{Butterbeer Cupcakes}

Yes, it's another Harry Potter inspired post.

This surprises anyone?

Well, not only is it nearly Halloween, but, it's also the birthday of yet another favorite character. Really, she's the glue that holds so many of them together.

She's awesome.

She is Molly Weasley.

photo property of Warner Bros. Studios

She's an amazing mother and a talented, powerful witch. I love her.  Her kids are definitely her first priority and she sure makes them tow the line. No slackers in the Weasley family. She's so strong. She lived through the death of her 2 brothers in the first wizarding war,  she raised 7 children (6 of them boys), became a member of the Order of the Phoenix, watched one son abandon the family,  nursed  her husband and 2 of her sons through grave injuries, and watched another son die.  Oh, and, she totally took down Bellatrix Lastrange single-handedly mere hours after her son died.

Bellatrix Lestrange: "What will happen to your children when I've killed you? When Mummy's gone the same way as Freddie?"

Molly: "You — will — never — touch — our — children — again!"

And let's be honest here, she's got one of the best lines in the entire series.

         Molly: "Not my daughter, you b!t@h!"

The Weasley family may have been poor, but they were never lacking in morals or love, thanks to Molly and Arthur. Molly also considered Harry her own. In Order of the Phoenix when Sirius proclaims that Harry is not her son, she replies back hotly that "He's as good as!".

So, basically... she's.. yeah. awesome.

Today is her birthday. She's normally making the food for people. I know how that feels, so, these, Molly, are for you.

I know Butterbeer Cupcakes have been done and done again, but these? So easy. They start with a box mix. I know, right? Just splash in a few extras, whip up some easy buttercream, and you are done.

Oh, yeah, they also taste AWESOME. Butterbeery. Good. Molly would like them, I know.

That is, if Ron left her any... You know how he is.


Happy Birthday, Molly!

Tina



See all my Harry Potter posts (recipes, crafts, and two massive parties!) here.

If you haven’t already,  you can ‘like’ my Facebook page here, and follow me on twitter here, and you can follow me on instagram here.


Easy Butterbeer Cupcakes
by Tina @ Sugar Bean Bakers

Yellow Cake Mix (and eggs/oil it calls for)
Vanilla Cream Soda
1/2 teaspoon Butter Flavoring
1/4 cup Butterscotch ice cream topping

Prepare cupcake pan with liners and set aside. Preheat oven to 350 F.

Prepare cake as directed on back of box, except use the vanilla cream soda in place of the water that the recipe calls for. After mixing the cake mix, cream soda, eggs, and oil, add in the butter flavoring, and the ice cream topping. Mix again until distributed.

Scoop batter into cupcake liners and bake for approx. 19 minutes. 

Allow to fully cool before adding Butterbeer Buttercream

Butterbeer (Butterscotch) Buttercream
by Tina @ Sugar Bean Bakers

3/4 cup butter (softened)
1/4 cup shortening (I prefer Crisco)
3-4 cups powdered sugar
1/2 cup butterscotch ice cream topping
pinch of salt
Milk*

Beat the butter and shortening until fluffy. Slowly add in the powdered sugar. Beat for about 3 minutes. Add in the salt and ice cream topping. Mix until distributed.

*you shouldn't need any milk with the liquid ice cream topping, but if you find the buttercream too thick, add milk 1 teaspoon at a time until desired consistency.

Drizzle extra butterscotch topping on top of cupcakes & add sprinkles if desired.

{3rd Blogiversary WINNERS}

Winnnnners! winners!! I have some winners here!


First, for the gorgeous cookbook from  SprinkleBakes we have Post #29- Melinda

and for the box of goodies from Bake it Pretty. (I really want to know what's in your box, so keep me posted :D):

Post #12 Nerdmama

Winners, please email me at sugarbeanbakers@gmail.com to send me your addresses.


Thanks so much to everyone that entered. I really loved reading which posts were your favorite!


Thanks again to Heather at SprinkleBakes & Bake it Pretty for the prize donations!



Tina

{One Eyed Monster Cookies}

Bean loves to dress up. He's very into drama, he's been in his drama club at school since 6th grade, he attends drama camp, and he performs in a local kid's theater in the summer months.

