The Ninja Baker - cupcakes

Cherry Chip Blossom Cupcakes, #SundaySupper

NinjaBaker — Sat, 28 Jun 2014 18:56:49 +0000

With the flowering of Japanese cherry blossoms (sakura) in Japan, poetry, songs, picnics and sweets flood the marketplace. The Sakura, Sakura (cherry blossom) lullaby is the infant’s introduction to music.

As Megadeth rock band ’s former guitarist Marty Friedman will confirm, mothers and grannies are not the only ones singing about cherry blossoms. On a recent Japanese TV show (?????????????? Hard to Say Things, Clearly Stated), Marty Friedman served on a panel with other pop rock experts. All laughed about Japan’s fascination with cherry blossoms. Practically every other popular song on J Pop charts contains the word sakura! Here’s a snappy 10 Year Sakura (10?? ) sung by popular J-Pop girl group AKB48.

As reflected in Japan’s ancient gardens and modern parks, there is a reverence for nature. Cherry blossom trees hold an extra-special place in the heart of Japanese. The pale petals of the sakura are beautiful to behold. Like life, the blossoms seem to be gone in the blink of an eye. The sakura are exquisite reminders of the ephemeral nature of existence.

Sakura cherry blossoms in Japan.

Photo courtesy of 123rf.com.

But, the cherry blossoms are not simply for serious contemplation. Sakura-viewing picnics are often boisterous. Song and sake rice wine flow freely as an orange sunset highlights the petite, pretty pink cherry blossoms…The preferred alcohol served at Independence Day picnics may be beer and singing may not be as prevalent in the U.S. Yet the good feelings of enjoying life with those you love is the same on both sides of the Pacific.

At today’s #SundaySupper at Twitter, people from around the world are gathering around a virtual picnic blanket. (Please scroll down for details about your invite to #SundaySupper fun.) The creator of always fantastic looking food, Jane of Jane's Adventures in Dinner hosts.

Treat your family like royals with Cherry Blossom Chip Cupcakes

What’s on the #SundaySupper picnic menu? Mainly dishes and desserts for Independence Day (in the U.S.) and Canada Day (celebrating the unification of the Canadian colonies.) I am going somewhat rogue however and bringing Cherry Blossom Chip Cupcakes. Pink cupcakes may not be a very patriotic contribution…But the cherry blossom chip cupcakes do boast a soft crumb dotted with melted cherry chips.

The Cherry Blossoms Chip Cupcake boasts a tantalizing soft crumb.

And my frosting with its whipped cream cheese base will leave you extra calories to enjoy a bigger serving of potato salad!

Cherry Blossom Cupcakes

With a cake crumb as soft as the petal of a cherry blossom, this cupcake is a cause for celebration. The not-so-sweet frosting base is whipped cream cheese complements the sweet cake perfectly.

Adapted from the 1-2-3-4 cake recipe at Epicurious.com.

Cherry baking chips are available at Amazon. Feel free, however, to substitute your favorite butterscotch, chocolate or peanut butter chips to make the cupcakes blossom in flavor for you.

Ingredients:

For the cupcakes:?

3 cups sifted cake flour (do not substitute with self-rising flour)?
4 teaspoons baking powder
½ teaspoon salt
2 sticks of unsalted butter at room temperature
2 cups sugar
4 large room temperature eggs, separated
½ teaspoon cream of tartar
1 cup cherry Greek yogurt
½ cup culinary coconut milk + 1 tablespoon

Tip: Reduce the milk if using regular coconut milk or almond milk.
Culinary coconut milk is slightly thicker than regular coconut milk.

1 ½ teaspoons cherry extract
1 ½ cups cherry baking chips

For the frosting:

1 (8-ounce) tub of whipped cream cheese
1 (5.3-ounce) carton of cherry Greek yogurt
3 tablespoons powdered cherry gelatin
6 tablespoons powdered sugar (more if you like very sweet frosting)

For the cherry blossom cut-outs:

Pink fondant
Cherry blossom vegetable cutters are available at Etsy. (Amazon also sells them for a few more dollars.)

