Dexter Season Premiere Cupcakes + Giveaway
ENTER THE DEXTER GIVEAWAY! YOU COULD WIN SEASON 1 OF DEXTER ON DVD! SCROLL DOWN TO FIND OUT HOW!
It's a big week my friends. I can hardly contain my excitement over the impending season 5 premiere of my favorite show on TV, Dexter. For those of you who watch, you understand my anticipation and anxiety over how this season will pick up after the amazingness and finale shocker of season 4.
my homemade Dexter logo that I made out of cake decorating gel
In honor of Dexter and its wonderfulness, I whipped up a batch of Dexter-themed cupcakes to celebrate my favorite serial killer and his moonlighting habits. When I devised my plan for these tasty little treats, admittedly I had no idea how ultimately delicious they'd turn out. Light and sweet white cake filled with tart cherry jam and topped with the smoothest, lightest buttercream icing ever make this the perfect dessert to celebrate the premiere, and would even make a great party food should you be watching with a group! Oh, and did I mention that we also have sweet giveaway to boot for all you fans and burgeoning fans? Read more on that below.
As every fan of the show knows, Dex not only spends his nights hunting down his prey vigilante-style, but he takes a little momento from his victims - a microscope specimen slide containing a single drop of blood. And if that doesn't make you feel all warm and fuzzy inside, perhaps knowing that Dex lovingly stores and hides these in a cute little box, keeping them near so he feels safe might. Anyhow, to capture the justaposition of Dexter's moonlighting habits and daytime job as a blood spatter analyst, I thought cherry filled vanilla cupcakes would be the proper tribute. Oh and a little blood spatter just to tie it all together.
GIVEAWAY
So in honor of Dexter, TAA is giving away 1 copy of Dexter Season 1 on DVD! It's gripping, brilliantly written and will make you squirm with delight and anticipation. To enter, please answer the following question in the comments:
What is your favorite TV show and why?
The giveaway will end on Thursday, 9/23 at noon and the winner will be picked at random and announced on Friday morning. We all know mine is Dexter due to the genius storylines and brilliance of Michael C. Hall.
Good luck!
So back to these amazing cupcakes. Do you want to know how to make them? Good, because I'm gonna tell you. It might seem like it's difficult, but it's just a lot of simple steps - I promise!
Dexter Cherry Vanilla Cupcakes
For the cake:
*Adapted from Softasilk box
1/2 C vegetable shortening
3 oz cream cheese
1 1/2 C sugar
2 eggs
2 1/4 C cake flour
2 1/2 tsp baking powder
1 tsp salt
1 C milk
1 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
cherry jam, I used d'arbo all natural sour cherry jam
For the frosting:
*Adapted from The Pioneer Woman
5 tbsp flour
1 C sugar
1 C milk
1 C butter (2 sticks, at room temp)
1 tsp vanilla extract
1 tube Wilton red sparkle gel (Shaun found this for me at Target - isn't he the best?)
Special equipment:
Microscope specimen plates
I got a pack of 70 for $5 at Home Science Tools online.
Preheat oven to 350 degrees and prepare muffin tins with baking cups. Beat together the shortening and cream cheese. I did this in my stand mixer. Once combined, gradually beat in the granulated sugar until the mixture is light and fluffy, about 5 minutes. Next, beat in 1 egg at a time. In a separate bowl, mix together the cake flour, baking powder and salt. It is imperative to use the elusive cake flower or these cute little cakes will be deader than a Trinity victim. (Note: I used Swan's Down brand which is sold in a box, not a paper bag like most flour). Stir this into the cream cheese mixture, alternating with the milk and vanilla. Pour into muffin cups and bake for about 18 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean. This should yield 24 cupcakes, though I overfilled mine and only got 22 along with some giant cupcake tops!
To fill the cakes:
For the filling, I went with a tart cherry jam. After all, it doesn't get more gory and bloodlike that this:
Doesn't it just scream Dexter? I know it's proper to use an icing tip dug in through the top of the cupcakes to fill them, but it just wasn't working for me. So to get 'er done, I used a little cheese spreader to cut a square out of the center of the cake.
I then used the same spreader to fill in the holes with cherry jam. You know, kind of like spackling.
Oh and you get bonus pieces of cake which Shaun, Kim and I thoroughly enjoyed before the finished product.
