A Couple of Home Decor Updates

Other than briefly sharing a snapshot of my kitchen just days after we moved into our house, I really haven't shared any photos of our home here on the blog.  We bought our house in August of 2010 and, aside from purchasing a sectional for our living room, we didn't make any real furniture or decor purchases until this past summer.  I've slowly been making a few changes here and there over the past few months.  Working on a small monthly budget and starting off with next to nothing has meant a very slow process of decorating our home.

After Christmas last year hubby and I made a couple of trips to IKEA to get a few furniture pieces and some various decor items for our home.  Among our purchases were an assortment of RIBBA frames.  Back in January, after a marathon week of painting our entry, living room, and kitchen, I planned out and hung a casual gallery wall behind the sectional in our living room.

When arranging the wall, I really didn't have any plans as to what would actually end up in each frame. I had a limited number of frames on hand and made due to figure out what looked to be the most aesthetically pleasing arrangement possible.  After getting the placement planned out, I then set out to find various photos and art to fill the frames.  Honestly, most of what you see in the frames in these photos are filler items until we figure out exactly what we'd like to display.  I personally prefer an eclectic gallery with an assortment of photos, art, and other keepsakes.  Ours is filled with tender memories as well as plenty of humor.

On a side note, how gorgeous are these Dutch tulips from Trader Joe's?  I've seen them popping up on various blogs lately and couldn't resist picking up a bouquet while I was at Trader Joe's recently shopping for a few natural skincare items.

Morning Kitchen Vignette

I had been using a loaner stove this past week as we waited for our range to arrive (there was a mix up initially and our builder's supplier brought the wrong range). This morning, bright and early, our door bell range and there was our shiny new range! We actually received a different refrigerator and dishwasher than we picked out/paid for, but they were upgrades from what we had chosen (our fridge is absolutely amazing, but that's a different post). The range we received today was also a free upgrade from the one I picked out. My new range has 5 burners and a convection oven with 6.0 glorious cubic feet of space and 4 oven racks, just waiting for me to bake a ton of delicious treats! I couldn't be more excited about my new kitchen!

I'm growing to absolutely adore the color scheme of my kitchen. When I was dreaming of my future home, my head was full of pictures of white cabinets, butcher block counters and sweet candy colors. Now that I'm in my neutral-colored space, I'm really starting to love it. I'm planning on working in lots of white ceramic accents (such as the egg crate and creamer in the vignette) and throwing in a few punches of complimenting color. I really like the way the coral pink of the macarons in the print pop with the copper cookie cutter. I think these pinks add just enough color while still complimenting the neutral palette. Eventually I'd like to do a huge wall of photos in my kitchen behind where our table will go. I'm thinking lots of baking-related photos, mostly in muted neutral tones and maybe a few hints of color thrown in for interest. I really look forward to growing into the space and breaking it in with dinner parties and gatherings. I really feel at home here.

Pleasant Changes

I have some pretty exciting news to share. I've been waiting to share the news for several weeks as I wanted to hold off until everything was confirmed. There are still some final steps we have to take before everything is completely official, but I am overjoyed to share that...

The hubby and I are buying our first home!

We feel incredibly blessed to have the opportunity to even entertain the thought of home ownership so early in our lives. I just turned 23 and my husband just graduated college and started his first "real" job. I feel so blessed to be able to take such a huge step two and a half years into our marriage. Purchasing our first home makes me feel all grown up. Long story short, what started out as a hunt for us to find a single-family home to rent turned into our first house hunt! We found a 3 bedroom/2 bath, 1,521 square feet new construction home that we love. The layout is ideal for us and the home feels so spacious and is perfect for entertaining. Currently we're on schedule to close around August 6th!

What will become my studio/office is at the very front of the house, which will be perfect for having clients stop by. You enter the large, open living room/eat-in kitchen after a short entryway/hallway. The hallway to the rest of the bedrooms is off the living room. The master bedroom (complete with master bath and a walk-in-closet), the guest bathroom, a linen closet, the third bedroom and the laundry room/mudroom are all in this area. I really like that there is a separation from the main living area. I'm extremely excited about the space and have been pondering ideas for decorating. I'm looking forward to adding DIY and decorating posts to the blog. We'll be purchasing a few furniture pieces right away, but, for the most part, our home will be a work in progress for some time. I'll be sharing some of my inspirations and my ideas for the different rooms of our home on the blog over the coming weeks.

