube yam next time or use the grated ube.

Ingredients:

• 2 3/4 cups all purpose flour
• 1/2 cup cake flour (not self-rising)
• 1 tbsp. baking powder
• 1 tsp. salt
• 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, room temp.
• 2 1/4 cup sugar
• 1 1/2 tsp. vanilla extract or 1 1/2 pandan extract
• 3 large whole eggs, plus 1 egg white
• 1 cup milk
• 1 Jar (12 oz.) purple yam
• Purple coloring

Direction:

• Preheat oven to 350F. Line standard muffin tins with paper liners. Sift together flour, baking powder and salt.
• With an electric mixer or stand mixer, on medium high. Cream butter and sugar until fluffy. Add the extract and mix well. Add whole eggs and the white, one at a time, beating until each is incorporated, scraping down sides of bowl as needed. Reduce speed to low. Add flour mixture in two batches, alternating with the milk, and beating until well combined. Add purple yam and mix well.

(In my kitchen Aid, I have a BEATER BLADE, I got it for Christmas a few years ago and it's the best thing that ever. NO more stopping every time you add an ingredients. This thing scrapes the side of your bowl for you.)

• Divide batter evenly among lined cups, filling each three-quarters full. Bake, rotating tins halfway though, until golden and a cake tester inserted in center comes out clean. 15 to 20 minutes. Transfer tins to wire racks to cool 15 minutes, turn out cupcakes onto racks and let cool completely. Cupcakes can be stored up to 1 day at room temperature in airtight container.
• To finish, fill a pastry bag fitted with a large open star tip (Wilton 8B) with the buttercream frosting.

Ube Buttercream:

• 1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, room temp.
• 1 cup ube yam
• 1 tsp. pandan extract
• purple coloring
• 4 cups powdered sugar
• milk (You have to eyeball this, approx. 6-10 tbsp. milk)

Direction:

• Cream the butter well.
• Add the ube yam and pandan extract, mix well. Add the pandan extract, mix well.
• Add powdered sugar carefully or you will end up like me (see picture below).
• Slowly add 1 tbsp. of milk at a time until the consistency you want is achieved.
• Pipe on the cupcake and store or enjoy!

Bloopers??? Yes, I had a messy mess when it was time to make the frosting. LOL! I was going to turn it off but my finger slipped and it turned the mixer on instead.



❤ clairebakescakes ❤

Jello hot chocolate Recipe

Are you cold? I am :-( The weather kind of turn crazy here in just a day. It was so nice and spring like a couple of days ago and now the wind hasn't stopped at all. Worse of all the snow came too, bummer!

What do you do when it's cold out? Make a creamy hot coco. Not just any hot coco this one is made with pudding :-)

Ingredients:
6 CUPS OF COLD MILK
1 PKG. (4 SERVING SIZE) JELLO CHOCOLATE INSTANT PUDDING
WHIP CREAM FOR TOPPING

Directions:
- POUR MILK INTO A LARGE ENOUGH SAUCEPAN. ADD DRY PUDDING MIX, BEAT WITH WIRE WHISK FOR ABOUT A MINUTE.

- BRING JUST TO A SIMMER ON MEDIUM HEAT, STIRRING FREQUENTLY WITH WIRE WHISK (IF YOU DON'T THEN IT WON'T BE AS SMOOTH)

- POUR EVENLY ONTO 6 CUPS / MUGS. TOP WITH WHIP CREAM.


❤ clairebakescakes ❤

Apple Bread cake Recipe

Description:
I made this really yummy apple bread cake today and a lot of you wanted the recipe :-)
so I am sharing it with you and I hope you guys let me know how yours turns out :-)

This actually taste much better when eaten warm but it doesn't matter cold or warm, trust me this will be gone fast :-)

Ingredients:
A.
4 Tbsp. butter
1/4 Cup brown sugar
1/4 Cup regular sugar
1 Tsp. cinnamon


B.
3 Medium apple (sliced)

C.
1 Pkg. active dry yeast = to 2 1/4 teaspoon
3/4 cup warm water (105 to 115 degrees)

1/4 cup sugar
1 teaspoon salt
1 cup all purpose flour

D.
1 egg
1/4 cup butter
1 1/4 cups flour

Directions:
A. Melt the butter and pour on a oven proof baking dish (square works best). Mix brown sugar, regular sugar and cinnamon then sprinkle over the butter.

B. Lay the sliced apple neatly or whichever way you want to lay them.

C. Mix the yeast with the warm water and let it sit for 3 minutes.
Mix sugar, salt and flour on a medium bowl. Add the yeast mixture in and mix well until smooth and no more lumps.

D. Add the egg, butter and flour into the batter mixture and blend well until everything is smooth. (I used a whisk since I'm lazy like that sometimes, but I suggest you use a hand mixer or a stand up mixer).

