Back to the grind....

Well I am back on it.  We have had a house guest and contractors in and out of here since we got home from our trip to Bristol for the Thanksgiving holiday.  Yesterday was the first day I felt like I was back to my routine.  We had a wonderful Thanksgiving.  We hiked, took a  Christmas lights tour, enjoyed our out of town family and ate lots of Candy Canes.  On our way home we went to White Top Mountain and picked out a Christmas tree, these nice men who worked on the farm cut it down for us.  It was so beautiful and peaceful to see miles and miles of Christmas trees atop a beautiful snowy mountain.  The tree is by far the most purdiest one we have ever had.  I also picked up a couple of freshly made wreaths- all for a steal.  We hope to make this a tradition each year.

Today I resumed  baking.  I made some cupcakes after watching cupcake wars last night.  I wanted to use some of my strawberry jam/syrup that I jarred in hopes of reusing the jars for another go at  Strawberry Preserves.  If you don't keep up, I tried making Strawberry Preserves and it turned out to be more like syrup with chunks of strawberries.  So low and behold I whipped up some cupcakes using what I had.  Here is the recipe to try.  Let me know what you think, the contractors laying our walkway loved them. Hugs and love.....

Strawberry Cupcakes 

2 cups sifted all purpose flour
1/2 teaspoon salt
2 teaspoons baking powder
1 teaspoon cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon ground all spice
1/4 teaspoon nutmeg
1/2 cup butter
1 cup sugar
3 eggs
1 cup strawberry preserves
2/3 cup milk
Fresh fruit for garnish ( i had blueberries so that is what i used, strawberries might be more appropriate though)

Sift flour, salt, baking powder and spices together.  In a separate mixing bowl cream together sugar and butter until light and fluffy using a mixer.   Beat in eggs one at a time and then add preserves. Mix well.  Slowly add the dry ingredients alternating with the milk until the batter is smooth.  Pour batter into paper lined cupcake pans and bake @ 350 degrees for 25-30min.  Makes about 20  regular sized cupcakes.

Frosting

1 8oz package cream cheese

1 cup confectioners sugar

1/4 cup butter

1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract 

2 tablespoons strawberry preserves

cream together butter and cream cheese using a mixer.  add vanilla and mix well.  add confectioners sugar and cocoa until smooth. lather those cupcakes up!!! 

enjoy!