Monday, March 16, 2009

Crazy Insane or Insane Crazy?

We had a weekend full of the usual cleaning frenzy because we had two house showings scheduled, so, naturally, I did what any logical person who was trying to keep their house as neat as possible and who is on a low/no carb diet would do--I decided to invent and bake a new cupcake recipe! That's normal, right?

Ever since I watched the Celebrity Apprentice (is anyone else watching this?) about cupcakes a couple of weeks ago--I've had cupcakes on the mind. When I haven't been cleaning, I've been dreaming up new ideas for cupcakes--and I've come up with a lot!

The one I tried to create this weekend was "lemon meringue" cupcakes. Doesn't that sound like a good idea? I thought so. I made a lemony cake mixture and then a basic meringue concoction (which I dyed yellow) and kind of played around with the idea.

The result was a very pretty cupcake:

Here is one glistening in the sun:
Pretty right?

Unfortunately, I wasn't super happy with the way they tasted. The cake part was good, but the meringue wasn't really working for me. My original idea was to fill the cake with like a lemon curd--and maybe it would be better that way? Otherwise, I'm going to have to make a more frosting-y meringue--sweeter too.

So I'm not going to share that recipe with you--but I want to post the recipe for the best lemon cake ever. It's an old family recipe and Don's favorite cake! It's also very easy to make.

Eunice's Lemon Cake
(I have no idea who Eunice is--but she makes good cake!)

1 package lemon Jell-O
1 cup boiling water
~~mix together and let cool~~

1 package yellow cake mix
~~add Jell-O to that, then...

3 eggs
3/4 cup oil
1 1/2 teaspoons lemon extract
~~bake at 350 for 45-50

Topping:

When cake is done and still hot, poke holes all over the top with a fork and pour this over it:

1 cup powdered sugar
juice of 2 lemons

This forms a glaze. Makes a large cake!

Go ahead and try it--it's easy! And if I perfect the cupcakes, I'll pass that recipe along too.

Oh, and, by the way, neither of the showings were good. The first one thought the house was "too big" (That's the second time we've heard that one--apparently our house is bigger than I thought!) and the second one looked around for about five seconds and left. On to the next one...

Photobucket

18 comments:

Heather said...

Ooooh that lemon cake recipe sounds DELICIOUS. The cupcakes sure did look pretty too - when you get that recipe perfected, please share!

We had two showings over the weekend as well (our first ones!) and they were both a no go. Feedback on the first one was that they'd "possibly" be interested in a second showing but the house "isn't their first choice" and the feedback on the second was that while the house is well maintained and lovely and in a lovely neighborhood, it's just too small and the yard is too small, so they are NOT interested in a second showing. RATS.

I think we're going to be doing an open house this weekend. Not that there is any rush for us to get out or anything, as we haven't heard a peep back from the house we made an offer (albeit a contingent offer) on last Friday morning. They've got 65 minutes left to respond, and at this point I'm guessing they are just going to ignore us altogether - niiiice. So, we're back to square one for looking for a house.

Sigh.

This moving/selling/buying stuff is STRESSFUL! :P

Rebecca Jo said...

They look good!!! Yumminess!!!

And dang - two saying your house is too big? Call Jon & Kate plus 8 & tell them your house is available then :-)

Jenny and the Princess Peonies said...

Thanks for the recipe. Sounds delish.

Good luck finding a buyer for your huge house!

SouthernDogwoods said...

Aw that sucks! The cupcakes look delicious - wonder why they did taste good? And about the "house is too big" comment. What ever happened to the saying"Bigger is Better?" Heehee!

Erin said...

MMMM cupcakes!

CaraBee said...

Jello in cake? I'm intrigued! I adore all things cake/cupcake, so definitely keep the recipes coming!

Keep your chin up, you've only had the house on the market a couple of weeks. Any day now...

Mimi said...

Mmm, I love desserts that are lemony & not heave & goopy. Well I love the heavy goopy ones too!

Teri said...

That cupcake does indeed photograph well. :-)

Anonymous said...

Jen these are so awesome! What a great idea. They almost look like a bow on top. Would be so cute with jelly beans on top for Easter.

Jen said...

I want lemon cake!

Ronda's Rants said...

I love the cupcakes recipe...lemon is just the best!
I love lemon cream cheese icing!!!:)
But, I am not eating fun stuff for awhile!

Heather of the EO said...

They really do look GOOOOD.

Trying to sell your house is just so stressful! Sorry those two didn't work out, but here's to keeping the hope alive! ;)

Sugar Boogers & Tantrums said...

mmmm...that sounds really yummy. I love lemon cakes!

Susie said...

That sounds really yummy!!

I made cupcakes filled with lemon curd and everyone said it tasted like lemon meringue.

Brenda said...

You must have read my mind - I have been craving lemon cake like crazy! I found the BEST cookies at Target this week. They are Archer Farms Lemon Straws and they are too die for!

Becky said...

Oh I LOVE lemon cake! YUM!

That really stinks that your not having luck yet with the showings...but your time will come! (and until then you will have a CLEAN house!)

mrsmouthy said...

Mmmmm, that's one of our family's secret recipes too! It's the BOMB!

If you want some fun cupcake ideas, check out: iheartcuppycakes.com

Jen said...

Too bad the cupcakes didn't taste so great.... they look delicious! Hope you have better luck with the house soon!