National Peach Month and Cupcakes Too

Although we are nearly at the end of August, I wanted to pay homage to National Peach Month because I love this fruit.  Especially, when they are sweet and ripe.  Last summer as a matter of fact, I tried my hand at making homemade ice cream.  Guess which flavor I chose?  You guessed it, Peach.  Truly delicious. . .as a matter of fact, one of my cousins, Melo of Big Willie Wax, New Jersey,  was here in Georgia on a visit, so he too can attest to the fact of how "sweet it was."  I hadn't tasted peach ice cream that good since Waters' Drug Store in the neighborhood where I grew up in New Jersey.  I spent many a summer day waiting in line there for a large single or double scoop on my favorite sugar cone.  Yum, yum....  Here's something I discovered about how National Peach Month got started. Origin of this Holiday? Proclamation 4947 -- National Peach Month, 1982 In recognition of the role peaches play in our food supply and our economy, the Congress by Joint Resolution approved March 16, 1982 (96 Stat. 12), has requested the President to designate July 1982 as ``National Peach Month.'' Ronald Reagan, President of the United States of America, proclaim July "National Peach Month'' and call upon the people of the United States to incorporate this nutritious fruit into their diets, and call upon interested groups to celebrate this month with appropriate programs and activities. Filed with the Office of the Federal Register, 11:05 a.m., June 16, 1982 Since my latest passion is cupcakes, I found this recipe for Peach Cupcakes.  Be sure to leave me your comments so we can discuss the results from my first batch that I'll bake.  Always "thinking outside the basket" for you. Mini Vanilla-Almond Peach Cupcakes Who says desserts are off limits! These mini-delights are filled with sweet peach surprises, topped with a delicious peach-puree frosting, and finished off with sprinkles of diced peaches and mint leaves. Watch Jackie Newgent on PPN TV as she shows just how easy it is to make these sweet treats. Click Here.        Ingredients     2   cups flour   2   teaspoons baking powder   3/4   teaspoon salt   1/4   cup unsalted butter, softened   1   cup + 2 tablespoons sugar   2   eggs, at room temperature   1   teaspoon vanilla extract   1/2   teaspoon almond extract   1/2   cup low-fat milk   1   fresh California peach, pitted and diced               Frosting   1   fresh California peach, divided   1 1/2   tablespoons unsalted butter, softened   1 1/2   cups powdered sugar, divided   1/2   teaspoon vanilla extract       Tiny mint leaves (optional garnish)           Preparation Prep time: 30 minutes Cook time: 15 minutes total To prepare cupcakes, preheat oven to 300°F and line 36 mini muffin tins with paper wrappers; set aside. Combine flour, baking powder and salt in a medium bowl. Beat butter in a large bowl with an electric mixer on medium speed for 2 minutes or until smooth. Gradually add sugar and beat for 2 minutes more or until fluffy. Add eggs and extracts, beating well after each addition. Stir in half the dry ingredients, then half the milk; repeat and mix until well combined. Stir in diced peaches and spoon batter into prepared muffin tins (they will be very full). Bake for 15 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Cool in tins for 10 minutes, then remove and let cool completely on a wire rack before frosting. To prepare frosting, peel and mash or puree half the peach. Beat butter and 3/4 cup powdered sugar in a large bowl with an electric mixer until smooth. Blend in 1 1/2 tablespoons peach puree and extract, beating for 2 minutes or until smooth and creamy. Gradually add remaining sugar, adding more peach puree if a thinner consistency is desired. Spread equal amounts over each cupcake. Dice remaining peach half and sprinkle over cupcakes. Garnish with mint leaves, if desired. Makes 36 mini cupcakes Nutritional analysis per cupcake: Calories: 80; Fat: 2g; Saturated Fat: 1g; Trans Fat: 0g, Cholesterol: 15mg; Sodium: 85mg; Carbohydrates: 16g; Fiber: 0g; Sugars: 10g; Protein: 1g; Vitamin A: 2%; Vitamin C: 0%; Calcium: 2%; Iron: 2% _______________________________________________ Here's to National Peach Month and cupcakes too! For more peachy keen ideas visit us online at http://www.basketsbyconsuela.com or try one of our luscious Peach Blossom Spa gift baskets to cool and relax you on a hot summer day. Baskets by Consuela    "we think outside the basket" Email: baskets.byconsuela@yahoo.com Website: http://www.basketsbyconsuela.com Blogs: http://Basketsbyconsuela.wordpress.com & http://basketwrapup.blogspot.com/

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Cupcake Trail

I've developed a new fascination watching the program "Cupcake War." Bakers attempt to outdo their competition in creating the ultimate tasting cupcake and then designing a display to showcase one thousand cupcakes for an event. The winner gets the opportunity to have their cupcakes eaten by celebrities, charitable organizations and major event organizers. The ultimate in moving their businesses to the next level.

This past weekend, a friend and I went searching for a delicious cupcake to sample. We started with a local bakery. After encountering a less than enthusiastic reception from the owner, we decided to leave without sampling any of her selections. Because the local area didn't offer any other choices we proceeded to drive outside our local district. We asked shop owners and residents in surrounding communities where they would recommend we go to find a "good cupcake." The next bakery we found met our satisfaction. The service was good and so were the cupcakes we tasted. In fact, they were a dollar less than the first bakery's.

Eager to see if we could top what we had just done, we continued the search. We took a break at a little tea shop. As we talked with the owner she informed us that there was a small cupcake shop within walking distance. Since we were so close it made perfect sense for us to make our way there before the shop closed at 5:00 p.m. It was well worth the trip. The red velvet cupcake was moist and the icing had the right balance of sweetness.

Cupcakes are the latest trend. They're an excellent choice for entertaining, gifting or enjoying individually. I've decided to begin a cupcake adventure of my own. Stop by soon and I promise to give you the names of the best cupcake places I find on my cupcake trail.