party – Ryan Bakes It

Barefoot Contessa Recipe 65 – German Chocolate Cupcakes

Published on October 2, 2024March 10, 2026 by RJLeave a comment

Well, it’s been a while since I’ve made an Ina recipe. Actually, it’s been a while since I’ve made any recipe and then wrote a blog post about it. But last weekend for the first time in a while, I actually had a reason to bake! So I took advantage of it and decided that perhaps it might be good to write a blog post, too.

Over the weekend I attended an Oktoberfest party and I was asked to bake something. Sticking with the German theme, I quickly decided on making a German chocolate cake. But then I realized that for a party, cupcakes might be easier to both make and eat. The dessert becomes finger food, perfect for an outdoor gathering during the last few warms days of the year. Luckily for me, Ina Garten had a German chocolate cupcake recipe. It was like the stars aligned.

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One Final Summer Bake – MB Recipe 36

Published on September 22, 2022 by RJ8 Comments

As summer comes to a close, I though it would be a good idea to take one last advantage of all the delicious berries available. Strawberry season is long gone and the drop in flavor is almost immediate. So I stayed clear of strawberries this time. For this recipe the star was blueberries.

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Memorial Day Weekend 2022

Published on May 28, 2022 by RJ1 Comment

In the U.S. we are approaching the unofficial start of summer. The last Monday in May is Memorial Day where we are supposed to reflect on those who died in active military service. More realistically the day is celebrated with family and friends gathering together and BBQing or having a picnic.

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Magnolia Bakery 15 – Lemon Vanilla Bundt Cake

Published on November 15, 2021November 13, 2021 by RJLeave a comment

Sometimes you’re just in the mood to bake a cake.

That was me one day last week. I had been feeling a little out of sorts and figured baking a yummy treat would help cheer me up. I also wanted to bake something other than cookies. Eventually, I settled on yet another recipe out of the Magnolia Bakery Cookbook and I wasn’t disappointed.

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Cupcakes, Party Style!

Published on June 14, 2021 by RJ1 Comment

With my birthday being last week, I decided to make the cupcakes for the work-related celebration everyone gets. I could have went “over the top,” but frankly, I wanted to keep it simple. So, I found a recipe from Sally’s Baking Addition and got to work.

I made her Confetti Vanilla Cupcakes with Vanilla Frosting. The addition of the sprinkles to the decorations really made me feel like I was serving up a party! The pop of color was a fun addition!

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Barefoot Contessa Recipe 49 Boston Cream Pie

Published on May 25, 2021May 25, 2021 by RJ5 Comments

This recipe can be found in Comfort Food.

Over the weekend, some members of my family got together for the first time since the beginning of the pandemic. It was nice to see some of these people after many months of not being able to do so.

With my new interest in baking, it was requested that I make dessert. Of course, I obliged. In fact, I made not only one, but two different desserts for the soiree.

The first dessert is one that caught my eye immediately upon thumbing through Ina’s latest cookbook. I’m not sure if it was the stellar food photography, the head notes, or the dessert itself. But Ina’s Boston Cream Pie was one I knew I had to make — and soon!

In the cookbook, Ina states that it took her almost 9 years to develop and perfect this recipe! And let me tell you: it is amazing! It was also well-received by the party guests. Ina is famous for creating simple recipes and enhancing classic dishes. Her Boston Cream Pie is definitely unlike anything you have tasted before. The additions of brandy and Grand Mariner allow the orange flavors to come alive and throw your taste buds a dance party!

This recipe was a multi-step process, but nothing was too overwhelming. It also allowed me to work on many different skills such as making pastry cream, chocolate ganache, and a sponge cake.

Here’s some photos of the various parts in the whole

The pastry cream which was flavored with brandy and Grand Mariner.

Melting chocolate for the ganache! This recipe combined bittersweet with semi-sweet chocolate to make a ganache that wasn’t too sweet.

And finally….

The finished cake! If you ask me, it looks like an over-sized Boston Cream Pie donut. But I guess that’s the point, right?

Happy baking!