Some unexpected teaching work fell into my lap week before last. That kept me from baking or posting for a bit. But I'm back. This morning before breakfast I was hastily snapping photos of zucchini bread.
Also before breakfast this morning I checked C & C Cakery's blog hoping to see results of The Movemeber Manly Cupcake Challenge. The results are up, and my Beer & Pretzels Cupcakes won!
If you haven't already seen the lineup of excellent cupcakes that were submitted for this challenge, you can ogle them here. I was particularly fond of this one, which features a caramel-scotch frosting; this delicious-sounding, perfectly decorated vegan one; and this one with a cookie barbeque grill that actually lights on fire. Thanks to the folks at C&C for hosting such a fun challenge!
Now about that zucchini bread:
My husband and I try to have breakfast together every morning. It gives us a chance to talk for a few minutes as we start the day. It's one less meal that we eat alone at our desks while working. And it usually convinces our finicky dog to eat her breakfast, too.
Terry leaves at 6:30 every morning (and sometimes I leave that early as well), so breakfast needs to be pretty straightforward. Muffins and quick breads are good options. They're delicious for breakfast. They're handy for snacks. They're perfect thank-you gifts for the neighbor with whom Terry sometimes carpools.
Keep reading for details on our current favorite quick bread, which was very tasty this morning with some bacon left over from making chipotle sweet potato corn chowder last night.
Nov 30, 2010
Nov 15, 2010
Beer and Pretzels Cupcakes
A couple of weeks ago, I stumbled across C&C Cakery's Movember Manly Cupcake Challenge, and I knew immediately that I wanted to enter. After a brainstorming session with the husband, some recipe writing and testing, and a full day of baking, I'm ready to share the recipe for Beer and Pretzels Cupcakes.
These cupcakes feature a rich, spicy brown ale cake with a brown ale custard filling. They're topped with caramel buttercream and homemade soft pretzels.
Why are these cupcakes so manly? Three reasons:
- They bring that classic pair of manly comestibles--beer and pretzels--together in a delicious baked good.
- They're bigger and badder than your usual cupcake recipe. When I think about how the men in my life cook, I visualize the vast quantities of food they prepare. They like to cook for crowds. I picture my father-in-law grilling steaks for the whole family on a Friday night, and I picture the five-gallon pot of chili my husband cooks every fall when he invites 40 to 60 of his closest friends over. In that quintessentially manly more-is-more spirit, this recipe yields 24 ultra-rich cupcakes and 32 soft pretzels.
- They feature some of my favorite man's favorite flavors. My husband loves caramel, loves soft pretzels, and loves a good micro-brew. This cupcake has all of that and more.
Labels:
beer,
brown ale,
buttercream,
caramel,
challenge,
cupcake,
custard,
manly,
movember,
nutmeg,
recipe,
Saint Arnold's,
soft pretzels
menu monday
My husband and I spent hours yesterday baking together. By tomorrow I should be ready to share photos and a recipe from our baking marathon.
For now, here's a look at what we're eating this week:
MONDAY DINNER
balsamic tuna steak, green pea salad with roasted peppers
TUESDAY DINNER
chicken and cheese casserole
WEDNESDAY DINNER
leftover casserole
THURSDAY DINNER
bean burritos and green rice (recipe)
FRIDAY DINNER
rehearsal dinner for a friend's wedding
SATURDAY DINNER
deviled chicken (recipe), cabbage salad, fresh bread
SUNDAY DINNER
chicken and dumplings
We're bringing out the family recipes this week. The casserole we're making Tuesday is a favorite in my husband's family. The chicken and dumplings is a variation on my grandmother's recipe. I'll try to get at least one of those into a post in the next few days.
Happy cooking and eating this week!
For now, here's a look at what we're eating this week:
WEEKDAY LUNCHES
crock pot Tex-Mex chicken (recipe) served with tortillas and taco toppingsMONDAY DINNER
balsamic tuna steak, green pea salad with roasted peppers
TUESDAY DINNER
chicken and cheese casserole
leftover casserole
THURSDAY DINNER
bean burritos and green rice (recipe)
FRIDAY DINNER
rehearsal dinner for a friend's wedding
SATURDAY DINNER
deviled chicken (recipe), cabbage salad, fresh bread
SUNDAY DINNER
chicken and dumplings
We're bringing out the family recipes this week. The casserole we're making Tuesday is a favorite in my husband's family. The chicken and dumplings is a variation on my grandmother's recipe. I'll try to get at least one of those into a post in the next few days.
Happy cooking and eating this week!
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