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Showing posts with label happy birthday. Show all posts
Showing posts with label happy birthday. Show all posts

Wednesday, November 9, 2011

Yummm! A Bounty of Birthday-Ready Cupcakes!!!

I's my birthday, y'all!!!!! I am 34 years old today, and I am very excited and optimistic about the next year of my life will bring me. I am old enough to not want a cake on my birthday, but I do wish to sink my teeth into a delicious, yummy cuppy cake sometime within the next several hours! LOL

To inspire me to manifest a delicious sweet treat for my birthday, I scoured the internet for some yummy nummy cupcake recipes that I would love to nibble on today!

German Chocolate Cupcake
Recipe Courtesy of Yum Sugar

Ingredients

Cake
1 cup sugar
3/4 cup all-purpose flour
1/2 cup unsweetened cocoa powder, preferably Dutch process
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
Pinch of salt
2 large eggs
1/2 cup cold strong brewed coffee
1/2 cup buttermilk
1/2 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
4 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
Ganache
1 cup heavy cream
1/2 pound imported semisweet chocolate, finely chopped
Nut Filling
2 large egg yolks
1/2 cup sugar
3/4 cup evaporated whole milk
3 tablespoons unsalted butter, cut into small pieces
1 cup coarsely shredded sweetened coconut (about 2 1/2 ounces)
1 cup coarsely chopped pecans (about 4 ounces), toasted
3/4 teaspoon pure vanilla extract

Directions

Toast pecan pieces at 350°F for 8-10 minutes until fragrant. Keep a close watch and occasionally toss the pecans to ensure that they don't burn.

Make the cake: Preheat the oven to 350°F. Butter and flour a muffin pan. In a bowl, sift together the sugar, flour, cocoa, baking soda, baking powder, and salt.

In another bowl, whisk together the eggs, coffee, buttermilk, and vanilla.
Beat the coffee mixture into the dry ingredients in 2 batches with an electric mixer on low speed. Beat in the butter. Pour the batter into the prepared muffin tin and bake for 8-12 minutes, or until a cake tester inserted in the center comes out clean.
Let the cakes cool in the pan on a rack.

Meanwhile, make the ganache: In a small saucepan, bring the cream to a boil over moderately high heat. Remove from the heat and stir in the chocolate. Let stand for 1 minute, then whisk until smooth. Transfer the ganache to a bowl and refrigerate, stirring occasionally, until chilled and thickened, about 2 hours.

Make the nut filling: In a heavy medium saucepan, whisk together the egg yolks and sugar. Whisk in the evaporated milk and then the butter. Cook over moderate heat, stirring constantly, until the mixture thickens and lightly coats a spoon, about 10 minutes; do not let it boil.
Remove from the heat and stir in the coconut, pecans, and vanilla. Transfer to a bowl and let cool completely.

To fill the center of the cupcakes with nut filling, turn each cake upside down. Using your finger or a small spoon, carefully scoop out some of the cake to create a small hole. Gently insert the nut filling. Turn right side up.

Place on a cooling rack with either a pan underneath or wax paper to catch the extra ganache. If ganache is too hard, let it stand at room temperature and stir it briefly. Use a spoon to drizzle the ganache until the entire cupcake is covered. Place in a refrigerator or freezer to allow the ganache to set. Top each cupcake with a dollop of nut filling.

Coconut Cupcakes with Seven-Minute Frosting and Coconut Flakes
Recipe Courtesy of Martha Stewart

Ingredients

1 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
2 teaspoons baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup packed sweetened shredded coconut
6 ounces (1 1/2 sticks) unsalted butter, softened
1 1/3 cups sugar
2 large eggs, plus 2 large egg whites
3/4 cup unsweetened coconut milk
1 1/2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
Seven-Minute Frosting
1 1/3 cups large-flake unsweetened coconut

Directions

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Line standard muffin tins with paper liners. Whisk dry ingredients in a large bowl. Cream butter and sugar with a mixer until light and fluffy. Add eggs, 1 at a time, beating after each addition.

