Cookie-Bottomed Vanilla Bean Cupcakes…*
… a sweet celebration for my sister’s birthday
Moving to Chicago was one of the hardest things I’ve ever had to do. Last year, I was living in Grand Rapids with my sister, in a brand new house, with my own bathroom, a walk-in closet, and a covered parking spot for my car. I was accustomed to a Monday-Friday class schedule, and a part-time work schedule. I was surrounded by all my friends and the words “public transportation” did not cross my mind. Now, my world is crammed inside a 600 square foot apartment, stuffed to the brim with clothes, shoes, pans, cupcake liners, sprinkles, and a teeny tiny counter just big enough for my KitchenAid. Sometimes I work at 4:00am, and sometimes I work until 4:00am. The words “insomnia,” “insanity,” and “irritated” are the most frequently used words in my vocabulary. As thankful as I am to have a job in a world full of unemployed, overqualified people, there are days when I just want to run and hide from the chaos and confusion of ‘finding my niche.’ These are the days when I wish I could be with the one person who understands me the most, my sister.
She is my support, my strength, my guidance, and my best friend.I can’t imagine what my life would be like without her. It wasn’t until I moved to Chicago that I realized how much I needed her, even for the littlest things. I wish she was here to tell me my shoes don’t match and to help curl the back of my hair. I wish she was here to cook dinner with me and watch the Real Housewives of Beverly Hills just to make fun of their ridiculousness. I wish she was here to taste-test my cupcakes and leave me with the perfect ‘bite picture’ for my blog. At the end of the day, I really just wish she was here to talk to and spend time with because no one compares to her.
… a sweet celebration for my sister’s birthday
Moving to Chicago was one of the hardest things I’ve ever had to do. Last year, I was living in Grand Rapids with my sister, in a brand new house, with my own bathroom, a walk-in closet, and a covered parking spot for my car. I was accustomed to a Monday-Friday class schedule, and a part-time work schedule. I was surrounded by all my friends and the words “public transportation” did not cross my mind. Now, my world is crammed inside a 600 square foot apartment, stuffed to the brim with clothes, shoes, pans, cupcake liners, sprinkles, and a teeny tiny counter just big enough for my KitchenAid. Sometimes I work at 4:00am, and sometimes I work until 4:00am. The words “insomnia,” “insanity,” and “irritated” are the most frequently used words in my vocabulary. As thankful as I am to have a job in a world full of unemployed, overqualified people, there are days when I just want to run and hide from the chaos and confusion of ‘finding my niche.’ These are the days when I wish I could be with the one person who understands me the most, my sister.
She is my support, my strength, my guidance, and my best friend.I can’t imagine what my life would be like without her. It wasn’t until I moved to Chicago that I realized how much I needed her, even for the littlest things. I wish she was here to tell me my shoes don’t match and to help curl the back of my hair. I wish she was here to cook dinner with me and watch the Real Housewives of Beverly Hills just to make fun of their ridiculousness. I wish she was here to taste-test my cupcakes and leave me with the perfect ‘bite picture’ for my blog. At the end of the day, I really just wish she was here to talk to and spend time with because no one compares to her.
This year, for her birthday, I wanted to go above and beyond to show her just how much she means to me. I knew she was getting together with a few of her closest friends for dinner and bowling so I made sure to get work off, and I begged my boyfriend to drive me to Grand Rapids. I wrapped up her favorite pumpkin candles, sparkly jewels, and a classy new clutch in a polka dot bag, and packed up my cupcake carrier with these cookie-bottomed vanilla bean treats. (Note: I’ve never kept a secret this long from my sister, so it was pretty impressive that my plan didn’t fall through). Needless to say, she was ecstatic and appreciative of the efforts I put into making her birthday a success.