Directions:

For the cupcakes:
Sift the already sifted cake flour with the baking powder and salt. Set aside.

Cream the butter with an electric mixer until light and fluffy. (About one minute.) Add the sugar a tablespoon at a time. Look for a lovely pale yellow color to emerge. Beat in the egg yolks one at a time.

In another bowl, beat the egg whites. When foam arises, add the cream of tartar. Allow the whites to form soft peaks.

Meanwhile, alternate adding the flour mixture with the yogurt/coconut milk to the butter/sugar/egg yolks combination until well combined.

Gently fold in the soft peaked egg whites.

Stir in the baking chips.

Divide the batter into cupcake cases. Bake at 350 degrees for 28 minutes. This recipe yields 31 cupcakes.

For the frosting:
Fluff up the whipped cream cheese with an electric mixer. Add the remaining ingredients until well combined. Place the frosting in a piping bag and swirl onto cooled cupcakes.

For the fondant:
Roll the fondant on a corn starch or powdered sugar covered cutting board. Punch out cherry blossom cut-outs as garnish for the frosted cupcakes.

More picnic pleasures:

Beverages

Beverages

Orange Blossom Iced Tea by girlichef
Red, White, and Blue Sangria by Hezzi-D's Books and Cooks
Rosemary Nectarine Sparkling Cocktail by Food Lust People Love
Best Picnic Wines by ENOFYLZ Wine Blog

Appetizers

Baked Garlic Parmesan Wings by Cindy's Recipes and Writings
Buffalo Chicken Spring Rolls by Daily Dish Recipes
Peppadew Dip by Confessions of a Culinary Diva
Savory Red, White, and Bleu Truffles by Culinary Adventures with Camilla

Mains

Asparagus and Cheddar Quiche by Mess Makes Food
London Broil with Caramelized Red Onions by Crazy Foodie Stunts
Stilton Potato and Stilton Pies by Jane's Adventures in Dinner
Waffle Batter Fried Chicken Tenders with Maple Mustard Dipping Sauce by Kudos Kitchen by Renee

Sides

Mushroom and Gruyere Cheesecake by Peaceful Cooking
Scotch Eggs by Small Wallet, Big Appetite

Salads

Caprese Pasta Salad by La Bella Vita Cucina
Farro & Walnut Salad by Foxes Love Lemons
Fruit Tortellini Salad by Jelly Toast
Gluten Free Potato Salad by Gluten Free Crumbley
Japanese Noodle Salad by Noshing With The Nolands
Kale and Quinoa Tabbouli by Healthy. Delicious.
Layered Chicken Salad by Nosh My Way
Lightened Up Macaroni Salad by Peanut Butter and Peppers
Loaded Potato Salad by Granny's Down Home Sassy Southern Cooking
Mexican 3 Bean Salad by Bobbi's Kozy Kitchen
Old Fashioned Potato Salad by Life Tastes Good
Orzo Salad with Kale Pesto by Cooking Chat
Pizza Pasta Salad by Curious Cuisiniere
Red, White and Blue Fruit and Cheese Salad by Shockingly Delicious
Tomato Bean Salad by Family Foodie
Tuna Noodle Salad by Hot Momma's Kitchen Chaos
Vegetable Salad by Magnolia Days
Veggie Pasta Salad by Pescetarian Journal
Watermelon and Feta Salad with Verjus by The Wimpy Vegetarian

Sandwiches and Wraps

Pan Bagnat by A Kitchen Hoor's Adventures
Panino con la Salamella by Manu's Menu
Roast Beef Wraps by Cookin' Mimi

