cake boss

Earlier in the summer I confessed to becoming an intense reality t.v. addict. Well, there's another addiction on the horizon, but it's not with me, it's with t.v. channels and cable providers -- people are LOVING shows about cakes and cupcakes!

I can't blame them though, I happily watch these shows if I'm channel surfing and see them on. It started with Ace of Cakes on the Food Network and then the Food Networks Challenge where people make huge cake sculptures that look to precious to eat. After their success, TLC decided they wanted a piece of the cake (pun), so they created Cake Boss, my personal favorite. Now there are even more, like Cupcake Wars and D.C. Cupcakes.

No matter which show I see, it all makes the same effect. I want to make a cake or cupcakes after. So needless to say, I've done a lot of cupcake baking this summer. It's super fun and cupcakes are just too cute to resist.

I made these ones last night, they have been my favorite so this summer by far. It was chocolate cake mix and peanut-butter frosting

The frosting was the best part, I got it from Ina Garden in a Barefoot Contessa episode

• 1 cup powered sugar
• 1 cup chunky peanut butter
• 5 tablespoons butter
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1/3 cup heavy cream

 These were the inspiration:

This was the actual result:

Woof. Okay, so I need some practice, but I will joyfully continue to keep baking & frosting until it's Cake Boss quality. You should too & send me pictures!