Sunday was my mom’s birthday so I’m brought her a dozen cappuccino chip cupcakes from Julie Hasson’s 125 Best Cupcake Recipes and topped ‘em with espresso buttercream and shards of a dark chocolate and espresso bean candy bar. Mmm. Happy birthday to you, mama. For the cupcakes you will need: 1 cup flour 1 Tbs [...]

 I check my stats every night to see what people are searching for that lands them on my blog here. Mostly it’s “Sweet Mandy B’s buttercream recipe” which I told my SMB-employed friend tonight, hopefully she’s flattered. Anyway, I check because I like to see what people are interested in so I can try out [...]

You know that whole “you are your own worst critic” theory? Well, in my baking life I find this to be true. I think almost everything I make is kind of gross, or too dry, or a little “off.” Most time my husband tells me I’m crazy. One time, when a batch of “from scratch” [...]

I noticed that a lot of people find this blog by searching for Sweet Mandy B’s buttercream recipe. Well, my lovlies, can I tell you that one of my good friends happens to manage said bakery? I inquired about their delicious buttercream and sadly, the recipe makes a TUB of buttercream. But I have a [...]

Now, I haven’t been vegan for probably four years, but I still like to bake vegan cupcakes because most time I have everything I need already in my cupboard. Just think, no running out for eggs and butter. Once you own apple cider vinegar and shortening you can pretty much always make vegan cupcakes. I [...]

altered from What to Expect in the First Year by Arlene Eisenberg I changed this recipe from What to Expect the First Year which I devoured while pregnant with Teno. (The book, not the cake.) The recipe makes a double-layered 9 inch cake but I made it into cupcakes which are easier to freeze and [...]

I’m hoping to hold a few charity bake sales this summer, so I’m cruising for clever ideas. People in Chicago are INSANE about their dogs. Dogs wearing clothes is so common I stopped laughing about it. Dogs wearing designer shoes is so common, actually, that stopped being funny and/or sad as well. So I was [...]

It’s not Bush’s choice.

 I’m moving this week end and wanted to get rid of all the partial bags of baking supplies I had. Also, I have this box of banana cake mix that I still can’t remember why I bought it. That sentence had a lot wrong with it. Moving on… So I took the classic cake mix [...]

You know, I’m not just posting random opinions here you guys. What I say really matters, as voted by Yelp’s viewers (today.) Your girl is the greatest Yelper of all time (today.) Behold.