Banana Caramel Cupcakes

It's favourite CUPCAKE time again! 

Banana Caramel Cupcake Recipe.

sour cream banana cakes

90g butter, softened

110g firmly packed light brown sugar

2 eggs

75g self raising flour

75g plain flour

1/2 (half) teaspoon bicarbonate of soda

1/2 (half) teaspoon mixed spice

2/3 (two thirds) cup mashed overripe banana

80g sour cream

2 table spoons milk

caramel banana filling 

375g canned Top 'n' Fill caramael

125ml thickened cream, whipped

2 medium banana's, sliced thinly

100g dark eating chocolate

1. Preheat oven to 180deg C/ 350 deg F. Line muffin pan with paper cases.

2. Beat butter, sugar eggs in small bowl with electric mixer until light and fluffy. Stir in sifted dry ingredients, banana, sour cream, and milk. Divide mixture into paper cases and smooth the surface.

3. Bake for about 20 mins Stand cakes in pan for 5 minutes before turning out, top side up onto wire rack to cool. Remove paper cases from cold cakes.

4. Fold 1 Tablespoons of caramel into the cream.

5. Cut cakes horizontally into three slices. If making smaller cakes in half is adequate. Re assemble cakes with remaining caramel and sliced banana. Top cakes with caramel flavoured cream.

6. Using a vegetable peeler, grate chocolate over cake tops.

Original Recipe from The Australian Women's Weekly 'Cool Cupcakes' Book.

www.acpbooks.com.au

  

Shop is OPEN!

COME ON IN...

The new season stock is listed and ready to sell in our online store! 

 Make your way over to our store at www.myrtleandgrace.bigcartel.com to find a sale happening.

Spring is here FINALLY! While the weather is still a little chilly there is a hint of it in the air! The brand new baby lambs are appearing in the paddocks, the swollen blossom buds are starting to pop into vibrant colour and the birds are flitting around busily preparing for their new chicks. 

Happy Spring Everyone!

GIVE AWAY TIME!

Woop Woop! Spring is Nearly Here...

IT'S GIVE AWAY TIME !

 To celebrate the launch of our new Summer 2012/ 13 Range 'Myrtle and Grace' is Giving away a Ruby Rose Jumpsuit in Navy or Ivory. Just pop on over to our Facebook post for the give away at...

 https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=471653089525179&set=a.159348550755636.34536.156993570991134&type=1&theater (cut and paste to you address bar)
 
Leave your comment under that post and a winner will be selected by random draw on the 1st of September 2012. On the same day our stock will be launched and available for sale in our Big Cartel store.
Bookmark our shop address in your favourites http://myrtleandgrace.bigcartel.com/ an get in quick as stock is very limited. Just in case you haven't seen our new Summer 2012/ 13 look book on our Facebook page yet here is what we saw...

Tilly - short jumpsuit. The sweetest tropical summer print with smock detail, button front opening, belt and best of all fully lined! Made from beautiful cool summer cotton. Available in Sizes 3, 4, 5, 6, 8, 10, 12 AU RRP $69.95

Tilly - short jumpsuit. The sweetest tropical summer print with smock detail, button front opening, belt and best of all fully lined! Made from beautiful cool summer cotton. Available in Sizes 3, 4, 5, 6, 8, 10, 12 AU RRP $69.95

Tilly - short jumpsuit. The sweetest tropical summer print with smock detail, button front opening, belt and best of all fully lined! Made from beautiful cool summer cotton. Available in Sizes 3, 4, 5, 6, 8, 10, 12 AU RRP $69.95

Ruby Rose -knee length jumpsuit in ivory. Made from the coolest, lightest cotton voile. Sweet little pocket and ruffle detail with a tie over the shoulder. Sizes 4 , 5, 6, 8, 10 AU RRP$ 49.95

Ruby Rose -knee length jumpsuit in ivory. Made from the coolest, lightest cotton voile. Sweet little pocket and ruffle detail with a tie over the shoulder. Sizes 4 , 5, 6, 8, 10 AU RRP$ 49.95

Ruby Rose -knee length jumpsuit in ivory. Made from the coolest, lightest cotton voile. Sweet little pocket and ruffle detail with a tie over the shoulder. Sizes 4 , 5, 6, 8, 10 AU RRP$ 49.95

Ruby Rose -knee length jumpsuit in ivory. Made from the coolest, lightest cotton voile. Sweet little pocket and ruffle detail with a tie over the shoulder. Sizes 4 , 5, 6, 8, 10 AU RRP$ 49.95

Ruby Rose -knee length jumpsuit in ivory. Made from the coolest, lightest cotton voile. Sweet little pocket and ruffle detail with a tie over the shoulder. Sizes 4 , 5, 6, 8, 10 AU RRP$ 49.95

Ruby Rose -knee length jumpsuit in ivory. Made from the coolest, lightest cotton voile. Sweet little pocket and ruffle detail with a tie over the shoulder. Sizes 4 , 5, 6, 8, 10 AU RRP$ 49.95