Reduce speed to low. Mix any remaining wet ingredients in a bowl if needed. Add dry ingredients to butter mixture in 3 additions, alternating with wet ingredients and ending with dry. Scrape sides of bowl. Divide batter among muffin cups, filling each 2/3 full.

Bake cupcakes until testers inserted into centers come out clean, about 20 minutes. Let cool in tins on wire racks. Once cupcakes are cool, mound frosting on tops. Sprinkle with unsweetened coconut. Serve immediately.

White Russian Cupcake
Recipe courtesy of Casey's Cupcakes, Cupcake Wars (Food Network)

Ingredients
2 1/2 cups cake flour
8 tablespoons vanilla instant pudding mix
1 tablespoon baking powder
1/4 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
5 whole eggs
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
1 cup milk
1/4 cup half-and-half
3/4 cup butter
1 1/2 cups sugar
3 ounces sour cream
2 tablespoons mayonnaise
1 ounce coffee liqueur (recommended: Kahlua)
1 tablespoon mocha paste
Irish Cream Filling (recipe follows)
12 ounces Irish Buttercream (recipe follows)
Small chocolate pearls (recommended: Verona)
Chocolate cigarettes
Gold dust
Vodka
Directions
Preheat the oven to 300 degrees F. Prepare a cupcake pan with 24 cupcake liners.

Combine the cake flour, pudding mix, baking powder, baking soda, and salt in 1 medium bowl. Crack the eggs into a second bowl and add the vanilla extract. Measure the milk and half-and-half into a third bowl. In a 5-quart mixer with a paddle attachment, cream the butter until fluffy. Stop the mixer and scrape down the sides with a spatula. Turn the mixer on first speed, add the sugar, and mix until fluffy. Add the eggs 1 at a time. Scrape down the bowl. Add the sour cream and mayonnaise and incorporate completely. Scrape down the bowl. Add the dry ingredients, alternating with the wet. You will start and end with the dry ingredients. Mix the coffee liqueur and mocha paste into the batter until smooth and no lumps are present.

Using a 2-ounce ice cream scoop, scoop 2 ounces of batter into the cupcake liners. Bake for 18 minutes. Insert a skewer into the cupcake, if it comes out clean they are ready to be removed from the oven. Let cool for 20 minutes.

Scoop out the center of the cooled cupcakes with a melon baller. Fill a piping bag with Irish Cream Filling and cut a small hole at the end of the bag to allow the filling to be piped into the hollowed out center of cupcake. Fill all the cupcakes with about 1/2 ounce of filling.

To assemble: Place a round tip # 809 into a large piping bag. Fill the piping bag with Irish Buttercream. Generously pipe about 1 ounce buttercream onto each cupcake. Garnish each cupcake with 4 or 5 small chocolate pearls and a chocolate cigarette. Mix equal parts gold dust with vodka to make an edible gold paint. Using a small round brush, paint the ends of the chocolate cigarettes. The edible paint will dry leaving behind the gold dust.

This recipe was provided by professional chefs and has been scaled down from a bulk recipe provided by a restaurant. The Food Network Kitchens chefs have not tested this recipe, in the proportions indicated, and therefore, we cannot make any representation as to the results.

Irish Buttercream:
4 pounds butter, softened
8 ounces high ratio shortening (recommended: Sweetex)
8 cups confectioners' sugar, sifted
4 tablespoons vanilla extract
2 tablespoons lemon extract
1 tablespoon mocha paste
4 tablespoons cherry liqueur
2 ounces Irish liqueur (recommended: Bailey's Irish Cream)
1 1/2 ounces coffee liqueur (recommended: Kahlua)
1 tablespoon vodka
In a 5-quart mixer with the paddle attachment, cream the butter and shortening together. On first speed, add the sifted powdered sugar to the bowl in 3 parts. Let each part incorporate into the butter mixture before adding the next. After adding all the sugar, put the mixer on the fourth (highest) speed and mix for 8 to 10 minutes. The buttercream will begin to gain volume and look white and fluffy. Once you bring the buttercream to full volume, add the extracts and the mocha paste. Lastly, add the liqueurs and vodka and incorporate completely.

