Monday, August 10, 2009

local flavor - austin



Our last summer excursion. Even at 104 degrees, Austin just couldn't be any cooler. Thanks to my fun and hospitable siblings for showing us such a good time. Austin always feels like one big party. Local flavor coming right up.


Who could resist a cupcake shop outfitted with a skinny mirror? Everyone looks like a leggy supermodel. I'll take two please! hey cupcake! started as a roadside eatery by a guy named Wes who dispensed cupcakes from the window of a shiny Airstream trailer on South Congress. Now, Airstream food stands are sprinkled about the city selling everything from shaved ice (all proceeds donated to Dell Children's Hospital) to brisket tacos to Flip Happy crepes and Wes has added a storefront. All delicious and cheap.

Pizza 'til like 3 a.m.


If you find yourself in Austin, pay a visit to hey cupcake! click here for locations.

In the meantime, here is my favorite vanilla cupcake recipe:

1 3/4 c. cake flour
1 1/4 c. unbleached all purpose flour
2 c. sugar
1 T baking powder
3/4 t. salt
2 sticks unsalted butter, cut into 1 inch cubes
4 large eggs
1 c. whole milk
1 t. pure vanilla extract


Preheat oven to 325 degrees. Line a muffin pan with paper liners.
In the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, combine flours, sugar, baking powder and salt, and mix on low until combined. Add butter, mixing until just coated with flour.
In a large measuring cup, whisk together the eggs, milk and vanilla. With the mixer on medium, add liquid ingredients in three parts, scraping down the sides of bowl before each
addition. Beat until ingredients are incorporated, but do not over beat.
Divide batter evenly among the muffin cups, filling them to two thirds full. Bake, rotating pan halfway through, until a cake tester comes out clean, about 17 to 20 minutes.
Cool before frosting.
Makes about 30 cupcakes if you keep your fingers out of the batter.

Vanilla Frosting

2 sticks unsalted butter, room temp
8 c. powdered sugar
1/2 c. milk
1 t. vanilla
glob of cream cheese to your liking - optional - around here, we think everything tastes better with cream cheese!

Cream butter until smooth with an electric mixer. Add the rest of the ingredients and whip until smooth.

2 comments:

  1. We enjoyed your visit and your post- come back any time!
    Dori

    ReplyDelete
  2. A step by step video show how to make something like the dog bed would be nice. It would be good to break it down into very short small steps that could be done in about 10 - 15 min. by the viewer each day as we follow along with you over a week or fortnight.

    ReplyDelete

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