Sweets

Banana Pudding Cheesecake by Serena Bakes Simply From Scratch
Berry Cheesecake Chocolate Chip Cookie Cups {#glutenfree option} by Cupcakes & Kale Chips
Cherry Chip Blossom Cupcakes by NinjaBaking.com
Cherry Pie Crumb Bars by The Girl In the Little Red Kitchen
Chocolate Chunk Brownies by What Smells So Good?
Chocolate Syrup Brownies by That Skinny Chick Can Bake
Chocolate Zucchini Cake by Killer Bunnies, Inc
Coconut Oil Chocolate Chip Cookies by Alida's Kitchen
Flag Cake by Pies and Plots
Peanut Butter Frosted Brownies by Feed Me, Seymour
Red, White, and Blue Berry Angel Food Cake Parfaits by Neighborfood
S'mores Crumb Bars by The Redhead Baker
Stained Glass Jello with Coconut Milk Panna Cotta by Simply Gourmet
Strawberry Banana Oat Muffins by Sue's Nutrition Buzz

Join the #SundaySupper conversation on twitter on Sunday! We tweet throughout the day and share recipes from all over the world. Our weekly chat starts at 7:00 pm ET. Follow the #SundaySupper hashtag and remember to include it in your tweets to join in the chat. Check out our #SundaySupper Pinterest board for more fabulous recipes and food photos. Would you like to join the Sunday Supper Movement? It’s easy. You can sign up by clicking here: Sunday Supper Movement.

Cherry Blossom Chip Cupcakes taste best when shared.

Wishing you moments to pause and savor this precious life.

The Ninja Baker

© ™ Watkinson 2012

The Ninja Baker has guest blogged and contributed recipes to numerous food sites. These additional recipes can be found here.

Follow Ninja Baker @NinjaBaking's board NinjaBaking.com Sweets on Pinterest.

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Japanese cherry blossoms

Strawberry Chocolate Bento, #Chocolate Party

NinjaBaker — Mon, 06 May 2013 08:54:49 +0000

Bento lunch boxes – from Hello Kitty and polka dots to somber and simple – are seen in school lunchrooms, corporate cafeterias in Japan. Most every Japanese home has one.
The demand for the stylish lunch boxes in the U.S. seems to be on the rise; more and more supermarkets and internet sites in the U.S. are selling the stylish lunch boxes. Americans are picking up on this Japanese custom of fixing bento boxes for lunch.

Hello Kitty Bento Box with a Veggie Sandwich

Roxana’s Home Baking Chocolate Party gave this Ninja Baker the perfect excuse to create a dessert bento box. Roxana, the gracious hostess of this monthly soirée asked partygoers to bring something with strawberry and chocolate.

So I filled a bento box with strawberry chocolate onigiri (Japanese rice ball), and chocolate cupcakes with strawberry banana pudding centers topped with pink chocolate ganache. Mini strawberry chocolate pies were also added.

The Ninja Baker's Strawberry & Chocolate Dessert Bento Box

This bento box is not recommended for a child’s school lunch. But it is a fun little box of sweets to share with friends and family.

Strawberry Chocolate Onigiri

A typical onigiri rice ball contains a pickled red plum in the center and is wrapped with seaweed. So, I wrapped black licorice rope (instead of seaweed) around 4 Hello Kitty strawberry marshmallows (which substituted for rice.) In the middle a red M & M was placed for the pickled red plum.

Chocolate Cupcakes with Strawberry Banana Pudding Filling
& Pink Chocolate Ganache

Chocolate Cupcakes:
I brought out Ann Byrn’s The Cake Mix Doctor and followed her instructions for Basic Buttermilk Devil’s Food Cake. Heavenly bites of light, moist chocolate cake ensued upon baking cupcakes from her recipe.

With a melon baller the middles of the chocolate cupcakes were scooped out.
The pudding mixture was gently spooned into the hollow centers. Pink white chocolate ganache was frosted on top.

