Chocolate Cream Cupcakes

Prep Time: 20 minutes
Bake Time: 18-22 minutes
Filling Prep Time: 10 minutes
Chill Time: 30 minutes
Frost/Assemble Time: 20 minutes

Grade: A

Make Again: Maybe

Recipe Source: Cook's Country (February 2010)

These were very good, and fun to make. But cake is not my favorite dessert so I probably won't make again. I would if someone wanted me to though. They were not too difficult. Definitely more steps than a normal cake since you have to fill the cupcakes and decorate the top, but it wasn't too bad.

Actually I already have made them twice, the first time about 4 months ago. Unfortunately, the first time I forgot to add sugar to the batter, making them inedible. So I really wanted to make again to see if they actually good, and they were.

The filling is made with butter, gelatin and marshmallow fluff and turns out pretty good. You use it to decorate the top as well.

Overall, these are a better tasting reproduction of Hostess cupcakes.

Fresh Apple Cinnamon Scones

Prep Time: 20 minutes
Chill Time: 30 minutes
Cook Time: 20 minutes

Grade: A-

Make Again: Maybe

Recipe Source: King Arthur Flour 

I had an open bag of cinnamon chips that has been open since last fall, and I've been wanting to use them up. So I searched KAF's website for cinnamon and found this recipe. They were very good. Not sure I'll make again, just because next time I might find a different recipe to try. But I do like these. There are bites of apple in them and combined with the cinnamon chips it is a nice combination. Probably more appropriate in the Fall than Spring, but I still liked the flavors.

The only dairy in the recipe is butter, because it uses applesauce and eggs for the wet ingredients. That is different than most quick breads I've tried. I guess that would make it easy for someone who is lactose intolerant to make these with margarine instead.