la vanille et à la vanille

Some of you may be thinking, really? An abundant profusion of vanilla and...vanilla?

That was my first reaction...

But, if your name is Rachel Taylor and you're involved in an extremely determined Company Cup Cake Competition, Vanilla on Vanilla is the flavor of the hour.

Last night, Rachel & I pored over her mother's baking books, Paula Deen's recipe archive and the telephone (for frequent calls to Linda of course), in order to come up with a delicious, yet distinctive cupcake recipe.

And after much frustration, excitement and preparation, we were ready.

 Rachel sifted the flour, salt and baking powder, while I browned the butter and split the vanilla bean. We tested different amounts of pure vanilla extract, splashes of buttermilk and fused the vanilla beans.

 

All in all, we were an amazing cupcake-designing team.

and now for the cleanup..

In a Cookie.

..freshly baked. And just a preview for what is yet to come.

Midnight Posts..in Paris?

..as you can see, tomorrow's petit dejeuner is already on my mind.
Perhaps this cafe will provide some inspiration.