All posts by Anne Younger

Anne is a 30-something full-time SAHM mom of 5 ranging from 3 to 17 and grandma of 1 who resides in Ashwaubenon (Green Bay) Wisconsin. She started blogging in 2008 as a way to regain her sanity. She enjoys coffee, chocolate, cheeseburgers and vodka along with spending time with her husband and kids.

Cadbury Egg Cupcakes

One of my favorite Easter candies is Cadbury Eggs. I like the cream eggs, the caramel eggs, the chocolate creame eggs…..yeah…I like them all and so does Alex. 

We are also big fans of cupcakes and chocolate and all the sweet sugary goodness they entail.

So you can imagine how much our mouths water at the thought of a Cadbury Egg Cupcake.  

Yes, a chocolate cupcake with a delicious Cadbury Egg inside.

OMG!

Now doesn’t that look AMAZING?

If you want to make these deliciously sweet treats, here’s what you need and how to do it!

Chocolate Cupcakes

1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
1 1/4 cup granulated sugar
2 eggs, room temp
1 Tbs vanilla extract
1 cup chocolate chips
2 cups flour
1 Tsp baking powder
1/4 Tbs salt
3/4 cup cocoa powder
1/4 cup milk, whole

Chocolate Ganache

1/4 cup heavy cream
1 1/4 cup chocolate chips

Chocolate Buttercream Frosting

1 cup unsalted butter, softened
1 cup or cocoa powder
3 cups powdered sugar
3/4 cups heavy cream

Directions

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.

Prepare a cupcake tin with paper liners

In a microwave safe bowl, melt semi-sweet chocolate chips and 2 tablespoons of milk for about 1 minute, stirring half way. Stir until chocolate chips are melted. Set to the side

Cream the softened butter and sugar until light and fluffy.

Now add the eggs and vanilla, and beat until combined.

Take the cooled melted chocolate and add to the creamed butter

Begin to whisk the dry ingredients in a separate bowl, flour, baking powder, salt, and chocolate cocoa.

Add the dry mix into the wet ingredients slowly alternating with adding the milk while mixing with a hand or standing mixer.

Scoop batter into prepared cupcake tin, filling a little up to 3/4 of the way

Take your Cadbury eggs and place them in the center pushing it downs the cake mix covers it

Bake for 23-26 minutes, checking doneness by testing with a toothpick should be cake free

Allow to cool for 1 minute in the pan, then transfer to a cooling rack.
Chocolate Ganache
In a microwave safe bowl, melt the chocolate chips with the heavy cream for about 1 minute, stirring half way.

Stir until smooth and all chocolate chips have melted.

Dip the cupcake in the bowl of ganache lightly twisting in motion to cover the whole area .

Allow the cupcakes to cool before frosting.

Chocolate Buttercream
Beat the softened butter on its own until smooth.

Add coca chocolate and powdered sugar alternately with heavy cream until a smooth, thick texture.

If frosting is too thick, add more heavy cream, if too thin, add more powdered sugar.

Use a piping bag fitted with a medium sized tip of your choice to frost, or cut the corner off a gallon size zip-top bag filled with the frosting.

To frost like a pro…

Place the cupcake on a flat surface in front of you. Grasp the pastry bag from the top pushing the frosting down as you slide your hand down the pastry bag. Once you start to see frosting come out of the dip twist the top of the pastry bag tight. Use a clip or a rubber band to secure the bag.

Now begin to frost the cupcake going around in one smooth motion do not stop!

Once you have completed the first circle begin the second one onto the first one as shown below.

Continue this process until you have covered the whole area. Now make a small peak at the top similar to how you would serve frozen yogurt a wee little twist and bam there it is a perfect frosted cupcake like a pro!

Drizzle with fudge or caramel, you can also sprinkle with chocolate sprinkles or even more chocolate chips. The more the better!

Find Accessories that Move You at Len Stoler Chevrolet

Looking to personalize your vehicle? Len Stoler Chevrolet can help you do just that. Inside you’ll discover a complete portfolio of Chevrolet, Buick, GMC and Cadillac Accessories to enhance the appearance, performance and capability of your vehicle.

Len Stoler Chevrolet has the top-selling accessories you are looking for. From wheels to interior to exterior and more. 

Wheels

Whether you’re choosing chrome wheels, black-painted wheels or Ultra-Bright Machined-finish wheels, there’s a selection for most GM vehicles. Wheels that are designed, engineered, tested and backed. It’s the kind of thinking that combines great looks with extensive development testing

Floor Liners

For ultimate interior protection, Premium All-Weather Floor Liners are the answer. Offering precision coverage around interior trim, driver pedals, seat tracks and door sills, they’re constructed of quality materials that take carpet and interior trim protection to the next level, isolating debris and moisture while remaining removable for cleaning.

Cargo Management

Maximize cargo hauling capabilities and organize your gear — both outside and in. Roof Rack Cross Rail Packages and a wide selection of roof-mounted or receiver-mounted cargo carrier systems are available to add to your vehicle.

Interior

Accessorize to make the most of your vehicle’s interior while personalizing to your individual tastes. From Universal Tablet Holders to Rear Seat Entertainment, a full range of electronics are available to keep everyone happily occupied.