First I thought I'd share a few ideas I have in mind for our entryway. While I love the look of adorable coat racks and umbrella stands, our entry is somewhat narrow and does have a coat closet, so they aren't quite as practical or necessary for the space. I knew I wanted to include some simple wall art and a place to drop keys, mail, etc.

After seeing John and Sherry at Young House Love add these adorable wallflowers by Umbra to their guest bedroom, I was completely smitten and knew I wanted to find a place to add them to my home one day. I'd love to add these white flowers to the right wall of my entry, sprinkled in sort of a random horizontal pattern, leading into the living room. I love the clean, graphic look of the flowers and their playful, whimsical feel. I think they would be the perfect thing to add a "wow" factor to our narrow entry.

Originally I was hoping to find a place for a cute console table to use as a drop for keys, mail, etc. Since there isn't an ideal space for one in our future home, I was sort of lost for ideas. That is until I saw this cute and functional letter organizer, also from Umbra. I love the simple, sleek look of the brushed aluminum organizer. There is plenty of room to hold mail, a flap to hold notes, shopping lists, etc., and even a few hooks for keys. How perfect! I think there should be just enough room on the left wall of our entry, before the door to my studio/office and the coat closet, for this darling organizer.

I think these two additions would be just enough to add some function and interest to our entry without overwhelming the space. I'll be back soon with some ideas for my studio/office!

An Elegant Retreat

I stumbled upon this bedroom today and immediately fell in love! I've seen several bedrooms in the past that utilized crisp, clean whites and neutrals and have always enjoyed the sophisticated look and calming effect. This is by far the most lovely example I've seen and I would love to use this as inspiration for the day the hubby and I can invest in furniture and really decorate our bedroom. There is an elegance and grace about this room that really captivates me. It certainly has a feminine touch without being overwhelmingly girly. I think I could get my hubby on board for a knock-off version of this room for our future.

I am drawn to this neutral look the most when various textures are thrown in to create visual interest and drama. I've seen some gorgeous white and ivory bedding lately with pretty pin-tuck and rosette details that would be perfect for this application. I love the soft beige walls, crisp white trim, and dark wood accents in the furniture. These neutral palettes are perfect for adding pops of color which can be changed around daily, weekly, with the seasons, or just whenever the mood strikes. You could even work in a soft accent color more permanently with something like this gorgeous robin's egg tweed bench.

I do love color, but I find I have difficulty finding color schemes I could really commit to. While some folks can afford to change out furniture or mix things up every few years, I just don't see that kind of luxury in my immediate future. With a neutral backdrop such as this, you could easily switch out relatively inexpensive accessories such as pillows and art to completely change the way the entire room looks. A room full of crisp, clean colors will always look elegant, sophisticated and luxurious.

Share Your Favorite Home Decor Blogs

Photo of Young House Love's John and Sherry's gorgeous living room!

In the midst of searching for a rental home, I am dreaming of a future (hopefully not too long) down the road where I'll slowly be able to purchase new furniture and actually decorate our home. The past two years the hubby and I have been living in a very old, very neglected apartment in a converted 100 year-old-home. I graduated a year ago and the hubby just graduated this May. In the past two years while living here the only furniture we have purchased are a cheap kitchen island (bought with housewarming gift cards) and two ugly bedside tables we got in a yardsale for $10. Our apartment is a hideous mismatch of hand-me-down furniture and bachelor style pieces my husband purchased from Goodwill before we even met. Nearly half of the furniture pieces we do have are broken. I've never had the opportunity to buy furniture or even really decorate a room. I find that I am drawn to a couple different visual styles and I'm afraid I won't be able to decide on a cohesive decorating style when I am finally able to indulge in decorating.

One of my dream furniture pieces found by Rachel of Smile and Wave.

