Blondies

Blend together (you can warm these up a bit to help with blending, but make sure not hot before adding eggs):

2 C. Brown Sugar

2/3 C. Butter

Add to Brown Sugar & Butter:

2 Eggs

2 t. Vanilla

2 C. flour

1 t. baking powder

1/4 t. baking soda

6 oz. SemiSweet Choc. Chips

(1 C. chopped nuts, optional)

Cook in 9x13 greased pan

Bake at 350 deg. for 25-30 min (should be golden brown on top)

Grandmom's best easy bake cheesecake

1 ready crust graham cracker pie crust
1 (8 oz.) pkg. cream cheese, softened
1/2 c. sugar
1 tbsp. lemon juice
1/2 tsp. vanilla
Dash of salt
2 eggs
1 c. sour cream
2 tbsp. sugar
1/2 tsp. vanilla

In medium bowl, beat cream cheese until light and fluffy. Gradually blend in sugar, lemon juice, vanilla, and salt. Add eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition. Place crust on baking sheet and pour in filling. Bake on baking sheet in preheated 325 degree oven for 25-30 minutes or until knife inserted one inch from edge comes out clean.To prepare topping combine remaining ingredients. Spread over top of cheesecake. Bake 10 minutes longer. Cool on wire rack. Chill at least 3 hours

Parmesan Tortellini Bites

• 1/2 cup vegetable oil
• 1 (9 ounce) package refrigerated three cheese tortellini
• Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
• 1 cup Panko*
• 1/4 cup freshly grated Parmesan
• 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
• 2 large eggs, beaten
• 1/2 cup marinara sauce

In a large pot of boiling salted water, cook tortellini according to package instructions; drain well.

Heat vegetable oil in a large skillet over medium high heat.

Season chicken with salt and pepper, to taste.

Working in batches, dredge tortellini in flour, dip into eggs, then dredge in Panko mixture, pressing to coat.

Add tortellini to the skillet, 8 or 10 at a time, and cook until evenly golden and crispy, about 1-2 minutes. Transfer to a paper towel-lined plate.

Serve immediately with marinara sauce, garnished with additional Parmesan, if desired

candy corn cookies

I can't use her recipe without permission, and I'm too lazy for that.  So instead, here is the link to the Pinterest page. candy corn cookie

3 Ingredient Peanut Butter Cookies

(Adapted from allrecipes.com)

Ingredients:

* 1 cup peanut butter * 1 cup white sugar * 1 egg

Directions:

Combine peanut butter, sugar, and egg well in a mixing bowl. Drop tablespoon sized balls of dough on a cookie sheet. Smash down with a fork until more flat than round. Bake at 350 degrees for about 10-12 minutes. Be careful not to burn. They should be slightly brown on the bottom and soft. Makes about 14 cookies.

Pavlova with Lemon Curd Pudding and Berries-Elysianna Ashcraft

 Low Carb Lemon Chiffon

Ingredients
3 eggs, separated
3 oz Splenda, Stevia, etc
juice of 1 lemon
grated rind of ¹/₂ lemon
Beat the egg yolks and Splenda together until creamy, then gradually add the lemon juice and rind. Heat gently in a thick-based pan or the top of a double boiler, stirring all the time, until the mixture thickens - do not overheat or it will curdle.
Allow to cool. Whisk the egg whites stiffly and fold into the lemon cream mixture. Pile into individual glasses and chill before serving. Eat the same day.
Instead of adding egg whites, I added heavy whipped cream, whipped with 1/3 c powdered sugar. It helped a lot with the bitter aftertaste of the Stevia.