Dear sister, if you ever get the chance to read this post, just know that I love you and I hope you had the most wonderful birthday. May all your wishes come true, xoxo <3
Dear sister, if you ever get the chance to read this post, just know that I love you and I hope you had the most wonderful birthday. May all your wishes come true, xoxo <3
The Ingredients…*
Recipe adapted from: How Sweet Eats
For the Cookie Bottoms (& tops)
1 cup butter, softened
1 1/2 cup brown sugar, loosely packed
2 eggs
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
2 2/3 cups all-purpose flour
2 teaspoons baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 1/2 cup chocolate chips
For the Vanilla Cake Layer
1/2 cup butter
1 cup white sugar
2 eggs
1 tablespoon vanilla extract
1 1/2 cups flour
1 teaspoon baking powder
1/3 cup milk
For the Vanilla Bean Buttercream
2 sticks of butter, softened
2 1/2 cups powdered sugar
1 tablespoon vanilla extract
Dash of salt
1-2 tablespoons of milk or heavy whipping cream, if needed
Recipe adapted from: How Sweet Eats
For the Cookie Bottoms (& tops)
1 cup butter, softened
1 1/2 cup brown sugar, loosely packed
2 eggs
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
2 2/3 cups all-purpose flour
2 teaspoons baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 1/2 cup chocolate chips
For the Vanilla Cake Layer
1/2 cup butter
1 cup white sugar
2 eggs
1 tablespoon vanilla extract
1 1/2 cups flour
1 teaspoon baking powder
1/3 cup milk
For the Vanilla Bean Buttercream
2 sticks of butter, softened
2 1/2 cups powdered sugar
1 tablespoon vanilla extract
Dash of salt
1-2 tablespoons of milk or heavy whipping cream, if needed
The Instructions…*
(Yields about 18-20 cupcakes)
For the Cookie Bottoms (& tops)
(1) Sift flour, baking soda, and salt together and set aside in a bowl.
(2) Beat butter and sugar together in the bowl of an electric mixer until it’s light and fluffy; add egg and vanilla and beat until combined
(Yields about 18-20 cupcakes)
For the Cookie Bottoms (& tops)
(1) Sift flour, baking soda, and salt together and set aside in a bowl.
(2) Beat butter and sugar together in the bowl of an electric mixer until it’s light and fluffy; add egg and vanilla and beat until combined
(3) Add in dry ingredients and mix until just combined; fold in chocolate chips
(4) Line a muffin tin with liners and give each a quick spritz of non-stick spray
(5) Using a spoon also sprayed with non-stick spray, press about 1 1/2 tablespoons of cookie dough into the bottom of each liner; reserve the rest of the dough for later—you will need it to make the cookie toppers :)
(5) Using a spoon also sprayed with non-stick spray, press about 1 1/2 tablespoons of cookie dough into the bottom of each liner; reserve the rest of the dough for later—you will need it to make the cookie toppers :)
For the Vanilla Cake
(1) Preheat oven to 350° F
(2) Cream butter and sugar in the bowl of an electric mixer until fluffy, about 3 minutes
(3) Add eggs and vanilla and beat until combined
(4) Combine dry ingredients in a bowl; Add half of the dry ingredients, mixing until just combined
(5) Add the milk. Once mixed, add remaining dry ingredients
(1) Preheat oven to 350° F
(2) Cream butter and sugar in the bowl of an electric mixer until fluffy, about 3 minutes
(3) Add eggs and vanilla and beat until combined
(4) Combine dry ingredients in a bowl; Add half of the dry ingredients, mixing until just combined
(5) Add the milk. Once mixed, add remaining dry ingredients
(6) Using an ice cream scoop, drop batter on top of cookie dough mixture and bake cupcakes for 15-18 minutes; set aside and allow time to cool
(*) While oven is still hot, use scoop remaining dough onto cookie sheets and bake for 10-12 minutes, or until golden brown; allow time to cool. Meanwhile, prepare buttercream…
For the Vanilla Bean Buttercream
Recipe adapted from: How Sweet Eats
(1) Cream butter in the bowl of an electric mixture until completely smooth and creamy
(2) With the mixer on low speed, add in powdered sugar slowly
(3) Gradually increase mixer speed and add vanilla and salt, then beat for 2-3 minutes, scraping down sides and bottom of the bowl
(4) If frosting is too thick, add milk (or whipping cream) 1 teaspoon at a time until desired consistency is reached If it’s too thin, add sugar gradually until it thickens
Recipe adapted from: How Sweet Eats
(1) Cream butter in the bowl of an electric mixture until completely smooth and creamy
(2) With the mixer on low speed, add in powdered sugar slowly
(3) Gradually increase mixer speed and add vanilla and salt, then beat for 2-3 minutes, scraping down sides and bottom of the bowl
(4) If frosting is too thick, add milk (or whipping cream) 1 teaspoon at a time until desired consistency is reached If it’s too thin, add sugar gradually until it thickens
cookie-bottomed cupcake + vanilla bean buttercream + (lots of) colorful sprinkles = amazeballs
cookie. cake. frosting. sprinkles. cookie. candle. the ultimate birthday treat.