Kentucky Derby Refreshment: "Mint Julep Cupcakes"

Derby Day is here. The 2013 Kentucky Derby will be underway today in Louisville's renowned Churchhill Downs. The first Kentucky Derby race occurred in 1875 and is a 1.25 mile race for three-year-old thoroughbred horses. Nearly 100 of the horses that have won the Kentucky Derby were actually born in the state of Kentucky, making horses from the Bluegrass state the most likely to win the race.

The event is also known for its fashion parade by a number of both females and males in the grandstands and a renowned "Derby Hat Parade" consisting of a throng of unique, colorful and in some cases truly one-of-a-kind hat creations.

The Mint Julep is the official drink of the Kentucky Derby. It is an iced drink consisting of bourbon, mint, and a sweet syrup and is traditionally served in a commemorative Kentucky Derby glass. Churchill Downs expects to serve 120,000 mint juleps today! Here is my recipe tribute in cupcake form to this legendary derby drink. I bake these mint julep cupcakes to serve family and friends while we watch the race widely-known as "The Run for the Roses".

"Southern Fried Bride's Mint Julep Cupcakes"

1 stick butter, softened
1 cup sugar
1 teaspoon mint extract
3 eggs
2 cups flour
2 teaspoons baking powder
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup milk
1/4 cup "Maker's Mark" Kentucky Bourbon 
1/4 cup Creme de Menthe liquor 

Preheat the oven to 350º F, and grease or line 24 cupcake cups. In mixing bowl, add 1 cup of flour, baking powder and salt. Set aside. In separate bowl, add butter, sugar, eggs, and extracts and mix at medium speed until creamy. Gradually beat in the flour mixture. Add milk, bourbon and Creme de Menthe liquors to the batter, then the remaining 1 cup of flour. Stir lightly, only enough for batter to combine. Divide batter evenly into cupcake liners. Bake 25-30 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center of a cupcake comes out clean. Remove from oven and place on wire rack to cool. Cool before frosting..

"Mint Delight Frosting"

3 cups confectioner's sugar
1 stick butter, softened
1 teaspoon mint extract  

In large bowl, cream butter with mixer on medium speed. Add confectioner's sugar one cup at a time, mixing between additions. Add mint extract. Beat at medium speed for 5 minutes, or until frosting reaches creamy consistency. Spread frosting over cooled cupcakes. Enjoy!

Stella & Dot's Autism Awareness Collection and a Giveaway

April is Autism Awareness Month. According to the HollyRod Foundation, autism affects 1 in 88 children, 1 in 54 boys. This is a staggering statistic. 

During the month of April, Stella and Dot LLC will donate 20% of the retail sales price of each item sold in their specially marked "Autism Awareness Collection" to support the HollyRod Foundation, with a guaranteed minimum donation of $10,000. 

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The HollyRod Foundation was formed by actress Holly Robinson Peete and her husband, former NFL quarterback Rodney Peete. When Holly and Rodney's eldest son RJ was diagnosed with autism, they made it their mission to provide support and resources to families also affected by autism. In 2012, it became a charitable services program of the Entertainment Industry Foundation and is dedicated to providing compassionate care to those living with autism. 

Here are some of my favorites in this collection:

The "Tree of Life" necklace, priced at $69, has a sterling silver disc charm depicting a mighty tree as an elegant reminder to "stay firmly planted, but always reach for the sky" on a sterling silver 16" chain necklace plus a 2" extender.

 The "Bring It" jewelry roll, priced at $39, has a fun striped design on the outside.

 It opens to reveal a roomy microsuede interior on the inside with a wipe-clean lining. 

Thanks to the generosity of my fabulous friend and Stella & Dot stylist Rachel Cairney, one of you will win the Autism Awareness "Spirit" bracelet, valued at $29! 

This bracelet features the rainbow colors of autism awareness in dyed semi-precious beads framed in brilliant metallic nuggets. I love that it is lead and nickel safe and has a sliding knot closure for adjustable length. 

To enter, take a look at the items in their Autism Awareness Collection here, then leave a comment below letting me know your favorite item in the collection. Entries close Tuesday, April 30 at noon EST. Winner will be announced immediately. 

If you would like to know more about this collection, you can go to Rachel's Stella & Dot stylist website here. 

Disclaimer: I received a Stella & Dot Autism Awareness "Spirit" bracelet valued at $29 as a giveaway prize for one of my blog readers. I was not financially compensated for this blog post. All opinions expressed in this blog post are my own.

