SPRINKLES Cupcakes...

So for Christmas this year I received two SPRINKLES Cupcake Mixes from Williams-Sonoma. I'm assuming I got them because I love cupcakes and not because they were hinting that I should stick to premixed cupcake recipes. Hmm. We'll go with that. So I decided to give these a try since I've been so busy with school and work that I haven't had much time to plan any extravagantly decorated cupcakes. Last Sunday I made the Dark Chocolate batch and this past Sunday I tried the Red Velvet. First of all, right out of both packages, one of the "signature modern dots" was either cracked or completely demolished. They're so fragile it seems it would have been wise to add an extra one or two, but that's just me. Second, they were awful. I tasted a broken one and it was hard and tasted like chalk. Not a fan. The second batch I left them off altogether. The Dark Chocolate batter was delicious but Ken said the cupcakes were really "crumby". It was never clear whether that was a good thing or not. The Red Velvet had a wonderful color to them and since the batch made about 16-17 cupcakes (the Dark Chocolate ones made exactly 12 even though I filled the cups the same amount) I got to try a Red Velvet one and they were pretty tasty. I'm a fan of cream cheese frosting. Though far superiorly delicious to any regular cake mix from the grocery store, if used as a staple, I will say that I honestly don't think these mixes are worth $14 a pop, but they worked when I had little time to do much else. And those "modern dots" can go to hell. Blegh.

Ken's Taste Text: "Yeah. They were good."

Gottya.

Coffee and Doughnut Cupcakes...

I have to admit, these turned out amazingly cute. I'm glad I picked up a mini doughnut pan on my last trip to Oak Glen. I got the idea from justJENN Recipes (who also has an AMAZING idea for Princess Leia cupcakes that she made for her Star Wars themed party that I, as the gf of a Star Wars nerd, must try soon). The recipe for the doughnuts came with the pan but I wasn't crazy about how they tasted. I was hoping they'd be more doughnut-y then they were. I'll probably try another doughnut recipe next time or go all out and try making some fried ones. The doughnut frosting wasn't anything special either, just a simple milk glaze. I did add some espresso powder to the coffee that went in the cupcake itself because I fail horribly at making "strong coffee." It always turns out way too bitter so I made regular coffee and added the powder. Seemed to work better that way. I have a strong feeling these came out looking a lot better than they tasted. Ken's a good sport though, he'll eat them with a smile on his face, or at least that cute little smirk thing he does that makes me melt.

Ken's Taste Text: "They were good. If we hadn't already been on break for like an hour and a half I'd say it was a mini coffee break served in a portable bite-sized treat. The only thing that sucked was someone snagged just a donut off one when I wasn't looking and no one fessed up."

Snagged a donut? While you weren't looking?? OH THE INHUMANITY!!!