FOR A 40TH BIRTHDAY...

This time the cake was for a 40th birthday. The birthday boy loves all outdoor activities especially biking. I must say it was good fun making this cake as I can see myself making similar cakes in the future. Ian loves being outdoors,like any other boy !We chose a cake photograph from Marj's blog which suited the theme. I also baked two kinds cupcakes to go along with the theme as per the photographs my friend sent me. It was fun!

They were Dark Chocolate Cupcakes with Milk Chocolate Frosting and Red Velvet Cupcakes with Mascarpone - Cream Cheese Frosting. They were super moist and delicious, if I may say so myself.I know that because I always make extra ones for us to taste ;-)

RED VELVET CUPCAKES with MASCARPONE CREAM CHEESE FROSTING

I 've been away for a good amount of time, from blogging and I must say it did me some good. It gave my mind some rest and also ample time to set up our house for my parent's visit :-) Yes, they are visiting us right now so my contribution to this food blog would be minimal. Appan,Amma & Jobin asks me every now and then about the future of my food blog if I left it at Kadumanga. Jobin even mentioned that he would give away all my props if I don't plan to continue food blogging :-) So here I am with the cupcakes Amma & I baked for our friend's baby shower recently. She loves cream cheese frosting so I chose to bake Red Velvet Cupcakes with Mascarpone Cream Cheese Frosting.

RED VELVET CUPCAKES
Recipe source: Joy of Baking
Yields 18 cupcakes

Ingredients:
2 1/2 c sifted cake flour
1/2 tsp salt
2 tbsp cocoa powder
1/2 c unsalted butter, room temperature
1 1/2 c sugar
2 eggs
1 tsp vanilla
1 c buttermilk
2 tbsp liquid red food colour
1 tsp vinegar
1 tsp baking soda

Method: Pre-heat the oven to 350 F /180 C and line your cupcake tins.
In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, salt, cocoa powder. Set aside.In a mug,mix buttermilk & red food colour.Set aside.
In a large bowl, beat butter for 2 mins. Add sugar and continue to beat for 3 mins.Add eggs one at a time and beat for a minute after each addition. Add flour and buttermilk alternately, starting and ending with flour.
Mix vinegar and baking soda together,which will fuzz violently. Pour it into the cake batter and fold it in. Pour the batter immediately in to the cupcake moulds and bake for 20-25 mins. Let cool completely before frosting.

MASCARPONE CREAM CHEESE FROSTING
Recipe source : Epicurious

Ingredients:
1 c unsalted butter,room temperature
8 oz cream cheese, room temperature
2 c powdered sugar
8 oz mascarpone, room temperature
1 tsp vanilla
1/4 tsp salt

Method: In a large bowl,on medium high, beat together butter, cream cheese & sugar until light and fluffy, about 3 mins.Add the mascarpone, salt & vanilla and beat until just combined. DO NOT beat any further as the frosting will curdle. Frost the cupcakes as desired.

I really hope she liked it as much as we enjoyed baking it for her :) The baby booties are handmade fondant cupcake toppers.