There is a huge part of me that has the urge to decorate everything in florals and sweet candy colors, but I know that outside my studio and kitchen, my husband would never let me indulge in this girly style (and honestly, I'm not sure I would want to let myself either). I also enjoy the clean, modern, nature-inspired look from folks like John and Sherry of Young House Love. I think I could please my husband with a simple, understated style along these lines but part of me craves a bit more character and whimsy. This is where the trouble comes in. I've seen so many homes featured on blogs like Design*Sponge and Apartment Therapy that I've loved that I can't even pinpoint what I'd like for myself and my home. I am set on mixing new and vintage pieces in our home to create a unique look (and also to save money by buying used). I really love the look of mid-century pieces mixed in with inexpensive new furniture with simple, clean lines. I think I'll probably bring in some whimsy via accessories and art, that way I can change things around without breaking the bank if we ever decide to go for a different look.

I love the whimsy and vintage vibe of this workspace of Liz of say YES! to hoboken.

I do have a general idea in my head of how I'd like to style my home, but I'd like to start an inspiration folder on my computer to keep an extensive inspiration resource at my fingertips. So, I'm hoping you all will be willing to share some of your favorite home decor blogs with me, and/or share photos of some of your favorite spaces! I'm definitely most interested in spaces that are welcoming and cozy with a bit of whimsy. I'd really love to see spaces that blend vintage and new pieces beautifully and make use of budget-friendly resources such as Target and Ikea. Thanks so much! I look forward to seeing all your favorites!

From Frumpy to Fabulous!

I am crazy about this Before & After over at Design*Sponge today. The makeover was submitted by Joëlle from Umbu Lumière and I think it's fabulous! Something about the finished chair screams preppy to me, which isn't my usual style, but I am absolutely drawn to it. I really love how Joëlle left the two middle pieces on the back of the chair unpainted, while giving the rest a crisp, clean coat of white paint. And that plaid fabric on the seat? Repurposed from an old shirt. How fantastic is that?! This amazing before & after is going to be stuck in my head for quite some time.

Farmhouse Character

{click photos for link to original sources}

I've been a fan of farmhouse tables for quite some time. I love their rustic, loved appearance and the way they perfectly compliment mismatched vintage dishes and chairs. I love the way a worn butcher block top makes for a hardy work surface and an interesting background for photos.

I particularly love the pairing of crisp, white legs with a stained wooden top. I love the way a farmhouse table can look so rustic while being effortlessly feminized with a beautiful doily table runner or a vase of flowers.

I love how simple they can look. They appear humble yet trustworthy, as though they've witnessed generations of conversations around breakfast and again at dinner between family members and close friends.

To say it simply, I just love their character. I've been dreaming of making one of these beautiful tables my own. I was standing in my kitchen today, arranging vintage china on pink open shelves and I was imagining how perfect a farmhouse table would accent my space. Though I often long for modern conveniences (oh, to own a dishwasher!), sometimes I really love the character of my kitchen. There's a 1940's farmhouse drainboard sink and a mishmash of furniture to add storage and workspace to otherwise open space. There are interesting architectural details and quaint little windows. It can be really charming when I look past the ugly floor, stained walls, and noisy pipes. I really think that a farmhouse table would be just the thing to add cohesion and create the illusion that all the little quirks were intentional.

Desk Inspiration

I am absolutely crazy about this desk makeover from Liz at say YES! to hoboken. I love the clean white top with the wood--reminds me of John and Sherry's mid-century dresser makeover. As I mentioned back in November, I have been planing to refinish my mid-century hand-me-down desk for a while. I've been busy and time has gotten away from me. Now that the hubby and I will likely be moving sometime in the next few months, I figure it'll be best to wait until we're settled into a new place before I tackle refinishing my desk. I was originally planning to paint the entire desk white, but seeing these two-tone pieces lately has been pondering a different look. I'm sure I'll wait and see how I want to decorate my new studio space before I settle on a new look for my desk, but I definitely think I'll end up utilizing this two-tone look in one of our furniture pieces.