Strawberry Banana Pudding Filling:In the blender, frappé 1 cup of milk plus defrosted and chopped frozen strawberries. Whisk until combined, 2 ½ ounces of banana pudding mix with 1 ½ cups of the blended strawberry milk. Cover with film and place in the refrigerator for 5 or more minutes before scooping into the hollowed out cupcake middles.
Pink Chocolate Ganache
Adapted from HipFoodieMom

Boil ¼ cup heavy cream until little bubbles emerge around the pan. Pour over 6 ounces of white chocolate which has been chopped. Add pink food coloring intended for candy making. in powdered form Stir from the center out. Make sure all ingredients are completely combined before frosting the cupcakes.

Mini Strawberry Chocolate Pies
Into mini muffin tins, spray a massive amount of cooking spray or until well coated.

Roll out a piecrust. (If you prefer homemade to store bought, my friend Jeanne Sakamoto’s apple pie crust recipe is the best!)
Cut out circles (1” – 1 ½ ”) to fit the mini muffin tins. Bake at 400 degrees for 5 minutes or until golden. Immediately drop 2 chocolate chips into the bottom of each mini pie crust. Spread the melting chocolate with the back of a small spoon.

Once cooled, use an icing spatula to gently slide the mini crusts out of the tin.
Fill with whipped cream. Garnish with strawberry flowers. (Made by using
a mini cookie cutter or bento veggie cutters.)

If you’d like to participate in the Chocolate Party fun, here are a few guidelines.

1.) Blog about your chocolate treat. Your recipe must include the two ingredients we choose. It can be a simple no bake treat or a sophisticated layer cake, the complexity level of the recipe is totally up to you.
2.) Include a link back to a monthly round-up or the Chocolate Party page. Optional, add the Chocolate Party logo in your blog post or on your sidebar.
3.) Your recipe must be published during the current month. Please do not link old recipes, they will be deleted.

And of course, feel free to simply peruse the virtual buffet table (below) of strawberry chocolate treats concocted by talented bakers like Roxana.

Wishing you strawberry fields, forever blissful as rich chocolate.

The Ninja Baker

© ™ Watkinson 2012

The Ninja Baker has guest blogged and contributed recipes to numerous food sites. These additional recipes can be found here.

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Japanese Wedding Cupcakes, #SundaySupper

NinjaBaker — Sun, 21 Apr 2013 03:43:15 +0000

“April showers bring May flowers,” was my grandmother Nona’s sing-song method of teaching me the months. I can still hear her voice all these decades later.

Embedded in my memory too is Nona’s moist chocolate cake with milk chocolate frosting swirled on top. No wonder. Repeatedly I’d lift and close the freezer, staring at the dessert. Did you do that as a kid, too?

My grandmother, Nona, is in turquoise.
A younger Ninja Baker looks forward to birthday presents.
My sister and Aunt Eddy are on either side.

Speaking of memories, Brandie of Home Cooking Memories is hosting this week’s April Showers #SundaySupper event at Twitter. (Click here to join the conversation around the table every Sunday at 7 p.m. ET.) Brandie’s blog motto is “Cooking up new memories while preserving the old.”

This week’s #SundaySupper honors the tradition of April showers - the wedding and baby variety. I was in a bit of a quandary. Gifts for newlyweds and newborns are given in Japan. However, traditionally, showers are not – yet. (Recently some high-end Japanese hotels have picked up on the American, Australian, Canadian practice and have offered “shower parties.”)

However, In line with the western dowry system, when a young man goes with his diamond ring to propose to his beloved, he brings a “betrothal gift.” (??? yui-no-hin) Commonly known as cash which is stuffed in a fancy envelope. The money is not for the wedding. It’s so his lovely bride-to-be can buy kitchen tools, furniture and all the items needed to set up a comfy home for him. Oh! I mean them. Typically, there is a creature of longevity (crane, turtle or shrimp/lobster) in gold or red decorating the snow-white betrothal gift envelope.