MERINGUE NESTS:

 1 teaspoon vanilla extract OR 1 vanilla bean (seeds only)
juice of half a lemon
1/2 teaspoon cream of tartar
1 1/2 tablespoons cornstarch
1 1/4 cups sugar
6 ounces egg white, about 5-6 large eggs

I did 1 cup sugar and 1/4 cup Stevia, to cut down a little on the carbs. :)

Divide the egg whites from the yolks. Save the yolks for a later use, such as Citrus Curd or another favorite recipe that requires egg yolks. Bring the egg whites to room temperature for 30 minutes before beginning the recipe.
Prepare by preheating your oven to 250 degrees F and lining a large baking sheet with parchment paper. Set aside. Whisk the cornstarch and sugar together in a small bowl. Set aside.
Add the egg whites and cream of tartar to the bowl of a stand mixer. Using the whisk attachment, turn the speed on to low. Mix for 1 minute, then gradually increase the speed to medium-low.
Continue to beat at medium-low for another minute, then increase mixer's speed to medium. Continue until the mixture has small bubbles and soft peaks start to develop, about 2 minutes.
Slowly add the sugar mixture into the bowl as the mixture continues to beat. Increase the speed to medium-high. Beat for 2 minutes.
Add the vanilla and lemon juice. Increase the speed to high and beat for an additional 2-3 minutes. It is ready when the meringue is shiny and has developed stiff peaks.
For individual pavlovas, you can spoon little nests (6-8 total) of meringue onto the prepared baking sheet. Then, bake at 250 degrees F for 45 – 65 minutes. Rotate the pan(s) halfway through baking.
Finished meringue should be crisp and dry, but not cracked. The insides will have a marshmallow-like consistency. Cool baked meringue on a wire rack.
Tip: Form a dip in the center of each pavlova with the back of the spoon before baking to act as a dish to hold the lemon curd and berries.
After pavlova has cooled, top with lemon curd and fresh berries. Best served immediately. If you assemble the dessert too soon then the lemon curd with begin to dissolve the meringue.

Basbousa Semolina Cake

Basbousa Semolina Cake with Lime Syrup and Lime Curd

Basbousa cake is a not-too-sweet semolina confection soaked in lime syrup, often hawked on the streets of Egypt. Cut in rounds, this version is topped with lime curd, whipped cream, and berries.
Recipe created by Susan Feniger

Recipe created by Susan Fenige

Servings: Serves 8

Ingredients

• 1 cup sugar
• 1/2 cup lime juice (3 limes)
• 8 Tbsp. (1 stick) butter , melted
• 2 eggs

• 1 cup and 2 Tbsp. sugar
• 6 Tbsp. lime juice (2 to 3 limes)

• 1 1/4 cups buttermilk
• 12 Tbsp. (1 1/2 sticks) butter , melted
• 1 Tbsp. lime zest
• 1 1/2 tsp. vanilla extract
• 2 cups semolina semolina flour
• 3/4 cup sugar
• 1 Tbsp. baking powder
• 1 1/2 tsp. baking soda
• 1/4 tsp. salt
• Whipped cream , for garnish
• Fresh Fresh berries , for garnish

Directions

Note: The lime curd and lime syrup can both be made ahead and refrigerated.

To make lime curd: Fill a medium pot with 1 1/2 inches water; bring to a simmer. In a medium, heatproof bowl, whisk together sugar, lime juice, butter, and eggs for 1 minute. Arrange bowl over simmering water and stir mixture constantly until thick, 8 to 10 minutes; let cool 20 minutes; cover and refrigerate.

To make lime syrup: Combine 2 cups water, sugar, and lime juice in a small saucepan and bring to a boil. Reduce heat to medium-low and cook gently until reduced to approximately 2 cups syrup, about 20 minutes; set aside.

To make cake: Preheat oven to 350°. Spray a 9" square cake pan with cooking spray; set aside. Whisk together buttermilk, butter, lime zest, and vanilla in a large bowl. In a second large bowl, stir together semolina flour, sugar, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. Add buttermilk mixture to flour mixture and stir until combined. Transfer to prepared pan and smooth the batter. Bake until golden brown, 30 to 35 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the middle comes out clean. While cake is hot, pour lime syrup evenly over surface.

Serve cake warm or at room temperature, topped with spoonfuls of lime curd, berries, and whipped cream.

Lemon Meringue Dip with 7-UP Dippers

Lemon Meringue Dip

Cook time: 5 Min  Prep time: 10 Min  Serves: 12-18 servings

Ingredients

14 oz can sweetened condensed milk (not evaporated)

3 large eggs, separated

1/2 c fresh lemon juice

3 Tbsp corn syrup, light

a pinch cream of tartar

Directions

1. Whisk egg yolks and juice over medium heat in small saucepan, heat and stir until custard like, about 5 minutes. Place this mixture in the refrigerator to chill.

