I’m house sitting for Shane’s parents over this long holiday weekend and have to say, it’s been quite a nice little vacation. I’ve been here since Wednesday actually, but Shane just joined me yesterday for the remainder of the weekend.
Things I’m loving:
Pretending to be a pet owner for a few days
A nearly empty beach on an early weekend morning
A newly-renovated kitchen (and of course I had to make a loaf of bread to test the “bread proof” function on the oven)
A line of boats gently rocking in the waves
Hydrangeas (seriously, we need to look into planting these at our house)
The smell of the ocean and the sound of the waves crashing on the rocks
Festive sprinkles on cupcakes!
You didn’t think I could let the weekend pass without sharing at least one treat, did you? 🙂
These are the famous one bowl cupcakes for two from Jessica over at How Sweet It Is. Even though I generally scale back cupcake recipes, I’ve never taken it quite this far. You can whip these up in less than 30 minutes, and best of all, no leftovers sitting around to test your willpower. You can find the recipe here on her blog. My only note is that the baking time for my cupcakes was closer to 15 minutes.
Though it certainly would have fit the red, white and blue theme of this holiday weekend to make a white frosting for the cupcakes, I’ve been itching to make this chocolate sour cream frosting forever so it won out over vanilla. I love the simplicity of this recipe, and for a serious chocolate lover, it’s definitely among the best frostings I’ve made. The chocolate flavor is intense – Shane really loved it. I may have been a bit heavy-handed with the huge dollop of frosting on my cupcake – the frosting is so rich I’d have preferred a little less. The consistency was perfect for piping, and would be equally suitable for use on a layer cake I think.
Hope you’re all enjoying your weekends too!
Chocolate Frosting
from Martha Stewart (via The Way the Cookie Crumbles)
14 oz bittersweet chocolate, chopped fine
9 oz cream cheese, at room temperature
9 tablespoons unsalted butter, at room temperature
3 cups (12 oz) confectioners’ sugar
6 tablespoons unsweetened Dutch-process cocoa powder
pinch of salt
1 cup plus 2 tablespoons sour cream
Place the chocolate in a microwave-safe bowl and heat in 30 second intervals at 50% power, stirring in between each interval, until the chocolate is completely melted and smooth. Set aside to cool.
In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, beat the cream cheese and butter on medium speed until pale and fluffy, about 3-4 minutes. Sift in half of the confectioners’ sugar, half of the cocoa powder and the salt. Beat until combined, then sift in the remaining confectioner’s sugar and cocoa powder, and beat until incorporated. Add the melted chocolate and then the sour cream, beating until the frosting is smooth and creamy.
When I moved into my house, there was a flower bed in the back with a few dead things. I LOVE hydrangeas and peonies. I knew I had to have both BUT I am cheap. I was in line behind a lady at Wal-Mart last summer who was talking about buying hydrangeas there that were almost dead and nursing them back to health. These plants had been marked down to $7 a piece. I figured, I could handle $7 a piece opposed to $20 a plant! I got three and nursed them all summer. This spring I was rewarded with BEAUTIFUL hydrangeas! I have already decided if I move, I am taking them with me.
I planted two peony “bulbs” this spring. I have high hopes for them, too.
That looks like a fantastic way to spend a holiday weekend! (both the cupcakes and the scenery)
What a beautiful, wonderful place to spend the wknd.
When we moved we also moved over 20 hydrangeas among other plants. I’ve since put in about 10 or so more. Love them to bits. Always wait until they go on sale then I scoop them up. This place is beautiful and the proof setting on the stove-omg! Great cupcake recipe, yours are so pretty. I’m still learning to frost them properly. It’s my downfall, I cannot pipe! Enjoy the rest of your weekend!
Cute kitty! I wish I saw your post earlier for the chocolate frosting. I made cupcakes and a different frosting today, and the frosting was only OK. The cupcakes were great, but there are now too many of them sitting around!
Their cat is so cute! I’ll have to try these cupcakes sometime, especially when I have extra frosting. Sometimes I want a treat but don’t want leftovers.
Looks like you are having a super time on holiday and glad you could squeeze in some time for baking. Nice looking cupcakes, thanks for sharing.
Lovely pictures all around. I miss the beach (and hydrangeas) – and I could definitely go for some of that chocolate frosting!
How fun to see all these photos…it’s like you took us with you. All these times you have gone here and I have always wondered what it was like on the water, etc., so thanks for the photos of it. Looks like fun! Your cupcakes look very festive and fun…a party on a plate.
No wonder you’re always wanting to house sit! I think Shane’s parents and I have the same ovens (love mine!).
Those cupcakes are adorable, and how perfect it makes just enough for two!
You weekend looks like it was super lovely! Also, awesome cupcakes. Mmm.
Looks like a wonderful place to spend a long weekend. Love the kitty. 🙂 Your chocolate frosting looks yummy. I’ve yet to find a chocolate frosting I really like (that I’ve made). This one looks like a winner. I think cream cheese never hurts a frosting!
What a beautiful place! I’d be testing out that bread-proof function, too. Enjoy your time there!
Those look so delicious; love the sprinkles!
That frosting looks like it’s absolutely to die for. Chocolate frosting on yellow cake is my favorite!
Gorgeous pics!
– Maggie
Even with chocolate frosting your cupcakes look perfectly festive for Independence Day! Thanks for sharing the lovely pictures of your beautiful long weekend.
Wow! Tell me again why we leave to go on vacation? Oh yeah, to escape the cats…AND so we don’t stare at projects needing to be done!
Great shots! Thanks for sharing your weekend (The cupcakes look awesome too!)