He hasn't actually Trick or Treated since he was in 5th grade, but dress up? YOU BET.

When he was little my favorite costume was this one

I mean, c'mon! My little stinker.

When he started choosing his own costumes, they were, well, not the norm. Like, seriously, what 8 year old begs to be D'Artagnan for Halloween? Just mine.

When he was 13 he wanted to be The Dread Pirate Roberts for a Halloween Dance. I'm so proud.

When he was 14 we went to the Ohio Comic Con. He wanted to be Doctor Horrible. Awesome.

I can't even begin to tell you how many people asked for photos of him. It was insane.


This amazing re-creation was made by my talented Mother in Law. (along with the skunk and D'Artagnan- as well as many others through the years). Rule 1 here. Tina doesn't sew. Ever.


And this, just last week at our Youth Group Fall Fest...

V from V for Vendetta.


There have been many, many other costumes in between, from dressing up for Ren Fest, to Eleven for our Doctor Who party, to Ron Weasley for our Hogwarts parties, to all his costumes for plays... He does enjoy a good disguise.

One thing he never dressed as? A monster. No idea why, but he never, ever dressed as anything creepy or spooky. Probably why my Monster cookies are cute instead of creepy, eh?

These guys are totally fast and easy. A great project for your little ones this halloween (or anytime, monsters are always in season!). Kids will love rolling these in the jimmies!

This starts with a basic Snickerdoodle cookie. You will tint the dough, then, instead of rolling in cinnamon and sugar, you will roll in jimmies. These could be any color you want, I just really liked my purple jimmies. I even think they would be totally cute if they were rolled in the (very easy to find) rainbow jimmies! Top with a big dot of buttercream, then with buttercream tinted black, draw on your pupil and mouth. Give him a lopsided grin, give him a wiggly mouth, big grin, little grin, it's all up to you!

Easy, no special skills required.

Done!

And lookit how cuuuuuuute.

However, Dear Monster, no matter how cute you are... you are going in my belly!

Sorry, not sorry!

NOW, for more eyebally goodness, step on over to Bakingdom and check out the Soft & Chewy Googly Eye Cookies  that Darla made! You won't believe your EYES. (I HAD to say it).

Tina

PS, tint these puppies green and roll in green jimmies and you have Mike Wazowski!


You can find lots of great jimmies at Bake it Pretty.


One Eye Monster Cookies
by Tina @ Sugar Bean Bakers

Ingredients

1/2 cup butter, softened
1/2 cup shortening (I prefer Crisco)
1  1/2 cups white sugar
2 eggs
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
2  3/4 cups all-purpose flour
2 teaspoons cream of tartar
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/4 teaspoon salt
food coloring*
jimmies

Directions

Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Cream together butter, shortening, sugar, eggs and vanilla. Blend in the flour, cream of tartar, soda and salt. Add food coloring and mix until well blended. Shape dough (about a tablespoon) into balls. Roll balls in jimmies. Place 2 inches apart on ungreased baking sheets (or parchment/silpat lined sheets). Lightly flatten. Bake 8 to 10 minutes, or until set but not too hard. (I baked mine 8 minutes)

Allow cookies to cool completely. 

Make up a batch of  buttercream. Use this to pipe** on the eyeballs. Pipe the pupils and mouth from buttercream tinted black.

*I recommend gel colorings

**Wilton Tip numbers: Eyeball- 1A,  Pupil- 12,   Mouth- 13

.

slightly adapted from this recipe found at www.allrecipes.com.

{Giveaway: 3rd Blogiversary}

It's hard to believe that I first set type to blog 3 years ago on this date.

However, it is, in fact, quite true. I opened Sugar Bean Bakers on Oct. 24, 2010. A lot has happened over the last 3 years. Never did I think anyone beyond my own friends and family would actually read my blog. I've gone from recipes only to recipes and party plans. The party plans are actually some of the most popular posts on my blog. Cool, right? I think so! :)

Today, in honor of my blogiversary, I am having a giveaway!

I have 2 awesome prizes that you are going to LOVE.

First, from my wonderful friend, Heather, a copy of her gorgeous (and delicious recipe filled) book, SprinkleBakes. Heather has another book in the works! I seriously can't wait to see what she has in store for us this time. If you haven't, you must check out her beautiful website (SprinkleBakes) too. She has some of the most aesthetically pleasing desserts you'll ever see. Be sure to click over there. Really. SO. Pretty.