Ruby Rose -knee length jumpsuit in ivory. Made from the coolest, lightest cotton voile. Sweet little pocket and ruffle detail with a tie over the shoulder. Sizes 4 , 5, 6, 8, 10 AU RRP$ 49.95

Ruby Rose -knee length jumpsuit in ivory. Made from the coolest, lightest cotton voile. Sweet little pocket and ruffle detail with a tie over the shoulder. Sizes 4 , 5, 6, 8, 10 AU RRP$ 49.95

Angel Dress - Knee length. Prettiest mottled pale blue fabric.with button and pleat detail at the top and the most heavenly divine, petticoat double layered skirt hem trimmed in beautiful vintage style lace. Available in sizes 2/3, 4/5, 6/7, 8/9, 10/11
AU RRP $59.95

Angel Dress - Knee length. Prettiest mottled pale blue fabric.with button and pleat detail at the top and the most heavenly divine, petticoat double layered skirt hem trimmed in beautiful vintage style lace. Available in sizes 2/3, 4/5, 6/7, 8/9, 10/11
AU RRP $59.95

Angel Dress - Knee length. Prettiest mottled pale blue fabric.with button and pleat detail at the top and the most heavenly divine, petticoat double layered skirt hem trimmed in beautiful vintage style lace. Available in sizes 2/3, 4/5, 6/7, 8/9, 10/11
AU RRP $59.95

Lilly's Farm Party

Colourful Farm Fun
It is birthday time once again in our house so here is the latest. The children from my daughters class new it was Lilly's birthday but they didn't know about the party till they got to the other end of their excursion. My daughter school has it's own little working farm and it couldn't have been a more perfect location even if it was pouring rain most of the day. My friend Lisa from "Deer Little Parties" came along with some of her supplies to help me decorate and keep the party rolling. Once again there was lots of cooking and cutting out of party printables to do, and once again no matter how organised I try to be there always seems to be that last minute rush on the day before. The party cupcakes nearly didn't make it when a man decided that giving way at an intersection was not on his agenda and the entire crate with party food did a complete 180 in the car and landed upside down. Yes, I nearly cried but I repaired what I could once I arrived at the venue. The kids had and absolute ball! The baby animals bought along by one of the other families were a huge hit!

Suppliers List...
Decorative Supplies from http://www.deerlittleparties.com.au and http://www.cakebakeshop.com.au
Cake- Farm animals mini cupcakes and hay bales cooked by me. Feed bags also by me.
Party printables from www.etsy.com
Baby Animals from Nick and Coral email me for their contact details groobiteam@optusnet.com.au

"Lettuce" be Crafty Today!

'Lettuce' be crafty today!
I've been eyeing off the fruit and vegetables we 'd bought a while back from Ikea, and often thought that they cant be that hard to make... can they? We have an abundance of felt and a rainbow of colour variety on hand to choose from here so today is the day to give it a go and  after a bit of cutting and two little helpers that have spread felt from one end of the house to the other, we managed to get one piece made so far...

The slightly smaller and darker Ikea 'lettuce' is picture in the background. In the end it was pretty easy and took me about 20 minutes to sew together. I can see many more fruit and vegetables being added to the play kitchen collection. Miss 4 has also even suggested that we "make lots so we can have a shop" Hmm the little Lemonade bake stand tutorial I found on Pinterest could easily be converted to a little fruit and vegetable shop. Just imagine how cute it would look...

The original tutorial on how to make this little stand can be found at
http://lilluna.com/tutorial-tuesday-vintage-lemonade-stand/.
Then I remember that Ashleigh at
http://www.lilblueboo.com/2012/02/project-playroom-storage-solutions.html also has a heap of tutorials titled 'Project Playroom' with some other great tutorials on creating an awning, setting up play shelving and scales etc. So go crazy, have some fun creating the little people in your life will LOVE it.
If you would like me to email you a couple of vegetable patterns that I have hand drawn contact me at groobiteam@optusnet.com.au Please put in your subject line vegetable patterns.

Chocolate Peppermint Sundae Cupcake Recipe

Chocolate Peppermint Sundae Cupcake 

Recipe to Share.

  Chocolate Cupcake Mix

Ingredients:

1 cup Water

1 cup Castor sugar

1 1/2 cups Self Raising flour

2 Eggs room temperature

2 table spoons Cocoa

120g Butter

1/2 teaspoon Baking Soda

Method:

Preheat moderate oven (170/ 180 deg C). In saucepan simmer Water, Sugar, Butter, Cocoa, and Baking Soda for 5 mins then leave to stand until just warm. In mixing bowl sift flour add eggs and pour in cooled ingredients mix gently or fold until combined. Spoon into desired size patty pans cooking time will vary from 10 mins for mini cakes to 30 mins for Texas size muffin cakes. I like to take the cake out when it 'just' springs back and may be a tiny bit tacky still on the top, as the will finish cooking a bit after they are taken from the oven. When tray has cooled a little turn out onto rack to complete cooling, then they'll be ready to decorate. The cake on it's own also freezes well in airtight container so if you are preping for a party make some a week ahead.

