Tuesday, March 26, 2013

Fish Cake {Vanilla Buttercream Cupcakes} RECIPE





It was my Grandma's birthday last Monday, and I made her a "Fish Cake" made up of Vanilla Buttercream Cupcakes and a mini cake (I used the same recipe for both the cupcakes and mini cake). I arranged them to look like a fish because she's a pisces, plus I was inspired by a picture I found on pinterest which was just too cute not to try!

I found the recipe for the cupcakes using an app called "Cupcake", and they're SO tasty!! 
To make the fish cake, head on over to My Cake School's site for photo instructions. Oh, and I used a chocolates for the eye and the kissy mouth ;)

Here's the recipe I used for the cupcakes:

Vanilla Buttercream Cupcakes 
(from "Cupcake" app)
(makes approx. 15)


Cupcakes

Ingredients
1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1 cup granulated sugar
1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
1/2 teaspoon table salt
8 tablespoons unsalted butter (1 stick)
1/2 cup sour cream
1 large egg
2 large egg yolks
1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract

Method
1. Heat oven to 350 degrees fahrenheit. Line standard cupcake tin with paper or foil liners.

2. Whisk together flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt in a bowl of standing mixer fitted with paddle attachment (it works with a wire whisk attachment also).

3. Add butter, sour cream, egg and egg yolks, and vanilla. Beat at medium speed until smooth and satiny, about 30 seconds. 

4. Scrape down sides of bowl with rubber spatula and mix until smooth and no flour pockets remain.

5. Divide the batter evenly among cups of prepared tin. 

6. Place the cupcake tin on the oven rack in the middle of the oven.

7. Bake until cupcake tops are pale gold and toothpick or skewer inserted into center comes out clean: 17-24 minutes. 

8. Cool cupcakes on wire rack to room temperature before frosting.


Vanilla Buttercream Frosting

Ingredients
1 cup (8 ounces) unsalted butter
2 1/2 cups powdered sugar
1 tablespoon vanilla extract

Method
1. Using the wire whisk attachment of your stand mixer, whip the butter on medium-high speed for 5 minutes, stopping to scrape the bowl once or twice.

2. Reduce the speed to low and gradually add the powdered sugar. 

3. Once all of the powdered sugar is incorporated, increase the speed to medium-high and add the vanilla, mixing until incorporated.

4. Whip at medium-high speed until light and fluffy, about 2 minutes, scraping the bowl as needed.

You can store any unused buttercream in the refrigerator in an a airtight container. Before using, let it come to room temperature and then give it a quick whip in the mixer.

There you have it! These cupcakes are quick, easy, light and yummy! They're a hit both with teens, adults and grandparents - definitely worth trying out.


And if you're worried about the decorating part, don't fret, the first time I made these cupcakes they did were not aesthetically pleasing at all. But thanks to a new squeeze bottle, my second time round was much more successful (though the taste was no different). 

My new best friend: squeeze bottle with yellow cap (yay!)


If you don't have a squeeze bottle, you can always spread it with a knife, which will looks way better than cutting a whole in a bag and squeezing it out, as shown below...


Let me know if you try making the cupcakes and fish cake!
Any pictures and stories of disasters and/ or successes are always welcome ;)

And be sure to follow me via instagram for "live" pics @thegentleflower (comment your username and I'll follow back) :)

~Katrine

Sunday, March 10, 2013

Confusion, Sweat and Adventure {I got my driver's license!!}



Yuppers, I finally got my driver's license a couple of weeks ago! I'm so happy.. I've been driving a bit on my own, listening to Young the Giant and cranking up the heat in the car to simulate summer. The freedom (nearly) makes up for my ugly driver's license picture. At least my driver's license is pink. Pink and glitter makes anything pretty.. maybe I should sprinkle some glitter on it? I wonder what the police would say then.. ;)

Oh, and I've only gotten lost once so far.. although the incident was quite embarrassing... I couldn't figure out how to drive to our local grocery store because there was some road work. I ended up at an apartment building's private parking spots and then had to drive really far to somehow drive around it and back. Let's just say it felt like summer then, cuz I was all sweaty when I finally arrived at the store. Oh well, what's life without a little confusion, sweat and adventure?

