Warning: Sprinkles, Edible Glitter, Pink Frosting and Cupcakes ahead! Every Summer my Niece comes out to hang out with me for a couple weeks.  We always have a blast together.  Along with the fun I’m always looking for ways to teach her new things, while trying to keep it a good time.

We have many things in common, one of them being a love for the almighty Cupcake.  Usually, we make it a point to head up to our neighborhood Cupcake Royale or another little cafe across the street called Coffee to a Tea, which also houses the Sugar Rush Bakery, to have ourselves a cup of Joe and a couple tastings of the mini Cupcakes.  Since we didn’t get around to our usual trip, I had an idea while watching Cupcake Wars on Food Network.  Why not have a friendly “Cupcake-Off” right here at home?

So I ran the idea past her and it turns out that one of her favorite things to make is Cupcakes.  We decided on a single basic batch of Yellow Cake and Cream Cheese Frosting as our base.  We divided the Yellow Cake batter in half, then each of us took a half and divided that into thirds.  We did the same thing with the Cream Cheese Frosting.  Our end goal – to each create 2 Cupcakes in 3 flavors  with a tasty frosting to go with it, for a total of 6 Cupcakes each.

We ransacked my pantry for cupcake decorations, dried fruits, food coloring and flavorings and came up with quite an impressive selection of possibilities.  We then set to work creating our masterpieces.

The great thing about this little project was not just the fun of it, but that I was able to teach her a little bit about the science of baking.  As we worked at our stations side by side, we talked about the limits of adding too much liquid or dry ingredients to the base batter and that the outcome could mean a crumbly dry Cupcake or a soggy Cupcake.  We talked about flavor combinations, what tastes good with what and what doesn’t.  I  let her just discover the flavors and make her own choices about how she wanted her Cupcakes to taste, it was a really fun experience for the both of us.  Creativity never tasted so good!

Some of the flavors we came up with were: Lime, Honey & Ginger – Lemon & Saffron – Cinnamon Maple Rum – Dark Chocolate Nutella – Cinnamon, Coffee & Chocolate – Coconut, Lime & Rum

This is a really great activity to do as a couple, with friends and especially with the kids.  It doesn’t take that long to put together.  You can use store bought boxed cake mix and frosting if you want to and the prep will go even faster.   Here’s a partial list of things to get you started:

Cupcake Decoration Ideas

• Dried Fruits (whole or sliced into slivers) – mango, pineapple, papaya, raisins, dried cranberries, banana chips, etc
• Candy Pieces – chocolate chips or  the hard candy shell kind with centers of chocolate, peanut butter or mint
• Color Sugar – available at most grocery stores in a rainbow of colors
• Edible Glitter – available at specialty shops and online
• Dragees/Edible Pearls – available at some grocery stores, specialty shops and online
• Nonpareils, Jimmies, Sprinkles & Hundreds-and-Thousands – little sugar based decorations that come in all shapes
• Savory – herb sprigs, sea salt and chili
• Citrus – Zest or lemon, lime or orange peels

Cupcake & Frosting Flavorings

• Spices – cinnamon, nutmeg, clove, pepper, chili, ginger, etc.
• Flavorings – vanilla, rum, almond, lemon, etc.
• Fresh Citrus – Juice and/or zest of lemons, limes, and oranges
• Nuts – pistachio, coconut, peanut, almond, pecan, walnut, etc.

Useful Things

• Spatula or knife to spread frosting
• Piping Bag with decorating tip (you can find these in most grocery stores near the cake decorating supplies)
• Apron
• Cupcake papers

It is best to set everything out that is “up for grabs” within reach and view.  It makes coming up with creative flavors much more inspiring.

Basic Yellow Cake Base

• 2 cups Flour, all purpose
• 2 1/4 teaspoons Baking Powder
• 1/2 teaspoons Baking Soda
• 1/2 teaspoon Salt
• 2/3 cup Butter, unsalted, softened to room temperature
• 1 1/4 cup sugar
• 1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla
• 4 large eggs
• 2/3 cup milk

Preheat oven to 325º.  Mix together the dry ingredients: flour, baking soda, baking powder and salt.  Set aside
Cream the butter, sugar and vanilla together in a large mixing bowl until light creamy and fluffy.  Add in your eggs one at a time, beating between each one until well combined.  Slowly add in the dry ingredients, alternating with a little bit of the milk at a time (this alternating method helps create a smooth batter).

