Pumpkin Spice Cake with Whipped Cream Frosting!

I'm in love with pumpkin.  Anything pumpkin.  I am an American girl living in Australia and pumpkin isn't used in many, if ANY, desserts here, so I've had to improvise or else miss out on one of my favorite favorite seasonal favorites.  

I have made so many pumpkin pies, and I was looking for something different.  Don't get me wrong, I would never complain if I had a delicious creamy spicy pumpkin pie with whipped cream, it's just that I'm on a cake roll at the moment :)  I got a new cake turning board and some new piping tools from my mom for an early Christmas present (THANK YOU MOM!) and I'm excited about using them.

So here it is, my Pumpkin Spice Cake with Whipped Cream Frosting.  Have to credit Sweetapolita again for the original recipe, I've altered it to suit my tastes and OMG it's definitely satisfied my pumpkin holiday craving!  

 Aren't those layers gorgeous?  

I sprinkled some cinnamon on the finished cake just to break up the white frosting, but it was even pretty without the cinnamon.  But hey, no such thing as too much cinnamon!

Mulberry Cupcakes with Mulberry Cream Cheese Frosting!

Mulberry Cupcakes with Mulberry Cream Cheese Frosting!

Isn't that a BEAUTIFUL use of ripe, freshly picked, mulberries?

I just couldn't resist :P

These cupcakes are very special to me :)  My girls and I are always taking walks together, to the library, the shops, or to the park just down our little street.  This time of year, in Sydney, everything is in bloom--we see everyone's gardens and every year I get a little bit jealous I haven't got a green thumb >.<  Not that we don't try, this year we are trying to grow watermelon, zucchini, coriander, mint, rosemary, and some pretty flowers.  They're all seedlings still but we have high hopes!  But, even if I'm not successful, the least we can do is take advantage of the lovely produce available and teach my girls the value in all growing things, small or big, to eat or just to look at :)

Now where was I... Oh yes, the walks!  We walked to the park this morning and a lady was there with her daughter picking mulberries.  I knew the tree was there because my sister and I picked the berries a couple of years ago together (what a great time we had too!).  I didn't have anything to carry many home with us, but the girls insisted on picking the ripe ones and bringing each and every one to me as I sat reading.  I quickly realized they had the right idea, and fashioned a paper basket of sorts out of the receipts in my bag and we carried home about 4 handfuls!  The girls were so happy and excited, suggesting so many things I could make with them.  

I came across a beautiful cupcake recipe here.  I changed it a bit, made them more berry-y and omitted the matcha (even though I LOVE matcha, I just didn't want to use the little bit I have on frosting, I'm stingy! :)  I imagine any berry would work, I am already thinking of trying strawberry and blueberry.  Sadly, I just can't get the mulberries all year round.

The girls lined my cupcake pan and waited patiently to be my little taste testers.  I think they passed with flying colours, they're already telling me we NEED to go get more mulberries.  Clever little girls!

Mississippi Mud Pie!

Mississippi Mud Pie (You know you want some :)

 From the top, sure this pie isn't much to look at.  Not that all that fluffy whipped creme and chocolate curls aren't beautiful, but it's what's inside this pie that will blow your mind.  It is without a doubt the most impressive, beautiful, and delicious pie I've ever had.  I almost didn't even make it (I'm more of a cake person.)  BUT I'm so happy I did.  

Yes, there are 4 layers, counting the crust, which I do, because this crust is YUMMY.  Oreo cookie crust, dark chocolate cake, dark chocolate pudding, and whipped creme, topped with chocolate curls.

Everyone loved this pie.  It didn't even last the evening.  

Next time, I'll double the recipe and invite over all of our friends, just to hear you all brag about my pie :D

Original recipe found here and adapted by me <3

Chocolate Chip Cake with Peanut Butter Mousse and Whipped Cream... with a Cherry on top :)

Happy Birthday to me!!

:D


I made such a beautiful yummy cake this evening.  What a perfect cake for my birthday!  I have been looking at this recipe on Sweetapolita for quite some time now, and since it was a special occasion, I decided to just make it.

I'm so happy I did.  Best part?  The peanut butter mousse... but wow, the cake is perfect, the cream is amazing, and put it all together... mmmmm I just hope I can get Ben to take some to work so he can pass it around, or else I WILL eat it all.. lol  The girls loved it too :)

Sprinkle Rainbow Cake!

I am so excited about this cake!

I have always LOVED sprinkles, all the colors just make you happy.  Underneath the sprinkles and buttercream is another rainbow cake--I can't resist, they are so impressive when you cut into them :)  I love doing the lettering too.  I just melted the white chocolate and piped it onto some wax paper.

My little girls can't help but get into the pictures, they get more excited about the cakes than even I do :D

 I hope you love your cake Elly!

Rainbow Birthday Cupcakes :)

Maeve was finally able to celebrate her fifth birthday on Saturday.  She wanted some cupcakes so we decided on rainbow cupcakes with whipped frosting and smarties on top :)  I forgot to get a picture of the inside somehow, and I wish I hadn't because they were so pretty when you cut them in half.  Oh well, a reason to make them again! :)

Happy Rainbow Birthday Cake!

LOVE love love this one!

I have been doing lots of thinking about Maeve's birthday and what sort of cake I should make for her.  She's going to be 5, so she wants something special.  She wants something impressive.  She wants something tasty.  So, of course a rainbow cake is right up her alley.  She loves the colors, sprinkles, and the balloons.  Her birthday is on the 11th so this just a trial cake really.  The girls are fine with that--they get to taste the practice cakes!

I haven't made up my mind if this is what I'll do yet.  But I LOVE the results <3  I hope you do too!