Super Moist Chocolate Cupcakes With The BEST Cream Cheese Icing

Yesterday I was in a baking mood. Sure, I had some things to return to the store, some clothes to drop off at the consignment shop and my tax form to fill out and return (for my photography business), BUT, I did make it to the gym, so why not counteract that small bit of productivity with some good ole chocolate cupcakes?!
I love searching the internet for new recipes. I was in the mood to make cupcakes and I wanted to make them from scratch. I checked the pantry to see what ingredients I had on hand and found I was stocked up on ingredients to make this chocolate cupcake recipe. I tried the frosting recipe that is included on that page and I didn't like it so much. It was REALLY sweet and didn't have a good consistency. So I searched some more for a better frosting recipe and came across a cream cheese frosting recipe, let me just stop here a second and say, MY OH MY, this is frosting heaven!!! It took a lot of self control to not eat this frosting by the spoonful, it is THAT good!
Anyway, the chocolate cupcakes came out super moist, almost like a devil's food cake; paired with this cream cheese frosting and topped with chocolate shavings and toffee bits, this is the perfect cupcake! Whose birthday is next?? I'm ready to bake some more of these bad boys!

I hope you enjoy! Try them out, they are super easy and very delicious! Don't have a piping bag or tip? Just use a Ziploc and cut one corner at an angle and now you can frost the cupcakes with a more professional look :) (That is how I frosted mine)

Here are the links to the recipes:

Super Moist Chocolate Cupcakes:

http://www.fortheloveofcooking.net/2010/12/super-moist-chocolate-cupcake-with.html


The Best Cream Cheese Frosting Recipe:

http://www.slashfood.com/2007/10/24/last-cream-cheese-frosting/


Here's my documentation; my little baking buddy loved being the taste tester!

Hmmm...

I think he approves!

How in the word he got the batter on his legs and socks, I have no idea!

This is what happened when I put the icing away...

But then he got the beater and was happy again

Icing on the left-VERY sweet buttercream, icing on the right-DELICIOUS cream cheese...as you can see the cream cheese is a better consistency too

Again, left is buttercream; right is cream cheese. I'm no cupcake expert, but pretty sure the right looks better then the left (I used the same method to ice them)

Final product...aren't those cupcake papers super cute? I found them at our local party store :)

Now, excuse me while I go scarf one of these down for breakfast...

Enjoy!

~Susan

Why Didn't I Think Of That?!?

Pinterest; for me, it's a love/hate relationship. I love it for the obvious: awesome ideas, yummy recipes, inspiring quotes, cute crafts and so on...I dislike it because it's addicting, it can make you question your own crafting skills, and it can really make you crazy with that constant "Wow, I really need to keep up with everyone else and try this {recipe/craft} like right now!" Do you know what I'm talking about? Also, how about that constant thought, "Why didn't I think of that?!"?
Well, I did find this super simple idea for me to do with my daughter that only required me to buy one thing, and would provide us an opportunity to work on something together :)
We made some mini lanterns out of Dixie cups and Christmas lights! That's it! Very simple and very cute! She enjoyed the project and the outcome, and most importantly, making something with mom :)
Here is what we came up with...now I know it would look WAY better with a string of white wire Christmas lights, but this is what we had, and, being 7, she really didn't care ;)

So, you take Dixie cups, mark an X at the bottom and cut with an Xacto knife and push light bulb through the X, and that's it! Cute, huh? These are the kinds of Pinterest ideas I love; simple, easy, inexpensive, creative and a good project to do with my kids.

What's your favorite new idea you have found on Pinterest?

~Susan

Summer Fields

Yesterday was a gorgeous day here in Alaska, so a few hours before sunset I took this special girl to a nearby field to capture some sweet moments. I love lighting just before sunset; it's so soft and natural. She definitely enjoyed some special one on one time, as you can tell :)

Hope you all have a fabulous weekend!

~Susan

Birth Announcements

I have been busy the last week or so working on my new branding and over all "look" for my photography business. I am just about finished with my website (yay!) and now have my husband working on a project for me; something I will be using in my newborn sessions....newborns, ahhh, they are so cute and cuddly and soft and sweet! I don't know about you, but I just love them! So, speaking of newborns and the work I have been doing lately with my marketing, I now offer birth announcements! I have 12 different designs that are all customizable and sure to be treasured by your family and friends all over the country!

Here are a few samples of my new announcements. Remember they are all customizable to make sure you get that one of a kind look!


Sample1: front

 Sample1: back

 Sample2: front

 Sample2: back

 Sample3: front

 Sample3: back

 Sample 4: front

 Sample4: back

So, what do you think? There are plenty more to choose from, and the best part? I do all the work for you! You can pick the sample you like best, which photos you would like to use and which colors you would prefer, or, if you just can't decide, leave it all up to me! Couldn't be any easier! I order these from a professional online printing company that guarantees a beautiful product! 

If you know anyone having a baby soon, send them my way! I would love to capture their sweet new one in those precious first days of life. 

Keep an eye out for my new website which will hopefully be up and running within the next week: www.susanwetlesenphotography.com 

Thank you all for your continued support! You are the BEST! 

Goodnight! 

~Susan

susan.wetlesen@gmail.com

6 Days New

Hi there! Here are some photos from my recent newborn shoot. A sweet and cuddly 6 day old baby girl! Best part of the job is holding these little angels! I love newborns! For those of you who dislike the first year and would like to skip it (as I would from age 3-4) just send those babies my way and I'll take care of them and send them right back on their first birthday, sound like a plan? ;)

Sleeping Beauty for sure!

Hope you all have a great weekend!

~Susan

Pearl Harbor

In honor of the recent D-Day anniversary, I thought I would post some photos I took at Pearl Harbor 2 weeks ago. It was a touching experience for sure. Walking through the memorials and reading about the specific events that happened that day was heartbreaking. Being a military wife and an American, I am so very proud of our service men and women, as I am everyday; but walking on that very ground that was attacked like no other in history, brought even more of a deeper sense of pride and appreciation for what happened that day. I hope you enjoy these photos, and remember to count your blessings and be grateful for this amazing and free country we live in; thanks of those who have served and still serve today.



Ford Island

U.S.S. Arizona Memorial, built over the sunken ship

The U.S.S. Arizona ship, underwater

The men and women who are forever at rest in the sunken U.S.S. Arizona