Photo by Heather  Baird

 Secondly, from my most favorite baking supply site, Bake It Pretty, a surprise box of goodies!

I don't even know what will be in the box, so I'm as excited as you are to find out. You'll have to let me know what you got if you win!

I love Bake It Pretty, they always have just what I'm looking for. From cupcake liners (and OH what a selection they have) to the adorable mini glass milk bottles I use often in photos, to stripey straws and so much more. I mention using their products quite often here on SBB, not only for baking, but often for my parties too. I also love that they ship priority mail. I know I'll have my box of good stuff in 2-3 days, which is always awesome for procrastinators like me.

There are TWO prizes. There will be TWO winners. The prizes are individual.

So, here is the deal, you have 3 entries. 1 is required, 2 are optional.

1. Required entry:  Over the last 3 years I have posted many, many recipes and party plans. Please state below which has been your favorite! (Be specific with the post name).

for extra entries (NOT required)

2. Like Sugar Bean Bakers on Facebook
 (if you already like Sugar Bean Bakers on Facebook, just post and say so, you still get the extra entry)

3. Share this post on Facebook

Please, leave a separate comment for EACH entry. A winner will be chosen via a Random.org drawing

Please leave your email in each comment so I can contact you if you win! If there is no contact info, I will draw again.  If you are the winner, your prize will be shipped to you directly from Bake It Pretty or SprinkleBakes.

Contest closes 10/28/13 at 8 a.m. Eastern Daylight Time

The winner will be announced on Oct 28th, 2013.

 Thanks for participating in my Blogiversary Giveaway! Good luck!

Thanks to Heather of SprinkleBakes & Bake It Pretty for sponsoring prizes & to all of you for reading Sugar Bean Bakers.

3 years later and it's still so much fun :)

Tina

{Simple Snickerdoodle Cupcakes}

My baby Bean went to his girlfriend's Homecoming this past weekend. Her Junior Homecoming. How can they be Juniors? That's just crazy talk.

I've gotten to the point where I can barely say "I can't wait" anymore. Time passes SO quickly, I can, in fact, wait. While there are things coming up that "I can't wait" for, like Christmas, the new Hobbit movie, our trip to Florida next year with Darla... I can WAIT. I don't want to wish time away, it's too darn precious. Sigh.

So, my Bean and his Girl.

1. Aren't they cute? I think so too.

and B. SLOW DOWN the growing! TOO FAST.

So, last week, I posted about the sadness that abounds here at the moment. I mentioned in that post that I made two different kinds of cupcakes that day. This recipe is for the second batch.

I love. love. love. Snickerdoodle cookies. My love for them is so deep that I created my Pumpkindoodle cookies. It seemed only right that I make Snickerdoodle Cupcakes. There is pretty much nothing NEW on the internet anymore, but these Snickerdoodle cupcakes start with a box mix.

You're welcome.

You'll add a bit of cinnamon to the batter, and, a few minutes into the baking, you'll add a little cinnamon sugar mix to the top of the cupcakes. It adds a great crunch to them. I really love it. Yes, I totally just patted myself on the back there. I'm sorry... but not really, cause YUMMEH. Then, you'll top it all with a Cinnamon Buttercream, and to top the top... sprinkle more cinnamon sugar. YES.

I have to say that these are some of my favorite cupcakes to date, and they are just so dang easy.

They are Bean's new favorite too!

Cinnamony and sweet, they are a lovely little cake.

I think you'll like them too. Try them soon, and be sure to slow down and enjoy the moments around you. They go far too fast.

Tina


Snickerdoodle Cupcakes
Recipe by Tina @ Sugar Bean Bakers

Yield: 24 standard size cupcakes

Preheat oven to 350* F

For the cupcakes:
1 box white cake mix (plus ingredients listed on box)
2 teaspoons cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon vanilla

For the Cinnamon Sprinkle:
6 Tablespoons sugar
2 teaspoon cinnamon
Combine together. 

