Orange Blueberry Quick Bread

So, I couldn't possibly bake something for someone else and not bake something for Hubby, now could I?

One of Iain's favorite snacks is the blueberry loaf from Starbucks... so he asked if I could make him one.. uh.. ah... well... why not? I can try to come close, I guess!

So, I grabbed some Krusteaz Wild Blueberry Supreme Muffin Mix and saw the recipe on the back for Orange Blueberry Quick Bread and thought we'd start there!

Here's the details:

PREHEAT oven to 350F. Spray 8 1/2 x 4 1/2 x 2 1/2 inch loaf pan with non-stick cooking spray. Prepare batter as directed on box, adding 2 teaspoons finely grated orange zest. Place into prepared loaf pan. Bake for 40-45 minutes or until toothpick inserted into center comes out clean.

COOL for 10 minutes and remove to wire rack. Cool completely and drizzle with vanilla glaze if desired. Store in airtight container.
Vanilla Glaze: Whisk together 3/4 cup powdered sugar, 1 tablespoon water and 1 teaspoon vanilla until smooth.

Again, I can't do anything the way the recipe tells me to! So, instead of their Vanilla Glaze, I used a trick that my Mom taught me.. I poured a little bit of powdered sugar into a bowl and added some Vanilla flavored coffee creamer and mixed.. if it's too runny, add more powdered sugar, if it's too thick, add more creamer, until you get the consisitancy you want. Yummy!And the verdict is... "It's great!"

Chocolate Cappuccino Cupcakes

Oh Yum! Who could resist Chocolate AND Coffee? I made these to take to my sweet friend Callie when I go visit her this week.. so keep your fingers crossed that the crazy Spring Blizzards in her area go away, so I can make the drive!!
Anyway.. here's the recipe (found in Famous Brand Names Easy-To-Bake Cookbook, pg 184)

1 package (about 18 ounces) chocolate cake mix
1/4 cup instant coffee, divided
2 teaspoons hot water
1 container (16 ounces) ready-to-spread cream cheese frosting
1/2 cup semi-sweet chocolate morsels
2 teaspoons vegetable oil

PREHEAT oven to 350F. Place baking cups in muffin pans; set aside. Prepare cake mix following package directions for 24 cupcakes, adding 2 tablespoons instant coffee before mixing. Spoon batter into baking cups. Bake as directed. Cool.

DISSOLVE remaining instant coffee in hot water. Stir frosting into coffee mixture until smooth. Frost cupcakes.

MICROWAVE chocolate morsels and oil on HIGH power in a small microwave-safe dish, 1 to 1 1/2 minutes, stirring once, until chocolate is melted.

DRIZZLE melted chocolate over frosted cupcakes. Let stand until chocolate sets.

Makes 24 cupcakes

So, I changed it up, just a tad... I didn't do the whole melted chocolate thing, because I wanted to add the chocolate covered coffee bean on top, so I sprinkled the tops of each cupcake with chocolate jimmies and added my coffee bean!

I hope Sweet Callie likes them!! I think they're pretty! I haven't tried one yet, but Iain said they are quite tasty!

I found this...

AWESOME BLOG!

How To Eat A Cupcake

Now, who doesn't think this blog is just for me?? hehe!

Can you believe she just posted a Beer & Peanuts cupcake??? Might have to try that one day!

Enjoy!