Monday, March 10, 2008

Labor of Love Cupcakes

I love Jared, that's clear. I have to say though, the biggest proof of my love and devotion to Jared is the fact that I tackled these cupcakes. I'm talking about the Brooklyn vs. Boston Cream Pie Cakes (from Vegan Cupcakes Take Over the World) I made for Jared's birthday tomorrow. These were a multi-step venture not for the faint of heart. I started making these cupcakes at 5pm and just got done around 9 pm! These are the days I am glad I'm not employed because I couldn't see making these in an evening after a least an 8 hour shift and an hour or two commute. The cupcakes themselves weren't that difficult, just measure, mix, bake and cool, nor was the chocolate ganache topping. The hard part was the Vanilla Vegan Pastry Cream filling. This was the first time I used Agar Flakes and boy was it labor intensive. I had to whisk the Agar/Soymilk concoction for at least 15 minutes just to get the "cream" base smooth. After about 20 minutes of cooking, the Agar/Soymilk/Arrowroot base kinda looked like silly putty, not the most appetizing looking stuff. Once the sugar, vanilla extract and silken tofu was blended together with the base, I guess I can see how it tasted and looked like pastry cream. To fill the cupcakes with the filling, I had to make a whole with my impeccably clean finger in the middle of the cupcake, which sounds easy but I kept accidentally blowing out the sides. I did successfully fill each cupcake with the filling, allowing the cupcake liner to hold everything together, and top each with a generous amount of ganache frosting (even though it did ooze over the sides). After all the measuring, mixing, whisking, boiling, cooling, stuffing and topping, I sure do hope Jared likes these babies!
Photobucket

21 comments:

Anonymous said...

I hope Jared loves them! They're beautiful. Who could say no to cupcakes?

The Little Mama said...

I've wanted to try these forever! They look so yummy! I certainly hope all your hard work is appreciated!

Billy said...

Mmm, they look good. Good luck with the pound cake. You should definitely make it.

VeganCowGirl said...

Sound like hard work, but they look amazing!

MeloMeals said...

I'm sure he'll love them!

I've never used agar flakes, only the powder and it's MUCH easier to work with.

J said...

Wow, those cupcakes WERE labor intensive. You must really love Jared, I hope he knows how lucky he is!

Those cupcakes are beautiful!

Calimaryn said...

Those look lovely and I am completely sure Jared will love them. Heck I want one myself. I think its incredibly sweet of you to be making such awesome birthday foods too. You rock.

ChocolateCoveredVegan said...

How could Jared (or anyone else, for that matter) NOT like those cupcakes?! I'm sure he'll love them!

Rural Vegan said...

All that with one good arm? I'm impressed! Jared is sure to love those! I hope they taste as good as they look!

LizNoVeggieGirl said...

My goodness, after all that preparation, Jared BETTER love them - and if he doesn't, then I'll for sure accept the cupcakes!! I love them!! :0D

Billy said...

Hi again,

Vegan tag, you're it!

Info: http://vegtalk.blogspot.com/2008/03/vegan-tag-im-it.html

Theresa said...

How can he NOT love them??

Liz Ranger (Bubble Tea for Dinner) said...

oh, you brave soul, I've been skipping past that recipe for so long... and now you guys have 12 fauxstess cupcakes to enjoy! lucky you (and very lucky Jared!)

Vegan_Noodle said...

Oh those sound so good!! How were they? Hope Jared appreciated all your hard work!

Don't Get Mad, Get Vegan! said...

nice job, and what a great bday treat!

i try to avoid using agar in any form at all costs. i always end up with plastic like pieces in whatever i'm making. i've yet to overcome that.

Jess said...

How did they taste??? I have had my eye on these since I got the book (uh... Almost two years ago now??), but am intimidated by all the steps. Was it worth it?

Veggie said...

I made these cupcakes about a month ago and this is how they turned out.
http://sowhatdoesavegetarianeat.blogspot.com/2008/02/its-groundhog-day.html

It was so time consuming though that I don't know if I'll ever bother to make them again.

The recipe didn't really give much instruction on how to get the filling into the cupcake or how much to put in each one, so I discovered mine didn't have much filling in them when I cut them open.

Melisser; the Urban Housewife said...

They sure look good! I'm sure he'll love them.

Veggie said...

Hi Pleasantly Plump Vegan,
Thanks for adding me to your blogroll.

Hope he loved the cupcakes!

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