Take Me Out to the Ballgame!

Here in my office we have what I would call a "friendly" rivalry involving Major League Baseball. Some of us love the Seattle Mariners, and others live and die by the Cleveland Indians. In keeping with this playful banter about who's team is better, we've also made a bet regarding the post season odds for each of our teams. (Never mind that the Mariners haven't made the playoffs in eons and the Indians lost in the Wild Card playoff last year.) Regardless of our (and by our, I clearly mean the Mariners) chances, it's still fun. The loser will have to wear the opposing team's hat and take all of us winners out to a fancy dinner.

When two of these teams biggest fans share a birthday, the cupcake design was clearly a no-brainer. I topped yummy chocolate cupcakes with vanilla buttercream dipped in white sprinkles, followed by red icing "laces." A few pennants printed and attached to straws later, we were done!

When you don't have much time to devote to decorating, it's amazing how far some quick signs or banners will take your cupcakes. Especially with using baseball as your theme, these toppers can easily customize them with little effort.

The Mariners are facing off against the Indians this week and based on Game 1 of the 3 game series, I'd say the Cleveland fan in the office is going to be in big trouble come October.

Go Mariners!

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"We Are All Witnesses"

Unless you've been living under a rock, you know that on Friday Lebron James announced he was returning to the Cleveland Cavaliers. Not being from Cleveland myself, I'm having a hard time figuring out why the city is welcoming him back with open arms. He left them for a title, money, and fame and yet they still squeal in excitement at his return? If A-Rod decided he wanted to leave the Yankees and come back to the Mariners (assuming this would have been while he was still a good player), I'm pretty sure I would have at the very least kicked a few things and still booed him at games.

But regardless of feelings of joy or hate, these cupcakes I made for a coworker's birthday seemed appropriate. Now I should note that she has nothing to do with Lebron or Ohio, but instead just has a nickname around the office of "Witness." Simple chocolate cupcakes can be topped with frosting in any color, but if you're celebrating you should probably stick to red and white and stay away from anything close to the Miami Heat!

Happy baking and best of luck to the Cavaliers next season!

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Happy 238th Birthday America!

If you're anything like me, you've probably procrastinated on the dessert portion of today's BBQ festivities. When I'm in a pinch, the first place I usually turn is to Martha Stewart. Her flourless chocolate cake recipe is easy, quick, and involves few ingredients!

Ingredients

• • 6 tablespoons unsalted butter, plus more for pan
  • 8 ounces bittersweet or semisweet chocolate, finely chopped
  • 6 large eggs, separated
  • 1/2 cup granulated sugar
  • Confectioners' sugar, for dusting
  • Sweetened whipped cream, for serving

Directions

1. Preheat the oven to 275 degrees with the rack in the center. Butter the bottom and sides of a 9-inch springform pan. Set aside.
2. Place butter and chocolate in a large heatproof bowl and microwave in 30-second increments, stirring each time, until completely melted. Let cool slightly. Whisk in egg yolks.
3. In a large bowl, beat egg whites until soft peaks form. Gradually add granulated sugar, and continue beating until glossy stiff peaks form. Whisk 1/4 of the egg whites into the chocolate mixture; then gently fold in remaining egg whites.
4. Pour batter into the prepared pan, and smooth the top with a rubber spatula. Bake until the cake pulls away from the sides of the pan and is set in the center, 45 to 50 minutes. Cool completely on a wire rack; remove sides of pan. Serve at room temperature, dusted with confectioners' sugar. Serve with whipped cream, if desired.

 

Now I skipped the whipped cream and served with ice cream because that just seems more summery to me!

 

Happy Independence Day from our nation's capital!

 

 

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