PFMs in the Kitchen: Chocolate Nest Cupcakes

I don't know what I loved most about this holiday...the mimosa-filled family brunch or the pastel colored chocolates? Whether you are now finding yourself with an excess of Easter candy or you want to file away a recipe for next year, here's an easy dessert that puts those cute candy-coated eggs to good use. Fair warning: this is not what I would deem a "healthy" recipe! Adapted from a simple book of cupcake recipes...it's convenient, especially when you want to browse by special occasion. We made mini cupcakes instead of regular size...easier for family members to sample. They enjoyed 'em very much! And though my nest-making technique of using a vegetable peeler on a chocolate bar worked like a charm, I would have been just as happy to change up the flavor by using coconut flakes...maybe next year!

Recipe adapted from 500 Cupcakes by Fergal Connolly p.194

for the cupcakes:

2 sticks sweet butter, softened

1 cup superfine sugar

2 cups self-rising flour

4 eggs

1 tsp. vanilla extract (I swear by this one)

for the frosting: 

4 oz. semisweet chocolate bar, flaked (I used a veggie peeler)

2 tbsp heavy cream

 3/4 cup semisweet chocolate, chopped

candy-covered mini eggs (I used Cadbury Mini Eggs)

Preheat oven to 350. Place paper baking cups into muffin pans. Combine all of the cupcake ingredients in a large bowl and beat with an electric mixer until smooth and pale, about 2 to 3 minutes. Spoon the batter into cups. 

Bake for 20 minutes. Now is a good time to make your chocolate flakes. Put them in the fridge (covered) until you are ready to use them. Remove the pans from the oven and cool for 5 minutes. Then remove the cupcakes and cool on a rack.

To make the frosting, put the chocolate and cream in a small saucepan over low heat. Stir gently till combined. Remove from heat and stir until the mixture is smooth. Working quickly, spread onto the cooled cupcakes. Top with chocolate flakes and place 2 mini eggs on top. 

Store unfrosted in an airtight container for up to 3 days, or freeze up to 3 months. Makes 2 1/2 dozen mini cupcakes (or 1 1/2 dozen regular size).

Daily Outfit: A La Lucy

There is a whole wonderful world of fashion inspiration out there on the streets, but sometimes all it takes is a little peek to one of your favorite style bloggers and BAM- you can't wait to hit your closet and create your own version!

Meet Lucy from Lucy Laucht. She is a super stylish Brit living in Brooklyn, and I love how she mixes prints, patterns, and bright pops of color. When I saw this outfit I immediately thought of my own citron colored cowl-neck sweater, and how lonely it's been. Since it hasn't come out to play in a long time I was actually considering getting rid of it... until Lucy convinced me otherwise! This swingy little polka-dotted number was the perfect counterpart for a pop of citron with taupe accents. Finished it all off with my Leather Aries Jacket (not to be confused with the lucious Helmut Lang Chasm Shearling Jacket that I couldn't quite afford.) And that's ok, because I just love my Rachel Roy. 

Pure Cupcake paired with Pinot Noir!

I was comfortable enough for a day of work, yet decked out for a night of fun in the city that included a stop at NYC's Sweet Revenge. Yummm incredibly delicious cupcakes and wine...who knew they were such perfect counterparts too??!!

(RACHEL Rachel Roy Leather Aries Jacket- Macys 2010 {seen here}, Citron Cowl Sweater- Anthropologie, Skirt- Zara, Mini-Wedge Ankle Boot- Zara, Twigs & Berries Earrings- MavenFresh)

Daily Outfit: Halloween Scenes

{A view from the porch at sunset}

{eyeballs n candy corn}

{Halloween cuppies!}

{Skull Snowglobe, anyone?}

{I love this amazing lamp!}

{Creepy cobwebs and a dark figure lurking in the doorway...}

 

{Gotta have a black cat on Halloween, right Mr. Kitty?}

{A blurry colorful haze complete with our sparkly green masks}

Happy Halloween!

 You might think that I would be a big fan of the holiday that's so focused on dressing up and playing around with different options...but I already do that everyday. Halloween has never really been my thing, yet I would never turn down an invite to a fun party. Our friends hosted their first annual "Eye Ball" yesterday, and we had to be on the scene. We enjoyed the food, music, decorations, and good company! Sundays are usually my days for lounging around and working from home, so I jumped at the chance to change it up and be social... I was feeling the Halloween spirit with my orange plaid cardigan. That's really all it takes for me!

(Cardigan- Sample Sale, Pinched Tunic Dress- Anthropologie, Rachel Pally Leggings- eBay, Legwarmers- Urban Outfitters, Boots- Frye, Stormy Coat- French Connection, Scarf- gift)