Another thing about Liz's desk that I love? The IKEA jars next to that big spool of red and white baker's twine. I actually have almost the exact same setup on my desk. Three IKEA jars (one of the four in my set was broken and I didn't notice until I got home with my loot) holding vintage buttons, and a huge spool of baker's twine. Though I'm afraid mine aren't as artfully displayed.

Closet Inspiration

After seeing Freckle Chick's closet makeover at Adventures in Renovating a Brooklyn Limestone, I have been dreaming of pretty closets. I thought I'd post some of the prettiest and most practical closets from some of my favorite bloggers as well as some professionally styled closet inspirations. With spring cleaning on all our minds, I think closets are a great place to focus. Behind closed doors--out of sight, out of mind--our closets are often anything but glamorous. As these closets show, a clean, organized closet can be one of the most cheerful and inspiring corners of one's home.

The first two photos are from Making it Lovely's Nicole Balch. Nicole uses a freestanding wardrobe from IKEA to organize all her clothes and accessories.

I really love Nicole uses interesting knick-knacks and display pieces to organize and show off her jewelry.

All of her clothes and shoes are neatly and attractively displayed. While very full, the wardrobe is neat and everything is visible and easy to find. I love this inspiration for those who don't have a typical built-in closet to work with. See more photos and read more about Nicole's wardrobe here.

Next are two photos from Freckle Chick's closet makeover. What I find most inspiring about this closet is how well the space is utilized.

Clothes are neatly hung on the bar to the left, a simple bookcase is brought in to organize and display a gorgeous shoe collection, and a shelf above the bar helps to utilize height for storing purses and other items.

I am crazy about the beautiful display of jewelry and accessories and that fabulous little mirror! Freckles Chick added style and organization to her small closet for under $100. I really admire the way she was able to transform her lackluster closet into a really chic, practical space. This is a very attainable inspiration for those of us who don't have hundreds of dollars to spend on fancy closet systems. See more photos and read more about the makeover here.

Ladies, get ready to be totally and utterly jealous! Lola B's Kasey has transformed a small room in her gorgeous home into her own little boudoir.

I love the separation and definiion of space. This space really feels like a trendy little boutique!

I am crazy about the bright light streaming through the window. The room is so sunny and inspiring. I would love to get dressed every morning in this space! I adore the use of dressers in this closet space and the table in the middle of the room is beautiful and incredibly practical for folding and putting away clean laundry. I really love when form and function meet. Click here to see more of Kasey's fabulous closet.

Lastly, for those with space and money to spare, the Elfa closet systems from The Container Store are a real dream come true! I admire how many different organization solutions these systems offer. There are racks for hanging garments, pull out drawers for folded pieces and intimates, and beautiful boxes for small or out of season items. I am totally a sucker for the way these closet systems are styled with a focus on a single color. I tend to gravitate to the same colors and I think there is something so chic and whimsical about a closet filled with similar-hued fashions.

These systems offer a really sophisticated way to organize one's wardrobe. Different finishes are available, but I am most fond of this beautiful walnut finish. It looks so rich and luxurious.

I think having a closet this beautiful would be all the inspiration I would need to stay on top of laundry and keep everything pressed and perfect. I could spend all day in such a beautiful space.

I am really drawn to how decluttered these closets look. I like that they aren't filled to the brim. Each and every item of clothing looks expensive and fabulous. With room to breath, these clothes look crisp and clean. With everything in a similar palette, it would be easy to imagine countless different ways to pair outfits together.

These inspirations have me dreaming of making over my closet. My current closet is a dark, unfinished cave. It is anything but glamorous and, aside from tearing the whole thing out and starting over, there is no way to make it feel spacious and inspiring. The hubby and I will be moving sometime in the near future and I look forward to the possibility of having a little more space to utilize. I think one of the best investments you can make when adding some glam to your closet is to invest in matching (wooden) hangers. Sturdy, matching hangers instantly make a closet look more sophisticated and expensive. Utilizing containers, shelves and other storage solutions will make the most of a space and keep everything tidy and organized. And to best utilize a small space, think vertically!

Laundry Just Got a Whole Lot Cuter!