2. In a mixer bowl whisk egg whites, corn syrup, and cream of tartar on high until stiff peak form. set aside.

3. Remove yolk mixture from fridge and whisk in the sweetened condensed milk. Blend well. Pour into a 9x13 inch baking dish (suitable for serving at buffet table). Heap and spread meringue on top of lemon sauce. Place in oven and broil 1 to 2 minutes until meringue is slightly browned. Refrigerate to chill. Make sure dish can go from hot to cold, so it does not break.Corning or pyrex is fine, or metal. Serve with 7-UP Pie Crust Dippers

- UP Pie Crust Dippers

Cook time: 5 Min  Prep time: 10 Min  Serves: amount depends on size of cutters

Ingredients

1 1/2 c all purpose flour-exact measure

1/2 Tbsp salt

1/2 c crisco- regular or butter flavor-exact measure

5 Tbsp ice cold 7-up or other soda pop

Directions

1. Stir together flour and salt. Cut in shortening until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs. Do not over work pastry.

2. Add the ice cold soda pop gradually to the flour mixture, then blend together until moist. Place pastry in plastic wrap, flatten slightly. Chill 30 minutes.

3. Remove from fridge and roll out like making pie crust on a flour dusted surface or between 2 pieces of waxed paper (i do it this way) to about 1/8 inch thickness. Using your favorite small cookie cutter or just cut into circles or strips 4 x 1 inch.

4. Place on parchment covered cookie sheet brush with melted butter and sprinkle with granulated sugar and bake for bout 5 minutes or until golden. Cool completely before using so that they are crisp. These work great for appetizers too!

Mine took longer than 5 minutes to bake, but I think I didn't roll them thin enough.

Fried Rice

Ingredients
1/3 cup vegetable oil
1/3 pound ham, diced, or about 2 cups cooked, cubed or shredded meat
1 onion, diced
Salt and pepper
1 Tablespoon of minced garlic
3 whole scallions, thinly sliced on the bias, white and green separated
1 1/3 cups (6 ounces) medley frozen corn, peas, carrots
4 large eggs, lightly beaten
4 cups cold cooked long-grain rice 

Directions
Heat a large heavy-bottomed nonstick skillet over high heat. When hot add 1 tablespoon of the oil. Add the ham and cook stirring occasionally until lightly browned. Add the onions to the pan, season with salt and pepper, and cook for 1 to 2 minutes until onion is fragrant. Add the garlic and scallion whites and stir-fry until fragrant, about 30 seconds. Add the frozen vegetables. Cook until just defrosted but still crisp. Transfer contents of the skillet to a large bowl.
Return the pan to the heat and add 2 more tablespoons of oil. Add the eggs and season with salt and pepper. Stir the eggs constantly and cook until almost set but still moist, then transfer egg to the bowl. Break the eggs up with a wooden spoon or spatula.
Return the pan to the heat and add the remaining oil. Add the rice to the pan and use a spoon to break up any clumps. Season with salt and pepper and stir-fry the rice to coat evenly with oil. Stop stirring, and then let the rice cook undisturbed until its gets slightly crispy, about 2 minutes. Stir the rice again, breaking up any new clumps. Add the scallion greens. Transfer to the bowl. Stir all the ingredients together with the rice, taste and adjust the seasoning with salt and pepper, if necessary. Serve.

Candy Cane Kiss Cookies

1 1/2 cups powdered sugar
1 1/4 cups butter, room temperature
1 tsp peppermint extract (optional)
1 tsp vanilla extract
1 large egg
3 cups all-purpose flour
1 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp salt
1/2 cup finely chopped Candy Cane flavored Hershey’s Kisses
Granulated Sugar
About 30 unwrapped Candy Cane Kisses

1. Preheat oven to 350°F. Make room in either refrigerator or freezer for your cookie sheet.

2. In large mixer bowl, combine powdered sugar, butter, extracts and egg. Beat at medium speed, scraping bowl often until creamy (2-3 minutes). In a separate bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder and salt. Add to wet mixture and beat, scraping bowl often until well blended (1-2 minutes). The mixture will be a bit crumbly. Stir in chopped Kisses.

