Cupcake Catastrophe

O.K. so maybe catastrophe is a strong word.  I'm sure I'm not the first baker to have a bad day and I won't be the last.  I was making blue velvet cupcakes to bring to a farewell potluck at work for a retiring coworker.  I found the recipe over on Sprinkle Bakes.  It's an older post that can be found here.  I could do a whole post on how other baking bloggers are so nice and share fun tips and recipes all the time.  I'm constantly one click away from major cupcake inspiration or advise.  Heather at Sprinkle Bakes is a perfect example!  She adapted her recipe from a Paula Deen recipe so you know it is going to be good.  I love Paula but did follow Heather's changes.  The recipe was easy enough to follow.  The blue color was awesome, just as bright as I expected.  It required enough royal blue coloring, so much so that I depleted my supply.  So I had 24 beautiful blue beauties (and 1 sampler on stand by) in the oven.  I couldn't wait to see how they turned out.  I just washed the bowl from my mixer and was returning it to the stand when I saw the strangest thing on the counter.  There sat 2 eggs.  I had not take out extra eggs nor did I need eggs for the frosting.  I forgot to add the eggs.  I repeat, I FORGOT TO ADD THE EGGS!  How could this happen?  How could I forget eggs that were resting there right next to my mixer?

There wasn't time to wait, wonder or blame.  I needed to remake the whole batch.  I've never had cupcakes without eggs.  I have no idea what they would have tasted like but wasn't in the mood to risk it.  Luckily for me, there is a baking supply store just minutes from my house where I was able to quickly pick up some more royal blue food coloring.  I could have done any color but my heart was already set on the blue and after seeing the vibrant color of the previous defunct batch, I knew I wanted to stick with the blue. 

The second batch went smoothly and came out a superb shade of blue.  The bottoms were slightly more done that I would have liked but the moistness was still there and they tasted great.

The cream cheese frosting was like batches I had made before and made elegant swirls atop these cupcakes.  I've found I like piping the frosting once the cupcakes are in the box.  The symmetrical look of each swirl starting and ending the same just looks even more exquisite.  I'm sure no one else thinks of that when they are digging in to sample but it's something I enjoy when possible.

I decided to top these beauties with simple candy stars made in a candy mold.  The taste and look of them nearly made me forget my earlier mishap.  Definitely a recipe I'll hang on to and make again.

On a positive note, I got a nice surprise in the mail today.  Last month while perusing my friend's blog, Mrs Mommy Booknerd, I stumbled upon Chick Lit Plus.  They were having a give-away.  Easy enough, I simply had to comment for a chance to win a copy of Stop and Blog the Roses.  I won!  It's one part entries from blogger Fern Ronay and one part gratitude journal.  Something great to start out the new year with.  This week I am grateful for the endless supply of baking inspiration available to me online.  I am also grateful for baking supply stores close to my home during cupcake catastrophes.