Iron Cupcake: Earth (Cheese)

Ok, readers, I've done it. I've entered the Iron Cupcake: Earth competition. October's ingredient was cheese and wouldn't you know, my cannoli cupcakes include CHEESE!!!

And guess what, folks? I'm going to need your votes! Voting will begin on Sunday, October 26 at 12 noon at NO ONE PUTS CUPCAKE IN A CORNER, http://mkecupcakequeen.blogspot.com and will be open through Thursday, October 30 at 12 noon. I would appreciate your help in voting!

My Baking Story

My husband absolutely loves cannolis, and before he left on a business trip for a few days, I thought I would surprise him with a few homemade ones. I'm not really a fan, and I had a ton of leftover filling. What better way to use it up then as a filling for cupcakes???

I added some chopped dried cherries and toasted pistachios to my classic vanilla cupcake recipe, and baked them up. When they had cooled, I piped my chocolate cherry pistachio cannoli filling into the center using a bismark tip.

I mixed up some chocolate ganache and while it was warm, I dipped each cupcake in the top and topped them all off with some crumbled biscotti. Yum!

The prizes for this month include:

ETSY artist ART ON THE MENU with her awesome little cardboard cupcake.

a pair of cupcake earrings from Lots of Sprinkles.

As an added bonus for October only we have a sassy and sweet T from Bakelove Bakewear

Last and certainly not least, don’t forget our corporate prize providers:

HEAD CHEFS by FIESTA PRODUCTS

HELLO CUPCAKE by Karen Tack and Alan Richardson

JESSIE STEELE APRONS

the CUPCAKE COURIER

TASTE OF HOME books

Iron Cupcake:Earth is sponsored in part by 1-800-Flowers

Antipas Tray

I always like to serve a little something pre-meal when we have guests. It's great to have a light appetizer with which to relax when people arrive so we're not rushing around cooking immediately. Normally, I do a bruschetta or spinach dip, but since we were going to be having wine, I felt this platter was better suited. And best of all? No cooking required.



From top left working around the tray: garlic hummus, blue cheese stuffed olives, roasted red pepper, garlic stuffed olives, parmesan reggiano, fresh mozzarella. I served it all with crispy flatbread (not shown) and it was delicious!

Vegetable & Cheese Quiche

1 9" prepared pie crust
1 10 oz box frozen chopped spinach, frozen and drained
1.5 cups of cooked mixed veggies (I did peppers, mushrooms & onions)
1 cup ricotta cheese
1 cup shredded cheddar
2 eggs, lightly beaten
1/4 cup fat free milk
2 tsp dijon mustard
2 tbsp crumbled bacon
oregano, salt & pepper to taste
parmesan to garnish.

Preheat oven to 375.

Line bottom of pie plate or tart pan with pie crust.

Mix spinach and cooked veggies and spoon into pie crust. In a bowl, mix together the ricotta, cheddar, eggs, milk, mustard, bacon, salt, pepper and oregano. Spoon over veggie mix. Top with parmesan cheese and bake for 20-25 minutes, or until golden brown.