Yum! and you can see how I attempted the icing tip filling process, but unsuccessfully
To make the frosting:
In a saucepan, pour in the milk and whisk in the flour over medium heat, stirring constantly until the mixture thickens into a roux. Stir in the vanilla and let cool to room temperature, about 10 minutes. Meanwhile, cream the softened butter and sugar together until light and fluffy. Add the cooled roux and beat until combined. The icing will look like whipped cream and taste silky and wonderful, knocking any other buttercreams off your 'best of' list. Frost the cupcakes generously, which will cover up the hole you made for the cherry filling.
To Dexterfy them:
Place a small dollop of the red gel in between two microscope plates.
Meanwhile on a small plate, mix a bit of gel and a tiny bit of water to loosen it up and make it spatter-appropriate. With a small silicon brush, go Bob Ross on your cupcake and give it a good splatter by loading up your brush and whipping furiously at the top of the cupcake. Bonus for getting it on your white plate too! Very authentic. Unfortunately I can't take credit for this genius move as Shaun is the one who came up with the idea. Many hours of Bob Ross-watching really paid off :). Oh, and you might want to do this in the sink so as not to get red gel mixture all over your kitchen. Insert the microscope plate into the cupcake and voila! A beautiful Dexter cupcake that's not only authentic but absolutely delicious to boot!
Now that's what I call a Dark Passenger. And there you have it. A pretty delicious and delightful way to celebrate my favorite show. So what do you think? Have you ever made a dish inspired by a favorite show or movie?
And don't forget to enter the GIVEAWAY to win season 1 of Dexter on DVD! Just answer me this:
What is your favorite TV show and why?
DISCLAIMER: Hey everyone! Thanks for commenting and entering the contest! Please, though, don't post spoilers to any of the shows mentioned, including Dexter! Not everyone has seen them, so we don't want anyone to miss out by finding out the endings! I have edited (and will remove) any comments that include spoilers. Thanks!
37 Comments | September 19, 2010 | Share Article | Email Article | tagged Cupcakes, Recipes, TV, baking, dexter | in Giveaway, Recipes, Themed Eats Print Article | Permalink
Reader Comments (37)
Love these cupcakes!!!!!!!!!!! Delish and Dexterrific!
So many favorite shows! I'll go with three favorites for you, hopefully inspiring new recipe ideas:
1) The Oldie but always goodie: I Love Lucy! This idea is simple... chocolates.
2) Friends... duh. So many ideas to salute this show: Righteous Mac & Cheese, Central Perk Scones, Rachel's Trifle (minus the beef sauteed with peas & onions), Tartlettes... Tartlettes, any sandwich... for Joey ofcourse!
3) Glee... So being as this show is all about old-school favs with a new, modern and youthful twist I think you could totally pull off some funky "Back to school" style recipes. Think classic sandwiches mom sent for lunch with a fun, foodie update: a new way to look at pb&j, tuna sandwiches, etc.
Since I am trying to get to the first season, I can't say if it will be a favorite.
My favorite show is all things "Reality!!!". For the fall, my favorite show is anything football.
My alliance is to the winners!
My favorite show is Arrested Development. I love the dysfunctional family insanity. The show is very funny and unlike most of the garbage American comedies out there these days, it did not rely on a laugh track to remind the audience to laugh (Big Bang Theory, According to Jim)
This show also inspires us all to look at a Box o' Wine as just one big juice box!
judging from the spatter analysis... the last pictured cupcake was murdered by one of his own. my guess is one of the taller cupcakes in the batch.
[favorite show] Breaking Bad
while Dexter is a great show that does not give you the normal storyline. it still takes a backseat to AMC's Breaking Bad. in today's society, i think it is easier to believe meth cooking science teacher than a serial killing blood spatter analyst.
This is SO hard. But I know one thing and that is that Veronica Mars - is the BEST television show ever made, because it is funny, action packed and it features the most epic of love stories ever. EPIC.
Buttt there are so many others to choose from - I am a sucker for all tings reality...but those aren't scripted so I can't say I think they are "shows". A close second would have to be Friends....it just never.gets.old. I laugh, I cry....etc.
xoxo
This is just amazing. I think you should make it a series!!
My favorite TV show is True Blood. It's packed with action, great love stories/triangles, and makes me want to quit everything and move to Louisiana to work at Merlotte's. I love every single character... and the theme song. :)
These cupcakes look delicious and are super creative. Love them!
