Cupcakes

Blueberry Walnut Poppy Seed Cake

September 29, 2021 By Asha Shivakumar

This blueberry walnut poppy seed cake is laced with fresh blueberries, filled to the brim with nutty, crackly poppy seeds, and drizzled with a delicious caramel glaze. It’s the perfect “company cake.” This Blueberry Poppy Seed Cake is a must make.

If you’re looking for a fruity cake that’s perfect to take to parties or just a pick me up, this is for you, Blueberry Poppy Seed Cake or as I call it the Best Sour Cream Cake.

I make this cake to take to friend’s, for picnics, it travels well and the perfect snack time cake. We enjoy dense fruity poppy seed cake –from when I made this recipe decades ago-so I can definitely tell you that this is a recipe that stands the test of time….

8 Simple Decadent Valentine’s treats you must make

February 9, 2021 By Asha Shivakumar

Valentines Desserts cannot be more Impressive, Simple and decadent. From breakfast, to drinks to sweet treats.

I carry around a list in my brain… a list of things that I’m in love with. Actively in love with, everyday… just walking around in the world.I’m in love with fresh flowers at home, big and small rings, my not so perfect black cotton dress, girls who carry themselves with ease that I covet, planners, writing small notes of love to family members, the diffuser that has lemon essence in it, sit and day dream.This is aside from loving the people and pets around me. This love is separate from family and friends. This love sometimes steps to the back of my mind and I’m left feeling a little blaaaaaahhh…. until all the love comes rushing back and I remember that I’m totally in love with my life. I LOVE falling in love with life.I mean… think about it. Despite its messes and disappointments… and bills, there’s a lot to be in love with… even if it’s just the smell of your new shampoo, because it reminds you of toasted coconut. That someone who compliments you on voice, a stranger looks at you because you are special. There’s so many things in life to be happy about.As much as I dislike the concept of Valentines day, hey it’s important to be in love with life.I don’t even care how cheesy that sounds… because it feels good to be in love. Let’s celebrate with something sweet.

Here are my favorite Valentines Desserts:

CHURRO FRENCH TOAST SANDWICH

In my opinion these are the next best thing to Churros . These Churro french Toast Sandwiches are easy for anyone to make and is impressive. They’re crispy on the outside, soft and tender on the inside and they have a flavor no one can resist!

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Healthier & Loaded Chocolate Chip Pumpkin Muffins with tahini

October 17, 2020 By Asha Shivakumar

These soft pumpkin muffins are loaded with chocolate chips and pecans, with tahini in the filling, it’s over the top flavorful. Made with olive oil and whole wheat flour, it’s little healthier, but no one can tell. Make one batch and it will become your favorite too.

We are still seeing high temps in the Bay Area, but that doesn’t stop me from going pumpkin frenzy. At least my home smells like Fall.

I’ve made a few batches of these over the last many years. They’ve also made a few trips to the bake sale, and they get sold before you can spell PUMPKIN:’).

I don’t measure, I eye ball pretty much everything especially when muffins are concerned. And every single time I get lucky. Last week a friend of mine asked for the recipe and it hit me that I don’t use any recipe for this. So, I decided to write it down, send it to her and while we are on a roll, share it with you’ll. It’s after all one of my most baked muffins during pumpkin season. Breakfast, lunchbox treat, after school snack… Best Ever Loaded Pumpkin Muffins for everyone!…

Classic Carrot Cupcake with Baileys Cream Cheese Frosting

April 5, 2019 By Asha Shivakumar

These are fluffy, and moist classic carrot cupcake! Made completely from scratch with real grated carrots, these carrot cupcakes are always a hit! Make sure to top them off with the absolute best cream cheese frosting.

Carrot Cupcakes are my little one’s favorite and I’d like to believe that it’s a way to get his daily serving of vegetables. Give him a cupcake and a zucchini muffin for each hand and we’ve got the bottom of the food pyramid covered.

Alright, maybe carrot cupcakes aren’t the best way to get your daily vegetables, but it’s definitely the tastiest, especially when topped off with a very generous swirl of cream cheese frosting. They’re soft, moist, and cheerfully fluffy, these cupcakes taste like springtime and sunny weather (which I could really, really use right now!)….

BEST Coffee-Chocolate Cupcakes with Caramel Mascarpone cream

December 4, 2017 By Asha Shivakumar

Get your caffeine fix with these super moist, flavorful, eggless coffee chocolate cupcakes, topped with caramel mascarpone cream. It’s my favorite recipe, and a guaranteed crowd pleaser for the upcoming holiday parties.

Say Hello to the best coffee chocolate cupcakes that I’ve made. The exact recipe that I’ve been making for the last many years, and one of the first recipes I posted on this blog, was this CUPCAKE. The frosting is a beautiful, delicately flavored cream which holds well with a touch of mascarpone. The coffee is pronounced, but not bitter, and will not keep you up :). It’s a coffee lover’s dream….

Brown Butter Caramalized Banana Semolina Mini Cake with aka Sheera Cake

September 30, 2017 By Asha Shivakumar

These mini brown butter banana semolina cakes are perfect for entertaining and for festivals. They taste like a popular Indian dessert called Sheera, but in cake form!

India can easily be called the “Land of Festivals.”

This whole month has been very religious for many. I always love sharing the festival food on social media. For me, it’s always such a wonderful time to spread love and food.

This festival, Ayudha/Saraswathi Pooja, is one which is particularly celebrated in Southern India. Ayudh means instruments, so this festival is all about giving due respect to the things that we use everyday. Cars, homes, etc. are cleaned in detail. Respecting the ordinary things which we would take for granted otherwise….

Rhubarb-Pistachio Mini Cakes & A Giveaway!

May 1, 2017 By Asha Shivakumar

These Rhubarb Pistachio Cakes are made with olive oil, and can be made in a cake pan or mini muffin tins like this. The rich pistachios combined with cardamom make for a tasty, addictive treat. Thanks to Revol for sending me some of their pretty pieces.

Happy May!!

A favorite month of mine, mother’s day and a special birthday.

As spring is setting in, I immediately dream of warm days, long evening walks, and vacations. Light sunny days, and mildly cool nights. I struggle to choose between Autumn and Spring; I love them both.

Subconsciously, salads make more of an appearance. My humongous cane fruit basket is filled with fruits and summery melons. There are rolling hills to one side, and strawberry and vegetable patches to the other. I stop by every week at the local farm, and the guy fondly asks how the kids are and gives me an extra basket of strawberries.…

Baking-Chocolate Cupcakes- Vegan Allergy free

April 30, 2013 By Asha Shivakumar

“When you share a cupcake, you share love.” ~ Unknown Author

Are you a chocolate junkie, I confess I am. There’s not a single day that goes without having chocolate in
some form. Screams celebration when there is chocolate and cake. I truly believe you can win over anyone with these these beautiful looking cupcakes. Cupcakes with all it’s glory has become a star the past few years, with Cupcake Wars(which i religiously watch) and shops dedicated purely to these sugary goodies.. Why not right, they are portioned out, you think of a flavor, you can make them or find em’ and most of all loved by most.

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