Kahlua Chocolate Mocha Cupcakes

That's a mouthful isn't it? But a very delicious one.

The cupcakes are really simple, just a basic chocolate cake recipe-- or a box, if you were in a bind like myself-- with a few tweaks. Instead of water, I substituted some room temperature coffee. I also added a splash, or two or three, of Kahlua!

The icing is a recipe from the Cake Mix Doctor. She calls for six Tablespoons of boiling water, but I also substituted coffee-- this time hot-- here too.

The icing was a bit too melty, perhaps from the gorgeous weather--finally!! I couldn't pipe it very well, but I think it looks just fine. I might go back and add a few chocolate twirls or sprinkles, just for fun!

Today is a friend's birthday, and these are for her party tomorrow! Also, notice the lovely Liberty of London for Target serving tray!!

I had been waiting for weeks for these to come out, and I am so glad I got this piece! I'm almost surprised at how quickly these have sold out, but seeing how cute they are explains it all.

Oh, the humaity! Chocolate Chip Cheesecake Cookie Cups

Image courtesy of Hostess with the Mostess
I thought that this link needed to be shared. No, it was begging me, literally. These Chocolate Chip Cheesecake Cookie Cups hail from the blog Hostess with the Mostess, and wouldn't any guests love you for these. I can't wait to try them out on some very grateful friends!

Wednesday needs...

A little bit of link love. Just to break up the mid-week slump. I'm definitely in the funk, so here's a few things that cheer me up:

• Snickerdoodle Duo cupcakes from Bakerella
• Embroidered book corner from Craftzine
• rubber stamping from Sweet Tidings
• paper dolls from Martha Stewart
• shortbread cookies from Make it Do
• easy screenprinting on Angry Chicken

The only baking supplier you'll ever need

courtesy of bakeitpretty.com

Bake it Pretty is literally the ONLY baking supplier a girl could possibly ever need. Sure, the grocery store is great for quick supplies, but baking with intention to cuteness is much better.

Bake it Pretty offers a wide selection of cupcake liners to suit everyone, and I, of course, just bought three. It also helps ease my conscience that these liners aren't much more expensive than the ones at the grocery store, but they offer SO much more personality.However, these liners go quick, so you have to be on your toes to catch them in stock!!

My, oh my, baking and pie

It has finally cooled down here, and I am really enjoying the weather... and the clothes... jackets and sweaters. Yum yum. And along with the great fall weather, baked goods galore!! Here are just a few recipes and an icing tutorial-- oh, joy!

• milk chocolate cookies-- yum, yum-- from Martha Stewart via Heart of Light
• delicious-looking popovers from angry chicken
• A tutorial for Magnolia Bakery's icing on Cupcakes take the Cake
• Pumpkin Pie Bites from Bakerella
• adorable pie tins from LollyChops
• and last but not least, recipes from the new book The Happy Baker:A Dater's Guide to Emotional Baking

Magpies in Knoxville offering ShakesCakes

Local favorite bakery Magpies is currently combining two of my favorite things for a very special day, cupcakes and Shakespeare!

To celebrate Shakespeare's birthday, which fell sometime in the spring (No one really knows, but he was baptized April 26), Magpies is offering ShakesCakes! All the proceeds from the treats go to benefit the Knox County Public Library-another of my favorites...

Cupcakes and Shakespeare... What could be better?? Check them out at Magpies Web site.