Betrothal Gift Envelope with a Crane Decoration

So, for #SundaySupper April Showers, I created Japanese wedding cupcakes. The cake and frosting are vanilla-orange. My husband drew origami cranes for my decorations. The images were taken to a local cake supply store where they were transformed into edible art. Basically, stickers for grownup bakers with the spirits of kids. (For the remaining, cupcakes I piped orange-tinted frosting for decorations.)

The Ninja Baker's Japanese Wedding Cupcakes
rest atop sake cups used for ceremonial occasions.

Japanese Wedding Cupcakes

Cake:
Author: Kim Watkinson

Ingredients:
1 yellow cake mix
1/3 cup canola oil
½ an orange, zested
½ tsp. orange extract
1 cup milk
3 eggs

Combine the above ingredients except the eggs with a mixer. One at a time, add the eggs. With an ice cream scoop, divide the batter into cupcake cases. Bake at 350 degrees for 24 minutes. (325 for dark pans)

Cool and frost with Fresh Orange Cream Cheese Frosting from Ann Byrn’s Cake Mix Doctor. The blend of whipped cream cheese, butter, powdered sugar and fresh orange juice and zest are delightful and delicious!

Top with edible images, flowers or any other decoration appropriate for your shower.

For more shower desserts and dishes, visit the sites of the food bloggers listed below.

Swiss Chard Pesto Turkey Pinwheels from Home Cooking Memories
Honey Pecan Baked Brie from Supper for a Steal
Pinenut stuffed Dates from The Not So Cheesy Kitchen
Glazed Pecans from Mama’s Blissful Bites
Bloody Mary Shrimp Cocktail from A Stack of Dishes
Mini Curry Chicken Salad Phyllo Cups from The Weekend Gourmet
Mushroom and Feta Bites from Small Wallet, Big Appetite
Antipasti Bites from Blueberries And Blessings
Spinach Dip in a Pumpernickel Bowl from The Foodie Patootie
Parmesan and Mushroom Focaccia from Basic N Delicious

Soups, Salads & Sandwiches

London Ritz’s Tea Sandwiches from My Cute Bride
Mini Shrimp & Egg Salad Sandwiches from The ROXX Box
Ham & Cheese Strata from Comfy Cuisine
Broccoli Bacon Salad from Country Girl In The Village
Chicken Salad on Endive from Magnolia Days
Tomato, Basil, and Mozzarella Pasta Salad from Ruffles & Truffles
Creamy Asparagus Soup Shooters with Shrimp from Gourmet Drizzles
Alphabet Soup from Cindy’s Recipes and Writings

Main Dishes

Savory Cheesy Kale Tart with Chiles from Shockingly Delicious
Penne Ala Vodka from I Run For Wine
Easy Baked Ziti from Momma’s Meals
French Country Flat Pie from Webicurean
Crustless Spinach Quiche from Family Foodie

Cakes

Vanilla Cake with White Chocolate Buttercream from That Skinny Chick Can Bake
Strawberry Shortcake Push Pops from Hezzi-D’s Books and Cooks
Mini Vanilla Bean Cupcakes with Vanilla Buttercream Frosting from Damn Delicious
Coconut Rum Cake from The Foodie Army Wife
No Bake Lemon Cheesecakes Shots {Two Ways} from Cravings of a Lunatic
Japanese Wedding Cupcakes from NinjaBaking.com
Baby Blue Cake Pops from Neighborfood
Strawberry Scones from Vintage Kitchen

Cookies, Brownies & Dessert Bars

Lemon Sandwich Cookies with Pink Lemon Curd from The Girl In The Little Red Kitchen
Chocolate Covered Mcaroons from Gotta Get Baked
Pastel Pizzelles from Growing Up Gabel
Chocolate-Balsamic Macaroons from Foxes Love Lemons
Raspberry Lemonade Thumbprint Cookies from In The Kitchen With KP
Baklava Crisps from Kudos Kitchen by Renee
No Bake Cranberry Almond Chocolate Coconut Bars from Sue’s Nutrition Buzz
Fudgy Carob Brownies from Pies and Plots
Pistachio Biscotti from Curious Cuisiniere

