Team spirit cupcakes

Well, when I made these I didn't know for sure that the Giants would win Super Bowl XLVI... although Bella had her paws crossed!  However, in light of yesterday's result, perhaps I should call them Giants Victory Cupcakes instead?

The great thing about this recipe is that you can use any colors to salute your team of choice.  Although football season is over, March Madness is just around the corner.  These would be the perfect dessert to enjoy while watching the tournament.

It's super easy to achieve this effect.  You just layer the batter in the pans before baking, like so...

(My layering was a bit messy, but I think that just added to the charm. Or so I told myself, anyway.)  Then they turn out like this...

Once they're frosted, your friends will be in for a surprise when they bite into this vanilla cupcake.

Team Spirit Cupcakes
adapted from YumSugar

For the cupcakes:

1 cup unsalted butter, softened
4 large eggs
1 cup milk
1 tsp. vanilla extract
1-1/2 cups self-rising flour
1-1/4 cups all-purpose flour
2 cups sugar
Food coloring

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Prepare cupcake pans with paper liners.
2. Chop the butter into small cubes.
3. Whisk eggs in small bowl.
4. Combine milk and vanilla in small bowl or measuring cup.
5. Mix flours and sugar on low speed for 2 minutes.
6. With mixer on low speed, add butter in small amounts until fully incorporated.
7. Add half of the milk/vanilla mixture.  Mix on medium speed for 1 minute.
8. Add eggs and remaining milk/vanilla mixture.  Continue mixing for 1-2 minutes until batter is smooth.
9. Divide batter into two bowls.
10. Color each half of the batter.  (I used 24 drops each of red and blue.)
11. Drop one spoonful of the first color into each cupcake liner, then drop one spoonful of the alternate color batter on top of that.  Alternate until cupcake liners are approximately 2/3 full
12. Bake for 23 minutes.  Allow to cool completely before frosting.   

For the frosting:

1 cup unsalted butter, softened
1 tsp. vanilla extract
4 cups confectioner's sugar
2-3 tbsp. milk

Cream butter in mixer.  Add vanilla, then add sugar one cup at a time.  Add milk as needed for desired consistency.  Beat on medium speed for 2-4 minutes until light and fluffy.

I sprinkled edible glitter on top of the cupcakes as well.  Makes 24 cupcakes.

Enjoy!

Are you ready for some football?

Somehow, I've managed to make it through week 5 of the NFL season with a 4-1 record in my fantasy football league.  I'm pretty proud of my team (the Rush Puppies), especially considering how poorly the season started last year.

Although I'm not really a fantasy football wizard, I like to think that I am a wizard when it comes to throwing a good party.  (I'm so modest, right?) 

So, if you're having friends over to watch a game, you might want to try out these cake pops.  (I made them for the Super Bowl last year, and I hope to make them again soon.)

I took my inspiration from Bakerella and made some cake pops in the shape of footballs.  You can find the basic instructions for making cake pops here.   

For these, I used chocolate cake mixed with chocolate icing.  Then I shaped them into little footballs and chilled them in the freezer.  I melted some chocolate chips and shortening together to dip them in and drew the laces on with white icing.  (Tip: the smaller ones held up a bit better, as the weight of the footballs made a few too heavy to stay on the stick.) 

They were adorable, and tasty too!

Do you make any fun football-themed desserts?