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

* Pour batter on top of the apple mixture and smooth it out slowly or the apples will move around. Cover it with plastic wrap (make sure you spray it with oil so the batter won't stick) and cover with a towel and let rise until doubled in size, about an hour.

* Heat oven to 350*F

* Bake for 25-30 minutes or if you see the top turning brown. Immediately turn the cake onto a serving plate. Cool down for 10 minutes and serve with ice cream or whip cream. Let it sit and eat with coffee or tea.

❤ clairebakescakes ❤

Taco Pasta Mac Recipe

I USE 3 DIFFERENT TOMATO PRODUCTS IN THIS HEARTY RECIPE THAT YOU AND YOUR FAMILY WILL LOVE :-) IT'S A GREAT WAY TO WARM UP AND IT'S VERY FILLING FOR WINTER SEASON.

Ingredients:
1 Box (16 ounces) elbow macaroni
1 pound ground beef or ground turkey
3/4 cup chopped onion
1 can -14.5 oz. diced tomatoes, undrained
1 can -10 3/4 oz. condensed tomato soup, undiluted
1 can 8 oz. tomato sauce
1 envelope taco seasoning
Shredded cheddar cheese


Directions:
Cook macaroni according to package direction.
Meanwhile cook ground meat and onion in a large pot / pan until it's no longer pink and drain.
Stir in tomatoes, soup, tomato sauce, and taco seasoning. Bring to a boil; reduce heat and simmer uncovered for 8-10 minutes or until thickened.
Drain macaroni and stir into themeat mixture and heat through.
Sprinkle with cheese and serve.

❤ clairebakescakes ❤

Mocha choco cupcake with choco frosting Recipe

Description:
This extra rich and extra yummy cupcakes smells really good while baking and it's topped with a fluffy mocha frosting as well.

This is the cupcake recipe, although you can probably make a cake out of it. I've never tried it but I will


Ingredients:

• Cupcake Batter
• 1 1/2 cups all purpose flour
• 1 cup sugar
• 1/3 cup baking cocoa (I use hershey)
• 1 tsp. baking soda
  
• 1 tsp. salt
• 2 eggs
• 1/2 cup cold brewed coffee (strong coffee)
• 1/2 cup vegetable oil
• 3 tsp. cider vinegar
• 3 tsp. vanilla extract

MOCHA FROSTING

• 1/3 cup of Ghirardelli baking chocolate chips
• 1/3 cup of butter (stick), softened
• 2 cups confectioner sugar
• 3-5 tbsp. cold brewed coffee

Directions:

• In a large mixing bowl (you can use your mixer bowl), combine flour, sugar, cocoa, baking soda and salt.
• In a small bowl, whisk the eggs, coffee, oil, vinegar and vanilla. Add to dry ingredients, mix well.
• Fill paper lined muffin cups three-fourth full.
• Bake at 350*F degrees for about 20-25 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the middle comes out clean.
• Cool for 10 minutes before removing from pan to a wire rack to cool.
• FOR THE FROSTING, in a small microwaveable safe bowl melt the chips, about 1-2 minutes and stir until smooth. Cool 5 minutes. Make sure this is cooled down before doing the next step (butter mixture) or you will have melted butter.
• Place butter in a large bowl and stir in the cooled melted chips, beat until blended.
• Gradually beat in the confectioner sugar and coffee. Pipe frosting onto cupcakes how ever you like.

** STORE IN A TIGHT CONTAINER AND KEPT FOR 2 DAYS. THIS USUALLY DOESN'T LAST LONG AT THE HOUSE SO IT NEVER REALLY GET STORED. LOL!

❤ clairebakescakes ❤

Choco Peanut Butter Mallow Bars Recipe

Description:
You can make this delicious choco treats in advance. Just prepare as directed; cool completely. Wrap tightly; freeze up to 1 month. Thaw before cutting into bars.

Ingredients:
1 pkg. devil's food cake mix OR YOUR OWN HOMEMADE DEVIL'S FOOD CAKE
1/2 cup (1 stick) butter, melted
2/3 cup milk, divided
3/4 cup creamy peanut butter
1 jar Marshmallow Creme
1/2 cup Salted Peanuts
1 Cup Ghirardelli Baking chocolate chips OR ANY SEMI SWEET CHOCOLATE CHIPS OF YOUR CHOICE



Directions:
HEAT oven to 350°F. Mix dry cake mix**, butter and 1/3 cup milk until blended; press 2/3 onto bottom of 13x9-inch pan. Bake 12 to 14 min. or until center is almost set; cool 3 min. Meanwhile, mix peanut butter and remaining milk.
SPREAD peanut butter mixture onto crust; top with small spoonfuls of the marshmallow creme and remaining cake mixture. Sprinkle with nuts and chocolate; press gently into cake mixture.
BAKE 18 min. or just until center is set. Cool completely before cutting into bars.
** IF YOU HAVE THE HOME MADE JUST FOLLOW THE WAY YOU MAKE IT AND THEN FOLLOW THE BAKING PROCEDURE THEN CONTINUE.

