Aubrey’s Birthday Cupcakes!

“Cupcakes involving chocolate and cream cheese frosting,” the birthday girl demanded! Jokes, of course, but seriously I had to just straight-up ask her what she’d die to have on her birthday…how does one sneakily ask what someone’s favorite kind of cake is when it’s only a couple of days before their birthday?! This is something I frequently struggle with. I’m a HUGE surprises person. Maybe this is girly, but I really do love to give thoughtful surprise presents, or in this case, surprise birthday dessert!

The Year of Making Things Happen

Chocolate Ganache Vanilla Buttercream!

Shortbread- later dipped in chocolate!

Southern Greens & Mushroom Soup

Cocoa Vanilla Bean Meringues

Chocolate meringue pie

Slutty Brownies

2012. The year of making things happen. I can, and I will. Job search in DC?…bought my ticket, and just went! BAM, just like that! Making that awkward phone call? Went for it. Crazy hard spin class? (sore for a couple of days) but, DID IT!

It’s also a year to be filled with many more delicious recipes. And to catch you up on the magic that happens when I don an apron, there have been sweets abound, but also more soup than I remembered to take photos of. The cupcakes were the lovechild of a “chilly” (read, 62 degree) California day and my joblessness. For the Super Bowl, Caitlyn and I decided, “why not?! it’s Christmas! let’s go for it!” and made “slutty brownies” (…because they’re oh so easy and just a little bit dirty) – definitely one of those things that makes life better.

I also HIGHLY recommend Joy the Baker’s vegan cream of mushroom soup!!! <3