Ms. Toody Goo Shoes

Ms. Toody Goo Shoes

I want to go everywhere I haven't been, and back to everywhere I have been.

Tuesday, January 21, 2014

Lemon Cupcakes, Sneakers and Prom Dresses

Lemon Cupcakes: Lemony goodness in every bite from #FlatBellyDiet Cookbook  ---Ms. Toody Goo Shoes.

What is your dessert preference -- something chocolatey, cinnamony,  or lemony?

My ranking would be CinnamonyLemonyChocolatey.

It's such a tough call that I had to make it one word. 

But cinnamon and chocolate are being cast aside today, because I've been in a lemon kind of mood. Not as in a sour mood...but a cupcake mood.

Lemon Cupcakes: Lemony goodness in every bite from #FlatBellyDiet Cookbook  ---Ms. Toody Goo Shoes.

I decided to make these little gems this past weekend, when my brother-in-law, niece and 16-year old great-niece came for brunch.  I know, I know, I am not old enough (snort!) to have a great-niece, but hey, we're a modern family, what can I tell you?

I didn't feel like a chocolate dessert, and I really wanted to use these fabulous animal print cupcake liners.  So, yeah, I have to admit that I picked a dessert based on how they would look in these outfits. Little cupcake fashionistas, aren't they? 

Lemon Cupcakes: Lemony goodness in every bite from #FlatBellyDiet Cookbook  ---Ms. Toody Goo Shoes.

Speaking of outfits...while we were enjoying some lemon cupcakes, we were talking about shopping for prom dresses, and how some stores keep track of who buys what dress to wear to which high school prom, so, heaven forbid, two girls don't show up wearing the same dress! 

I never would have thought there was a "boy" equivalent to this, but I took Junior Goo Shoes shopping for sneakers this past weekend, and learned that it is an unwritten rule that you cannot buy the same sneakers as another boy in school. Unfortunately, sneaker stores don't have it quite as together as dress shops, so no lists are kept at Foot Locker saying, "A pair of red and black Jordan 5's was sold to a Freshman at BlahBlah High School." Nope, you just have to know that no one else has them. 

Ms. Toody Goo Shoes

I'm sorry, but I just don't get the math. How can there possibly be  enough different sneakers in the universe to avoid this teenage taboo? Junior Goo Shoes says, "Mom, you'd be surprised." And I am.

But I digress. Back to the cupcakes. I have made these many times, and the note I wrote the first time I made them said "omg fantastic!" The recipe comes from the Flat Belly Diet Cookbook --  and they are sooooo good -- they are featured on the cover.

Mine look almost as good as theirs, don't they? And, if I must say so, mine are better dressed!

Flat Belly Diet Cookbook's Lemon Cupcakes --- Ms. Toody Goo Shoes

Now, don't go click away...these are not DIET cupcakes. They are pretty healthy, though, as cupcakes go.

Lemon Cupcakes: Lemony goodness in every bite from #FlatBellyDiet Cookbook  ---Ms. Toody Goo Shoes.

While we're on the topic of "healthy," my niece lives on a farm and writes a blog called Garden Spotlight about gardening advice, professional growers' tips, farming adventures and recipes. She is an amazing cook, and extremely knowledgeable about all things garden-related. Check it out, and leave her some comment love! 

Her daughter...my great-niece...has been blessed with the gift of an incredible singing voice, and is an up-and-coming  country artist. You can see her perform here at a recent radio concert series on the Joe Daily Show. She has such poise for a 16-year old! I just had to give her a little plug (with her mom's permission, of course)!

These lemon cupcakes are a beautiful thing, too. I can guarantee you will be singing their praises!  

Lemon Cupcakes: Lemony goodness in every bite from #FlatBellyDiet Cookbook  ---Ms. Toody Goo Shoes.


LEMON CUPCAKES WITH CITRUS ICING
Recipe from Flat Belly Diet Cookbook

Cupcakes

1 2/3 cups unbleached all-purpose flour
1 cup sugar
2 teaspoons baking powder
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/4 teaspoon salt
3/4 cup safflower oil (I used canola oil)
2 eggs
1/3 cup fat-free milk
1/4 cup freshly squeezed lemon juice
1 teaspoon freshly grated lemon zest
1 teaspoon lemon extract
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract

Icing

1 1/2 cup confectioner's sugar
2 tablespoons freshly squeezed orange juice
1 teaspoon freshly grated orange zest

Preheat oven to 350°F. Line a 12-cup muffin tin with paper liners.

