Cookie Dough Cupcakes

These turned out perfect!! They are amazing with the cupcake baked but the cookie dough doughy! The dough does not have eggs so the fact that it is uncooked is okay!

For the cookie dough:

The dough recipe I got from this terrific site where I first saw these creations. It is simple and should be made at least an hour beforehand as you scoop the dough and freeze before baking. * special note here is that next time I would half the recipe as I had enough dough to make 48 cupcakes at least (remaining dough is in the freezer)!!

Recipe
2 sticks softened butter
3/4 cup sugar
3/4 cup brown sugar
4 tbsp milk
1 tbsp vanilla
2 1/2 cups all purpose flour
1/4 tsp. salt
1 cup mini chocolate chips - I used 12 oz (one bag) regular and they came out fine :)

Directions:
Combine the butter and sugars in a mixing bowl and cream on medium-high speed until light and fluffy, about 2 mins. Beat in milk and vanilla until incorporated and smooth. Beat in the flour and salt until just combined. Stir in the chocolate chips. Using a 1.5 tbsp scoop, shape the dough into balls or tubes. Freeze on a parchment lined baking sheet overnight.

For the cupcakes:

For the cupcakes you can use any white or vanilla recipe you like, if you have a favorite. It is not the important part so you could even use a box. I used the one I love from the Better Homes & Gardens Cook Book from the early fifties with my grandmother and mother's writings everywhere

Recipe:
1/4 cup butter
1/4 cup shortening
1 cup sugar
1/2 tsp vanilla
1/4 tsp almond extract
2 cups sifted flour
3 tsp baking powder
1/4 tsp salt
3/4 cup of milk
6 egg whites or 3 eggs
1/4 cup sugar

Directions:
Cream butter and shortening. Add 1 cup sugar and cream together. Add vanilla and almond. Sigt flower, baking powder and salt together; add to creamed mixture alternately with milk. Beat till smooth. Beat egg whites until foamy and gradually add remaining sugar until soft peaks form. Fold mixture into batter. Fill cups about 1/2 way full and put one frozen cookie dough scoop per cupcake. Bake 15-20 minutes for cupcakes

Icing

The recipe called for a buttercream frosting, I used regular chocolate frosting and I think they turned out perfect. Once again this can be store bought but if you want to go all out here is a great chocolate frosting recipe I love!!

Recipe
1 1/2 cup powdered sugar
2 tbs hot water
3-4 oz chocolate, melted
1 egg slightly beaten
4 tbs softened butter

Directions:
Blend sugar and hot water into chocolate slowly. Beat egg into chocolate. Beat in butter one tbs at a time. Place bowl in pan of ice water and beat until consistency desired.


Pictures will soon follow! I can not find the cord from the camera to the computer (ugh). Happy

12 Things Happy People Do Differently

http://www.marcandangel.com/2011/08/30/12-things-happy-people-do-differently/

This article is perfect! Thank you to my friend Paula who is such a happy, positive person in everyone's life she meets!!

Blue Pig Pens

I have been waiting for a while to post the christmas gifts I was most proud of this year! We are lucky to be friends with the owner and craftsman of Blue Pig Pens. He creates heirloom-quality made-to-order pens, pencils, letter openers, backscratchers, wine bottle stoppers and specialty items from wood, acrylics, antlers and more. He is in narcotics at APD and Marco has gotten to know him really well over the last couple years. Last summer we had him make a pen for my dad's 60th birthday. He asked us a few questions about him (he's a preacher for example) and made him a pen from wood taken from elm trees in Bethlehem. My dad absolutely loved it. This christmas I got together with him and brainstormed for my husband and father in law. For my husband he made this custom mesquite cigar ashtray for Marco. For my father in law he made a bullet pen. The top and bottom are made from a real bullet and for the middle we chose antler to represent his hometown of Alpine in west Texas. He got it last week (finally!) and loved it!! My favorite joy from Christmas is always finding those few gifts you know are absolutely perfect for the people you love :)

First Recipe! Artichoke Green Chili Dip

By request of a co-worker, Stephanie, my first recipe to share is the Artichoke Green Chili Dip I absolutely love!!

1 brick of pepperjack cheese
1 small jar of marinated artichoke hearts (chopped)
2/3 small can of diced mild-medium green chilies
1 package of cream cheese
4-6 tbs hellmann's real mayonnaise

chop or grate the cheese and melt in the microwave with the cream cheese. add all other ingredients until smooth and creamy and eat with crackers or chips or pita chips!
Takes approximately 10 minutes to prepare and is terrific for potlucks or parties. Enjoy!!

2012 - Season of Change

2012 is the year of change for so many of my friends and family! Babies being born, jobs changing, moves, and travels are just the beginning!
In the spirit of change as the positive, exciting venture that I know it will be for many loved ones I decided to finally start the blog I have had the url for now nearly a year. The way my best friend has used her blog to keep in touch and communicate her new journey inspired me! This blog will be dedicated to the amazing experiences of myself, family and friends. It will be dedicated to the joie de vivre in every way from adventures in life and places to those in the kitchen and classroom. :) I sincerely hope it serves as an exciting and blissful way to appreciate all the wonderful undertakings 2012 has in store for us all!!