A Cupcake-tastical Birthday, Part 2 of 2

It was such a busy week making cupcakes that I had to split the post in two.  My family likes to celebrate my birthday and my mom's together, as they are separated by just eleven days, and my aunt hosted a brunch.  I came up with a delicious cupcake idea--mimosa cupcakes!  I made an orange chiffon cake (recipe found in The Cake Bible, with a champagne buttercream and candied orange peel for garnish.  Next time, I would skip the ridiculous hassle of sifting that fancy cake flour and use an orange cake mix.  Why? Way faster for probably similar taste.  Or maybe I'm just not a chiffon fan.  I also mistakenly boiled the candied orange peel to death, nearly ruining another pot, simply because I mistakenly forgot to turn the burner down.  I know huge surprise there, right?  I once tried to make cocnut pecan frosting with a hand mixer, and it was only AFTER the counter was covered with goo that I read the recipe directions-cook on stovetop.  Oops.

 When my mom and I started opening our presents, I got the BEST SURPRISE EVER!  My family from Baltimore actually read this blog!  (Hi Uncle Mike!) AND, they went to a cupcakery called Flavor in Bel Air, Maryland.  Which means that this cupcake taster has hit another state!!

I opened the pretty box and inside were a chocolate peanut butter cupcake and a flavor 9--the latter being the most unique cupcake I've tried to date.  Somehow these bakers have figured out how to keep the frosting thick and fluffy without the extra sugar, and the cakes were well-balanced.  The flavor 9 is a coconut cake with butterscotch chips, pecans, and my favorite-graham cracker crust!! 

After checking out the menu at Flavor, I am way impressed and inspired.  Everything from a creamsicle to  lucky charms cupcakes, they have succeeded in making me want to try more.  Thanks again to my family for a wonderful birthday!