Prepare cake according to box directions. Add in cinnamon and vanilla and mix to combine.
Scoop into prepared paper lined cupcake pans. Bake for 5 minutes. Open oven and pull out rack a little (do not remove pans from oven). As quickly as possible, sprinkle about 1/2 teaspoon of the cinnamon sprinkle over the tops of the cupcakes. You will have leftover cinnamon sprinkle. Return to bake for 14-16 more minutes, until toothpick comes out clean.

Allow to cool.

For the Cinnamon Buttercream:
1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, at room temperature
1 lb. (about 4 cups) confectioners’ sugar
1/4 teaspoon salt
2 to 3 tablespoons heavy cream
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
1 teaspoon of cinnamon

With mixer, beat butter for 3 minutes. Slowly add powdered sugar and salt and cinnamon until well combined. Add 2 tablespoons heavy cream. Beat on high for 4 minutes. If too thick, add more cream 1/2 teaspoon at a time until desired consistency.


Pipe onto cupcakes. Top cupcakes with the remaining cinnamon sprinkle.


Buttercream adapted from Bakingdom

{Easy Pumpkin Cupcakes with Brown Sugar Buttercream}

Ever had a dumb day?

You know, the 'why did I even bother getting out of bed?' type day.

Yeah, they happen. More often than we'd like. The other day I got a call that I'd been worried would happen for a couple years now. I've often mentioned that I am a youth leader at our church. We have been blessed with the coolest, hippest, all around awesomest youth pastor for the last 4 years. I've been working one-on-one with him for the last 3 of those. I knew he'd felt a call to go to California to plant a church. I knew it was going to happen for him one day. I'd just always hoped it would be later instead of sooner.

Well, it's sooner. It's now.

It was a dumb day.

While I'm very happy for him to be fulfilling his calling, I'm also breaking inside a little. I'm 11 years older than him, so he kinda feels like my little brother. I've definitely enjoyed getting to know him over the last 3 years. He's a great friend who I will miss tremendously. Then there's his wife. I love her too! She's incredible and amazing, and, well, we pretty much think alike. Although I've gone to church with her the entire time we were growing up, I'd never gotten to know her (because she was lots of years younger than me), until now. Man, I wish I'd known her all along!

Sure there's text, and facebook, and email, but... It's just not the same, is it?

Sunday was a huge cryfest in our teen room at church. He made the announcement which none of the kids were prepared for. He cried, I cried, all of the teens cried. Ugh. Did I mention he's the awesomest? Obviously, we all love him.

I came across a quote by Steven Chabosky from The Perks of Being a Wallflower that pretty much sums it up:

“Things change. And friends leave. Life doesn't stop for anybody.”

How true is that?

Julie (his wife) loves all things pumpkin, so I made these cupcakes with her in mind Sunday night.

Basically, I needed baking therapy (I baked 48 cupcakes that day- here's the other recipe), and I'm pretty sure we all needed cupcake therapy, so these were born.

I'm sure by now you have all seen the 2 ingredient pumpkin cake, right? It's literally a box of yellow cake & a can of pumpkin. That's what these are... kinda.

I started with a spice cake mix. When I added in the pumpkin, I could see it was still way too thick. So I added in a 1/4 cup water and a 1/4 cup oil. So many people have had success with just the cake mix and the pumpkin, but I did not. However... this worked great! While still a very thick batter, they tasted delish. They are kind of a mix between a cupcake and a very moist muffin.

I topped them with a Brown Sugar Buttercream, because why not?

I love the crunch the brown sugar gives the buttercream. It's a fun surprise in what looks like a perfectly creamy buttercream. It's pretty yumtastic too!

Cupcake. Therapy. It's a good thing.

To Robby, Julie, and the awesome Sir William (what I call their most adorable 4 year old), we will miss you. So much. We all wish you the best. We know you'll change lives in California, just like you changed lives here in Ohio. Thank you for all the time you've invested in us here.

Much love and best wishes.

And I know you'll be back to visit.

Because cupcakes.

Oh, and you have family here, but whatever. Cupcakes.

Tina



Pumpkin Cupcakes with Brown Sugar Buttercream
yield: 24 cupcakes

For the cupcakes:
1 box Spice Cake Mix (I used Duncan Hines brand)
15 ounce can of Pumpkin
1/4 cup oil*
1/4 cup water*

*if needed

Heat oven to 350 F

Mix together cake mix and pumpkin with a mixer. Add oil and water if necessary. Scoop into cupcake liners (batter will be thick). Bake 22-25 minutes until toothpick comes out clean.