❤ clairebakescakes ❤

Pinakbet with shrimp paste (Filipio Dish) Recipe

Description:
I like this dish only if there is no AMPALAYA (bittermelon). My mom was making it the other day but I didn't eat it since she put some AMPALAYA on it, grrrr!

Ingredients:

• 1 lb. pork with fats, cut in cubes
• 3 medium size eggplants
• 1 large ampalaya (bittermelon)
• 1 small bundle of batong (if you don't have batong then regular green beans can be used)
• 3 cups of squash
• 1 large onion
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1/2 cup of green or red peppers (or mix both)
• salted shrimp paste
• salt & pepper (if you prefer)

Directions:

• Make sure everyhing is cut up and ready to cook before you start. If you want the AMPALAYA to have a milder taste then wash it in cold water and add enough salt, then squeeze the excess water out.
• Sautee onion till it's transparent then add garlic
• Add pork and cook till it's brown and the fats look like it's starting to get crispy.
• Add batong and about 1/2 cup water, then cover; simmer for 5 minutes
• Add eggplant, squash and ampalaya and cover till tender.
• Add salted shrimp paste, taste and see if you want to add more or not. You can also add the salt and pepper if you prefer.
• Add the pepper and stir.
• Serve over hot rice and ENJOY!

• Sorry but this is the last picture I took, right before we added the shrimp paste, ampalaya and the pepper .

❤ clairebakescakes ❤

Choco choco cheesecake Recipe

Description:
Been having a choco craving for Christmas week but I am never a fan of something that is too sweet, so I figured cheesecake would take the craving away.

Even though I'm not a big fan of cheesecake I really like this one. It's not too sweet and it's very chocolate-eeee.

Ingredients:

• 20 Oreo Cookies, finely crushed (about 1-1/2 cups)
• 2 Tbsp. butter or margarine, melted
• 3 pkg. (8 oz. each) Cream Cheese, softened (I used Philadelphia)
• 3/4 cup sugar
• 1 tsp. vanilla
• 1 pkg. (8 squares) Baker's Semi-Sweet Chocolate, melted, cooled slightly
• 3 eggs

Directions:

• HEAT oven to 325°F. Press combined crumbs and butter onto bottom of 9-inch springform pan.
• BEAT cream cheese, sugar and vanilla with mixer until well blended. Add chocolate; mix well.
• ADD eggs, 1 at a time, mixing on low speed after each just until blended. Pour over crust.
• BAKE 55 min. to 1 hour or until center is almost set. Run knife around rim of pan to loosen cake; cool before removing rim. Refrigerate 4 hours.

Note:
If using a dark nonstick springform pan, reduce oven temperature to 300ºF.
Dust entire surface of cooled cheesecake with unsweetened cocoa powder using a wire mesh strainer, if desired (I used a powdered sugar).
You can also garnish the top with raspberries or strawberry. I used a raspberry filling / jam on the side coz my aunt is allergic to berries :-)

❤ clairebakescakes ❤

Andes Mint Cappuccino Cookies

Description:
This is a very yummy cookie and very minty although I'm not a big fan of mint cookies. Hope you all enjoy this recipe

Ingredients:

• 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter (softened) - Don't use margarine
• 1 cup brown sugar (firmly packed)
• 1 cup granulated sugar
• ¼ cup instant coffee
• 2 large eggs
• 1 tbs. sweetened condensed milk
• 1 tbs. milk
• 1 tsp. vanilla extract
• 3 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 tsp. baking soda
• ½ tsp. salt
• 1 bag (10 oz.) Andes Baking Chips

Directions:

• In a large mixing bowl combine butter, both sugars and instant coffee. Cream them together until they’re light and fluffy.
• Add eggs, condensed milk, milk and vanilla to the creamed mixture, one at a time.
• In a separate bowl sift together the flour, baking soda and salt. Mix the sifted ingredients into the creamed mixture and stir just until incorporated.
• Fold in the Andes Baking Chips.
• Refrigerate dough for 1 hour.
• Preheat oven to 375F degrees. Drop rounded teaspoonful amounts of chilled dough onto an ungreased baking sheet. Bake for 8-10 minutes, let cool on pan for about 1 minute then remove and place on a rack to cool completely.

**For best results, keep dough chilled until ready to spoon onto baking sheet.

❤ clairebakescakes ❤