Hummingbird II

So of course I thought I was going to put up a post a week featuring all those delectable goodies Daughter and I would be baking... Best laid plans, etc.  I did take pictures of all of them, though, so here's an update so far.

Week 2: Chocolate Cupcakes (with chocolate or vanilla frosting)

Hmmmm, these were delectable, and very basic to make.  Again most were given away to Daughter's classmates, and the chocolate-glazed ones were taken with me to the Women at Work Gathering.  Eating them provided the only moment of silence in a very fun and talkative evening.  Here's to more of those meet-ups!

Week 3, Red Velvet Cupcakes (with cream cheese frosting)

Had to go on a hunt for red food coloring, which can really only be found in the Asian (super)markets here.  I only have a picture of the goods before they went into the oven, but they didn't really rise well (this was a more old-fashioned recipe, including vinegar and buttermilk (can I just say that the English term for that sounds so much tastier than the Dutch?) and bicarbonate of soda (which I didn't have at the time)).  I wasn't too blown away by these - although the frosting was delicious.  With this frosting, as with the vanilla and chocolate, they mention that you have to mix it up for "at least 5 minutes" - only the next sentence here is "don't mix too long".  And I don't think you should, or it will start to shift.


Week 4, Lemon Cupcakes (with lemon frosting)

These turned out well!  I think cream cheese frosting would be even better though, because the lemon on top of the lemon was a bit too lemony for me...  Sorry to my colleague in Amsterdam, who I promised one to, but in the end I wasn't sure it would survive transport (also, she would only have gotten it on a Friday, and we make these on Monday).  So instead I will try to remember to bake some more when I next go to Amsterdam myself.

Week 5, Strawberry Cream Cheesecupcakes

Omnonnom - these were yummy but very messy.  Tip for next time: put some of the cookie crumbs you are supposed to put on top in the bottom as well, before you put in the strawberries.  Hopefully that will stop them leaking a bit...  Also, when they say you need 200 grams of biscuits for 12 cupcakes?  They're joking.  A few cookies is more than enough.

Week 6, Cupcakes with a Dark Base*

* Not sure if this is the English title in the English version of the book; I'm translating as I write :-)

Chocolate on the bottom, cheese cake with chocolate chips on top.  What's not to like?  Well, this was another "old-fashioned" recipe, with vinegar etc.  And I've discovered that they turn out quite heavy.  But we did enjoy them, one day even warmed up, with a scoop of vanilla ice cream on top.

Week 7, Hazelnut-Chocolate Cupcakes (with hazelnut frosting)

Ladies and gentlemen, we have a winner!  These are so incredibly delicious...  Please note the rather large pot of Nutella in the background of the first picture.   That says it all, I think.  Right, kid?