New year, new goals.

I got a Kitchenaid mixer from my parents for Christmas!! I'm so excited, now I'm really going to start baking like crazy! I have so many recipes I want to try out (pies, cupcakes, cakes, etc.) the list is never ending. I have a lot of friends that are gluten-free, so in order for me to make gluten-free friendly baked goods, I've been looking at prices of flour (it is very expensive if you buy it at grocery stores). Since I bake so much, I go through it quite frequently. I have checked amazon.com, and various blogs on trying to be more cost friendly when it comes to buying gluten-free flour. A lot of places I've read have said mixing your own all purpose baking flour is the best cost-friendly option. Here are some places I have checked that sound legit when it comes to knowing a thing or two about gluten-free flour mixtures:

Gluten-free flour mixtures (several recipes).

Make your own all-purpose flour mix.

Gluten-free Cooking School

These are just a few that I looked up on Google. I'm going to pick one and see which one tastes the best, and also has the right texture. I know my husband said to limit the brown rice flour because it tends to accelerate the digestive process (if you know what I mean). I'm glad he's around to tell me important information like that, since he's been gluten-free for a couple years now. Happy New Year and happy baking!

Rose Flower Cakepops - Yoyomax12 and MyCupcakeAddiction Cake...

Cupcake 101 Class

On 9/4 I attended a class at the Kansas City Culinary Center. It was my first class, and it was fun. I learned some pointers and good suppliers in the area. There were chips and dips to snack on before the class started. They also provided a glass of wine to everyone. We started with using a recipe the teacher provided and were in groups of 4. We used KitchenAid mixers, and I loved it. Too bad they are so pricey, but I'm keeping my eye out for sales this holiday season. Our cupcakes turned out fine, and we were able to play with fondant and learn some icing techniques. The teacher was awesome in letting us do our own thing. 

Some pictured of decorating techniques I learned. It's supposed to be a flower. I'm hoping with practice it will look better. Plus, I need to get the gel food coloring. I have the tiny liquid bottles and the gel is much more vibrant. 

Small flowers using cream cheese icing.

Another picture, different angle.

Best gluten-free chocolate cupcake recipe!!

Peanut Butter Black Bean Cupcakes

I tried these cupcakes tonight. They were the best chocolate cupcakes I have made that were gluten-free. The biggest thing is they stayed moist, and tasted like real chocolate. A lot of my problems when I'm trying gluten-free recipes is they end up hard, and if I try making chocolate ones, all you taste is cocoa powder. You don't get the real chocolate taste.

The peanut butter icing is a perfect match for these cupcakes. Next time I make them, I'm going to cook them longer (20 mins) since this time I cooked them for 18 mins and they were pretty cakey still. I was so happy to finally find a gluten-free recipe that tastes like a regular cupcake.