To prepare cupcakes: 

Combine the flour, sugar, baking powder, baking soda, and salt in a bowl. 

Combine the oil, eggs, milk, lemon juice, lemon zest, lemon extract and vanilla extract in a separate bowl. 

Add to the flour mixture and stir until smooth.

Spoon the batter into the muffin cups and bake for 17 - 19 minutes or until lightly golden and the cupcakes are springy when gently touched.  

Place the pan on a rack and let cool for 5 minutes.  Remove the cupcakes from the pan, transfer to the rack, and let cool completely.  

To prepare the icing:

Combine the confectioner's sugar, orange juice, and orange zest in a bowl and stir until smooth. 

Spread some of the glaze over each cupcake with a small spatula and let stand at least 10 minutes before serving. 

*If needed, add a drop more juice to the sugar if it is too thick. 

NUTRITION PER SERVING:
316 calories

3 g protein
45g carbohydrates
15 g fat
1 g saturated fat
35 mg cholesterol
183 mg sodium
0.5 g fiber

That's it...Easy-peasy, right?

Lemon Cupcakes: Lemony goodness in every bite from #FlatBellyDiet Cookbook  ---Ms. Toody Goo Shoes.

Well, it started snowing again this morning. We're supposed to get between 8 and 12 inches. I had to cancel my dentist appointment, and lunch and dinner plans in NYC. 

Junior Goo Shoes is thrilled that they had a half-day today, and is hoping for a snow day tomorrow.

Me? I've had enough of winter. Mr. Goo Shoes is still having some back problems, but he may be able to manage the snow blower.  I hope so...I am not up to shoveling the driveway again.  I'd much rather stay inside, eat a nice lemon cupcake, and catch up on all of your blogs.

Lemon Cupcakes: Lemony goodness in every bite from #FlatBellyDiet Cookbook  ---Ms. Toody Goo Shoes.



Sounds like a plan.






Linking With:
Totally Tasty Tuesday 
Time To Sparkle
Wow Us Wednesday 
Home and Garden Thursday 
Simple and Sweet Fridays 
Feathered Nest Friday 
Home Sweet Home
Fabulously Creative Friday
Tickled Pink Times Two
Weekend Bloggy Reading 
Best of the Weekend
Fridays Unfolded 
Bouquet of Talent
Sunday Showcase
Recipe Sharing Monday 
Metamorphosis Monday 
The Scoop 
Tweak It Tuesday

69 comments:

  1. Well, darn I was hoping you would tell me I could eat these and get a flat belly! lol. Never heard of a rule of not having the same sneakers as others. How on earth is that possible. Someone needs to get that rule thrown out.

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    1. I know, is that the most crazy rule ever? How did it start, I wonder? As for the cupcakes, well, sorry it won't give you a flat belly, but they won't give you at FAT belly, either!

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  2. My goodness, those look so yummy! The leopard papers are adorable and so fitting with your last post. :)

    I fool myself thinking that cupcakes are limiting the calories but look at that! I'd hate to think how many calories we are eating at our house when we serve our man-size portions of cake.

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    1. I know, I was surprised at the calorie count. But they are a lot healthier than other sweets, so indulge!

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  3. Oh my. You should have talked about your darling cupcake liners in your animal print post! They look fabulous on those amazing looking cupcakes. I am equally a chocolate and lemon person.
    Hilarious about the shoes. That is new since my kids graduated.

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    1. I know, I totally forgot about them for my other post. Isn't that crazy about the shoes? Who thinks this stuff up?

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  4. Ok... a couple of things. You already know I have three boys so, as far as the shoes go, I would tell him to "suck it up, cupcake". This isn't the Emmy's. Tough love, I know. ;)
    Next - I love (LOVE) lemon desserts and your cupcakes ARE so beautifully dressed! Pinning and off to check out your niece's Garden Spotlight blog as well. XO

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    1. Not only that, Claire, but the sneakers can't CREASE, either. Can you believe this? I mean, how do you walk without creasing your sneakers??? Thanks for pinning my "best dressed" cupcakes!

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  5. Lemon over chocolate every day! They look yummy :)

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  6. I remember you bringing a batch of these cupcakes to my house. They were indeed delicious. Brings back a nice memory of a pleasant time with friends. Thanks.