Sweet Treats

Shortbread Maple Cream Tart from A Beautiful Bite
Espresso Panna Cotta from Crazy Foodie Stunts
Pecan Tarts from Juanita’s Cocina
Brigadeiros from Food Lust People Love
Rosewater Raspberry Meringues from girlichef

Drink Recipes

Slushy Mango Mojito from The Urban Mrs.
Pretty in Pink Punch from Noshing With The Nolands
Pink Lemonade from Peanut Butter and Peppers

Wishing you many reasons to celebrate in April and always.

The Ninja Baker

© ™ Watkinson 2012

The Ninja Baker has guest blogged and contributed recipes to numerous food sites. These additional recipes can be found here.

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Fresh as Daisy Cakes

NinjaBaker — Mon, 03 Sep 2012 22:22:24 +0000

“Daisies infinite Uplift in praise their little growing hands, O'er every hill that under heaven expands.”

Daisy photo credits: Click here for photo 1, picture 2 and photo 3.

So said the English "Poet of the Poor", Ebenezer Elliott, in the 1800s. He championed the causes of the hungry with his efforts to repeal the Bread Tax. At about the same time, the Civil War was brewing in North America and the English were supporting Confederate soldiers.

Centuries later, long after British warships had left Southern shores, another artist, Kim "Daisy" Nelson was inspired to uplift her South Carolina community with her Daisy Cakes. Kim Nelson's muses were her Great-Aunt Daisy and her grannies, Miss Nervilee and Miss Nellie (love those names!) Daisy Cakes desserts boast the trademark of homemade goodness: farm-fresh eggs, butter and other quality ingredients combined with much care. A pound of carrots provides moisture to each of their carrot cakes. Fresh zest is sprinkled into lemon cakes. Southern classics such as red velvet and four-layer coconut cake are bestsellers. The latter is frosted with an icing using fresh coconut and coconut milk. Yum!

Click here for the carrot photo credit.
Credit for the picture on the left is here. The right image credit is here.

Fast forward. The Daisy Cakes owner, Kim Nelson, appears on ABC’s Shark Tank. A millionaire, Yankee real estate mogul, Barbara Corcoran, invests in the business. Sales of Kim Nelson’s Daisy Cakes dramatically increase. The demands for appearances on the prestigious stages of Miami’s South Beach Wine & Food Festival and The Nate Berkus Show also increase. (Oprah Winfrey’s darling decorator who now has his own TV program.) With Barbara Corcoran at her side, on The Nate Berkus Show, the Southern baker reveals her family’s recipes for pound cake and lemon curd. (Understandable. Nate’s dimpled smile could charm secrets from the CIA!)

You can bet this Ninja Baker was taking notes. I’ve yet to make the pound cake. But I did make Daisy Cakes’ Lemon Curd. (After slathering the tops of strawberry mini cakes and lemon cupcakes with organic strawberry jam, I piped lemon curd on top. ) Not only did Kim Nelson share her secret recipes with Nate on TV, she also generously posted the how-to for her Lemon Curd on the Daisy Cakes South Carolina Facebook page. (As of this writing, Daisy Cakes has an impressive 11,305 Likes on Facebook!)

Strawberry cake mini loaf slathered with strawberry jam and topped off with
Daisy Cakes' Lemon Curd.

I always associate lemon curd with English style afternoon tea. A sort of marmalade scooped onto scones. However, Kim Nelson’s Southern version is more of a lemon meringue flavored whipped cream. And is dee-licious! In the tasting process, I had to remind myself to save some for the piping bag.

The Daisy Cakes’ Lemon Curd requires a willingness to constantly whisk (or immersion blender whisk) the custardy substance over a flame for fifteen minutes. The family recipe also calls for a separation of a bunch of eggs. (Be prepared to buy two-dozen at the supermarket. I like to buy free range. Maybe it’s my imagination but it seems birds out of cages produce better tasting eggs.) Yes, this luscious lemon filling/topping demands attention and care. And is worth every single step.