What's your sense of direction like?
What music do you listen to in the car? (I really need to burn a CD with all my gangstah music :D)
If you live in Norway, watch out, cuz I'll be cruising by ;)

Friday, February 15, 2013

When the Moon Hits the Sky Like a Big Pasta Pie




I've made lots of food that I've seen on Pinterest lately (follow me: thegentleflower). There are SO many good recipes out there! I thought I'd share one of them with you today.

I made this YUMMY Pasta Pie for the first time a couple of weeks ago. I've already made it once more since the first time. It was THAT good. And pretty easy. It was a definite hit at home as well, so I'll be making this a lot. I'd say it's a mix of Lasagna and Spaghetti Bolognese. Click here for the recipe.

It reminds me of this song (but I sing Pasta Pie instead of Pizza Pie of course ;))



If you're in the mood for some Italian, be sure to try out this recipe and listen to Dean Martin's song while cooking. You'll be smiling for hours ;)

Let me know if you try it! :)

And be sure to enter the giveaway.

Have a great weekend!
Katrine :)

Friday, February 8, 2013

Orange Mini Garden Pinks Brooch GIVEAWAY




We've recently launched a new product in The Gentle Flower shop, based on a previously launched product - presenting: Mini Garden Pinks Brooches.

These brooches are super-cute and look good on basically anything! You can even mix and match them and wear more than one at a time!

The brooches cater to both genders, as men can also wear them on their suit jackets for example.

They are available in a variety of colours, and can be custom-ordered in your favourite colour.

PRIZE: Orange Mini Garden Pinks Brooch


We are giving away one Orange Mini Garden Pinks Brooch to one lucky winner!! :D

Enter using Rafflecopter below.

Giveaway is open worldwide and ends on February 28th.

GOOD LUCK!


Ps. Enter coupon code LOVERED at check out for 20% off all items! Valid until February 14th.


a Rafflecopter giveaway


Monday, January 21, 2013

Say 'I Love You' / 'You're Hot' with a Gentle Flower {SALE}


A super hot Firetruck Red Rosette Necklace for your hottie!


Since Valentine's Day is just around the corner, I'd like to offer all my readers an exclusive 20% discount off all items! Use coupon code LOVERED at check out. Valid until February 14th.

Who said diamonds were a girl's best friend? I say these
Bearrings are waycuter and much more company ;)


Get something for your loved one, your mother, sister, friend or even yourself! Spread the love, and show someone you care by getting them a Gentle Flower.

Say 'I Love You' or 'You're Hot' with a smoking hot red Gentle Flower. We have lots of items in store, - which item you'd like to get for your significant other (hottie) is up to you! (ps. the coupon code is valid for however many items you'd like!!)


 Brand new Red MINI Garden Pinks Brooch

Our brand new Red Mini Garden Pinks Brooch is the perfect gift. Your loved one can carry it with them, showing it off anywhere, as a symbol of your undying love (as this flower will never die).

Saturday, January 19, 2013

Orange Dazzling Dahlia Brooch - Unisex Debate




Yay! A Dahlia Brooch in a new colour - finally!

Honestly, I didn't know if I would make one in orange. However, I got a special order from a lady in the Netherlands requesting an orange one back in November! So I made it and sent it off! Her boyfriend actually ended up wearing it to a Dutch-themed wedding (as orange is their national colour, I believe) which made me really happy! :D I learned a lot from this.

What I can conclude from this is that:
1. The Gentle Flower products are somewhat unisex. (At least the brooches. My grandpa is going to wear one of these on his suit jacket!) Men like accessorizing too! :

The latest addition to our shop! Red Mini Garden Pink Brooch

2. The Gentle Flower products are in bright, happy colours, proving their versatile nature at various events! (They can both be worn on a daily basis or spruce up an outfit for a fancy event.)

3. Orange is a cool colour! Check out our other orange products as well.



4. Custom orders are da bomb / you're interested in custom orders!

5. I should make more jewelry for different events, themes and occasions!


Are there any colours you'd like to see?
Custom orders make me giddy, so keep 'em coming! ;)

You can get an Orange Dazzling Dahlia Brooch just like the one she ordered over here.

Katrine :)
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