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    1. There was a time that I was making these non-stop, and I remember bringing them to you.

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  7. Love lemon anything...and these cupcakes look delish! Will definitely try the recipe.
    Teens and their clothes ~ :)

    xo
    Pat

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    1. Glad you'll try them, Pat! I don't think they will disappoint!

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  8. I was going to say chocolate - emphatically - until I saw these little lemon ladies - can't tell you how much I'm craving one now - it could be dressed in rags and I'd still be ok with it LOL -
    LOVE your cupcake dresses - tres chic!
    AND went to hear your beautiful niece ( and she is great !!! ) what a lovely voice!
    Hugs,
    Suzan

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    1. Thanks for listening to my niece -- she is a sweetheart. Yes, the cupcakes good even when they are naked!

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  9. I'm always interested in getting my belly to lay flat, so will definitely make these! My flavour preference would be lemon/cinnamon/chocolate.
    Off to listen to your great-niece.

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    1. I'm finding it interesting how many people don't have chocolate as their first preference! My hubby is definitely a chocolate-first person, but even he likes these lemon cupcakes, and so does my son. Thanks so much for listening to my niece -- she is such a sweet girl.

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  10. Those cupcakes look amazing. Yours look better than the front cover ones!!! That prom dress thing has been around for quite a few years here. They will only sell one of each dress to each school. lol
    As far as the shoes go-THAT"S NEW. It used to be that every kid wanted the SAME shoes..and HAD TO HAVE them. lol Imagine the dash to the store to be the first one to get the shoes your really want before someone else gets them. lol Have a great night- xo Diana

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    1. Hi Diana, thanks for the cupcake love. And, yeah, the sneaker thing is crazy. They all want the same brand and style...but it has to be a different color. I don't get it!

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  11. I LOVE that you made cupcakes so match the liners. That is fantastic! And you have put me in a lemon mood!

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    1. I have to admit it's the first time I've done that, but it may not be the last! Hope you got your lemon fix!

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  12. Replies
    1. Thank you, Ms. Lemon! I think I know the answer to your dessert preference!

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  13. I'll go visit your niece's garden blog yes and this takes me back....to the days when for my sons it was all about shoes and wheels! :)

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    1. Thanks for visiting my niece's blog. I just read your comment to my son about shoes and wheels -- he said, 'That's right!"

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  14. Wow! Delicious and perfect! You are a great cook

    Congratulations

    Marina

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  15. Looks delicious! I love the leopard print papers. Stylish, too!

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    1. Thanks, Suzanne! Aren't they cute? And they look so good on the cupcakes! ;)

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  16. My family would say it's not dessert if it isn't chocolate, but these cupcakes look out of this world. I don't think they'd turn them down!!
    Mary Alice

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    1. I know, I thought my husband and son would not really be into these, but they love them!

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  17. There's a store near me that has the prom dress list too. I wish we had it when we were on the wedding circuit. I had a matching dress on two occasions. The cupcakes are beautiful! I am off to check out your niece's blog now :-)

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    1. I am sure that's happened to me, too at a wedding or two. Thanks for visiting my niece!

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  18. I can attest...these Lemon Cupcakes are divine! Brought one home from our visit and had it with coffee yesterday....so-o-o-o delicious!

    And I want to say thank you to first, Aunt Amy, for mentioning my blog and website and definitely my daughter and her singing! And then a big thank you to those of you who visited and commented on my blog and on Jennifer's singing. Thank you so much for stopping by; it really meant a lot! And you should know I'm following you now too...so excited to read more about you all and the great posts you all have!
    And oh....Jennifer just had to double check with me yesterday, "You did tell Aunt Amy it was ok to post my websites, right??" She was very excited as well!

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  19. My bet would be chocolatey-cinnamony-lemony! But I have to agree that your cupcakes look really delish and true enough, better dressed! I just had to laugh about 2 girls wearing the same dresses during a prom night and how it's not the same with sneakers. You're certainly right! Haha lol

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    1. Thanks, Rea...I do think those cupcakes look good enough to go to the prom in those liners! Oh, wait, then they'd all be wearing the same thing...Ooops. Thanks for stopping by!

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  20. Oh yes, citrus every time! These look lovely :)

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  21. Must be a lemony kinda day.MMMM...these look so good Amy!

