Savory Cupcakes...Tomato Basil "Cupcakes" with Garlic Herb Goat Cheese "Frosting"

Sometimes we need to change things up a bit, and to be honest I have been wanting to try my hand at savory cupcakes for at least a year now.  Yes you read that right...savory cupcakes.  So, last weekend I planned ahead and new it was finally going to be THE weekend.  I had all of the savory ingredients I needed to make two different types; the other one is a black pepper cornbread "cupcake" with peppered Mexican cheese "frosting" and crisp bacon pieces.  Well I woke up early Sunday morning ready to get these cupcakes started, before the busy day ahead.  I knew I would need to frost them right before serving because I really wanted to have the cake part be at room temperature, so I only worried about baking the cake in the morning.  I then got home from a hike and a bike ride (it really felt like spring Sunday) ready to get the frosting on these cupcakes so I could give one a try.  Well...

They turned out exactly as I wanted them to.  The cake has more of a muffin consistency, but the sun-dried tomatoes add a great sweet flavor, while adding texture too.  The basil really rounds out the flavor of the sun-dried tomatoes in the cake.  Then the creamy garlic herb goat cheese frosting makes this savory cupcake the sister of a delicious summer tomato sandwich.  These cupcakes would be delicious served along side a bowl of warm tomato soup or a crisp spring salad.  I think they will now be in the rotation to serve along side lunch when I have guests.  So, if you are a savory over sweet individual or just love the sun-dried tomato-basil-goat cheese combination give these a try.  Enjoy!

You know spring is on its was when you can go for a hike and its over 60 degrees outside.

Morning prep: Laying out all of the ingredients... 

Three words...Baked "Samoas" Donuts

I need to tell you a little story about these donuts.  I made them last Thursday to take to work, and like during donut December, I prepped the ingredients the night before, but this time I actually dreamt about making the donuts Wednesday night into Thursday morning.  Granted this is not the first time I have dreamt about baked good...normally though the dreams are more like nightmare, like somehow I frosted a cake and I wake up to find the frosting has some how completely slide of the cake or the cake has fallen in.  Seriously, I have woken up and had to go downstairs to check and make sure the cake, pie, cookies are still in one piece.  

The dream about these donuts though was less of a nightmare and more like reality.  In the dream, I woke, and then literally went step by step making them.  Then, I woke up from the dream and did exactly that.  These donuts literally turned out exactly as I dreamed they would too.  The donut is light and airy, while the caramel is rich and buttery.  The toasted coconut adds excellent crunch and the chocolate ties the entire donut together, truly making it a "samoa" donut.  I kind of think that girl scouts should be jealous they didn't get to try these...but that's just my opinion.  I definitely think you should give these a try...I myself will be making them this coming weekend for my mom!

Chocolate Caramel Raspberry Mousse Cake

Sometimes a challenge is good thing.  Pushing yourself to try something new or step out of your comfort zone can be completely and totally frightening while at the same time be totally exciting.  Yes, I am talking about baking here.  (I mean I also totally have on my mind that in less than two weeks I am supposed to be lacing up my running shoes and trying to run 26.2 miles with thousands of other people.)  First things first though was the challenge excepted with making this birthday cake.  I admit that I totally brought this on myself.  I picked the recipe from a list of four different options, all of which the birthday girl said she would be happy with.  This was the recipe she "thought I would throw in there anyhow..."  I saw it, and thought hey why not give it a try even though it could be an epic fail.  (It wasn't...but it had serious potential to be.)

This is the breakdown of this cake.

I followed this recipe to a "T," not wanting to modify anything in fear of totally messing this cake up.  Although it took a while to make, it was totally worth it.  If you don't have a day or long afternoon to make this cake; here is how I broke down my time over a day and half.

Monday night:  Bake layers of chocolate cake.  Once they have cooled, leave in their pans (only if you have parchment paper on the bottom) and wrap tightly with saran wrap and aluminum foil.