Cook's Note: The longer you let it mix, the more volume you will have. If the buttercream is airy and shows a lot of holes, add a small amount of warm water and mix well.

Irish Cream Filling:
8 ounces heavy cream
4 ounces Irish liqueur (recommended: Bailey's Irish Cream)
In a 5-quart mixer with the paddle attachment, add the heavy cream and whip to full volume. Add the Irish liqueur and, on first speed, fold in the liqueur until completely incorporated.

And last.... but most certainly not least.... the cupcake I need in my life today........ :::sighs dreamily:::

White Chocolate Cupcakes
Recipe Courtesy of AllRecipes.com

Ingredients

1 cup Ghirardelli Classic White Chocolate Chips
6 ounces Ghirardelli White Chocolate Baking Bar
1 3/4 cups all-purpose flour, plus
2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
3/4 teaspoon baking powder
1/4 teaspoon salt
3/4 cup unsalted butter, at room temperature
1 1/2 cups granulated white sugar
3 large eggs
3/4 cup whole milk
3/4 teaspoon fresh lemon juice
1/2 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
4 large egg whites
1 cup granulated white sugar, plus
2 tablespoons granulated white sugar
1 cup unsalted butter at room temperature, plus
2 tablespoons unsalted butter, at room temperature

Directions

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Line 14 cupcake molds or muffin tins with paper liners or spray with nonstick spray. Sift together the flour, baking powder, and salt.

To make the cupcakes, in large bowl, beat the 3/4 cup butter and 1-1/2 cups sugar with an electric mixer on medium speed until light. Add the 3 eggs, one at a time, scraping down the sides of the bowl between each addition. Stir together the milk, lemon juice, and the vanilla. On low speed, add half the milk mixture. Mix until incorporated; scrape down the sides of the bowl. Add the remaining milk mixture and the dry ingredients in the same manner. Divide the batter among the 14 cupcake molds.

Bake on the middle oven rack for about 15 minutes, or until a tester inserted in the center of the cupcakes comes out clean. Cool cupcakes in their pans for 10 minutes. Then unmold and cool on a wire rack.

To make the frosting, melt the white chocolate baking bar in the top of a double boiler, or in a heatproof bowl over barely simmering water, stirring occasionally until smooth. Cool to room temperature. While the chocolate is cooling, combine the egg whites and 1 cup plus 2 tablespoons sugar in the bowl of an electric mixer. Place the bowl in a pot of simmering water so the water comes a third of the way up the bowl. Lightly whisk the egg whites just until hot to the touch, about 1-1/2 minutes.

Remove the bowl from the pot on whisk on high speed until very thick and cooled to room temperature, about 5 minutes. Decrease the mixer to medium-low speed and add the butter, 1 tablespoon at a time, mixing the butter in before adding the next tablespoon. Add the melted white chocolate and vanilla and mix until smooth. Frost the top of each cupcake and sprinkle them with the white chocolate chips.

Thursday, October 20, 2011

Miss Moon's Musing About: My 34th Birthday "Wanna Wanna" Wish List!!


In less than a month, I will be turning 34 (Scorpio Representin'). A few bad experiences in my past (Long story short: Got dumped!) have made my birthday something I don't especially relish. As I'm getting older, I've changed my attitude that the day can be one of celebration, not disappointment and hurt. And I know that the celebration begins with me: I plan on reflecting on the lessons and blessings that have entered my life in the past year and think about my goals for the year to come.

But I'm not going to front, y'all... I can't wait to get some pressies, too! LOL

There has been a wish list formulating in my head for the past few months. Items I'd love for my birthday, some I plan on getting for myself. Now that I'm on the  nicotine patch (for a few days now, so far so good!!), I can definitely use the money I'm saving on a few splurges!!! I thought that it would be fun to share some of the must-haves on my list with you all, as I did last year...


Curlformers Long and Extra Wide Styling Kit I've been dying to get my hands on some of these ever since seeing Trenellm's amazing video on them. If anyone has them.. let me know, do I need one kit or two? Hmmmm...