In hunting for more great handmade gift ideas, I happened upon a pattern inspired by this amazing vintage clothespin holder. The project comes from Hannah of Made With Love By Hannah and is so unbelievably adorable I squealed! I mean, seriously, how cute is that clothespin holder? I don't think I've happened upon anything this quite darling for some time.

Hannah's post provides a material list, printable pattern and a few step-by-step photos of the project. While I have never been terribly fond of line dried clothing (is it just me or do they become itchy and stiff?), I'd love to find a use for one of these darling holders. I am seriously smitten.

Here is the clothespin holder that Hannah created from her original vintage treasure. I love her choice of folkish fabrics. Perhaps I'll find something around my studio that could be stored in one of these adorable holders...

Mason Jar Sewing Kit

I love the look of these sweet little mason jar sewing kits from Martha Stewart Living. I could sing the praises of the usefulness of mason jars all day long. Not only are these little mason jar sewing kits adorable, they are extremely practical. I have caught the sewing bug lately, inspired by my favorite crafter, and I could certainly use a few of these jars around my studio to house my small but growing collection of threads. I have a stray mason jar around from some hot cocoa mix I made last Christmas and I can't wait to make one of these! If you are interested in making your own, Martha offers some instructions and there is a great tutorial by Creative Ramblings with some very helpful step-by-step photos.

Happy crafting!

Cookies & Cream Fudge

I have been wanting to make Cookies & Cream Fudge for several months now and I finally made some yesterday evening. This fudge is perfect! It isn't painfully sweet like a lot of fudge I have tried and it has a nice firm, but soft texture. It's the perfect fudge, in my opinion. If you are a fan of cookies 'n' cream flavors, or like white chocolate and/or Oreo cookies, you will go crazy over this fudge.

And what makes the fudge even better is the fact that it is laughably easy to make and only requires a few ingredients. I am always drawn to the sinfully thick slices of fudge you find at fudge shops, but I am turned off by spending $5 or more for a single slice of fudge when you can easily make a huge batch for less. Seriously folks, you have got to try this recipe. I poured mine into an 8x4'' loaf pan which yielded deliciously tall slices, just like your favorite fudge shop. Here I have cut each slice into three pieces for a more manageable bite. I served these up to the hubby and some of his friends and they were quickly devoured!


Cookies & Cream Fudge
adapted slightly from All Recipes
yields 2 1/2 lbs of deliciousness

18 ounces Nestle white chocolate chips (about 3 cups)
1 (14 ounce) can Eagle Brand sweetened condensed milk
1/8 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
3 cups coarsely broken Oreo cookies (about half of a 1 lb. 2 oz. package)

Line an 8x4'' loaf pan with aluminum foil and spray with a non-stick spray. Alternatively, you can also use an 8-inch square pan.

Break Oreo cookies into 4 to 6 pieces gently with hands and set aside. You want coarsely broken cookies as small bits with crumbs will turn your fudge gray and result in a grainy texture.

In a heavy saucepan over low heat, melt white chocolate chips, sweetened condensed milk, salt and vanilla extract, stirring constantly. Once the white chocolate chips have melted completely, remove from heat and gently fold in the crushed cookies until well incorporated.

Spread the fudge evenly into your lined pan. Chill until firm, at least 2 hours, before cutting.

Lift fudge from your pan and gently peel off the foil. Cut fudge into 12 thick slices. Each slice can be left whole or cut into 2 or 3 smaller pieces. Store the fudge, covered in the refrigerator.

Enjoy!

Bookworm

I have loved the look of the these floating bookshelves since I first discovered them at the Curiosity Shoppe almost three years ago. These genius little gems are designed by Ezra Waltermaurer of Little Fish Furniture. Their quirky design are perfect little conversation pieces and make the ideal shelf to display any of your favorite flowers or knick-knacks. I just love them!

I have been wanting to try my hand at creating a few of these bookshelves myself. I found a tutorial to create a similar look of a stack of books. For those who aren't so craft savvy, you can find the books for sale at the Curiosity Shoppe or directly though Ezra's Etsy shop.

Wouldn't they look sweet with a little vase of billy buttons?

