Oops

I missed a couple of days. I guess I didn't pick up my camera while getting ready for Linden's party. Stefan tells me it's time to actually work at getting more of his friends to come but I thought it was fine. How many times am I going to say it and how many times can you hear it. We have six people (someday seven) in our family. It's a party with just us.

My favorite from the party. Lala had bought him a sparkler candle. It was fun to watch but you can't blow it out, though it was fun trying.

The birthday boy

I can't believe he's FIVE!!!

I talked him into chocolate chip cookie dough cupcakes because I'd found a recipe and he wasn't particular about what kind of cake/cupcake he wanted.

Here he is birthday morning.

Um, and just in case you can't live without that recipe...

Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough Cupcakes
with Cookie Dough Buttercream Frosting

For the cookie dough:
2 sticks softened butter
3/4 cup sugar
3/4 cup brown sugar
4 tbsp milk
1 tbsp vanilla
2 1/2 cups all purpose flour
1/4 tsp. salt
1 cup mini chocolate chips

For the cupcakes:
3 sticks softened butter
1 1/2 cups light brown sugar, packed
4 large eggs
2 2/3 cups all purpose flour
1 tsp. baking powder
1 tsp. baking soda
1/4 tsp. salt
1 cup milk
2 tsp. vanilla extract

For the frosting:
3 sticks softened butter
3/4 cup light brown sugar, packed
3 1/2 cups powdered sugar
1/2 tsp. salt
2 tbsp. milk
1 tsp. vanilla extract

Directions:

To make the cookie dough, combine the butter and sugars in a mixing bowl and cream on medium-high speed until light and fluffy, about 2 mins. Beat in milk and vanilla until incorporated and smooth. Beat in the flour and salt until just combined. Stir in the chocolate chips. Using a 1.5 tbsp scoop, shape the dough into balls or tubes. Freeze on a parchment lined baking sheet overnight.

To make the cupcakes, preheat the oven to 350° F. Line two cupcake pans with paper liners (24 total). In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, combine the butter and brown sugar. Beat together on medium-high speed until light and fluffy, about 3 minutes. Mix in the eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition and scraping down the sides of the bowl as needed.

Combine the flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt in a medium bowl. Stir together to blend. Add the dry ingredients to the mixer bowl on low speed, alternating with the milk, beginning and ending with the dry ingredients, mixing each addition just until incorporated. Blend in the vanilla.

Using a 3 tbsp scoop, fill the prepared cupcake liners 2/3 full with the cupcake batter. Place a frozen cookie dough ball on the top center of each cupcake.

Bake at 350 for 16-18 mins.

To make the frosting, combine the butter and brown sugar in a mixing bowl and cream on medium-high speed until light and fluffy. Beat in the powdered sugar until smooth. Beat in the salt, milk, and vanilla extract until smooth and combined.

Frost the cupcakes and sprinkle with mini chocolate chips!

Makes 24 cupcakes.

The best part

Everyone knows the best part of baking is licking the icing off the beater. The best part about your birthday is that you don't have to share it. Since all the birthdays are so close together if anyone complains I just explain that they'll get a turn next month or just got a turn. It ALWAYS works out that easy. Ha!

Thanks for that

Thanks Gamma Gicki for the lip gloss in Channing's Easter basket. She loved it!

It lasted one day. Sorry!

The whole crew

Stefan and I worked ALL weekend in the yard Easter weekend so somehow there aren't many pictures from the entire weekend, just on Easter Sunday. For whatever reason I missed taking a picture of all 4 of my kids together so instead you are going to get everyone who celebrated Easter together at the Cunningham's. Thanks Gary and Vicki for hosting all of us and making it a special year. :)

Legs

Ooooo.... nothing is better than those sweet baby legs.

The boys toys

Don't get me wrong, the girl loves her baby dolls but if the boys are not around and have left their toys out, it's fair game.