The Ninja Baker's Lemon Cupcake with Daisy Cake's Lemon Curd swirled on top.

Do you have a smart tip for separating the yolk and white of an egg? If so, please e-mail NinjaBakerBlog@gmail.com In the meantime, click here for a video link to a clever lady who has mastered the art. Her visuals are crystal-clear albeit the explanation is in Chinese.

Wishing you fresh as a Daisy Cakes filled with luscious Southern-style lemon curd.

The Ninja Baker

© ™ Watkinson 2012

The Ninja Baker's recipes are also available at:

?Allrecipes.com:
The Ninja Baker's Japanese Plum Sweet Memories and Recipes

Bob's Red Mill

Wholesome Sweeteners:
The Ninja Baker's Gluten-Free Coconut Chocolate Cheesecake Minis with Espresso Cream

Wholesome Sweeteners:
The Ninja Baker's Gluten-Free Double Chocolate Cupcakes with Champagne Glaze & Optional Lemon Peach Marmalade Filling

?LifeKraze

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Daisy Cakes Lemon Curd

cupcakes

Kim Nelson

Shark Tank

Afternoon Tea: AMI Style

NinjaBaker — Mon, 09 Jul 2012 20:28:18 +0000

?Inviting you to an afternoon tea extravaganza Anna Maria Island style. Courtesy of my glamorous stepmother who is ready to pour from her great-grandmother's silver tea urn - circa 1850!

(The photo of Barbara is courtesy of Jackie Pepka. The photo of the invitation is courtesy of Laurie Crawford.)

But first I’ve got to tell you the backstory. While my stepmother, Barbara was at a reunion in France (of friends she’d known in Japan) Husband, David and I were in Florida visiting my father. I love to bake and Dad loves my desserts. So, Barbara came back to a freezer full of leftover Ninja Baker cupcakes, cheesecakes, cupcakes and brownies.

The Ninja Baker's Plum Wine and Dark Chocolate Cupcakes

Since my husband is on a health food kick, my kitchen isn't as filled with the aromas of comfort desserts of the 50s as in the past. Instead I’m diving into vats of garbanzo bean flours and coconut oils: Educating myself about, experimenting with the gluten-free, dairy-free craze of the New Millennium.

The Ninja Baker's Gluten-Free Ginger CupcakesThe Ninja Baker's Blueberry Muffins

I did whip up some gluten-free ginger cupcakes and gluten-free plum wine cakes with dairy-free buttercream while in Florida. Dad gave thumbs-up. But there is nothing like seeing the smile on dear Dad’s face as he revels in “regular” desserts like brownies and cheesecakes (made with real cream cheese, sour cream, sugar and poured into chocolate cookie and graham cracker crusts.)

I guess Dad's smile sent me into overdrive and I ended up with an abundance of leftover desserts. What do you do with leftovers? Save them? Give them away to neighbors? Well, with her flair for the creative, my stepmother orchestrated an afternoon tea at their home on Anna Maria Island.

Scones were ordered from the island's popular store, Ginny's & Jane E's. (This photo is courtesy of Jackie Pepka as was the homemade marmalade served with the scones.)

Dad, cheesecake and me.

Barbara had Anna Maria Island’s go-to lady for artistic cards, Laurie Crawford design and print formal invitations. The invites were sent exclusively to her female friends. No husbands were allowed at this “Hats suggested, Gloves and Pearls optional” afternoon tea.

Barbara arranged exquisite flowers for the table and living room. I suspect it’s an innate talent that has blossomed fully with time for my stepmother. I have fond memories of living in Japan and seeing the ikebana flower teacher showing Barbara how to place the elements of Mother Nature into perfect order. There was gentleness yet a quiet confidence in how the teacher handled the gifts of the garden. Nice memory.