Billy Button Love

click images for source

I am currently mad about the fun, retro look of Billy Buttons. I love their simple, sleek shape and their gorgeous mustard color. Mustard is one of my absolute favorite colors for fashion and design. I love mustard paired with gray and it looks oh so sleek with white.

I love the effortless beauty of a few billy buttons in simple white vases. The ever popular, totally affordable FÄRM vases from IKEA are perfect for this application.

I have several of the IKEA vases and am dying to get some dried billy buttons to fill them with.

Dreaming of Green

click images for source

With the days getting shorter and the weather being dreary and raining more often than not as of late, I have been craving sunlight and greenery. I have fallen in love with the idea of filling my apartment with sweet little living accents.

I am dying to take on the project of creating a few little terrariums for my apartment. I love the fact that you can use almost any glass container to create a unique, one of a kind accent for your home. Craftzine has a great tutorial for how to create a mason jar terrarium. There is also a fantastic video on Design*Sponge by the folks at Sprout Home which shows how to build and care for a terrarium. I'd love to create a few in sweet little mason jars as well as some in more elaborate apothecary jars. I love how to can make them look wonderfully serene or totally kitsch by adding a few little plastic gnomes and deer. There are so many great tutorials and tons of inspiration online for those who are interested in creating their own terrariums. And for those who like a less hands-on approach, this Etsy seller has some fantastic terrarium creations for sale.

Another little project I'd like try is growing paperwhites. From the tutorials I've seen, like this great one from John & Sherry at Young House Love, they are incredibly simple to grow! You can grow these gorgeous flowers in anything from water to rocks to potting soil. And even more fabulous is that they thrive indoors in the winter. I will definitely be testing out my green thumb on these beauties soon.

What are your favorite ways to add a little life and color to your home?

Strawberry Kiwi Sorbet

As I mentioned in my last post, I did some yard sale shopping this past weekend with my mom and hubby. Fortunately the hubby and I were able to find a great set of matching bedside tables for only $5 each! We have been desperately needing bedside tables since we moved into our apartment last October. Now that we finally have them our bedroom looks a bit more polished. Aside from the much needed tables, I have to say that my favorite find of the day was a Waring Frozen Dessert Maker which I scored for a mere $2! I have been wanting an ice cream maker for some time and was seriously considering begging for one for my upcoming birthday. I was beyond excited when I found the Waring model in great condition.

I brought it home and washed it up and immediately put the cooling unit in the freezer so it would be ready to use the following day. I knew I wanted to try making some sorbet first, but I wasn't sure what kind. I was interested in making some watermelon sorbet, but didn't want to spend $5 for a Kroger watermelon. Instead I opted to use the strawberries and kiwis we had setting in our fridge from the previous week. The sorbet turned out to be the perfect way to use up the fruit, as it was past its prime. I was extremely excited to set up and plug in my new (used) maker and see that it worked great! In 20 minutes time the ice cream maker stopped churning, signaling that it was finished. I decided to put the soft-serve consistency sorbet in the freezer to let it firm up a bit more before enjoying a bowl. A few hours later I dished some up for the hubby and myself and, man, it was good!

Strawberry Kiwi Sorbet
serves 4-6

2 1lb. containers fresh strawberries, rinsed, hulled, and cut in half
6 large kiwi, peeled, diced, and cut into fourths
1 cup vanilla sugar
3/4 cup water
1 teaspoon lemon juice

Heat vanilla sugar and water in a small saucepan over medium heat until the sugar dissolves completely. Refrigerate for 1 hour, or until cool.

Using a blender, puree the prepared strawberries and kiwi. Strain to remove seeds, if desired. Whisk the cooled syrup, fruit puree, and 1 teaspoon lemon juice. Refrigerate until thoroughly chilled.

Freeze the mixture in your ice cream maker according to the manufacturer's instructions. Sorbet will be a soft-serve consistency and may be eaten immediately or placed in an air-tight container in the freezer to further harden.