Burberry Body Fragrance I received a free sample in the mail a few months ago, and was promptly hooked on the scent. I've been weening myself off the sample as not to use it up! LOL


JIBRI Plus Size High Waist Flare Skirt (Navy) Most definitely the oldest item on my list. I've been stalking this skirt, ever since eyeing Chastity of The Curvy Girl's Guide to Style rocking it in April.


INC International Concepts Three Quarter Sleeve Colorblocked Sweater One guess my inspiration for wanting this sweater! LOL


Anita Grant Rhassoul Deep Condish Block Let me be clear: I would want one of these bad boys for my birthday, your birthday, Martin Luther King's birthday, Jesus' birthday! My hair is hooked, I admit it!


Rachel Stewart Jewelry Fly Girl Earrings After purchasing her Natural Necklace last year, I've been a definite fan, and plan on ordering many, many items from the site. While I love all the colors, I think the black earrings are my favorite.


ASOS Curve Shirt With Super Long Pussybow Love love love the color, love the bow... would rock this whole look!!!

Simply Be Lace Trim Tie Neck Top Truthfully, I want to add Simply Be's entire new Ethnic 70s Collection to my birthday list, but I am being modest and selecting only this one item!!! lol

Do you make birthday wish lists? What tops your list? Any items from my list on yours? Let's talk! :)

Thursday, July 7, 2011

Miss Moon's Musing About: A Happy Born-Day to My Shero....


.... Cree Summer!!!

Since I was still rocking pigtails, Cree Summer has been the bee's knees to me and continues to be to this day!


I could not let the birthday of my big sister (in my head!) to go without speaking on it and sharing how much Cree Summer has meant to me and how much of an inspiration she is to me to this day!


So much of who I am as an adult has been a result of her ridiculously phenomenal (and ridiculously slept on) albums, "Womb Amnesia" (with the band, Subject to Change) and "Street Faerie". Her music helped me survive an unhealthy relationship, it helped me to walk away, and it helped me to pick the pieces back up.


I have not yet been blessed with the opportunity to meet Cree in person, or to hear her perform the songs that have touched my heart, but both remain at the very top of my bucket list.


I don't know for certain if these words will ever reach Cree (since she's called herself "Amish 2000" on occasion!) but if they do, I hope that she knows that I was sending her oceans of love, gratitude and light on her birthday!!!

Happy Happy Birthday to Cree Summer!!!!!

Thursday, June 9, 2011

Miss Moon's Musings is Two Years Old Today!!!!



I cannot believe it, but two years ago today, I published my very first post for this blog, aptly entitled, "About Me: So What the Eff's a Brooklyn Geechee?!?" LOL I started the blog on June 9th, because it is also the birthday of someone very important and special to me - my grandmother, Vivian (I miss you, Grandma!).

622 (!!) posts later, I find myself here writing these words, full of emotions. I've always been the VERY reserved and quiet type of Scorpio, and this blog has, in many ways helped me to open up a bit. I'm not the social butterfly I'd like to be, yet... but baby steps!!! I'm a big girl with natural hair who is constantly trying to improve herself. Starting Miss Moon's Musings has allowed me to be myself, without fear of reproach or condemnation.

I am so immensely grateful to all of you who dig the pieces of my life I've shared with you thus far: The rantings, ramblings and revelations that swirl around my head as I clickety-clack away at my laptop. Thank you, from the bottom of my heart to the people who have followed from the beginning. Thank you and welcome to my newest followers. I can't wait to discover what the third year of Miss Moon's Musings will bring with you all!!!!!!

Monday, February 7, 2011

Music Therapy with Miss Moon

Happy Monday, Everybody! I hope that the weekend was a good one, and of course hope that the week to come is even better!

This week's Music Therapy with Miss Moon selection goes out to my very best friend in the world, Natasha, who's celebrating a birthday today!!



I hope you all will enjoy this beautifully soulful "Bridge Over Troubled Water", courtesy of Whitney Houston and CeCe Winans!!





Happy Happy Birthday, Natasha!! With fierce love!!