In a muffin pan, line it with paper baking cups or lightly grease and flour them.  Fill baking cups to 2/3 full.

325º degrees for 14-17 minutes, let them cool completely before frosting.  Yield should be about 12-14 Cupcakes
Cream Cheese Frosting
1 8oz brick of Cream Cheese
4 Tablespoons Butter
1 teaspoon Vanilla
Pinch of Salt
2 1/4 cups Powdered Sugar, sifted

Combine cream cheese, butter, vanilla and salt and mix until creamy.  Add in Powdered Sugar 1/2 cup at a time until it reaches a consistency you like.

Tips for making your own flavors for cupcakes & frosting:

• Divide the batter or frosting into small batches.
• Add flavors, colors and additional ingredients a little at a time.  It’s easier to add more flavor in than to take flavor out.
• When adding in flavored dry ingredients to the batter, you may need to add in an egg yolk or a little splash of water to keep the consistency right.
• When adding in flavored wet ingredients to the batter, you may need to add in an extra teaspoon of flour so the batter is not runny.
• When adding in flavored dry ingredients to the frosting, you may need to add a splash of milk/water/coconut milk/soy milk to loosen it up to be spreadable.
• When adding in flavored wet ingredients to the frosting, you may need to add back in a little more powdered sugar to firm it back up.
• Don’t be afraid to experiment, have fun and encourage each others creativity!

Bow down & be humble before the overall taste winner (Cinnamon Maple Rum with Vanilla Bean Frosting) – The Almighty Princess Cupcake by my niece TC.

Full Disclosure: I have received NO compensation from Coffee to a Tea, Cupcake Royale or Food Network for the mentions in this article.
Images by Kelly Cline ©2010 All Rights Reserved
All content, text and images are  ©2010 All Rights Reserved and may not be used or reposted without express written consent.

Hitting up the Farmers Market makes great outing solo, as a date or with the family.  Our various markets will often have live music, chef demos, crafts, contests, local artists, author signings and even activities for the kids.  Check with the individual Market’s website to see what scheduled events are coming up.  It’s a great chance to go on an outing to shop for dinner and get to know the people behind the food.  How great is it to pick up a bundle of Kale, fragrant Spring Onions or a bunch of Carrots and hear the Farmer working the stand tell you that those were harvested at 5am that very morning.  It doesn’t get any fresher than that!

So what can you find at your local Farmers Markets?  Well it really depends on the time of year you go.  Farmers Markets selection is based on Mother Nature, so whatever is ripe is what is on sale.  Alongside the seasonal fresh Produce you can also find Eggs, Milk, Cider, Seafood, Beef, Chicken, Pork, Plant Starts, Vinegars, Nuts, Salt, Foraged Foods,  gorgeous Flower Bouquets, Breads, Pastries and Cheese  just to name a few.

Today I am sharing with you some of our major local Farmers Markets information so you can plan your next outing to healthier, local food brought to you by proud, hard working people.  Later I’ll be sharing with you some inside information on a couple of my absolute favorite Farmers Market haunts… and also a few mouth watering recipes that showcase the best food produced right here in the Northwest.

