Happy Birthday to my Mommy!

    July 10th. My Mommy's birthday. Sadly though, my Mom had to work--she works weekend nights at the nearby major hospital. Since we couldn't celebrate her birthday, I decided to make a surprise trip up to the hospital. (Surprising my Mom at work over the years has become quite fun. :) ) Of course I couldn't show up empty-handed. 

    My Mom loved the White Cake Cupcakes that I made at the beginning of the month. So that gave me a starting point. For once, I followed my own recipe to the letter....except when it came time for the extracts. :) I still used vanilla extract, but just a little bit. Instead of the brandy extract, I used black walnut extract and increased the amount. As before, they turned out wonderfully moist and light. 

Fluffy egg whites used in White Cake Cupcakes.

     To mix it up a bit, I needed a new icing. I didn't have any more vanilla beans and I needed to make sure it was purple. (Purple is my Mom's favorite color.) I came up with:

Purple Espresso Frosting


        6 oz cream cheese, room temperature
        1 c. butter, softened
        2 egg yolks
        2 oz hot water with
            1 tsp, rounded, instant espresso powder
        7 c. powdered sugar
        1/4 tsp cream of tartar
        Wilton purple coloring
        Wilton Halloween sprinkles

    Using a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, cream together the cream cheese and butter. Beat on medium speed until creamy, smooth and shiny.

    Turn off mixer and scrape down the sides. Add in the egg yolks. Continue beating on medium-low speed until it all comes together.

    Scrape the sides of the bowl down again. Pour in the espresso water and add 1 cup of the powdered sugar. Beat on low. With the next addition of powdered sugar, add in the cream of tartar. Go ahead and add in the coloring at this point so that it will have plenty of time to get mixed throughout all the icing without needing to over-beat. Continue beating in the powdered sugar on low. Or else you will have a plume of sugar rising up from where you stand. :)

Perhaps instead of purple, we should say lavender. :)

    Once all sugar has been added, increase speed to high for about 5 minutes. Using a piping bag fitted with the tip of choice, frost the cooled cupcakes. 

Chopped hazelnuts.

    I sprinkled some crushed hazelnuts over some of the cupcakes (because not everyone can eat nuts) and then sprinkled purple sugar over the top of all the cupcakes. I do recommend using nuts. The cupcakes and frosting are so light and airy that the nuts provide a very nice texture contrast. You could toast the hazelnuts or even use macadamia nuts.







    So I've got the cupcakes in hand, a singing balloon, and purple calla lilies--I'm ready to go.


    My Mom was thrilled with her surprise goodies at work. Turns out my sister had also stopped by earlier. :) And my Mom had 2 carrot cakes (her favorite cake), and both homemade, to her name as well. Despite being at work, it was a good birthday. :)

Here is my beautiful Mommy! Happy Birthday!!! 

And wishing you many more to come!! xoxoxox

<3 I hope to one day be at least half a good a mom and person as she is. <3

This one goes out to one of the kindest, most caring, thoughtful and STRONGEST people I know ~*~*~*~*~ Thank you for all you do for us.