Purim baskets

Have you noticed how some bloggers post endless how-to recipes for a particular holiday weeks in advance?? And of course this is in addition to a sparkling clean house, 6 kids, 2 dogs and a soccer-traveling minivan.

I am not that mom.

Today is Purim, the Jewish holiday celebrating the thrashing we gave to our enemies in Iran years ago. It's traditional to give gift baskets of food to friends. I wanted to do a how to weeks ago and get you all prepared. But at the end of the day I am lucky to have made them in time.

 

This year's theme was "v'nahafochu" which means, shake things up! Ok not literally. But it means things are all turned around.

Like these cupcakes. I totally did not come up with this idea. But I am certainly glad that bakerella did, so we can all enjoy the silly cuteness!

 

Orange cupcakes with brownie "burgers" and icing ketchup/mustard/lettuce.

My kitchen is a complete and utter mess right now and may never recover, but it sure was fun!

So here is the lineup of non mix items:

Cupcakes from Martha Stewart - if you want it nondairy, replace milk with orange juice and add orange zest.

Brownies from yours truly

Sugar cookies from sugarbelle

Frosting: 1 cup (200g) margarine, 4 cups (500g) powdered sugar, 1 tsp vanilla, 1/2 cup orange juice (or less, as needed)