The 2012 Summer Olympics Are Here!

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I absolutely love the Olympics!  Tonight, I'm going to watch the Opening Ceremonies with my family.  In fact, my mom is coming over for dinner and dessert.  I'm making a yummy pot roast and chocolate cupcakes.  Are you having a watch party for the Opening Ceremonies?  If you're having any type of Olympics watch party over the next two weeks, you should check out the following Olympic-themed desserts that are sure to get you a "Gold Medal" in baking.  

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The first dessert is courtesy of Betty Crocker and is sure to be a crowd-pleaser at your Olympic watch party.  The Union Jack Fruit Pizza looks stunning and sounds yummy.  I've made fruit pizzas in the past and they've always been delicious!

Here are the ingredients: 

Crust 

• 1 pouch (1 lb 1.5 oz) Betty Crocker® sugar cookie mix
• 1/2 cup butter or margarine, softened
• 1 egg

Filling

• 1 package (8 oz) cream cheese, softened
• 1/3 cup sugar
• 1/2 teaspoon vanilla

Topping

• 4 cups sliced fresh strawberries
• 3 cups fresh blueberries
• 1 cup fresh raspberries 

 Directions:

• Heat oven to 350°F. Line 15x10x1-inch or 13x9-inch pan with foil. Spray bottom only of foil with cooking spray. In large bowl, stir cookie mix, butter and egg until soft dough forms. Press evenly in bottom of pan. Bake 15 to 20 minutes or until light golden brown. Cool completely, about 30 minutes.
• 2 In small bowl, beat cream cheese, sugar and vanilla with electric mixer on medium speed until fluffy. Spread mixture over cooled crust.
• 3 Arrange fruit over cream cheese. Refrigerate at least 1 hour until chilled. To serve, cut into 5 rows by 4 rows. Cover and refrigerate any remaining fruit pizza.

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As if the Union Jack Fruit Pizza isn't cool enough, check out this Olympics inspired cupcake decorating kit from Williams-Sonoma.  The Summer Olympics Cupcake Decorating Kit retails for $12.95 and is available at select Williams-Sonoma stores or at www.williamssonoma.com.  

The kit includes:

• 12 laurel wreath liners
• 12 international flags liners
• 6 male-runner toppers
• 6 laurel wreath toppers
• 6 female-swimmer toppers
• 6 gold-medal toppers

I'm actually using the above kit for my chocolate cupcakes tonight!  If you're wanting an irresistible, homemade chocolate cake/cupcake recipe, then I have the perfect recipe for you!  My mother-n-law gave me this recipe several years ago and it's always been my husband's favorite chocolate cake recipe.  This is a basic chocolate cake recipe and while I've seen many variations of this recipe over the years, it's one of my all-time favorites.  I make layered cakes with this recipe, sheet cakes and of course cupcakes!

Perfect Chocolate Cupcakes

 Cake Ingredients:

• 2 sticks butter
• 1 cup water
• 4 tablespoons cocoa
• 2 cups sugar
• 2 cups flour
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 2 eggs
• 1-2 teaspoons of vanilla
• 1/2 cup buttermilk (or if you don't have buttermilk, simply add 1 tablespoon of distilled white vinegar or lemon juice to 1/2 cup of whole/skim milk)

Frosting Ingredients:

• 1 pound box of powdered sugar
• 1/4 milk
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1 stick salted butter, softened

In a sauce pan, add the 2 sticks of butter, 1 cup water and 4 tablespoons of cocoa.  Bring to a gentle boil and put aside.  In a separate bowl, combine dry ingredients (sugar, flour, baking soda and salt.)  Beat the 2 eggs in a separate bowl and add vanilla.  Add beaten egg/vanilla mixture to dry ingredients.  Then, add buttermilk to the cake batter.  Mix well. Add the cake batter to your lined cupcake pan and bake at 350 degrees for 18-20 minutes.

While your cupcakes are baking, add the frosting ingredients to a bowl.  Beat the ingredients with an electric mixer for about 2 minutes, scraping often.  When cupcakes are completely cool, frost the cupcakes and then enjoy the deliciousness!  

Hope you have a great Friday!  Enjoy watching the Opening Ceremonies!  Actually, as I finish the post, I'm enjoying one of my cupcakes.  :)

Happy Blogging!

Toni The Chic Momma
   

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