Brown Sugar Buttercream:
1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, at room temperature
1 lb. (about 4 cups) confectioners’ sugar
1/4 cup packed brown sugar
1/4 teaspoon salt
2 to 3 tablespoons heavy cream
2 teaspoons vanilla extract

With mixer, beat butter for 3 minutes. Beat in brown sugar. Slowly add powdered sugar and salt until well combined. Add 2 tablespoons heavy cream. Beat on high for 4 minutes. If too thick, add more cream 1/2 teaspoon at a time until desired consistency.


Buttercream adapted from Bakingdom

{Pumpkindoodle Cookies}

My dog is adorable. She really is.

She's also dumb. I'm sorry, you people are getting your feathers all ruffled because I'm saying my pet is dumb. Please believe me when I tell you, SHE IS DUMB.

I love her, but... dumb.

You know that test where you throw the blanket over your dog and the quicker they get out from under it, the smarter they are? She just stands there. Endlessly. Stands. Until we take the blanket off.

She is afraid. Of EVERYTHING. A rustling bag, a piece of paper, leaves falling from the sky. Everything is terrifying. We live in the country and are surrounded by woods. There are very often hunters. Gun fire is THE MOST TERRIFYING thing ever. Well, that and fireworks. She has actual little doggy panic attacks.

Then, there is the screen. If the screen gets pulled and then the sliding door, well, she's gonna run into it. Not once. Not every once in a while. Every. Time.  We try to tell her to wait. She does not listen.

Bam! Luna, full force, into the screen. We try very hard not to pull the screen for this reason, but sometimes.. it happens. Luna face smash follows. Every. Time.

This story is pretty funny, right? Allow me to entertain you with the fact that my 16 year old, highly intelligent Honor Student has done the exact same thing. Open the sliding door, walk straight into the screen. He's done it with a glass door out in public once too.

I'm sorry, but funniest thing ever in ever.

Maybe I'm a bad doggie parent. Maybe I'm a bad parent. Funny.

You know what else is funny? The name of these cookies. You know what's NOT funny? The taste...
Cause yum.

Snickerdoodles are my favorite cookie. I love them so much, that I only make them once or twice a year. The other day I was thinking about how soft and lovely Snickerdoodles were, when I came up with the idea to add pumpkin and fall spices. I wasn't even sure if it would work, but ya know what?

DID. They are pretty perfectly fall too. I love the tiny taste of pumpkin combined with the cinnamon, nutmeg, and ginger.

Bean loves them. My husband, who doesn't like Snickerdoodles (seriously, he even made up a 'recipe' for his own, which you can see here) OR pumpkin loves them.

One of my youth groupers, (I took cookies to church), even said that this was the perfect companion to a Pumpkin Spice Latte. Really now, who can say no to that??

This recipe, much like my dumb dog, and my... door challenged son, is a keeper.

Tina



Pumpkindoodle Cookies
by Tina @ Sugar Bean Bakers
yield: 4 dozen 2 1/2" cookies

1/2 cup butter, softened
1/2 cup shortening (I prefer Crisco)
1 cup sugar
1/2 cup brown sugar
1 egg
3/4 cup pumpkin 
1 teaspoon vanilla
3 1/2 cups flour
2 teaspoons cream of tartar
1 teaspoon soda
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon nutmeg

Coating:

3 tablespoons sugar
1 teaspoon cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon ginger

Preheat oven to 400 F

Line a baking sheet with parchment paper (or use an ungreased sheet).

Cream together butter and shortening. Beat in sugars until fluffy. Add egg, vanilla, and pumpkin.
Mix in cream of tartar, soda, salt, cinnamon, and nutmeg. Slowly beat in flour.

In a small bowl, stir the 3 tablespoons sugar, teaspoon cinnamon, and 1/4 teaspoon ginger together.

Shape dough into 1 tablespoon sized balls, then roll into the coating mix. 

Place on baking sheet, and lightly flatten with the bottom of a cup. (Don't press down too hard, just enough to get the ball shape down a little.)