Peppermint Icing (Frosting) and Decorations

This is my favourite best ever basic butter cream topping with a bit extra added in! Makes enough mix for 12 large cupcakes.

Ingredients:

125 g Unsalted Butter Room temperature (If you want a whiter finish you can substitute some butter for Cofa )

1 1/2 cups of Icing Sugar Mixture

1 Tablespoon Milk room temperature

2 drops Green Colour ( can add more or less depending on the brand and type of food colouring)

1/2 teaspoon Peppermint Essence ( you can also add more or less to taste)

A few VERY crushed Oreo's

Method:

Using an electric mixer, beat butter in a bowl until it turns pale. Gradually adding icing sugar and milk into the mixture alternately, beating constantly until combined and smooth. Mix in colour and flavour to taste (just a little at a time so as not too overdo it) Fold in Crushed Oreo. Put into piping bag and swirl on! Nearly done, Mmmmmm. Have you been able to restrain yourself  so far? There are some great piping tips and technique over at...

 http://glorioustreats.blogspot.com.au/2011/08/cupcake-basics-how-to-frost-cupcakes.html

Finally and last but not least every Sundae has to have some chocolate drizzled across the top. I have melted a small amount of milk chocolate for mine and using a spoon drizzle lines across, You'll need to work fast here so with a little helper put chocolate star sprinkles of before chocolate sets. Dust with some green edible glitter and you're done. Your Chocolate Peppermint Sundae Cupcake is ready to eat. My kids say they taste just like Choc mint biscuits! They don't last long here in this house.

Who's on for afternoon tea?

Cupcake anyone?
Here is a little 'taste' of what we have been up to lately....

 These Yummy little cupcakes were made for our local kinder Mother's Day stall. Vanilla cupcake with pink strawberry frosting and flowers.

 This "love"ly one was made by The Inspired Occasion from Melbourne. Red Velvet with buttercream icing, also bellow are their simply devine cake pops.

 This is my favourite to date... the Cookies n Cream, chocolate cake cream cheese/ crushed oreo frosting with mini oreo on the top.

 The ever indulgent choc hazelnut cupcake topped with crushed maltesers and mini timtam.

 Some of the Cake stand set up on the day.

 And just one mre bake up last weekend just because we are still cupcake crazy. Vanilla cake with rasberry vanilla creamcheese frosting, confetti sprinkles and last buyt not least a sprinkle of rasberry coloured glitter.

 How do you have your cuppa? and what time will you be around?

Welcome to Holland ...

One of my all time favourite Pieces of writing, I guess because it sort of sums it all up for me. I need to take pause and come back  read it from time to time, to be reminded sometimes that life is  just as beautiful but in a different kind of way.

WELCOME TO HOLLAND

by
Emily Perl Kingsley.

c1987 by Emily Perl Kingsley. All rights reserved

I am often asked to describe the experience of raising a child with a disability - to try to help people who have not shared that unique experience to understand it, to imagine how it would feel. It's like this......

When you're going to have a baby, it's like planning a fabulous vacation trip - to Italy. You buy a bunch of guide books and make your wonderful plans. The Coliseum. The Michelangelo David. The gondolas in Venice. You may learn some handy phrases in Italian. It's all very exciting.

After months of eager anticipation, the day finally arrives. You pack your bags and off you go. Several hours later, the plane lands. The stewardess comes in and says, "Welcome to Holland."

"Holland?!?" you say. "What do you mean Holland?? I signed up for Italy! I'm supposed to be in Italy. All my life I've dreamed of going to Italy."

But there's been a change in the flight plan. They've landed in Holland and there you must stay.

The important thing is that they haven't taken you to a horrible, disgusting, filthy place, full of pestilence, famine and disease. It's just a different place.

So you must go out and buy new guide books. And you must learn a whole new language. And you will meet a whole new group of people you would never have met.

It's just a different place. It's slower-paced than Italy, less flashy than Italy. But after you've been there for a while and you catch your breath, you look around.... and you begin to notice that Holland has windmills....and Holland has tulips. Holland even has Rembrandts.

But everyone you know is busy coming and going from Italy... and they're all bragging about what a wonderful time they had there. And for the rest of your life, you will say "Yes, that's where I was supposed to go. That's what I had planned."

And the pain of that will never, ever, ever, ever go away... because the loss of that dream is a very very significant loss.

But... if you spend your life mourning the fact that you didn't get to Italy, you may never be free to enjoy the very special, the very lovely things ... about Holland.

Homemaker on a Dime: Divine Rose Tutorial

Homemaker on a Dime: Divine Rose Tutorial: I named these flowers Divine Roses. A rose means, "You are young and beautiful!" Divine means belonging to God. I combined both to impress o...