Cupcake for Dad

It was Saturday and there were some unexpected activities around the house.

Like when I turned on the water at the kitchen sink.

And turned it off.

And turned it on again . . .

Except it didn't turn on again . . .

The faucet handle fell off.

As in  OFF! 

 Like, in my hand -- not attached to the faucet-y thing.

"MR!  MR!  Hey!  There's a problem!"

(that's what I was yelling to him!)

3 hours later, we've got a new kitchen faucet.

Impressive!

Not the faucet -- but that the Mr. could get that taken care of so quickly!

Trust me, that's not what the Mr. had planned for his Saturday.

While he was busy working, hoping to finish before he had to be at church that evening,

the cherubs where in their room concocting a plan.

"Let's make dad a special dinner.  He's worked hard today!"

Their little minds go to town --

appetizers,

main course,

special tea,

and dessert!

Their plan is to make ALL of this while he's at work!

Mind you, I do "unexpected jobs" around the house everyday.

And I don't get special dinners!

But I'm not bitter!

As soon as the Mr. left the house,

the Cherubs got busy cooking!

The Mr. was surprised when he got home!

He oohed and aahhed

and

chowed down on his "you've worked hard today and we love you!" meal.

The girl cherub made the cupcakes.

Big, moist pink cupcakes, stuffed with lemon filling and frosted with blue frosting.

She decorated each one, uniquely, with fresh strawberries on top!

The recipe for the cupcakes was easy

and surprisingly tasty!

Simple Cupcakes and Frosting

1/2 cup butter, softened

1 cup sugar

2 eggs

2 tsp. vanilla

1/2 cup milk

1/4 tsp. salt

2 tsp. baking powder

1 1/2 cups flour

Preheat oven to 350.

Cream butter and sugar until fluffy.  Beat in eggs, one at a time.  Stir in vanilla.

In a small bowl, combine salt, baking powder, and flour.  Add to batter alternately with milk.  Beat until smooth and creamy.

Divide batter between cupcake liners.  If using the "giant" cupcakes, this will easily make 6 treats.

Bake for 25-35 minutes or until done.

Cool in pans for 15 minutes then carefully remove to a cooling rack.

If you want a filling, carefully cut a small hole and remove some of the cupcake.  With a piping bag, fill the hole with desired fluff!

Frost as normal.

Frosting

1/4 cup butter, softened

4 cups powdered sugar

2 TBSP milk (more if frosting is too stiff)

1 tsp. vanilla

coloring, if desired.

To the softened butter, slowly add powdered sugar, 1/2 cup at a time.  Alternate with milk.  Add vanilla. 

Taste to see if you like it!  You may have to taste again!

Frost cupcakes and decorate as desired.