This sorbet was perfectly refreshing and was a great first recipe to try with my new ice cream maker! I am planning on making some vanilla bean frozen custard in the next day or two. I am so thankful for such a great find. I have really missed baking since it's been so dreadfully hot, and now I have a new toy that allows me to enjoy time in the kitchen without dying from the heat of an oven.

Before

I recently ordered a copy of Artisan Bread in Five Minutes a Day, which I have heard so many good things about. I have been super excited to get started on a few loaves and finally purchased a 5 quart container to hold the dough yesterday. This morning I whipped up a bunch of the dough for the 100% Whole Wheat Sandwich Bread.

This is what my dough looked like right after I mixed it all up in my Kitchenaid and dumped it into the container.

And a side view.

Here it is again, two hours of rising later.

I will be shaping and baking the first loaf later. Pictures to come!

I also decided to make a big pot of homemade chicken stock using the carcass from a chicken I roasted on Sunday. I can't wait to see how it turns out and to use it in some soup later.

I will be posting "After" pictures of the bread and the stock later!

Snickerdoodle Cupcakes

As part of a little surprise welcome home dinner for the hubby, I baked some Snickerdoodle Cupcakes. They were very simple and unbelievably yummy! My husband is pretty picky about what he eats and he isn't very vocal about what he really likes. I know I have found a keeper when I see him go back for more and more and more... That is exactly what happened with these cupcakes.I was so pleased with how these turned out! They baked up so beautifully with perfect little dome tops. Unfortunately the liners turned a bit translucent once the cupcakes were baked. Half the liners had a sweet pink plaid design on white, the other featured a pink and brown floral print on white.

Iced and decorated. Some got pretty pink sugar flowers, other received demerara sugar sprinkles. This recipe is definitely one of my favorites I've tried. The cinnamon cream cheese icing was divine, sweet but not too sweet. The overall Snickerdoodle flavor was perfect, a great change from the usual vanilla cupcakes with vanilla buttercream I typically do. Next time I need a treat for a crowd I will be making these again.

Snickerdoodle Cupcakes, recipe adapted from I Heart Cuppycakes

Made 24 cupcakes

INGREDIENTS

For Cupcakes:
1 package Betty Crocker white cake mix*
1 cup whole milk
1 stick of unsalted butter, melted
3 large eggs
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 1/2 teaspoons ground cinnamon

For Frosting:
8 ounces Philadelphia cream cheese, softened
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
5-6 cups powdered sugar, sifted
1 stick unsalted butter, softened
1 teaspoon vanilla extract

DIRECTIONS

To Make Cupcakes:
Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Line cupcake pan.

Sift cake mix into the bowl of a Kitchenaid mixer to remove all lumps. Add cinnamon and whisk or mix on low to blend.

In a medium bowl or large glass measuring cup, combine eggs, milk, vanilla and melted butter. Whisk to combine.

With mixer on low, slowly pour liquids into the dry ingredients. Mix until just combined, do not overmix.

Divide batter among cupcake liners. I found that two heaping "eating" teaspoons was the perfect amount of batter. You only want to fill them about half full as the rise considerably. I got exactly 24 cupcakes from the recipe.

Bake for 18-22 minutes, until a tester comes out clean. Allow to cool completely before frosting.

To Make Frosting:
In the bowl of a Kitchenaid mixer, beat together softened cream cheese and butter, vanilla and cinnamon until light and fluffy.

Slowly add sifted powdered sugar, one cup at a time, beating well after each addition. Continue adding sugar until your desired spreading consistency is reached. I was pleasantly surprised to find that after about 4 cups, I had reached the perfect piping consistency. Fit piping bag with desired tip, fill, and decorate cooled cupcakes.


*I am usually completely opposed to using any boxed mix when it comes to baking. The hubby, however, claims to love boxed cake mixes, and as these were a treat for him, I decided what the heck. I am so glad I gave this recipe a try as it was absolutely amazing.

The cupcakes were very fragrant and moist and the icing was perfect-slightly tangy from the cream cheese and sweet, but not too sweet. Overall I think the cinnamon was brilliant in these cupcakes. I am a huge fan of cinnamon in desserts as the flavor is lovely and I find that it helps cut sweetness. These are such a pretty and yummy treat. A must try!