3. Shape dough into ¾-inch to 1-inch balls; roll in granulated sugar. Place 1-inch apart on cookie sheet. Bake for 10-12 minutes or until set. As soon as they come out of the oven, press a Candy Cane Kiss in the center of each cookie. They’ll crack a little around the edges, so just use your fingers to hold the cookie together while you set the kiss inside. Put cookie sheet (with cookies) immediately into the freezer (preferred) or refrigerator, so that the Kisses will set quickly. As soon as you press them into the cookie, they will begin to soften… so if you can get them into the freezer then they will keep their Kiss shape.

4. Store in a covered container- at room temperature for up to a week. In the freezer they should be  good for a couple of weeks.

Walnut Bread (Cozonac cu Nuca)

Prep Time: 3 hours
Cook Time: 35 minutes
Yield: 3 loaves

60 grams fresh yeast
250 grams chopped walnuts or pecans
1 kilogram all purpose flour
300 grams white sugar
5 eggs
500 milliliters milk
250 grams butter melted
2 teaspoon vanilla extract
2 tablespoons cocoa powder
1/2 cup raisins
1/4 cup vegetable oil
zest from one lemon

Instructions:
In a sauce pan add the sugar, milk, butter and lemon zest then warm it up. Do not boil it, it just needs to be hot.

Meanwhile, take the yeast and mix it with 2 tbsp of warm milk, 2 tbsp of sugar and 1 tbsp of flour and mix it well. Let it rest, if the yeast is fresh you will see the mixture rise. Leave it for about ten minutes. In a big bowl add the flour and if you're using vanilla powder add it to the flour otherwise add it to the milk mixture. Add 5 egg yolks (the whites will be used for the pecan cream) to the milk mixture and mix well. Next I usually use my kitchen aid mixer with the dough or paddle attachment. Add the flour to the bowl of the mixer, the milk mixture and the yeast mixture as well. Mix well for a few minutes. In the old days you'd have to knead this by hand for at least half hour. The more it mixes the fluffier the dough will be. Add the raisins and mix well.

Let the dough rise for an hour or two until it doubles in size.

In the meantime, in a food processor add the pecans or walnuts, add 5 more tablespoons of sugar and the 2 tablespoons of cocoa powder and mix. In the mixer put the egg whites and mix until stiff then add the pecan mixture and mix. Put this mixture in the fridge.

After the dough has risen, divide it in 3 pieces. On a big surface where you can work the dough, oil the surface, we will not use flour here, oil or butter works better. Take one piece and roll it out and then add a third of the pecan mixture to the dough and roll it out. Put each roll in a buttered bread pan and let rise again until doubled in size. Next make an egg wash and wash each bread with egg then sprinkle some sugar over each loaf.

Bake at 350 degrees for about 35-45 minutes. Let cool completely before cutting into this.

Basic Sweet Dough

Makes enough dough to make 12 buns or rolls
Prep time: 10 minutes
Total Time: 2 hours 30 minutes

¾ cup buttermilk, warm
6 Tablespoons unsalted butter, melted and cooled until warm
3 large eggs, lightly beaten
4¼ cups all-purpose flour
¼ cup sugar
1 envelope (2 ¼ teaspoons) instant or rapid-rise yeast
1¼ teaspoons salt

1. Whisk the buttermilk, butter, and eggs together in a large liquid measuring cup. Mix 4 cups of the flour, sugar, yeast, and salt in a standing mixer fitted with a dough hook. With the mixer on low speed, add the buttermilk mixture and mix until the dough comes together, about 1 minute.

2. Increase the speed to medium-low and knead until the dough is smooth and elastic, about 10 minutes. (if, after 5 minutes, more, flour is needed, add the remaining ¼ cup flour, 1 tablespoon at a time, until the dough clears the side of the bowl but sticks to the bottom.

