Red Velvet Cupcakes

Happy birthday, Paula Deen!! In honor of my most trusted and beloved recipe source, I made my favorite of her recipes–red velvet cupcakes. Surprisingly, out of all her buttery cakes and gooey chocolate bars, these cupcakes are her best dessert yet! (And as a very discriminating red velvet critic myself, that praise means a lot!) But although I am picky in finding the perfect red velvet cupcake, when the recipe is right, the flavor is fantastic because it gives you a touch of chocolate without the overly rich heaviness, and Paula’s deliciously moist cupcake recipe definitely passes the test!

Oreo Ice Cream Cake

These are the wisest words I’ve ever heard: “Ice cream is happiness condensed.”-Jessi Lane Adams

For my grandma’s birthday, she requested a dessert from her two favorite sweet categories, chocolate and ice cream, so what else was I to do but make a delicious chocolate ice cream cake?! I usually don’t even let my family keep Oreos in the house because I would eat them all within seconds, but I thought this a fitting occasion to make an exception! To me, the only thing better than Oreos themselves is an Oreo dessert…a tall, dark, and handsome chocolate cake doesn’t stand a chance against an Oreo cookie or cupcake, and certainly not an Oreo Ice Cream Cake! (I learned this after making my  Oreo Chocolate Layer Cake!) 

Pumpkin Pie

Thanksgiving quotation: “Produce great pumpkins, the pies will follow later.” -Anonymous

Well, I guess the pies did follow; since the Pilgrims gave us pumpkins, it was surely just inevitable that we made pies! (But, a true history buff knows that pumpkins were really just part of the traditional diet of Squanto and his tribe!) This is the first Thanksgiving that I am not home to celebrate (and bake!) because I am visiting my grandmother in Argentina, so our usual Thanksgiving dinner crowd will be missing out on our monstrous spread of food, and of course the desserts!

Banana Pudding Pie

Greetings from New York! I’m visiting the “big apple” for my  cousin’s wedding,  and on the way my family and I are continuing our college visits!  Today we met my friend who attends Columbia, a math-loving biochem major, and inspired my quotation of the day: “Pi is an “irrational number.” [But] Pie is irrationally delicious, especially with ice cream.”-fakeapstylebook. Because I think we all rather receive a sweet slice of pie (aka a slice of heaven!)  than a trigonometric function worksheet, here’s an amazing Banana Pudding Pie recipe to enjoy! I initially wanted to bake an original Banana Cream pie with vanilla wafers and custard, but I sort of made up this version from the ingredients in my house. My sister’s favorite part, the crust, was soo especially sensational because I coated it with a layer of delicious chocolate that added a KitKat-like crunch! The vanilla and chocolate fillings made the pie even more flavorful and addicting! Even my friend who is a health nut and picky eater indulged in a slice of pie, which he absolutely loved… and so will you! Enjoy!!!

Recipe: banana cream pie

***NOTE: I love making pies because you can be completely creative without worrying about the typical baking rules. Like my Chocolate Pudding Pie, you can simply combine (instant)  pudding, cool whip, and any fillings  of choice to create an unbelievably easy dessert that everyone will love!

Starbucks Pumpkin Spice Latte

Happy Sunday! Today it really feels like fall day perfect for cuddling up with a knit blanket and a  mug filled with your favorite drink! At home, I almost always have a tea in hand, but I love making special beverages because they are so fun to decorate! When I was little, I would pretend to be a barista for family and friends, garnishing Sprite and Coca Cola glasses with lemon wedges and sugar rims. So, Im incredibly EXCITED to announce two new changes to at350degrees: 1) I will be adding polls to my posts so that you can vote on which dessert you would like to see next! AND 2) I am adding a drinks category to my recipes! Expect amazing marshmallow shakes, s’mores hot chocolate, Hoqwarts Butterbeer and more (vote on which drink you want below)! My first drink is the most famous and loved Starbucks Pumpkin Spice Latte! It has an amazing pumpkin flavor combined with warm cinnamon spices and topped with a mountain of whipped cream–It almost tastes like a pumpkin gingerbread man! In the spirit of the upcoming presidential election, please make sure to vote for the next featured beverage!! (Perhaps I will make either a red or a blue themed dessert based on which candidate wins!) Enjoy!!