Farmers Markets All Around Washington

• Bellevue’s Thursday Market – OPENS MAY 13th – Thursdays, May 13th – October 14th,  from 3:00pm to 7:00pm, at 1717 Bellevue Way Northeast.
• Bellevue’s Saturday Market – OPENS JUNE 5th – Saturdays, June 5th – November 20th, from 10:00am to 2:00pm, at 10610 Northeast 8th Street.
• Bellingham Farmers Market – OPEN NOW! – Sautrdays, April 3rd – December 24th, from from 10:00am – 3:00pm, at Railroad Street & Chestnut Street. Check their website for more market days.
• Broadway Sunday Market – OPENS MAY 9th – Sundays, May 9th – December 19th, from 11:00am to 3:00pm, at 10th Avenue East & East Thomas.
• Columbia City Farmers Market – OPENS APRIL 28th – Wednesdays, April 28th – October 20th, from 3:00pm to 7:00pm, at Rainier Avenue South & South Edmunds.
• Fremont Farmers Market – OPEN YEAR ROUND – Sundays, from 10:00am to 5:00pm, at Phinney & 34th. Check their website for more info on Ballard, Wallingford & Madrona Markets.
• Kent Farmers Market – OPEN JUNE 5th – Saturdays – June 5th – September 25th, from 9:00am to 2:00pm, at 2nd Avenue & Smith Street
• Kirkland Farmers Market – OPENS MAY 5th – Wednesdays, May 5th – Oct 13th, from 2:00pm to 7:00pm, at Marina Park
• Lake City Farmers Market – OPENS JUNE 3rd – Thursdays,  June 3rd – October 7th, from 3:00pm to 7:00pm, at Northeast 125th & 28th Avenue Northeast.
• Magnolia Farmers Market – OPENS JUNE 5th – Saturdays, June 5th – September 25th, from 10:00am to 2:00pm, at 2550 34th Avenue West.
• Phinney Farmers Market – OPENS MAY 28th – Fridays, May 28th – October 1st, from 3:00pm to 7:00pm, at 67th & Phinney Avenue North.
• Port Townsend Farmers Market – OPENS MAY 1st – Saturdays – May 1st – December 18th, from 9:00am to 2:00pm, at Lawrence & Taylor in Uptown.  Check their website for information on their Wednesday Market.
• Poulsbo Farmers Market – OPEN NOW! – Saturdays, April 10th – October 23rd, from 9:00am – 1:00pm, at Northeast Iverson Street & 7th Avenue Northeast.
• Puyallup Farmers Market – OPENS MAY 1st – Saturdays, May 1st – October, from 9:00am to 2:00pm, at 330 South Meridian in Pioneer Park.  Check their website for information on the Sunday Market.
• Queen Anne Farmers Market – OPENS MAY 20th – Thursdays, May 20 – October 7, 2010, from 3:00pm to 7:00pm, at West Crockett Street & Queen Anne Avenue North.
• Spokane’s Saturday Market – OPENS MAY 1st – Saturdays, May 1st – October 30th, from 8:00am to 1:00pm, at 2nd and Division in Downtown.  Check their website for dates & times for their Wednesday market.
• Tacoma Farmers Markets – OPENS MAY 20th – Thursdays – May 20th – until Season Close, from 8:30am – 2:00pm, at South 9th Street & Broadway. Check their website for locations of two other Tacoma area markets.
• University District Farmers Market – OPEN YEAR ROUND – Open Every Saturday, from 9:00am to 2:00pm, at University Way & Northeast 50th.
• Wenatchee Farmers Market – OPEN MAY 7th – Saturdays, May 7th – October 30th, from 8:00am – 1:00pm, at South Columbia Street & Palouse Street. Check their website for more markets & locations, everyday of the week except Mondays & Fridays
• West Seattle Farmers Market – OPEN YEAR ROUND – Open Every Sunday, from 10:00am to 2:00pm,  at California Avenue Southwest & Southwest Alaska.
• Yakima Farmers Market – OPENS MAY 9th – Sundays – May 9th – October 31st,  from 9:00am to 2:00pm, at 3rd Street & Yakima Avenue.

This is by no means a complete list, but it’s a good place to start you on your exploration into local, honest to goodness food.   Do you have a favorite market not mentioned here, please share it with us!

Some tips when visiting your Farmers Markets:

1. Let the Farmers set up their booths, obey the market rules of no shopping before the official opening of the Market.
2. Keep track of your children and keep them close, but keep it fun.  Let them explore the booths with you and talk to the Farmer’s but be sure to reel them back in when the Farmers start getting busy.
3. Dog owners be sure to note Market rules pertaining to Dogs… some allow them and some don’t, and scoop that poop!
4. Don’t haggle or dicker prices at the beginning of the Market day.  Let the folks who are  paying the posted market price pay, get in and get out.  Save your chaffering for the end of the day, it’s extremely rude to hold up a line of folks who are trying to pay when you want that extra bunch of Lamb’s Lettuce for half price during peak hours.  Most Farmers are willing to make you some really great deals as the market comes to a close, and some will even throw some freebies at you from time to time.  Wait until about 30 minutes to closing before you start bargain hunting.
5. Have fun, get to know your food and the folks who bring it to your table!

Images by Kelly Cline ©2010 All Rights Reserved