3. Turn the dough out onto a clean counter and knead by hand to form a smooth, round ball, about 1 minute. Place the dough in a lightly oiled bowl and wrap tightly in plastic wrap. Let rise in a warm place until doubled in size, 2 to 2½ hours.

Chicken Tamale Casserole

 
Cooking Spray
2 1/4 Cup – Pre-shredded 4 Cheese Mexican Blend Cheese, Divided
1/3 Cup - Milk
1 - Large Egg
1 Teaspoon - Ground Cumin
1 (14.75 Ounce) Can - Cream Style Corn
1 (8.5 Ounce) Box - Corn Muffin Mix (I Used Jiffy)
1 (4 Ounce) Can - Chopped Green Chiles
1 (10 Ounce ) Can - Red Enchilada Sauce-I Used Mild
2 -3 Cups - Shredded, Cooked Chicken
1/4 Cup - Green Onions, Thinly Sliced
Instructions:
Preheat oven to 400°.  Spray a 13 x 9 inch baking dish with nonstick cooking spray.
Combine 1/4 cup cheese and next 6 ingredients (through chilies) in a large bowl, stirring just until moist. Pour mixture into prepared baking dish.
Bake at 400° for 15 minutes or until set. Pierce entire surface liberally with a fork; pour enchilada sauce over top. Top with chicken; sprinkle with remaining 2 cups cheese. Bake at 400° for 15 minutes or until cheese melts. Remove from oven; let stand 5 minutes. Top casserole with green onions and cut into serving pieces;
read more:  http://www.gonnawantseconds.com/2013/02/chicken-tamale-casserole/

Orange-Nut Muffins

• Yield: 12 muffins
• Prep 15 minutes
• Bake 18 minutes

ingredients

• 1 2/3 cups all-purpose flour
• 1/2 cup granulated sugar
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/8 teaspoon baking powder
• 1/8 teaspoon salt
• 1 beaten egg
• 1/2 cup buttermilk or sour milk*
• 1/3 cup frozen orange juice concentrate, thawed
• 1/3 cup butter, melted and cooled
• 1/3 cup chopped walnuts
• 1/2 cup sifted powdered sugar
• 1/2 teaspoon finely shredded orange peel (optional)
• Orange juice

directions

1. In a large bowl, combine flour, granulated sugar, baking soda, baking powder, and salt. Make a well in the center of flour mixture.
2. In medium bowl, combine egg, buttermilk, orange juice concentrate, and melted butter; add all at once to flour mixture. Stir just until moistened (batter should be lumpy). Fold in walnuts.
3. Line twelve 2-1/2-inch muffin cups with paper bake cups. Fill the cups 3/4 full with batter. Bake in a 400 degree F oven for 18 to 20 minutes or until muffins are golden. Remove the muffins from the pans.
4. In a small bowl, combine powdered sugar, orange peel, and enough orange juice (2 to 3 teaspoons) to make a drizzling consistency. Drizzle over warm muffins. Makes 12 muffins.

note

• * To make 1/2 cup sour milk, place 1-1/2 teaspoons lemon juice or vinegar in a glass measuring cup. Add enough milk to make 1/2 cup liquid; stir. Let the mixture stand for 5 minutes before using it in a recipe.

South-of-the-Border Quiche

12 Servings   Prep: 20 min. Bake: 35 min. + standing

Ingredients

• 2 unbaked pastry shells (9 inches)
• 2 teaspoons chili powder
• 1 teaspoon ground cumin
• 1-1/2 cups (6 ounces) shredded cheddar cheese
• 1-1/2 cups (6 ounces) shredded Monterey Jack cheese
• 1 cup (4 ounces) shredded sharp cheddar cheese
• 8 eggs, lightly beaten
• 2 cups half-and-half cream
• 2 cans (4 ounces each) chopped green chilies
• 2 cans (2-1/4 ounces each) sliced ripe olives, drained
• 1/4 cup chopped green onions
• 2 tablespoons minced fresh cilantro
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon pepper
• Salsa and sour cream, optional

Directions

• Line unpricked pastry shells with a double thickness of heavy-duty
• foil. Bake at 400° for 5 minutes. Remove foil; bake 5 minutes
• longer.

