TWD: perfect party cupcakes

This past week Pete's parents, Robin and Dave, were in town visiting from Montana. They got to sample a bit of last week's the Yummy. I also made darling Dave the crownies because he's been talking about those ever since he saw the pictures of Pete enjoying them so much. I figured while they were in town I should make the perfect party cake as they could help consume it so I wouldn't eat it all. As you can see I went totally crazy and made perfect party cupcakes. For some reason I was overwhelmed by the thought of making a multilayered cake. I figured cupcakes would be so much easier. Um, yeah, not so much easier. Cupcakes were probably just as much work with a lot more pans and utensils dirty. The only change I made to the cake recipe was adding vanilla instead of lemon extract. When I went to the cupboard to grab out the lemon extract I found the bottle bone dry. I have some vague recollection of realizing I needed more months ago and I must have put it back in the cupboard so as not to forget to get more. Good plan. It really worked. So that was the reason for the vanilla. And I'm ashamed to say I left the empty bottle of lemon extract in the cupboard again. Not quite sure why. I did put it in front this time to remind me I need more. I could actually write it down on a grocery list but that would be too easy.

While my first batch of cupcakes were in the oven, I decided I would also make a batch of baby cupcakes. So one more pan got dirty. I had a little trouble with the baby cupcakes. They were yelling at me to get them out of the oven, being all coy and telling me that they were finished baking. Do not trust baby cupcakes. They lie. They were not done. I had to pick each of them up off the cooling rack and stick them back in the pan and back into the oven. Good thing I taste tested one or two of them or I wouldn't have caught them in their lies. They went back in for a few more minutes. One or two were still a little undercooked but the majority were good. 

I had the fantastic idea of filling my cupcakes with the raspberry preserves. My pastry tube has a tool for piping in filling. I only have one word to describe this process, MESSY. Raspberry preserves were on the counter, the floor, me and the dog. Not so much in the cupcakes though. I had to bite two or three before I found one worthy to photograph. So Pete and the in-laws came home to half eaten cupcakes. Nothing says I love you like a half eaten cupcake. 

They were sweet enough to bring me home some raspberries for decorating and the cute plate above. I love presents. Everyone thought the cupcakes were delicious. I did too. The frosting was one of the best I've had. Some butter cream frosting is so sweet it makes my teeth hurt. This was just right. I would make these again and I think I would like to make it as a cake. 

Over the past few days Pete and I took his parents to Napa where we did some (or a lot) of wine tasting. Mmmmm...wine.

We took them to Sam's in Tiburon to enjoy some seafood and bloody mary's on the water. Both were delicious. 

We went for a hike in Tiburon and enjoyed some views of San Francisco, the bay and San Quentin. Those prisoners have some great views. 

Pete showed us all what a true Montana boy looks like. Isn't he cute? All in all a very good visit. Pete and I will miss them. We sent them off with some crownies and cupcakes and a lot of wine. They should have a pleasant drive home. 

Thank you Carol for picking out a delicious treat this week. Check out her blog mix, mix... stir, stir for the recipe. Head on over to Tuesdays with Dorie to check out what all the other bakers did this week. I'm thinking I'm probably not the only one that made cupcakes.