Year Round Harvest

While blog stalking one day I found an amazing tutorial for a felt garden from Ikat Bag. You can find the tutorials here, here, here and here.

So after 2 weeks of sewing during nap times I had this:

Complete with pickable strawberries

Pickable pea pods:

Cornstalks with pickable corn on the cob:

And carrots:

Harvest Time!

The carrots and potatoes also came from Ikat Bag, here.

Cherry Limeade Cupcakes

So, after making these cupcakes I was anxious to try some variations to the recipe. Here is my recipe for Cherry Limeade Cupcakes.

Cupcakes (makes 12):
adapted from this recipe
1/2 cup unsalted butter (room temp)
3/4 cup sugar
3 large eggs (room temp)
1 1/2 cups flour
1 tsp baking powder
1/4 tsp salt
3/4 cup milk
2 packets Cherry Limeade on-the-go drink mix. (I got the generic Wal-mart Great Value brand)
zest of one lime

-preheat oven to 350*
-in a small bowl mix together flour, baking powder and salt. Sift or whisk with a fork.
-in large bowl beat butter lime zest and sugar for 2 minutes on high.
-add eggs one at a time beating for 30 seconds between each egg.
-in a measuring cup add milk and drink mix. Mix well.
-add flour mixture alternating with milk mixture. You should start and end with flour. (3 additions flour, 2 additions milk)
-Divide batter among lined cupcake tray.
-Bake for 16-18 minutes or until toothpick come out clean. Cool completely.

Frosting:
1/2 cup butter (room temp)
1/2 cup vegetable shortening
4 cups sifted powdered sugar
1 tsp vanilla
2 TBSP milk
1 packet Cherry Limeade on-the-go drink mix.

-with mixer, cream butter and shortening together.
-add powdered sugar one cup at a time. mix until all powdered sugar is Incorporated.
-mix milk and drink mix in small measuring cup.
-add vanilla, and milk and beat until thick and creamy.

The cupcakes were delicious, but the frosting was a little to sweet for my liking. Next time I'd stick with the original cream cheese version from this recipe.

Enjoy!

Raspberry Lemonade Cupcakes

The cupcakes are YUM-MEE! They taste so fresh and summery. I found the recipe here.

I added pink food coloring to the frosting, pipped it on the cupcakes, and then added one raspberry and a mint leaf. I think they looked elegant. You could also add pink or red food coloring to the batter if you liked.

As a variation, you could try this same recipe with an orange flavored crystal light and orange zest. Or, I've seen a limeade crystal light that might be fun with lime zest.

Enjoy!