Tuesday morning:  Made raspberry filling and layered between the cake.  Made caramel mousse, poured over cake and let set.

Garlic Herb Flatbread..simple and delicious

This is that time of year when I start dreaming of the spring.  Of warm sunny shorts-wearing kind of days. But since those days are still a ways off, I decided to embrace the cold and make some flatbread and cauliflower soup.  Things that would warm me up inside and fill my belly while being comforting but not terrible for me.  Plus this flatbread is absolutely delicious!  Like seriously, I would finish a piece and wish I had packed another in my lunch.  

Oh and this soup is easy and super delicious.  I have Meghan to thank for sharing this recipe...although my blender broke in the process of making this so it is not mashed cauliflower and not pureed cauliflower.  Still tasted delicious though!  (Soup: caramelized cauliflower soup by Sprouted Kitchen) The soup and the flatbread go really well together too..somehow the flavors really compliment each other.  So, try one of these or both of them or try them together, simply enjoy!  Oh and Happy Tuesday!

Oh I totally got a great fortune this weekend...loving the sound of this one.

Let's finish off this month of health recipes with some Muesli - Cinnamon Raisin Muesli

Have you ever found encouragement from someone you don't even know?  Or in a book that was written, before you ever even thought you might be writing...well what could be called frequently.  In the past couple of weeks both have happened.  I ran across a new blog written by another 20-something female across the pond.  She makes me want to grab life by the horns and be fun.  I mean she seems to be way more out going than me and lives what seems a I will be fun no matter what life, but I get her.  (The Dalston Years) 

Then as I was diving into my new book "A Slice of Life" courtesy of the library book sale, when I found writing inspiration from a non-food writer.  The short story/article was about a writer who found solace in writing from a diner.  The noises and life were real life "white noise" and the "characters" of the diner overtime became characters in his writing.  He went on to say that there is an "unmistakable connection between cooking and writing - writing, like cooking, is a bringing together of elemental substances for transmutation over a hot flame." - Jay Parini

My questions to you then are, where do you find inspiration to live a fuller life?  To really enjoy everyday.  Is it on the quotes page on Pinterest? Through a blog that you can completely relate too? And, where do you find inspiration for your work?  Whether it is the work you do for fun in your spare time or even the work that pays the bills?   I guess no matter where it comes from, use it and enjoy everyday!

P.S. I can't wait to read the chapter In Memory's Kitchen

Seriously addictive Sweet Potato Cranberry Pecan Cookies

So, I have been thinking a lot lately about the future...mainly because I am full steam ahead planning for it now that I am engaged.  With my fiancé coming back from Scotland in little over a month we have started planning...planning the wedding, finding a new apartment, planning the next year, the next 5 years, 10 years, etc.  I think this kind of just comes with being in your 20's.  20-somethings, me included, are trying to truly define ourselves for the future.  What are our dreams and aspirations?  What do we want to do in 5 years or even 10 years and how is what we are doing right now, this very second going to get us there.  Admission I still love some CW TV, only a few shows, but admittedly I still watch 90210...and last nights' episode was all about this.  About trying to figure out what you want to do in life and not just sitting around and waiting for life to happen.  I mean I can totally get behind this.  

I don't write this to scare anyone off...I mean come on this is a baking blog.  I write, or well type this more as a way to encourage you to find that thing that you love.  Whether it is biking, cooking, crafting, taking pictures, whatever it is we kind of all need something in our lives that makes us just a little happy...even if only for an hour or so.  For me it is baking.  It is that thing that gets me out of bed early on a Saturday, when I could be sleeping in, so that I can catch the morning light that comes into my kitchen.  

(From Old Town Alexandria to Capitol Hill last Sunday was time for a long run.)

Running and clearing my head even when I am dreading the first mile out of 20 is another one the things I enjoy...not that I plan on making a future of it.  So, (and this is my favorite question to ask someone coming out of college in a job interview.) what is your dream job? It's that question adults ask little kids...what do you want to be when you grow up?