Vanilla Latte Cupcakes

 

It is one of my work bestie's birthday this weekend and we are celebrating tomorrow! She is a coffee lover too so I'm hoping these Vanilla Latte cupcakes will go over well! It is a surprise!

The recipe is from Annie's Eats, so it was sure to be a good one. The cake has espresso powder AND brewed coffee in the mix (I skipped the Kahlua, since it was for WORK. BOO!) and the frosting is a Swiss Meringue frosting. Half of the frosting got a concentrated espresso powder boost and it was piped prettily in a swirl. The vanilla bean flecks are just lovely! I just LOVE fresh vanilla.

 

The cake was moist and fluffy, with just a subtle coffee flavor. I expected it to be a heavy flavor and I was very glad it was not. The frosting is one of my favorite kinds- the Swiss Meringue has to be cooked in a double boiler, and then ultra whipped by my KitchenAid mixer for a good eight minutes into stiff peaks and to cool down. It is a silky, lovely, not-too-sweet frosting. YUM.

Thumbs up!

Click here for the stolen recipe for Vanilla Latte Cupcakes.

 

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Salted Caramel Mochas

I had a Salted Caramel at Starbucks last month and I gagged. I am officially a food snob in all areas. I did NOT like their salted caramel. It was very artificial and too sweet tasting.

When I saw this recipe on Pinterest I knew I could make it. I made my usual Salted Caramel sauce, bought the hot chocolate mix from Starbucks, made coffee as usual, and whipped up some heavy cream for whipped cream.

AHHHHHHHHHH!

Heavenly. Indulgent. I need to make it again soon!

Click here for the stolen recipe for Salted Caramel Mochas.

The caramel sauce is here.

Banana Espresso Chocolate Chip Muffins

These are definitely NOT light muffins. These are a very good banana and chocolate chip muffin. The espresso flavor is there, it's not very significant though. I think it just gives it a deeper, dark flavor. Nice.

I find that my espresso powder (pictured in the background) has come in handy for a few recipes. I've used it in brownie recipes, an ice cream, and now these muffins. It also came in handy during a blizzard when we ran out of coffee. I made espresso- mine diluted with a bit of cream and sugar :)

Click here for the stolen recipe for Banana Espresso Chocolate Chip Muffins.

White Russian Tiramisu

This has been a favorite of ours for a few years. I found the recipe in a Cooking Light recipe so long ago.

We like our version so much that we don't get tiramisu in restaurants. Ours might not be the most authentic but it has all the flavors we like- cream cheese, a bit of cocoa, and kahlua/coffee soaked ladyfingers. Mmmmm.


The picture might not be the most appetizing but it layers prettily and tastes great.

Click here for the stolen recipe for White Russian Tiramisu.