Spring Into Fitness Giveaway: Weight Watchers® by Conair™ Digital Scale

For years, my family and I have used digital weight scales. I recently received a Weight Watchers^® by Conair™ Digital Scale (Model WW58S) free of charge to review and I immediately noticed something that set these digital scales apart from others I have owned through the years. This scale not only helps you keep track of your progress, but it comes with encouraging messages to inspire you. I love the fact that it was recently awarded the Good Housekeeping Seal of Approval. 


I love it that you can motivate yourself or your loved ones by customizing your scale with the removable message decals that come with the scales. What a wonderful way to stay focused and be inspired toward your goals. My favorite inspirational messages that are on my scales are “Every day is a new day” and “Whatever you believe you can achieve.” I also love that they include decorative stickers and a blank label so you can write yourself an inspirational message to keep you on course or a loved one can use a blank label to create their own special message for you to give you an extra boost of motivation and confidence. It comes with 15 reusable stickers.  

I love the easy-to-read 1.5" digital display as well as the sleek design on a silver glass scale. The scale has a 400-lb. capacity, runs on one long-life AAA lithium battery (included) and has a 10-year warranty.

The Weight Watchers^® by Conair™ Digital Scale (Model WW58S) is available nationwide at stores such as Kohls and Kmart, as well as at www.conair-store.com for an average retail price of $29.99. 

You can follow Conair Scales on Twitter @ConairScales for tips and advice on staying motivated and getting fit.

Thanks to the generosity of the Conair company, one of you will receive a Weight Watchers^® by Conair™ Digital Scale valued at $29.99!  To enter, leave a comment below and let me know one of your favorite spring fitness activities. Entries close on Wednesday, April 24 at noon EST. Winner will be announced immediately. Good luck!  

Disclaimer: I received the product free of charge for the purposes of my review as well as the same product for a giveaway prize. I was not financially compensated for this blog post. All opinions expressed in this blog post are my own.  

April Showers Recipe: "Zucchini Bread with Sweet Buttermilk Glaze"

Spring is here, or in the case of here in New York, it is trying to get here. With the arrival of spring comes a multitude of milestones such as bridal showers, baby showers, graduations, Mother's Day and Father's Day celebrations. Cakes and cupcakes are both fun treats to serve in celebration of these occasions but I am also a fan of serving a tasty quick bread. Here is a zucchini bread topped with a sweet buttermilk glaze for a perfect addition to any springtime menu.   

"Zucchini Bread with Sweet Buttermilk Glaze"

* makes one loaf

2 cups all-purpose flour
3/4 cup sugar
2 teaspoons baking powder
1/2 teaspoons baking soda
1 teaspoons ground nutmeg
1/4 teaspoons salt
2/3 cup milk
1/3 cup butter, melted
1 large egg 
1 cup shredded zucchini (1 medium zucchini)

Glaze:
1/2 cup powdered sugar
3 teaspoons buttermilk


Preheat oven to 350 degrees.  Spray 8 x 4 loaf pan with non-stick spray. In large bowl, combine flour, sugar, baking powder, baking soda, nutmeg, and salt.  Stir to combine and set aside. In separate bowl, combine milk, melted butter, zest and egg.  Add to dry flour mixture in thirds until all of mixture has been added. Place shredded zucchini on paper towel. Place another paper towel over zucchini and absorb excess moisture in zucchini. Add zucchini to mixture and stir until combined. Pour batter into prepared pan. Bake 50-55 minutes or until a wooden pick inserted in the center comes out clean.  Place on wire cooling rack for 10 minutes.  Remove from pan and let cool completely on wire rack. In small bowl, combine powdered sugar and buttermilk. Stir until well-combined. Drizzle glaze over bread. Enjoy! 

Recipe Corner: "Easy Hot Cross Buns"

A beloved Easter treat, hot cross buns are a popular during Lenten season and a Good Friday tradition to many. The preparation process with the rising of the yeast, mixing and all-around hoop jumping to get the dough just right can leave some frazzled and tired. This year, I tried a shortcut method by using Pillsbury refrigerated cinnamon rolls and my trusty candied fruit that I use to make fruitcakes during the Christmas season. My family and I were happy with the results. 