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  22. IIt looks yummy and I love lemon. But the best thing is the animal print cupcake case! You really have animal print everywhere!

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    1. Aren't they great, Magali! I couldn't resist them when I saw them!

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  23. Dear Amy, These cupcakes are very well dressed and do look good!
    I will visit the link you provided for your nieces, you are a good aunt. Blessings, Catherine xo

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    1. Thank you for visiting my nieces, I know they will appreciate it. The cupcakes look good on the outside, and taste good on the inside!

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  24. Those look very yummy and I love the cupcake liners too! Fun!

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    1. Thanks, Michelle, I just couldn't pass up the liners. The cupcakes are so good - or I should say, were so good -- I just ate the last one :)

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  25. Your cupcakes are a beautiful thing indeed - and go along with your animal print theme. I'm like you with the cinnamonylemonychocolatey preferences (my spell check keeps trying to change this - ha). So funny about the shoes - I can't imagine the pressure to find some totally different sneakers - yikes! Congrats to your great niece - about to go listen to this and also to check out her mom's blog.....

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    1. I'm glad you and I are on the same page with the cinnamonylemonychocolatey ranking. Cracked me up about your spell check! Thanks for checking out my nieces' links!

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  26. With the lemon juice, zest and extract, I bet those cupcakes are supremely lemony. I will make them and whisper to myself "they will give me a flat belly" as I eat more than my share. That's crazy about boys' shoes not being duplicates but perfectly reasonable about the prom dresses. Our school is hosting a dress swap next month so that girls can buy/trade gently worn dresses and save money.

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    1. Yes, Michele, that is the secret ingredient: Positive thinking! That mantra, along with the eating of the cupcake, will surely be a bell-flattener. I don't get this sneaker thing -- have no idea if this is a "thing" across all schools in this area, or just a thing in my son's grade. Love the idea of a dress trade!

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  27. so yummy looking

    i'm rather partial to chocolate
    except when there's lemon around

    mouth watering as i write

    thanks for sharing
    at Fridays Unfolded!

    Alison
    Nancherrow

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    1. There's a time for chocolate, for sure, but lemon desserts are just so refreshing - and don't seem nearly as fattening -- HA!

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  28. Just wanted to stop by to let you know that I loved your Lemon Cupcakes so much that I'm featuring you on the Sunday Faviourates. http://thequestionablehomesteader.com/sunday-faviourates-8/ Please feel free to stop by and grab a button

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    1. Thank you so much, RIcki! I stopped by, grabbed a button, gave you some comment-love, and followed you via email! Just curious - where are you from - I looked on your blog but couldn't find anything. I'm guessing England, given the spelling of "favourites!"

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  29. I love lemon flavored anything! Those look so good. Gotta try them!

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    1. They are worth a try, Alyson. And you only have to fell half-guilty eating them because they're Kinda-Sorta healthy!

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  30. Hi Amy,

    If these luscious lemon cupcakes can make my little mountain of a muffin top flatten into a pretty plain, then, I'll have more than one, figuring a larger dose will do wonders!;-D

    You are a SWEET baker, my blogger buddy, and these treats are no exception! Will definitely make these as they are simple both in their ingredients and instructions. Re: the preference priority, for me, chocolate and cinnamon are equal, depending on my mood and how long I've 'abstained' from each addiction, and since I tend to go a little wacky when in withdrawal from these flavours, they are the more treasured in the taste trio. Lemon, I prefer foremost in the food palette, but I will not refuse a cute dessert such as your sensational citrus-y sweets! With every bite I shall be closer to wearing my white shirts tucked in, instead of draping them over me, looking like a snow covered mountain, so out of place, in this Mediterranean paradise!;-D

    xo
    Poppy

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    1. You never fail to make me smile, Poppy! Yes, eat the whole batch, and you will be svelte, for sure!

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  31. This is marvelous! I am honored that you shared at Home and Garden Thursday!
    Kathy

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  32. Oh dear, these look so good and they look even BETTER than the ones on the cover of the book! Much more fresh looking - HA! - they definitely look like little cupcake fashionistas! Love your writing - thanks for sharing these 'sweet' cupcakes on #simplybebetsy

    Sharon and Denise

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  33. I was over at BeBetsy and saw your cupcakes and I can't seem to pass up a lemon recipe. Pinned.

    Madonna
    MakeMineLemon

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