Recipe: Pumpkin Spice Latte 

Banana Split Ice Cream Cone Cupcakes

Last Spring break, when my family visited Washington D.C. during our east coast college tour, we would see people on every single block carrying pink cupcake boxes embellished with black and white star designs. About 4 months later, I was browsing Netflix and, because of my recent history of watching Ace of Cakes, a new reality show called Georgetown Cupcakes was in my recommendations list, “A show about Georgetown Cupcakes, DC’s destination for designer cupcakes, and its owners”. In one of their cupcake challenges, this amazing ice cream cone cupcake was born! This cupcake, baked in the cone, is such a delicious combination of tasty crunch and moist cake, especially with my favorite funfetti cake recipe! It’s absolutely the cutest and most creative cupcake I’ve ever seen, and the super sweet toppings even taste as good as their mouth-watering appearance! For me, the decoration process is the best part; you can make your own personalized sundae using your favorite cupcake recipe and toppings of your choice! Enjoy!!!

Recipe: Ice cream cone cupcakes

Chocolate Pudding Pie (QUICK & EASY!!)

Last night, when I should’ve been studying for a a physics test and completing hours of SAT prep, my sister informed me that I was signed up to make a home-made Chocolate Cream Pie for her class’ celebration of Pi Day! (Don’t ask me why their party is in the middle of summer instead of 3/14, actual Pi Day!) I had absolutely zero time to spare,  so I put together a super quick and easy Chololate Pudding Pie, a miraculous savior to any baker keeping a close eye on the clock!! This semi-homemade recipe could not be simpler; it’s just a graham cracker (or Oreo!) crust with a chocolate pudding filling. Topped with pretty cool whip rosettes and mini chocolate chips, no one will ever guess how easy this pie was to make! Enjoy!!!

Recipe: Cool Whip Chocolate Pudding Pie Recipe 

Strawberries & Cream Layer Cake

Ever since last year’s Mothers’ Day brunch, my mom has been wanting a”strawberry shortcake” inspired cake…how perfect for the 4th of July! (Add blueberries for some extra patriotism!) I was actually pretty hesitant to make this recipe because I usually don’t like mixing fruit and cake, but this cake surpassed my expectations!!! The whipped cream and the vanilla sponge cake–soo light and airy!– really enhanced the cake and made it taste even more delicious! (if that’s even possible!) This “strawberry shortcake-esque” creation is the perfect summer dessert! Enjoy!!!

Recipe: strawberry cream cake

***NOTE: My concoction: I didn’t want a cream cheese frosting, so I just whipped heavy cream, powdered sugar, and vanilla to use as the filling. (You can use whipped cream/cool whip)

Oreo Chocolate Layer Cake

I’ve discovered heaven… in cake form. Words cannot describe this perfect masterpiece of rich chocolate, timelessly fantastic oreos, and all things of sweet goodness! (And please note: I am a  very discriminating critic.) The chocolate cake is light and fluffy, the cookies and cream whipped filling is sweet beyond perfection, and the frosting is the perfect flavor and consistency; what more could one ask for?!? When I made this cake for family dinner last night (the recipe had been sitting on my baking shelf forever!), not to my surprise, the cake was an unbelievable hit! This cake should be on everyone’s baking “bucket list”– it’s a must bake (or a must eat!) for all!!!

Recipe: Chocolate Oreo Cake

***NOTE: I tripled the amount of the whipped cream filling between the two cake layers. Also, in order to frost the cake easier, I used an extra 1/4 cup (a little less than) of powdered sugar in the frosting for a thicker, more spreadable consistency.

Old-Fashioned Carrot Cake

It’s Sunday again, which means dessert time! As a combination of Fathers’ Day and birthday celebrations, a light carrot cake is this week’s featured dessert! (per my parents’ requests) This gorgeous carrot layer cake is filled and topped with vanilla cream cheese frosting; the cake itself has a tropical hint of pineapple and coconut, making the cake super moist and extra delicious! Whip up this surprisingly simple recipe for a fantastic dessert and to wish your dad a “Happy Fathers’ Day”!!! Enjoy!

Recipe: Carrot Cake

**NOTE: I did not add the cinnamon to the frosting; I wanted an old-fashioned, vanilla cream cheese taste instead.