What we did today!

We are at the Sandwich Fairgrounds for their yearly one day craft show...on a Thursday you ask? Yes...and the place was packed! I took pictures of these two historic buildings (Sorry Dee,, Darlene and Bob..I am not including you under the term "histoic"..not yet anyway..ha) My grandparents farmed near Sandwich for years in the Sandwich Illinois area. It is in these fairgrounds, my grandmother would win blue ribbons for her churned butter and other entries. My grandfather enjoyed watching the horse races from this stadium. As I walk these grounds, I often think of the many happy times both they and their family enjoyed the fairs here. My mom often mentioned the Sandwich Fair and said "It was the best in the state of Illinois!" . I never knew my grandparents, but get such a warm elling when I come over to this area...I know it was important to them.

Today, we traveled to Sandwich, Il today to go to their annual craft show at the Fair grounds.There was a huge crowd and was glad we went early, as by the time it was afternoon, the sun was hot and we lost our get up and go! I bought this lovely yo yo (quilt backed) table runner to put across my cedar chest and and adorable embroidered snowman pillow. We decided to stop by and visit Cousin Linda and found herto be baking some very yummy cream filled chocolate cupcakes.Do they look familiar to you? (trust me.. they are wonderful!.....See us enjoying them very much! )

Linda has agreed to share her recipie with eveyone. She said she got the recipie out of a magazine years ago and has been making these at her family's restraunts and customers love them.

Chocolate Cream Filled Cupcakes

1 package (18-1/4 ounces) devils food cake mix

2 tsp hot water

1/4 tsp salt

1 jar (7 ounces) marshmallow cream

1/2 cup shortening

1/3 cup confectioner's sugar

1/2 tsp vanilla extract

GANACHE FROSTING

1 cup ( 6 ounces) semisweet chocolate chips

3/4 cup heavy whipping cream

Prepare and bake cupcakes according to package directions, using paper lined medium cups or larger sized(shown) Coll for 5 monutes before removing to wire racks to cool completely

For filling, in a small bowl, combine water and dslt until salt is dissoved. Cool. In a small mixing bowl, beat the marshmallow cream, shortening, confectioners sugar and vanilla on high until light and fluffy...add the salt mixture and mix.

Insert a small round pastry tip into a pastry or plastic bag. Fill with cream filling. Insert the tip halfway into the center of each cupcake and fill with a small amount.

In a heavy sauce pan, melt the chocolate chips with cream. Coll . Dip cupcake tops into frosting and swirl the icing around to cover cupcake. Chill 20 minutes or until set ( refrig works well) Pipe on a design on top, like you see on cupcakes at the store .

These have a delicious light filling and shiny chocolate frosting...they disappear in a flash!

Store in covered container in refrigerator. Yield 2 dozen.

This is a picture of Linda's Halloween tree in her living room...so pretty with the orange lights and decorations..see the bat flying in the window?

Large sized baked cupcakes with marshmellow cream filling piped in

Linda is now frosting the filled cupcakes

Piping on the finishing touches

Are they good??? Absolutely the best!!

Linda has agreed to share her recipie with eveyone. She said she got the recipie out of a magazine years ago and has been making these at her family's restraunts and customers love them.

Chocolate Cream Filled Cupcakes

1 package (18-1/4 ounces) devils food cake mix

2 tsp hot water

1/4 tsp salt

1 jar (7 ounces) marshmallow cream

1/2 cup shortening

1/3 cup confectioner's sugar

1/2 tsp vanilla extract

GANACHE FROSTING

1 cup ( 6 ounces) semisweet chocolate chips

3/4 cup heavy whipping cream

Prepare and bake cupcakes according to package directions, using paper lined medium cups or larger sized(shown) Coll for 5 monutes before removing to wire racks to cool completely

For filling, in a small bowl, combine water and dslt until salt is dissoved. Cool. In a small mixing bowl, beat the marshmallow cream, shortening, confectioners sugar and vanilla on high until light and fluffy...add the salt mixture and mix.

Insert a small round pastry tip into a pastry or plastic bag. Fill with cream filling. Insert the tip halfway into the center of each cupcake and fill with a small amount.

In a heavy sauce pan, melt the chocolate chips with cream. Coll . Dip cupcake tops into frosting and swirl the icing around to cover cupcake. Chill 20 minutes or until set ( refrig works well) Pipe on a design on top, like you see on cupcakes at the store .

These have a delicious light filling and shiny chocolate frosting...they disappear in a flash!

Store in covered container in refrigerator. Yield 2 dozen.

This is a picture of Linda's Halloween tree in her living room...so pretty with the orange lights and decorations..see the bat flying in the window?

This is a tree in their front yard...they lost a branch in a storm and my cousin Ronny turned it into an interesting piece of art! The hat is actually a piece of the tree and the eyes and mouth were added on (purchased.)..he painted the rest....how clever is that!!