Bake at 400 for 8-10 minutes. Remove to wire racks to cool.

{Craft: Mickey & Minnie Mouse Pumpkins}

Ready or not, folks, welcome to October!

I love fall, it has always been my favorite season. I love the crisp air, the falling leaves, the scent on the wind. Love. Love. Love. I love hayrides, bonfires, and Thanksgiving.

Today, incidentally, is the anniversary of the Magic Kingdom! It opened its gates Oct 1, 1971. Happy 42nd Birthday, Magic Kingdom! (See my Magic Kingdom Tips & Walk Through Guide.)

Just over a year ago we were taking our first steps ever into the Magic Kingdom.

Here we are...

 I was so excited when I learned they would be decorated for fall.

I knew as soon as I saw the Mickey pumpkins that I'd really need to make some for myself. I didn't get around to it until this year though. When it came time for me to make them, I decided to go with the iconic black Mickey head.

These are really easy to make. They are not, however, weather-proof. That is because the ears are made of this:

Basically, all you need are 5 things.

Cardboard, bamboo skewers, hot glue, black spray paint, and a pumpkin.

You'll need 6 for Minnie, because she, of course, needs her bow.

You can also add sprinkles of glitter like I did (you can see the black glitter on the Mickey photo above. Minnie had purple, obviously). I was having a hard time deciding what color to make Minnie's bow and glitter. Life decisions of this magnitude are really, really difficult. So... I deferred to my lovely bestie, (and fellow Disnerd) Lori, who I was shopping with. She picked purple for a Halloween, but not TOO Halloween feel.


You know what? I think it looks perfect. Well done, Lori, well done.

You'll start, of course, with a pumpkin. Spray paint it black. I used cheap flat spray paint. I love the color it made them. A very cool almost bluish black.  Then, grab some cardboard. Mine, obviously, was a Cheerios box. Try to sort of match the ears to contour of the pumpkin after you cut them out. It's pretty hard to get them exact, and honestly, it doesn't matter, they still look great. You can see my Mickey ears aren't perfect. Attach a dowel rod to the back, allow to dry (be careful, hot glue is HOT, this step is definitely for adults only). Spray the ears black as well. Sprinkle both the ears and the pumpkin with a little glitter when they are still wet (if desired). Using a knife or ice pick (again, a step for grown ups), make a guide hole in the pumpkin for the skewer. The skewer is too weak to pierce its way fully into the pumpkin. If making Minnie tie and attach bow (I used hot glue).

Stand back and admire your work.

So cute!

Since you've pierced the pumpkins they will eventually go bad, like a Jack-O-Lantern.

As I said, they are not weather-proof, but I like to put them out on the porch on nice days.

I really like the simplistic, classic look of the black pumpkins. I've scoured the internet and can't find any like them, so I'm feeling pretty happy with my decision to make them like this.

I really hope you enjoy them too!


Peace, Love, and Disney,
Tina

See all my Disney posts here.

If you haven’t already,  you can ‘like’ my Facebook page here, and follow me on twitter here, and you can follow me on instagram here.


Mickey & Minnie Black Icon Pumpkins
craft tutorial by Tina @ Sugar Bean Bakers

Needed:
Pumpkin
Black Spray Paint (flat or glossy, I prefer flat) OR
Black Craft Paint
Bamboo Skewers
Cardboard (I used cereal boxes)
Glitter (optional)
Polka Dot Ribbon (optional)

Tools:
Hot Glue Gun
Hot Glue
Scissors
Pencil
Knife or Ice Pick


Spray/paint your pumpkin black. It will take at least 2 coats.

Draw ears onto cardboard & cut out. Try match the ears to contour of the pumpkin after you cut them. It's difficult to get them exact, and honestly, it doesn't matter, they still look great.

Attach a skewer to the back of the ear, allow to dry (hot glue is HOT, this step is definitely for adults only).
Spray the ears black as well. Sprinkle both the ears and the pumpkin with a little glitter when they are still wet (if desired).

Using a knife or ice pick (also a step for grown ups), make a guide hole in the pumpkin for the skewers. (The skewer is too weak to pierce its way fully into the pumpkin)

If making Minnie tie and attach bow (I used hot glue).