• Sprinkle chili powder and cumin over shells; sprinkle with cheeses.
• In a large bowl, whisk the eggs, cream, chilies, olives, onions,
• cilantro, salt and pepper. Pour evenly over cheese.
• Cover and freeze one quiche for up to 3 months. Cover edges of
• remaining quiche loosely with foil; place on a baking sheet. Bake at
• 400° for 35-40 minutes or until a knife inserted near the center
• comes out clean. Let stand for 10 minutes before cutting. Serve with
• salsa and sour cream if desired.

• To use frozen quiche: Remove from the freezer 30 minutes before
• baking (do not thaw). Cover edges of crust loosely with foil; place
• on a baking sheet. Bake at 400° for 55-60 minutes or until a
• knife inserted near the center comes out clean. Let stand for 10
• minutes before cutting. Yield: 2 quiches (6 servings each).

Honey Cloud Pancakes

To make a single serving pancake you will need:
1 large egg and 1 egg white
1/4 cup of warmed milk
1/4 cup of flour (plain will do, I used 00, or you can use GF)
1 pinch of salt
2 teaspoons of honey
1 dash of vanilla extract
1 tablespoon of butter
Soft fruits
Honey
How to make them:

Heat the oven to 200°C (which I gather is around 392°F)
Heat a small 6″ oven proof frying pan
In one bowl whisk one egg white until it is white and peaky
To make the main batter, in another bowl, mix the the other whole egg with flour, salt, honey, and vanilla then whisk in the warm milk
Gently fold the egg white into the batter with a metal spoon
Melt one tablespoon of butter in the hot pan
Pour the batter in and cook on the hob (stove top) for a few minutes until starting to set at the very edge
Sprinkle some fruit on top
Bake the whole lot in the hot oven for 7 minutes until puffed up and golden
Drizzle with honey

 

Double it all up and use a full size pan if you want to share.

Blueberry White Chocolate Buttermilk Scones

yields 8 scones
adapted from Raspberry White Chocolate Scones
1 3/4 cup all purpose flour
1 1/4 teaspoon baking powder
2 tablespoons sugar
1/2 teaspoon Kosher salt
1/2 cup white chocolate chips
1/2 cup frozen wild blueberries
1/4 cup cold unsalted butter, plus 1 tablespoon reserved
2 large eggs
1/3 cup buttermilk
coarse sugar
Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper and then set side.
In a large bowl, sift together the flour, baking powder, sugar and salt (a wire whisk is great for this). Using a pastry cutter or two knives, cut the 1/4 cup of cold butter into the flour mixture until it looks like coarse crumbs. Fold in the white chocolate chips and blueberries.
In a small bowl, whisk together the eggs and buttermilk until well-combined. Make a well in the center of the dry ingredients and pour in the egg mixture. Stir gently from the inside  out until the dry ingredients are all moistened. The dough will be crumbly.
Turn out the dough onto a floured board and with floured hands, pat into a 3/4-inch thick circle. Using a pizza wheel, cut into eight triangles. Carefully move from the cutting board to the prepared baking sheet. I use an offset spatula, which is perfect for it.
Melt the remaining tablespoon of butter and brush the tops of the scones with it. Sprinkle with coarse sugar.
Bake for 18-20 minutes, until cooked through and just starting to turn golden at the peaks.
Enjoy hot from the oven or let cool and store in an airtight container at room temperate for up to two days.

