Festive Treats for the New Year!

Happy New Year’s Eve everyone!!!  Looking back, 2011 was a year of definite change and transformation (full of ups and downs) here at White Picket Bentz….the year even gave birth to this here little ole blog!  I haven’t started my list of New Year’s resolutions, not sure if I will even have any!  I like to just roll with the days and see what pops up during the year!

This year I will be ringing in the new year with friends, dressing to impress (= lots of sparkles!) and looking forward to all that 2012 will hopefully have to offer!  I know its a little late but I wanted to share a quick recipe with you that is sure to help ring in the New Year at any party!

I found these Champagne Cupcakes with Champagne Butter Cream icing on the always fabulous Pinterest (original source here).

They are mostly easy to make (unless you always end up battling the mixer, ending up with sugar and butter all over your kitchen – like me!)

Ingredients

For cupcakes (makes about 24 cupcakes):

• 2 3/4 cups flour
• 3 tsp baking powder
• 1 tsp salt
• 2/3 cup unsalted butter
• 1 1/2 cups sugar
• 3/4 cup champagne – the sweeter the better (I used Verdi spumante sparkling wine – it was a gift and what was in the house!)
• 6 egg whites

For icing:

• 3 1/4 cups powdered sugar
• 1 cup unsalted butter – room temperature
• 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
• 3 tbsp champagne (again, I used the spumante sparkling wine)

How to

Cupcakes:

• In large bowl, cream together butter and sugar until very light and fluffy (not so easy when its flying all over the kitchen  🙂  Be safe!
• Sift flour, baking powder and salt together and blend into creamed mixture of butter/sugar, alternating with champagne
• In another large bowl, beat egg whites until stiff peaks form (mmm…I just mixed for a while, no peaks, so I just gave up and moved on).  Fold 1/3 of whites into batter to lighten, then fold in remaining whites.
• Fill cupcake liners 2/3 full (decorative/festive liners are always recommended!)
• Bake at 350 degrees for 20 minutes (or until a toothpick comes out clean)

Icing:

• With electric mixer (my enemy) beat together sugar and butter on low until blended, then for another two minutes on medium
• Add vanilla and champagne.  Beat on medium for another minute

A fancy frosting bag and decorative pearls add some more fun to these festive treats!

If not for New Year’s Eve, these are great for family dinner gatherings on New Year’s Day!

I hope you all have a wonderful New Year and an even more wonderful 2012!! Hopefully 2012 will be a year of new beginnings, more joys than sorrows, and lots of promise and prospects for everyone!

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!!!