White Chocolate Cupcakes with Truffle Filling

     It's been a while but Recipe Tuesday is back!  I gave up chocolate and sweets for Lent and couldn't bare the thought of baking without being able to taste test the recipe.  Now that Easter is over and most of the chocolate has been eaten I decided to get back into baking with this Pampered Chef recipe (here).
     I have a healthy fear of a few things: spiders, heights, drinking expired milk and baking with egg whites.  Not sure what it is but I've never been interested in exploring the world of egg whites or meringues... probably because I'm afraid my peaks will be too soft or too stiff and the entire recipe will be ruined.  But thanks to this recipe I'm slowly overcoming my fear.
     There are quite a few steps in this recipe and I used several bowls but it's well worth it.  The cupcake is dense yet very moist (due to the melted Lindt ball) and not too sweet.  The frosting is buttery soft with just a hint of white chocolate.  I found that the recipe makes enough frosting for 24 cupcakes, you could probably cut the recipe in half and still have enough.

White Chocolate Cupcakes with Truffle Filling   

• 1 3/4 cups cake flour
• 2 tsp baking powder
• 2/3 cup whole milk
• 1/2 tsp pure vanilla extract
• 4 egg whites, room temperature
• 6 tbsp butter, softened
• 1/2 cup granulated sugar
• 1/4 sour cream
• 12 round white chocolate truffles (Lindt balls)

1. Preheat oven to 325; place paper liners in wells of muffin pan.  Whisk flour and baking powder together, set aside.  Combine milk and vanilla extract, set aside.  In mixing bowl, beat egg whites on high speed with electric mixer until stiff peaks form.  In another bowl beat butter and sugar on medium-high speed until fluffy; beat in sour cream until smooth.

2.  On medium speed, add flour mixture in three additions, alternating with milk mixture in two additions, mixing until smooth.  Whisk in one-third of the egg whites with a whisk.  Fold in remaining egg whites using whisk.  Using a large scoop, divide batter evenly among liners.  Bake for 17-20 minutes or until toothpick comes out clean.

3.  Immediately cut an "X" into top of each cupcake and insert one truffle until it is flush with the top of the cupcake.  Cool for at least 30 minutes (truffle will melt into cupcake). 

Frosting

• 6 oz white chocolate for baking (3/4 cup white chocolate chips)
• 1 pkg cream cheese, softened
• 1/4 cup butter
• 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
• 2 cups powdered sugar

1.  Place white chocolate in microwave safe bowl and microwave until melted, stirring every 30 seconds.  Let stand 3 minutes or until slightly cooled.

2.  In mixing bowl, combine chocolate, cream cheese butter and vanilla and beat on medium speed until well blended.  Slowly add powdered sugar; beat well.

3.  Frost cupcakes.  Enjoy! 

Retired List Is Here!

The retiring list is here!  

     

     Hundreds of stamps and accessories from the 2012-2013 catalogs are retiring, and this is your chance to get them before they're gone. Many products are only available while supplies last, so be sure to get your order in early! (remember  that some items having amazing discounts!)

    Items are available from April 24th - June 3, 2013 (select items available while supplies last!)

To download the retiring list click (here)

To download the retiring accessories list click (here)

To place an order 24/7 click (here)

New Wood-Mount Cases!

     Introducing new wood-mount stamp set packaging! These new cases are similar to clear-mount boxes and fit perfectly on the shelf right next to them. They also have the images and stamp set name on the spine to make your search for the right set even easier.

     Starting May 31 all wood-mount sets will come in this new packaging (sneak peek sets will also be in the new boxes during the preorder). And empty cases will be available with the launch of the new catalog. That means you can transfer all your old sets to these new boxes! There will even be a template for you to create your own label for your old stamp sets (available May 31). A pack of four half-size cases (3-3/4" x 5-1/2") will sell for $4.95 and a pack of four full-size cases (7-1/2" x 5-1/2") will be $6.95.

      Get ready for all the exciting new products in the catalog--especially the new wood-mount boxes!

     Unfortunately, you'll have to wait until May 31st for the wood-mount cases but if you'd like to order other products to keep you busy until then 24/7 click (here).

Color Refresh!

WHAT THE REFRESH LOOKS LIKE.

Q: What are the new core colors, and what are the In Colors that are returning as core colors?


A: The one new color is called Smoky Slate. The nine returning In Colors as core colors are Bermuda Bay, Blushing Bride, Calypso Coral, Crushed Curry, Island Indigo, Pear Pizzazz, Pool Party, Soft Sky, and Wisteria Wonder. Check out these colors displayed in their new collections!

THE REASON FOR THESE CHANGES.

Q: Why are colors being discontinued?


A: We retired colors based on sales history and focus group feedback. We also looked at our overall color offering and determined what colors were not working with others. We sent out surveys, looked at trends, and determined what colors are out of date, etc.

Q: Why have some of the carryover colors changed collections?


A: With the changes, we found that a few colors fit better in a different collection. We also organized our colors to be more complementary within each collection.

THE TIMING OF THIS REFRESH.

Q: When will the new color kit be available?

A: The new color kit will be available starting May 31. The kit will be available through the catalog year. All other new color products will be available with the new catalog on May 31.

Q: Will colors be retired in My Digital Studio?


A: We do not retire colors or products from My Digital Studio. All retiring colors will stay in your color palette.

Q: Will the new colors be available in My Digital Studio?


A: Yes. A download will be available on June 1 to add the new colors free of charge. Watch for additional downloads for accessories in new core colors after that time. 



New Color Cardstock & Pad Kit* (item 132275) $56.95 Includes 10 Classic Stampin' Pads in the new colors and 20 sheets of cardstock (8-1/2" x 11"); 2 each in 10 new colors.

Stampin' Write Marker New Color Kit* (item 130034) $28.95 Includes markers in the 10 new colors.

*Available May 31st

Photopolymer Stamps Now Available!

     

      Stampin’ Up! searched long and hard for just the right material to be able to introduce completely clear stamping. And they've found it. We're excited to announce that we now have wood-mount, clear-mount AND photopolymer stamps! The new photopolymer will be an addition to the stamp line and will appeal to all types of stampers. Stampin’ Up’s top-quality photopolymer has just enough give to create a perfectly stamped image every time and with the introduction of our firm-foam pads, let's just say they're meant for each other! Photopolymer stamps will also be unique, fun designs that will inspire you and provide more versatile options you may not see in our traditional wood- and clear-mount stamp options.

Download flyer (here)

Download flyer (here)

What makes them so great?

•   They're entirely transparent for perfect placement every time! 

•   They are durable. The photopolymer material is designed to last. 

•   Can you say sticky? (don't worry; in a good way.) These stamps stick amazingly well to our clear blocks.

•   They're age tested. They won't yellow or cloud up over time. 

•   We could go on, but we'll let you try them for yourself.

They are clearly a great choice.

To place an order 24/7 click (here)