Exterior

Create a personalized look, enhance functionality and utility, protect the finish and keep it all meticulously detailed with exterior accessories tailored specifically to your vehicle.

Performance

When it comes to enhancing performance for select vehicles, Len Stoler has the solutions. The Performance Air Intake reduces restriction for optimum power production. Exhaust Upgrade Packages reduces back pressure, provides an authoritative tone and meet emissions standards. Polished Exhaust Tips offer a great-looking finishing touch.

Get ready to accessorize your vehicle and visit Len Stoler Cheverolet today!

4 Home Apps You Can’t Live Without

Apps have become the go-to solution for many homeowners, especially when it comes to managing and taking care of their homes. Connected devices, Bluetooth technology, and the Internet of Things have all contributed to smarter homes, and these four home apps can become indispensable.

Thermostat App

Image via Flickr by kennymatic

If you don’t already have a programmable thermostat, you need one, and consider a smart thermostat while you’re at it. Smart thermostats allow you to control your home’s temperature, humidity levels, and more from an app on your phone or tablet. If you forget to change the temperature when you leave for work in the morning, for instance, you can open the app on your device and change it instead of enduring higher energy bills.

Thermostat apps also prove useful when you want to change your thermostat’s programming settings while you’re out of the house or on vacation. You can also learn useful information about your home’s energy consumption, the weather outside your home, and more.

Home Security App

When you want to keep your home safe from theft, vandalism, and other criminal activity, consider investing in a home security system with an app. About every 18 seconds, a home gets burglarized in the United States, and you don’t want to find yourself part of that statistic.

Modern home security apps don’t just alert you if someone tries to break into your home. They often come with cameras that let you see your home’s perimeter as well as the front door. Some even allow you to talk to visitors, such as delivery personnel, who ring your doorbell.

Cable and Internet App

If you haven’t cut the cable cord yet, cable and internet apps can help you manage your entertainment experience more accurately. For instance, you can set your preferred channels, let the app know which shows are your favorite, and schedule your DVR to record programs that you’ll miss because you’re away from home.

These apps learn your preferences over time and can start suggesting television shows, movies, documentaries, and other programs that might interest you. Why scroll through the guide on your TV when an app can help you get to the good stuff?

Interior and Exterior Lighting App

When you hook up your interior and exterior lighting to an app, you control when your lights come on and switch off. While simple timers can accomplish a similar goal, you can’t change the settings when you’re away from home. Connected devices give you full control over your home’s lighting when you’re away.

For instance, if you have a security system app and a lighting app, you could turn on random lights in your house if someone approaches the home. That way, a potential intruder might think someone’s at home. Of all the smart apps for the home, lighting apps might seem simple, but they can make your home safer.

If you have a smartphone or tablet, get acquainted with some of the above apps today. You’ll gain more control over your home and more peace of mind.

 

Meet the NEW 2018 Lexus ES 350

With modern elegance, exceptional craftsmanship and class-leading safety technology, the 2018 ES 350 is as unparalleled as it is unforgettable.

More striking than ever, the stunning looks of the ES also contribute to its efficiency and comfort. The stunning design of the ES also hints at its greater efficiency and comfort.

Don’t just get more. Get more of what you want with the personalized luxury offered by the ES. The craftsmanship of the ES can be seen in every detail. From premium finishes to luxurious seating, the Ultra Luxury Package delivers the ultimate level of comfort. With Lexus Enform, peace of mind, convenience and entertainment are always within reach. The ES offers comfort for every passenger, plus class-leading rear-seat legroom.

Drive Mode Select enables you to make your ES more responsive or efficient with a simple turn of a dial. Featuring a long wheelbase and fine-tuned suspension, the ES offers an exhilarating driving experience.

You can find out more about the 2018 Lexus ES 350 when you visit Len Stoler Lexus of Owings Mills, Maryland.

Pre-Order Your 2019 Porsche Cayenne

The 2019 Porsche Cayenne is more powerful, more dynamic and more efficient. The new Cayenne affords sports car lovers greater freedoms in a breath-taking style. 

The 2019 Porsche Cayenne offers a Turbocharged V6, all-wheel drive, 8-speed Tiptronic S, a top track speed of 152 mph, does 0-60 in 5.9 seconds, five doors that are open to any adventure, outstanding digital connectivity, a range of new, helpful services and smartphone apps that simplify your life in a variety of ways and so much more!

Porsche Cars North America offers service and maintenance packages in a variety of terms to match your intended usage. 

Build Your New Porsche Cayenne

You can custom build your new Porsche Cayenne to your liking starting with 7 different color options: White, Carrara White Metallic, Jet Black Metallic, Biscay  Blue Metallic, Mahogany Metallic, Moonlight Blue Metallic and Palladium Metallic; 10 different wheel options and different wheel accessories; a variety of interior fabrics and colors, different seats, and more. The options to customize and make this car your own are endless!

Get ready to place your pre-order for the 2019 Porsche Cayenne when you visit Len Stoler Porsche your local source for factory authorized Porsche sales, parts, and service.