Salted {Caramel} Cupcakes

Okay, these might be my favorite cupcakes I have ever made. They are like nothing I have ever tasted before. I got the recipe from this blog, which is one of my favorite foodie blogs, for SURE. I've made them a few times and they are definitely a hit. 

INGREDIENTS:

// 1 1/4 C flour
// 3/4 t baking powder
//1/4 t sea salt
// 1/2 C firmly packed dark brown sugar
// 1/4 C granulated sugar
// 1/2 C unsalted butter  (room temp)
// 2 large eggs
//1 t vanilla
//1/2 C whole milk

DIRECTIONS:

I. Preheat oven to 350. Line a standard cupcake pan with liners.

II. In a bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder and salt. In another bowl, beat the sugars and butter using a mixer, until light and fluffy - aprox. 3 minutes. Add in eggs and vanilla until combined.

III. Add in the flour mixture in 3 batches, alternating with the milk in two additions. Beat on low speed until combined. Place mixture in cups and bake for 20 minutes; until a toothpick comes out clean.

[[here's the best part]]

::Salted Caramel Buttercream Frosting::

INGREDIENTS:

// 1 stick butter

// 3-4 C powdered sugar

// 1/2 C granulated sugar

// 1/2 C heavy cream

// sea salt

DIRECTIONS:

I. In a heavy bottomed saucepan, cook the granulated sugar, over medium high heat until it begins to melt. After it is melted and browned, pour the cream in, in a steady stream. Stir until completely smooth. Set aside to cool. [[here i amended the recipe and added 1/4 t vanilla to the caramel, because I think it gives it a better flavor; but its up to you]]

II. In a mixer, cream the butter until fluffy and smooth. Add the powdered sugar 1/2 C at a time, until it is the consistency you want. [[you may not need all 4 cups; i didn't]] Add a pinch of sea salt. Add the caramel in dollops. Gently swirl. Pipe onto cupcakes

III. I sprinkled a bit of sea salt onto the piped cupcakes and it gave it a more stark salty//sweet contrast. It was SO good. 

"For a day in your courts is better
   than a thousand elsewhere.
I would rather be a doorkeeper in the house of my God
   than dwell in the tents of wickedness."

|| Psalm 84:10 ||

[[ Glazed Lemon Cookies ]]

Growing up my favorite dessert was lemon bars. Something about the gooey, lemony, tangy-but-sweet flavor just made me fall in love. To this day I use lemons in e v e r y t h i n g; I drink it in water and put it on pretty much anything I cook. Its just so good!

A few days ago I made these glazed lemon cookies. I haven't really been able to bake in a while because i simply haven't had time I have SO many yummy things sitting in my "recipe queue" that are all ready to be cooked and eaten. 

INGREDIENTS:

cookies::

~ 2 C flour 

~1/2 t baking soda

~ 1/2 t salt

~ 1 T finely grated lemon zest

~ 2 T fresh lemon juice

~1/2 C butter; room temp

~ 1 C granulated sugar

~ 1 large egg

~ 1 t vanilla

lemon glaze::

~ 2 C powdered sugar

~ 2 T finely grated lemon zest

~ 1/3 C fresh lemon juice

DIRECTIONS:

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, baking soda, salt, and lemon zest. In a large bowl, using an electric mixer, beat butter and granulated sugar until light and fluffy. Add egg, vanilla, and lemon juice and beat until combined. With mixer on low, beat in flour mixture.

2.Drop dough by heaping tablespoons, 1 inch apart, onto two baking sheets. Bake until edges are golden, 15 to 20 minutes, rotating sheets halfway through. Let cool 2 minutes on sheets, then transfer cookies to a wire rack to cool completely. Spread cookies with lemon glaze and let set, about 1 hour.

3. For glaze:: whisk together all ingredients and glaze cookies

tips&&tricks;
          ~for recipes using citrus fruits they are usually much more flavorful after 24 hours of sitting; consider making them the day before and storing them in an air tight container.

time to [[ breathe ]]

Okay, so i haven't posted in a few weeks, because life has been c r a z y! But now that I am officially done with school I can post lots of recipes I've been waiting to share :)

Here is an overview of whats been going on since I last posted;

My prayer group had our first meeting. I am so blessed by these girls, and thankful the Lord has sovereignly brought us together :) 

Farewell Holland Family!

Rick Holland is the [now] former pastor of the collegiate group at my church. He was there for 14 years and was such an incredible teacher, pastor and shepherd. Its a weird change, because all my life he was the only college pastor I ever thought I would have. But I am so excited to now be under Austin Duncan!

.All.grown.uP.

my friend Katherine threw this awesome costume even where we could relive our childhood dreams. 

Love these sweet girls. [and boy!]

My sweet friend Katrina Herrera came HOME for summer leave.

I hadn't seen her since Christmas, and wont see her again until next Christmas, but i am so thankful that shes home. I went to pick her and her family up at the fly away :))

She introduced me to El Charros. It was pretty amazing.

My friend Emily graduated high school! I've known her since 3rd grade, so it was pretty sweet to see her cross the stage. //congrats Em.//

Katrina turned 19. were all grown up now!

Katrina, Natalie and I took some sweet convertible rides

A group of us went to Ojai for the day. 

The adventure included: fruit stands//art shows//pizza//daisy chains// and good conversations.

and we stayed for sunset!! It was absolutelt beautiful

(Pictures courtesy of Natalie Valdez and Franzine Elaine DeGuzman)

Last but not least [[Lizzie]] graduated high school last night!!!

Congrats friend :)

I love you!

So that is a bit of what has been going on the past few weeks, plus lots more sleepovers and coffee//lunch//dinner dates.

Here is a taste of whats to come ;)

Salted. Caramel. Cupcakes. 

XO

B