cupcakes and Swiss buttercream

I made my first batch of Swiss buttercream this morning for the cocoa brownies.  It wasn't nearly as difficult as everyone made it sound and the texture is just unbeatable.  It's like satin and holds its shape wonderfully.  This means I need to work on my piping skills.

I also made Amaretto cupcakes which are perfect for the holidays.  I love the boozy quality of the flavor in the frosting.  I might have to make these for a New Years Party or our Holiday party.

I'm using a little back-up camera right now because my Nikon has passed on.  I am waiting on a newer model to arrive so I apologize for the lack-luster photos.  It's killing me!

Market Day November 30

We had a lovely Thanksgiving week vacation in Mombasa, Kenya and now I'm back and will be at Market Day tomorrow.

Here's the menu for tomorrow, November 30th.  US Embassy Market 11:45-1PM
Come early!  All my goodies are selling out within an hour!

Scones: Cherry Almond, Hazelnut Toffee, Lemon poppy seed, and Orange cranberry
Chocolate chip cookies
Ginger sandwich cookies with date filling
Amaretto cupcakes

Doesn't that Amaretto sound amazing?  I can't wait to lick the spatula.  

Ice cream cakes

Ice cream cakes are becoming a very popular order for birthdays or just for the enjoyment of eating ice cream.  Homemade ice cream is the only way to get tasty ice cream in Addis Ababa.  I make all my ice cream and ice cream cakes with homemade delicious ice cream made with fresh cream, milk, eggs and sugar.

The ice cream cakes are 9 inch round cakes anywhere between 4 and 8 layers.  Ice cream alternating with cake.  They feed approximately 20 people for a party or a family of 5 can eat off a cake for weeks!  The great thing about ice cream cake is that you can cover it with plastic wrap and keep it fresh in the freezer for a long period of time.

I've made a chocolate cake with chocolate chip ice cream with cookie wafers and strawberry and vanilla.  I can create any combination of flavors you are interested in.  I'm dying to try a cinnamon crunch cake, mint chocolate or chocolate toffee!

I make all the ingredients from scratch; the ganache, chocolate cookie wafer crusts and crumble.  The graham cracker walnut crusts.  Every layer, topping or garnish is homemade from scratch with the best ingredients possible.  

gallery of goodies

Mini pumpkin pies

browned b utter rice crispy treats

soft ginger sandwich cookies with date filling

Malted milk chocolate cupcakes

Mini pecan pies

Market Day November 16

Hi all! It's been a busy week for me.  It's had a bunch of special orders for Thanksgiving and birthday parties.  On top of that I'm getting ready for Market Day tomorrow.

Here's the menu:
Mini pecan pie
Mini pumpkin pie
Ginger cookie sandwiches with date filling
Scones: Lemon blueberry, maple walnut, and coffee chocolate chip

If I find the time I've been itching to make a batch of classic Rice Krispie treats. I love them!

See you at the US Embassy Market Day (in the parking lot) starting at 12:00-1:30PM

Halloween cupcakes

If you were one of the lucky ones who came to Market Day today to see Ladytroupe Sweets you took home one of these gory cupcakes.

They look like a horror movie gone bad but they tasted oh so good (I know, I sneaked one for myself).  The cupcake is an almond butter cake with a vanilla bean butter cream frosting and strawberry sauce.  The candy glass shards stabbed the cupcake for the oozing effect.

You gotta love Halloween!

Market Day Friday November 2

I had a lovely vacation from Ladytroupe Sweets for two weeks.  My youngest daughter turned one and we had a Halloween/Birthday party for her and then the US Embassy was closed last Friday so Market Day was canceled.

It's been two weeks away and I've missed you all!  I've especially missed baking all my goodies.

This week in honor of Halloween and Fall flavors the menu has been planned accordingly:

Gory Cupcakes (strawberry shortcake stabbed with candy glass)
Mini Bella Nut pies (pecan pie)
Oatmeal Raisin Butterscotch Walnut cookies
Chocolate Hazelnut scones
Cinnamon Current scones
Cranberry White Chocolate Almond scones

See you Friday at Market Day.  United States Embassy Addis Ababa 12-2 PM