Glee inspired cupcakes

Did everyone else catch Glee on Cupcake Wars last week? I thought it was a pretty cool episode but the cafeteria style cupcake challenge was a bit ridiculous. Taco cupcakes- I don't think so.

After watching the episode I totally got inspired to create some of my own Glee cupcakes, and this past weekend I spent in the kitchen being a whole different kind of creative. It was really fun and the results were seriously delicious.

I decided to make three different versions only because that's what they do on the show.

For all of these cakes I started with a basic vanilla box mix that only made a dozen cupcakes. I like these smaller mixes because it's easier for us to finish than two dozen that a normal box makes. For these three versions I used two of the smaller size boxes so that I got 8 of each version. Each box makes 12-two boxes make 24- 3 kinds, means 8 of each.

First I made the mixes and then divided them into three separate bowls.

Rachel "Berry" lemonade

For this cupcake I added the juice and zest of two lemons to the batter. Adding the juice did affect the cake rising but it's still very good nonetheless. For the strawberry part I add one of those new Duncan Hines flavor pouches to a can of plain frosting, I used the Strawberry shortcake flavor. I liked the flavor but adding real strawberries or jam would have given a less artificial flavor. I decorated the cupcake with a star lollipop and Wilton star sprinkles.

Everyone kept saying how much it tasted like strawberry lemonade. I loved the lemon cupcake but I'm definitely going to use real strawberries in the frosting next time.

Teenage Dreamsicle

For my Teenage Dreamsicle cupcake I only added a teaspoon of vanilla to the batter only to enhance the vanilla flavor. I used another Flavor packet in Orange Creme to add the orange flavor to my dreamsicle. For the bow tie, I took a rolling pin to some laffy taffy, and carefully cut the shape out with a paring knife.

My boyfriend seriously loved this one. He loves orange things and he went nuts for this one. I liked this idea but I just wish I could have thought of a way to make them more dynamic I guess. Maybe next time.

Finn's favorite banana bread cupcake

I won't lie, I was kinda stumped as to what kind of cupcake I should make to represent Finn. Then I remembered when Rachel baked him banana bread last season. For Finn's cupcake I added one smashed banana and about half of a packet of banana pudding mix to the batter. I iced the cupcake with simple milk chocolate icing and a candy football.

OMG this is sooo good. Easily my favorite of the bunch. The banana cupcake just tastes like heaven and the chocolate just puts it over the top. This is my go to recipe from now on.

I really loved that with a little extra effort I made a plain box cake mix taste so awesome. With one mix I created three distinctive and delicious cupcakes that everyone really loved.

This method of doctoring cake mixes is really going to be my go-to baking trick from now on.

xoxo,
Amanda