This is a super tough call, as I LOVE all things television, but, right now, I'd have to say that the show I look forward to the most is Castle. If they televised it, I'd watch Nathan Fillion read the phone book, though. :O)
So I can't choose just one. Hopefully a multi-show answer does not disqualify me from winning. I will separate my choices though...my favorite cable series of the past year was Glee; favorite premium channel (Showtime) series of the past year was Nurse Jackie. Favorite reality show Jersey Shore. If I had to give all time favorite measured by amount of hours dedicated to episodes watched - it would have to be Sex and the City.
p.s. Dexter is fast becoming my new favorite. Season 1 complete (amazingness) and onto Season 2...
OK so my favorite show is of course Veronica Mars, I really can never get enough Veronica Logan interaction! ahh I'm swooning just thinking about it haha
My favorite show in television right now though is probably either Fringe (Joshua Jackson HELLO!) or The Vampire Diaries (waaaay better than you would think)
i love that these are filled! so cool! and i love GLEE - obsessive almost. i feel like a 12-year-old when i watch it :)
My favorite show right now is Modern Family ... I haven't watched an episode that I wasn't laughing for the entire time!!!
P.S. - The cupcakes look fantastic!
Well, it has to be a tie between Dexter and Mad Men! It is so authentic and has the hot Jon Hamm!
SO many great new shows on. My favorite lately has been Glee (...but my favorite ALL TIME would have to be Friends)!
I'm anxiously awaiting this season's premiere! Going to have a small Dexter themed party. I think your cupcakes will be a great addition!
My favorite TV show would have to be Dexter. I love how it is different that any other show I have seen. That is was gripped me from the beginning. I also love watching Dexter grow throughout his experiences.
I'm not just saying this so that I win, Dexter is DEFINITELY my favorite show! I remember when I first decided to watch it on demand a few years ago...I watched the first two seasons non-stop...literally, non-stop. No answering my phones, forgot food even existed, I was hooked haha. I love Dexter and I love those cupcakes!
I love The Office and Big Bang Theory. The Office needs little explanation, especially given the odd assortment of characters and they way they work (or don't) together. Big Bang is such a unique show for a science-minded person like me, and I'm so happy to see it took off into mainstream. I work with so many people just like those on the show, and the fact that their science factoids are legit just add to the charm.
I've heard so much about Dexter but haven't been able to watch it, so this would be the perfect introduction (and sure-fire way to get me hooked!)
True Blood on HBO! I am a slave to HBO shows. I think the plot/character develpoment/etc is so good!
Oh my those cupcakes look dangerously delicious! I've never even watched an episode of Dexter, but so many people I know are obsessed! My favorite show right now is Mad Men. Why? Don.Draper. OHH and The Rachel Zoe Project--love it!
Sex ans rhe Ciry! Who doesn't love Carrie and the girtls? All that glitz, glam, love, hate, friendships, and men in the city!!!
Mmmm.. now I want cupcakes! :)
So tough to choose just one TV show. So I'll go with a select few....
I loved me some Battlestar Gallactica...... it pretty much had it all. Drama, comedy, suspense, ton of action and always kept you on your toes.
I am kind of a sucker for particular reality shows...... my favorite would be So You Think You Can Dance... there have been so much talent, especially this last season. I can't help but watch it.
As for comedies.... Family Guy ... hands down. One of the funniest shows out there. I find myself quoting it out of no where.
Last but not least.... I have to mention Better Off Ted. I can't believe they cut this show! Another show that kept me and Jamie in stitches! Porchia DeRossi pretty much made that show.
I've heard so much about Dexter... it is my sister's favorite show and she's been telling me to see it. Unfortunately, I don't have the channel that it is on. Been meaning to Netflix it. :) I am definitely curious!
There are many shows that I enjoy but the one that I find consistently appealing is The Mentalist. Love his witty sarcasm!
My favorite TV show is Supernatural on CW. I love the macabre.
I absolutely couldn't beleive what I was seeing on last season's finale of Dexter.
My mind had a What? moment of absolute confusion. I have tivo so I did a rewind.
Even on the second viewing there was a What?....still no comprehension.
Whatever are they going to do now? I am definately going to be tuned in.
First off, love the cupcake idea. Second, if I had to pick a favorite TV show it would probably be the Dukes of Hazzard. As for the why...well, it's just a classic show with great characters, awesome stunts, and some nice muscle cars.
arrested development is the best show of all time! nothing beats the bluths
on television right now i would have to say 30 rock, i also have a huge crush on alec baldwin so... yeah haha
The food on here always looks amazing! I go crazy every time I see it come up on facebook.
My favorite television show is Grey's Anatomy, it starts this week!!