(Ikebana photo credits : The Ninja Baker)

The ladies who tea on Anna Maria Island. (Photo courtesy of Jackie Pepka.)

Anyway, looks like some happy moments were created at the afternoon tea, too. See the photos of the smiling ladies. By the way the lady in white is the Holmes Beach Commissioner, Jean Peelen. She and another guest Joyce Kramer (and Renee Fisher) are award-winning co-authors of multiple books: Invisible No More: The Secret Lives of Women Over 50 as well as Saving the Best for Last: Creating Our Lives After 50. Speaking of literature, a dramatic reading of Fractured Fairytales was given by Barbara’s actress friend, Miriam.

Barbara is also a gifted actress. (And director, ikebana flower arrangement artist, singer and interior designer.) However, she has yet to pursue the joys of baking and cooking in her lovely kitchen. So she recruited her friend (and aforementioned author) Joyce Kramer, owner of The Wholesome Table, to create tea sandwiches. The recipes below appear courtesy of Joyce Kramer, The Wholesome Table.

Cucumber & Mint Tea Sandwiches

Yield: 48 finger sandwiches

Ingredients:

24 white bread slices
1 or 2 thinly sliced English cucumbers (peeling is optional)
The leaves from 4 large sprigs fresh mint (chopped or whole)
Softened butter
(Optional) lemon juice, to taste
(Optional) salt and pepper to taste

Preparation:

Spread every slice of bread with a thin layer of butter.
Cover one side of the sandwich with sliced cucumber in one to two layers.
Add a thin layer of fresh mint leaves.
Season with lemon juice, salt and/or pepper.
Put the slices together, cut off the crusts and slice the sandwich diagonally two times to create four triangle finger sandwiches.

Barbara and Joyce, owner of The Wholesome Table prepare for the Anna Maria Island style afternoon tea party.

(Photo courtesy of Jackie Pepka.)

Smoked Salmon Tea Sandwiches

Yield: 48 small tea sandwiches

Ingredients:

24 small slices bread, one white, one brown, crusts trimmed

4 tablespoons minced fresh dill

4 ounces softened cream cheese

8 ounces smoked salmon

Preparation:

Remove the crusts from the bread.
Mix the dill into the cream cheese. Spread the cream cheese on each slice of bread.
Layer the salmon on the cream cheese on one slice of bread, and cover with other bread slice.
Cut the sandwich on the diagonals to create four triangles.

Watercress and Goat Cheese Tea Sandwiches

Yield: 48 small triangle tea sandwiches

Ingredients

24 small slices thin sliced bread (I used Pepperidge Farm thin sliced white and wheat

4 tablespoons salted butter, softened

8 ounces goat cheese, room temperature

2 cups watercress leaves picked off stems, plus extra sprigs for garnish

4 ounces toasted pecans, chopped

Preparation:

Trim crusts from bread.
Spread the goat cheese on the bread.
Divide watercress leaves on the goat cheese.
Cut the sandwiches into four triangles.
Spread the softened butter around the edges of each sandwich.
Place chopped nuts on a plate. Dip the buttered sides of each triangle into the nuts to coat.
Place on serving dish and garnish with watercress sprigs.

Use grape tomatoes, fresh kale, and watercress to garnish the serving dish.

So when life hands you a freezer full of leftovers – celebrate! Create an afternoon tea. Have a party Anna Maria Island style with your friends. Thank you, Barbara, for your ideas for inspirational living.

Wishing you inspirational visits from your Muses and with your friends.

Joyce Kramer of The Wholesome Table's Tea Sandwiches.

(Photo courtesy of Jackie Pepka.)

Jackie Pepka and Joyce.

?Besides Barbara's beautiful interior decor and table settings, guests feast their eyes on Barbara's Japanese-style garden.

The Ninja Baker

The Ninja Baker's recipes are also available on:

?Bob's Red Mill

?Wholesome Sweeteners

?LifeKraze