Valentine's Projects



Valentine earings and gauzy flower pin




Earings for Sarah

Well being a conscientious mumsie, I had to have something that I made to put in the parcel for daughter #1, seeing as Miss Melle is getting the duvet cover and trimmings.  So these are the very first pr. of earings that I've made. Actually the pictures are backwards and I haven't yet figured out how to switch things about, the top photo is of ones I made for myself...to wear tomorrow of course, with the flower pin....on a pink sweater naturally!  I made Sarah's first. The photo looks a little fuzzy...perhaps time for a better camera!


And being Valentine's Day, of course I have to take treats in to school.  So here is what I made:  Black Bottom Cupcakes! 



  

Ingredients

• 1 1/2 cups all purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1 cup white sugar
• 1/3 cup vegetable oil
• 1 cup water
• 1 tablespoon vinegar
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1 (8 ounce) pkg. cream cheese, softened
• 1 egg
• 1/2 cup white sugar
• 1/8 teaspoon salt
• 1 cup miniature semisweet chocolate chips

DIRECTIONS

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C)  Line two 12 cup muffin pans with paper liners, or spray with cooking non-stick spray.  Or, use 24 cup mini muffin pans plus one 12 cup regular size muffin pan.  (this is what I did)
2. Sift together flour, baking soda, cocoa powder and salt.  Set aside.
3. In a large bowl, whisk together 1 cup sugar, oil and water until blended.  Stir in the vinegar and vanilla.  Beat in flour mixture until incorporated.  Set aside.
4. In a medium bowl, beat together the cream cheese, 1/3 cup sugar and salt.  Stir in the chocolate chips.
5. Fill muffin cups 1/3 full with chocolate batter.  Top with a teaspoon of the cream cheese mixture.  Bake in pre-heated oven until top springs back when lightly pressed.  20-25 min.  (less time for smaller pans)

Let cool completely.

STURDY WHIP CREAM FROSTING
(don't you love how it is called "sturdy"!)

• 1 pkg. cream cheese softened
• 1/2 cupwhite4 sugar
• 1 teaspoon vanilla
• 1/2 teaspoon almond flavouring
• 2 cups heavy whipping cream

Combine cream cheese, sugar and flavourings.  Mix on medium speed until smooth.  While beating, pour in the cream.  Keep beating and scraping the bottom of your mixing bowl until stiff peaks form.  Keep refrigerated.



Ready for the oven



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Iced and ready to go!