French Toast Cupcakes

Ingredients

FOR THE STREUSEL
1/2 cup brown sugar, packed
1 tablespoon sugar
1/2 cup all-purpose flour
1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon salt
5 tablespoon cold unsalted butter, cut into chunks
FOR THE CUPCAKES
3 cups all-purpose flour
2 cups sugar
1 tablespoon baking powder
2 teaspoon cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon nutmeg
1 teaspoon salt
1 cup unsalted butter, at room temperature
1 cup sour cream
4 eggs
1 tablespoon vanilla extract
To make the streusel: In a large bowl, combine the brown sugar, sugar, flour, cinnamon, and salt. Mix the cold butter into the mixture by hand, squeezing the pieces in to mix it.
Cover and freeze while you prepare the cupcakes.
If you're not using the streusel right away, refrigerate it until ready to use.
To make the cupcakes: Pre heat oven to 350 degrees. Line a muffin pan with cupcake liners; set aside.
In a large bowl, or the bowl of a standing mixer, whisk together the flour, sugar, baking powder, cinnamon, nutmeg, and salt. Add the butter, sour cream, eggs, and vanilla and mix well, until the mixture is smooth, about 30 seconds. Get rid of any remaining flour by stirring the mixture by hand, with a spatula.
Place two tablespoons of batter in each prepared baking cup. Divide the streusel evenly among the cupcakes, and sprinkle each it on one. Bake for 20 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
Frost with Maple Syrup Butter cream Frosting

Neapolitan Cupcakes

1 package brownie mix

1/2 cup vegetable oil

2 eggs

1/4 cup water

1 package strawberry cake mix

1 cup water

3 eggs

1/3 cup vegetable oil

1 1/2 cups unsalted butter at room temperature

1 (16 ounce) package confectioners' sugar, sifted

1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F

2. Line muffin cups with paper liners.

3. Stir package of brownie mix with 1/2 cup vegetable oil, 2 eggs, and 1/4 cup water in a large bowl until evenly combined and smooth.

4. Mix strawberry cake mix with 1 cup water, 3 eggs, and 1/3 cup vegetable oil in a separate bowl until moistened. Beat with an electric mixer on medium speed for 2 minutes.

5. Spoon about 2 tablespoons brownie batter into the bottom of each prepared muffin cup.

6. Top the brownie batter with strawberry cake batter, filling each cup about 2/3 full.

7. Bake in the preheated oven until the cupcakes spring back when lightly pressed and a toothpick inserted into the center of a cupcake comes out clean, about 20 minutes.

8. Cool in pans for about 10 minutes before removing to finish cooling on racks.

9. Beat unsalted butter with an electric mixer on medium-high speed in a bowl until butter is pale and creamy, about 2 minutes.

10. Beat confectioners' sugar into the butter, about 1/2 cup at a time, beating well after each addition and scraping down sides of bowl as needed. After each addition of confectioners' sugar, raise mixer speed to high to beat as much air as possible into the frosting; reduce speed to low and continue beating until frosting is smooth. Repeat until all confectioners' sugar is incorporated, about 5 minutes of beating time; beat in vanilla extract.

11. Spread cooled cupcakes with butter cream frosting.

Coconut Cupcakes

from Food Network

yields 18 – 20 cupcakes

3/4 pound (3 sticks) unsalted butter, room temperature
2 cups sugar
5 extra-large eggs at room temperature
1 1/2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
1 1/2 teaspoons pure almond extract
3 cups flour
1 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
1 cup buttermilk
14 ounces sweetened, shredded coconut

For the frosting:
1 pound cream cheese at room temperature
3/4 pound (3 sticks) unsalted butter, room temperature
1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
1/2 teaspoon pure almond extract
1 1/2 pounds confectioners' sugar, sifted

Directions
Preheat the oven to 325 degrees F.  In the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, cream the butter and sugar on high speed until light and fluffy, about 5 minutes. With the mixer on low speed, add the eggs, 1 at a time, scraping down the bowl after each addition. Add the vanilla and almond extracts and mix well.
In a separate bowl, sift together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. In 3 parts, alternately add the dry ingredients and the buttermilk to the batter, beginning and ending with the dry. Mix until just combined. Fold in 7 ounces of coconut.
Line a muffin pan with paper liners. Fill each liner to the top with batter. Bake for 25 to 35 minutes, until the tops are brown and a toothpick comes out clean. Allow to cool in the pan for 15 minutes. Remove to a baking rack and cool completely.
Meanwhile, make the frosting. In the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, on low speed, cream together the cream cheese, butter, and vanilla and almond extracts. Add the confectioners' sugar and mix until smooth.
Frost the cupcakes and sprinkle with the remaining coconut.