Sunday, October 24, 2010

Miss Moon's Musing About: My 33rd Birthday Gift List



My Mum has a little ritual that I really admire. On her birthday, she buys herself a very special birthday present. I am sure many people do this, but astonishingly, I have never ever purchased a gift for myself. And this year, in 16 days to be exact, I will be turning 33... which I have learned is a very significant year.

In numerology, 33 is a Master Number, representing the Master Healer. Of the 99 Beautiful Names of Allah, Number 33 is al-Azim, the Supreme Glory, the Most Grand. Jesus Christ is believed to have been either 30 or 33 years old when He died. Many Christians consider the "perfect age" to be 33. Saint Joseph was 33 years old when he married with the Virgin Mary, according to visions of Mary Agreda.

So I have decided to get myself three very special birthday presents this year, to incorporate this self-loving birthday ritual into my life.... Three is a magic number, of course! And of course, I thought to share my would-be goodies with you!!



My first gift is the Maasai Beaded Bangle from Rachel Stewart Jewelry. I think Rachel rocks and I've been stalking her jewelry (not to mention her DOPE AS HELL blog) for a while now. I love the idea of rocking a couple of these bangles with an all black ensemble for a splash of color. Imagine the bracelets and a bright red lip? Fierce!!!!



My second selection is the Lykke Likes Cocoa Agate Hair Combs from Peace Images. I've been wanting to experiment with hair combs for awhile, and I cannot think of a better way to get started!!!



Last, but not least, I am head over heels in love with the Togo Teal Scarf v2 from Casa di Culture. Lime green jersey knit on one side, Wax Batik print on the other.... fierce and fabulous for winter? You betcha!!!!

I plan on not only buying these gifts for myself.. but wrapping the presents, so that I will have them to open on my actual birthday. I am going to buy very nice wrapping paper and a card for myself that expresses my blessings for my 33rd year. It all begins with me, and I am really happy about actively loving myself!!!

Monday, July 26, 2010

Music Therapy with Miss Moon

I remember going with my older sister Marcy to see Labyrinth in the movie theater. We were in Florida at the time, and I was nine years old. I remember we sat in the very front row, which is something I still love to do to this day and we nestled into our seats and prepared ourselves for what Dane Cook called a "cinematic adventure"...



I left the movie theater a completely different person than the young, naive girl who walked in with her older sister. And it was all because of David Bowie's package.



I truly believe that it was there that I noticed that there was a difference between boys and girls, and in discovering that difference, puberty came a-calling! LMAO

Anyhoo, enough about me... this week's Music Therapy with Miss Moon is dedicated to my friend Teresa, who is THE BIGGEST David Bowie fan, with a.... big, "Happy Birthday!".. Enjoy the crotchiliciousness!!! :)



Wednesday, May 19, 2010

Yummm! A Birthday Dinner for Malcolm X



Today would have been the 85th birthday of El-Hajj Malik El-Shabazz, the man most of the world knows as Malcolm X. The feast I have planned (in my mind) to celebrate is one I think Brother Malcolm would approve of! Enjoy!!

Baked Eggplant

(Recipe Courtesy of Sister Clara Muhammad)

1 medium eggplant Boiling water
1 1/2 tablespoon salt
1/4 cup salad oil or olive oil
1 onion chopped
1 medium green pepper cut in
1/4-inch cubes
1 tomato skinned and chopped
1/2 teaspoon dried basil or I teaspoon fresh chopped
1/2 teaspoon dried oregano or
1 teaspoon fresh chopped
1/8 teaspoon pepper
1/2 Cup bread or corn flakes crumbs
2 tablespoons butter

1. Wash eggplant and cover with boiling water. Add I tablespoon of the salt and boil 20 minutes. Turn it several times to cook evenly, since it will ride on the top of the water. Drain and rinse in cold water.

2. Peel the eggplant and cut in 1/4-inch cubes.

3. Heat the oil in a skillet and lightly saute the onion. Stir in the eggplant, green pepper, tomato, basil, oregano, remaining V2 tablespoon salt, and pepper.

