Salted Caramel Cupcakes

You've probably heard about the Salted Caramel craze.  I first heard of it last year when Starbucks featured a Salted Caramel Hot Chocolate.  Then, this year they had a Salted Caramel Mocha.  I adored it.  There is something wonderful about the sweet saltiness.  While reading this blog, I discovered a recipe for Salted Caramel Cupcakes.  They looked divine.  Plus, I had a birthday celebration to plan and they seemed like the perfect dessert.  I gave it a go, and here is how it turned out.

Salted Caramel Cupcakes

• one box of chocolate cake mix.  bake according to package directions to produce 24 cupcakes.
• 1 cup caramel sauce
• 1/2 t sea salt
• frosting
• crushed heath bar candy (optional)  (I used mini chocolate chips)

While the cupcakes are baking, warm the caramel sauce.  Stir in 1/2 t of sea salt.  Pour into squeeze-able condiment bottle.  Once the cupcakes come out, squirt the caramel into the hot cupcakes.  Cool as normal.  Frost with icing, top with candy and caramel drizzle.

I had high hopes for these cupcakes.  I envisioned perfect little cakes, one with a candle for my baby's second birthday.  However, my daughter had other plans.

I made the cupcakes on Friday.  Saturday morning, I awoke to "cupcakes!" uttered in a delightful child's voice.  It woke me up out of a dead sleep.  I rushed in to the kitchen to discover my daughter on the counter.  She had opened up the cupcake container and dumped the top layer over onto the bottom.  She was licking the frosting off the stops.  Frosting and caramel are everywhere.  She turns to look at me and says" delicious, Mommy!"  I grab her off and run to the bathroom to wash her hands.  I cry for my husband to come help me clean up and salvage what we can.  Princess had a time-out until I could stop shaking.

This is actually a cleaned-up version.

And these are the "display" cupcakes for the party.  They were yummy and went fast.  The moral of the story is don't expect picture perfect endings, but enjoy the weaving of the tale.  Life is too short to wait 24 hours for salted caramel cupcakes.

Anyone else wake-up with cupcakes on the brain?  Or maybe you have a wonderful story of your three year old climbing on the counter (with a chair, mind you)?  Please tell me I'm not the only mother out-witted by her children.

Boardwalk

Sunday afternoon was beautiful.  We chose to spend it at the boardwalk.  It wasn't that busy since its the "off" season.  There are lots of shops and restaurants, and of course, the beautiful beach.

The Sky Wheel was new this summer.  I'm not sure how much it costs.  I think it would be an awesome date night.  Just me and Hubby at sunset.  Or maybe just after sunset when its all lit up.

Its pretty big.  We ate lunch underneath/beside it.

Picture of Hubby with his brothers and dad.

And of course the much sought after family photo.

We had a great afternoon with the family and I'm looking forward to going again.  There is something nostalgic about enjoying funnel cakes, hot dogs and Ferris Wheel rides along the beach.

Pumpkin Bread Craze

Ok, so I admit I'm not the first one with this idea.  I have read about it on Pinterest and this blog.  But it sounds so good and easy I had to try it.  I am ALL for three ingredient recipes.  Plus, with Handsome's birthday party coming up, I had an excuse to make it.

Pumpkin Bread

• one box spice cake mix
• one can pumpkin
• few shakes of pumpkin pie spice

Mix ingredients in a bowl.  It will be really thick and hard to stir.  This is the one time I wish I used a mixer instead of a wooden spoon.  Pour into pan and bake according to package directions.


Variation of Pumpkin Bread/Cake

• one box of yellow cake mix
• one can of pumpkin
• few shakes of pumpkin pie spice
• mini chocolate chips

Mix first three ingredients in bowl.  Once combined, fold in chocolate chips.  Pour into pan and bake according to package directions.  (I used a fluted pan and drizzled cream cheese frosting over the top)

Pumpkin bread pictured on plate.  Chocolate chip pumpkin cake pictured on stand.  Cupcake recipe to come.  They don't involve pumpkin.  Both pumpkin treats turned out VERY moist.  I might have been able to bake them a bit longer, however, they were not under done.  I definitely will try these again!

Anyone else have a fabulous three ingredient recipe?  What about a "go to" recipe when you throw a party?  Please share!

Shelf Styling

My favorite part about my living room are the shelves.  Especially the tall ones.  I've always loved the idea of a wall full of shelves.  Filling them with books and time-worn treasures warms my soul like hot chocolate sliding down your throat on a cold winter day.  Here's a peek inside my soul.

the whole thing.  plus a bunny.

Shelves from Target online.  Candlesticks from World Market, bunny from Mom.

 

Top shelf, left side.  Hive vase from West Elm.  Clear glass pumpkin jar from Walgreens filled with M&Ms.  A Pharmacist Prayer framed, a gift from my MIL.  Three things, similar color scheme.

Top shelf, right side.  A lovely poetry gift to my hubby from when we were first dating.  Hurricane from Crate and Barrel, filled with candle and sea shells collected from our many beach walks.  Paper weight stolen from my Mom, gnomes from West Elm, gifted from my Mom and Hubby.  Five things, again similar color scheme.

Upper middle shelf, left side.  Another poetry piece, glass bottle and tea light arrangement, collection from West Elm, World Market, and up-cycled wine bottle.  Again, similar color arrangement.

Upper middle shelf, right side.  Mercury glass vase, West Elm,  framed print, gift from Mom, love letters, from Target, stacked books, apple, hubby's NYC souvenir.  I had to play with this arrangement until I found one I liked.  The apple does get moved often and is currently living on the top shelf.  Let's just say munchkins can reach him so he gets moved a lot.

Middle shelf, left side.  Two black and white photos of my kiddos, framed in Target frames.  Basket is from Pier One.  Black and white photos are my favorite.  I like the clean look.

 

Middle shelf, right side.  Books collected since childhood.  Its a combination of mine and hubby's.  This is just a small bit of paperbacks.  I tried to put them in a color arrangement, but it really doesn't have much of an impact on a small scale.  Notice how these two lower shelves are more kid-friendly, in other words, nothing can break.

Bottom two shelves.  Mainly heavy books.  I felt we need to anchor the shelves a bit.  The milk crate baskets are from Target and are VERY functional.  I can't recommend them enough.  One acts as a filing cabinet for important paperwork.  The two others hold throw blankets and toss pillows.  The teal boxes are also from Target.  One houses loose photos, and the other CDs.  Who uses CDs anymore?  I'm stuck storing them.  Also, notice the toys on the floor.  The toy basket/shelf organization is another post, for another day.

And that's my shelf post.  Seriously, I love rearranging them.  I call it therapy.  In another month or so, I will "winterize" them.  Can't wait.

How do you display your treasures?  Anyone else find rearranging trinkets therapeutic?  Spill.