Thoughts

Just some odds and ends I wanted to record.

Watched Julie and Julia today, and was inspired to roast some chicken parts and new potatoes for dinner. One thing I'd forgotten about cooking, which makes me realise why I'm enjoying baking so much – there's no sharp knives, cuts and chipped nails!

Wanted also to document a buttercream attempt, at 5am on my birthday, I tried making the custard buttercream I'd read about, somewhat like Magnolia Bakery's buttercream (yes this is what I do when I can't sleep!). I doubled the milk paste, reduced the sugar, and I believe I have finally arrived at a buttercream I can eat. It's light, tasty and smooth, and not too sweet. Finally!

Have only to try colouring it, swirling it, and piping it now to understand its versatility. It doesn't melt in this weather, so that's a plus. Will have to test storage methods and how long it stays fresh for too. Pleased.

My to-do list for now:
1. Test and perfect vanilla buttercream - ease of frosting and piping, how well it takes colour and flavour, and how well it keeps.
2. Find the perfect chocolate cupcake. This seems to be a basic, and while the melt-in-the-mouth ones are yummy, they are not an everyday or a crowdpleasing recipe. I also had high hopes for cupcakeblog's old-fashioned choc recipe, but turns out they aren't to my taste. I'm thinking of adapting my parents' failsafe and very yummy chocolate brownie recipe, it's already rather more cakelike than an average brownie, so I think it's not too far off. Also want to try the Primrose recipe, I somehow have a good feeling about this book! And probably will try some Devil's Food recipes.
3. Perfect the perfect vanilla cupcake. There's that yellow cake recipe I want to try too from repressedpastrychef, and the lighter, cake flour version of Magnolia's, with fresh milk instead of evap like I did last time.
4. Devise my own perfect cream cheese icing. This shouldn't be too hard.
5. Red velvet. Cupcakeblog's recipe?
6. Stock up on exciting Halloween candy when it goes on sale, for topping off cuppies. Order some fun toppers from Bake It Pretty. Buy a proper muffin tin and cups? I wonder if it makes a difference than doing them in the souffle cups...