4. Place in a greased medium casserole, cover with crumbs, and dot with butter.

5. Bake in a 350 degree oven about 30 minutes, or until well-browned.
Serves 4-5

Baked Fish

(Recipe Courtesy of Zawaj.com)

1 1/2 - 2 lbs. red snapper or any other firm white fish
1 box cherry tomatoes
about 1 cup pitted black olives or to taste
2 cloves garlic
1 onion, chopped
1/4 to 1/2 lb feta cheese, or to taste

Coat fish lightly with olive oil and lay in a shallow baking dish. Put in a 350F oven to bake. While fish is cooking, saute onion until translucent, add garlic, tomatoes, and olives and cook just until tomatoes collapse. Just before fish is done, top with crumbled feta and cook just until cheese softens/melts. Serve with vegetables of your choice.

Om Ali

(Recipe Courtesy of Epicureaders.com)

14 sheets fresh phyllo pastry or frozen, thawed (about 1/2 pound)
1/2 cup whole blanched almonds (about 3 ounces)
1/2 cup raisins
3 cups milk (do not use low-fat or nonfat)
1 cup sugar
2 tablespoons (1/4 stick) unsalted butter
1 cup whipping cream
2 teaspoons orange flower water
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/2 cup coarsely chopped pistachios

Position racks in top and bottom thirds of oven and preheat to 500°F. Stack 7 pastry sheets on each of 2 large baking sheets. Bake until top pastry sheets are dry and crisp but not brown, about 45 seconds. Working quickly, transfer top pastry sheets to another large baking sheet and cool (pastry may break). Repeat baking and removing top sheets from each stack every 45 seconds. Reduce oven temperature to 350°F.

Arrange half of phyllo in bottom of 13 x 9 x 2-inch glass baking dish, breaking phyllo to fit into dish as necessary. Reserve 2 tablespoons almonds and 2 tablespoons raisins. Sprinkle remaining almonds and raisins over pastry. Cover with remaining pastry, breaking into pieces and pressing to fit into dish. Combine milk, sugar and butter in heavy medium saucepan. Stir over medium heat until sugar dissolves and butter melts. Remove pan from heat. Mix in cream and orange flower water. Pour milk mixture over phyllo (phyllo will shrink as it absorbs milk mixture). Sprinkle with cinnamon, then pistachios and reserved almonds and raisins.

Bake until pudding puffs and center is set, about 45 minutes or less Serve hot.

Sunday, February 7, 2010

A Little [MARY J BLIGE] for a Saturday Night

Even though it's Sunday.... God, I remember when "What's the 411?" first came out. My girl Natasha hipped me to Mary J. Blige, playing "You Remind Me"... I actually think she got me the album. I played it on my little cd boombox to DEATH!!! This song instantly evokes Saturday nights spent laying on my bed, reading magazines, day dreaming and singing along with Miss Mary J. Blige.

I am going to dedicate this edition of "for a Saturday Night" to Natasha, with a very special "Happy Birthday" love shout!!!



Mary J. Blige "Love No Limit"


Tuesday, September 22, 2009

Happy Birthday, Mizz Lennnid* (This is Your Birthday Card!)


* (Mizz Lennnid is the nickname many of her friends have given to my Mum.)

Mama Moon sailing the seven seas
While Miss Moon reps the NYC
I'm not troubled by the space between
I'll send my love with the ocean breeze

Seagulls seem to call out her name
Clouds crown her absent of rain
The sun shining each step she makes
The world's wishing her Happy Birthday!!!



Dear Mother I love you and want you to know,
I think of you often wherever I go.
You lift me up; you're like walking sunshine;
I am lucky to have a great mother like mine.
Your endless affection makes you special and rare;
I'm always amazed by how much you care.
What you've given to me I can never repay,
Thank you, Mom, on your 65th birthday.
By Joanna Fuchs

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, MUM! I LOVE YOU!!!

Saturday, August 29, 2009

A Little [LUCY PEARL] for a Saturday Night

This one goes out to my homegirl:

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, JAMILLAH!!!


We're gonna dance tonight to celebrate your special day!