I discovered some fun facts about the history of hot cross buns along the way. Marking crosses on baked goods such as breads and buns dates back to pre-Medieval times and was meant to be a visible sign that the bread was “blessed” and had the power to ward off evil spirits and help the longevity of the bread by stopping it from molding or becoming stale too quickly. One story says hot cross buns origins date to the 12th century when an Anglican monk placed the sign of the cross on the buns to honor Good Friday. I came across a fun old rhyme about hot cross buns that says, "Half for you and half for me, between us two good luck shall be".  

Rather than serve them on Good Friday, I choose to make my own Easter tradition with this sweet delight and I serve them the following day, the day before Easter, which means we enjoyed ours today.  

"Easy Hot Cross Buns" 

1 can Pillsbury refrigerated cinnamon rolls with icing
1/2 cup candied fruit 

Egg Wash Glaze: 
1 egg
1 tablespoon milk 

Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Prepare egg wash glaze by whisking together one egg and one tablespoon of milk. Set aside. Remove each roll from can and place each on wax paper. Take each roll and gently knead dough together to form a ball of dough. Place each back on wax paper. Make a well in the middle of each ball of dough. Place 1 tablespoon of candied fruit in the middle of each ball of dough. Gently knead candied fruit into each ball of dough just enough to combine candied fruit into dough. Place back on wax paper. Place each one on baking sheet. Coat each with glaze. Bake 8-10 minutes or until golden brown in color. Remove from oven and cool. When cooled, drizzle icing in cross shape on top of each. Enjoy!   

Disclaimer: This post is not a sponsored post by the Pillsbury company. I was not financially compensated by the Pillsbury company for this blog post. All opinions stated in this blog post are my own.    

Recipe Corner: "Aim to Please Potato Salad"

My Grandma Cleva would dazzle with her potato salad everywhere from potlucks to picnics. Exploring the ins and outs of everything potato salad was a fun kitchen adventure for me. This is my take on her potato salad recipe. Maybe you will take this recipe and embark on your own kitchen adventure and share it with your family or loved ones at a gathering. Most of all, I hope this Easter season finds you creating some treasured memories of your own with friends and loved ones! 

“Aim to Please Potato Salad”

6 medium potatoes (about 2 pounds), peeled, cubed & cooked

1 cup light mayonnaise

1 heaping tablespoon yellow mustard

1 teaspoon salt

1/4 cup onion, chopped

1/2 cup sweet pickles, chopped 

2 eggs, hard-boiled, peeled and chopped

Optional: 1 teaspoon parsley 

1 teaspoon paprika

1 egg, hard-boiled & chopped 

Peel potatoes, dice into cubes. In large pot, bring water to a boil and add potatoes. Cook 25-30 minutes or until tender. Drain. Place cubed potatoes in large bowl. Stir in mayonnaise. Add mustard and salt to mixture. Add onions, pickles and eggs. Toss gently to combine well. Transfer into serving bowl. Garnish, if desired, with parsley, paprika and chopped egg. Serve warm or cover and chill at least 1 hour before serving. Serves 10-12. Enjoy!

Recipe Corner: Easy Spring Cupcakes

I was honored to recently work on a baking project with Pillsbury and when it came time for springtime activities, I looked to them for inspiration in creating some easy and fun treats. I used their yellow cake mix as the base for spring green cupcakes and my annual task of making green frosting was made so much easier by Pillsbury's pre-colored green frosting. I added some favorite Easter candies on top and served up these fun cupcakes to family and friends.

"Easy Spring Cupcakes"
* makes 24 cupcakes or 12 large cupcakes

1 box Pillsbury classic yellow cake mix
3 large eggs
1 1/4 cups water
1/3 cup oil
3 drops green food coloring
1 can Pillsbury "Funfetti" green frosting
1 package candy Easter eggs

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. In large mixing bowl, prepare cake mix according to package directions. If not using the Pillsbury mix, make sure to pay attention to preparation directions for the cake mix you are using. When batter is mixed, add 3 drops of green food coloring. Mix until well-blended. Pour batter evenly into 2  12-cup baking pans OR 1 large 12-cup baking pan. Bake 18-21 minutes or until toothpick inserted in middle of cupcake comes out clean. Remove from oven and allow to cool on heat-safe surface before frosting. Stir frosting well in can before frosting cupcakes with Funfetti frosting. Top with several candy Easter eggs. Enjoy!

Disclaimer: This post was in no way sponsored by Pillsbury. I was not financially compensated by Pillsbury for this blog post. All opinions expressed in this blog post are my own.