Easiest cupcake glaze ever!

 

Over the weekend we celebrated my son's birthday with family, friends and red velvet cupcakes.  My hubby and I made them after founding a delicious recipe from browneyedbaker.com and we had our first attempt at decorating cupcakes.   We did not use the cream cheese frosting as the recipe suggests because my husband doesn't like anything with cheese on (even if its only in name).  Instead we used a Martha Stewart recipe for a super easy glaze.  I adjusted the suggested quantities a little, added red and yellow coloring (our theme was Mickey Mouse) and the cupcakes looked and tasted great. 

Ingredients:

-1/2 medium orange (squeeze juice)

-1 cup Confectioners sugar

-powder food coloring 

Mix the orange juice with the confectioners sugar until a paste is form.  If you want the glaze to be runny add more orange juice, if you prefer it to be thicker then add more sugar.  Once you are happy with the consistency, add the food coloring of your choice and apply onto cupcakes immediately.  (Cupcakes should be cold).

 

Healthier Carrot Cake with Chocolate Chips

So, this is my first post. I want to share my carrot cake recipe with you. For the past 9 months I have been perfecting my recipe as I have being baking carrot cakes once or twice a month. Initially I tried 3 different recipes, they were all good, but  I had an issue with the amount of sugar and oil all these recipes called for.  I am sure you can relate; I did not want to spend the time baking just to feel guilty when eating it. So I did some research, and came up with this carrot cake variation, hope you enjoy!

Healthier Carrot Cake with Chocolate Chips

Time: 1 hr and 15 minutes

Servings: 12 slices

Ingredients:

- 4 eggs

- 1 cup apple sauce

-1/4 cup vegetable oil

- 1 cup sugar

- 2 1/2 teaspoons of vanilla extract

- 2 cups flour

- 2 teaspoons baking powder

- 2 teaspoons baking soda

- 1/2 teaspoon salt

- 2 teaspoons cinnamon

- 1 lb fresh carrots

- 1/4 cup dark chocolate chips

Preheat oven to 350 F

Grease a 9"x13" pan with olive oil

Peel and grate the carrots, you will get approximately 3 cups.

In a large bowl beat the eggs, apple sauce, oil, sugar, and vanilla in low speed for 30 seconds, or until blended. Add flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt and cinnamon, blend again for 30 seconds. Add the grated carrots with a spatula. Slowly pour mix into pan. Add chocolate chips to the top of the mix.

Bake for approximately 45 minutes.