Liturgical Living at Home

(Recipe comes from: How Sweet It Is)

Ingredients:

• 1 1/2 cups sifted all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• 1 teaspoon ground ginger
• 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
• 1/4 teaspoon ground cardamom
• 1/4 teaspoon ground cloves
• 1/4 teaspoon ground allspice
• 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground nutmeg
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 cup unsalted butter, at room temperature
• 1 cup granulated sugar
• 1 large egg + 1 egg white
• 3 tablespoons vegetable oil
• 3 teaspoons vanilla extract
• 1/3 to 1/2 cup whole milk

Directions: Preheat the oven to 350˚ F. Line a muffin tin with cupcake liners. In a small bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, spices and salt. Set it aside.
Add the butter to the bowl of an electric mixer and beat it until creamy. Add the sugar and beat with the butter on high speed until fluffy, 2 to 3 minutes. Add in the eggs one at a time, mixing well on medium speed until combined. Scrape down the sides of the bowl if needed. Add in the oil and vanilla extract, beating on medium speed for another minute. With the mixer on low speed, add in half of the dry ingredients. Pour in the milk. Add in the other half of the dry ingredients and mix them on medium speed until the batter is combined.

Fill the cupcake liners about 3/4 of the way full. Bake until the tops are set, about 16 to 17 minutes. Let cool completely before frosting.

How Sweet It Is shares a recipe for Brown Butter Chai Icing, but this was the first time my girls had made buttercream on their own so they decided to make a simple Vanilla Buttercream Frosting and sprinkle additional Chai Spice mixture on top.

Vanilla Buttercream with Chai Spice Sprinkles Ingredients:

• 1 cup (2 sticks) butter, softened
• 3 1/2 cups powdered sugar
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1 tablespoon milk

Directions: In a bowl combine butter, sugar and salt. Beat till blended.
Add the milk and vanilla and beat for an additional 3 to 5 minutes or until smooth and creamy.

For the sprinkles: Combine 1/4 teaspoon ground ginger, 1/4 teaspoon cinnamon, 1/4 teaspoon ground cardamom, and 1/4 teaspoon ground allspice. Sprinkle on top of frosted cupcakes.

On September 8th, the Church observes the Feast of the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary, commemorating her birth as a pivotal moment in the history of redemption. Mary's purpose was to become the mother of the world's Savior, the spiritual mother of all people, and the holiest of God's creations. Endowed with infinite merits through her Son, she was immaculately conceived and born full of grace, without sin. As the Queen of heaven and earth, she channels grace to mankind. Mary's birth represents the dawn of redemption and a unique role in salvation history. The title "Cause of our joy" underscores her significance as the Mother of God and a source of happiness. Traditionally, this day marks the end of summer and start of fall, leading to various thanksgiving celebrations. For instance, in France, it's "Our Lady of the Grape Harvest," while in the Austrian Alps, it's "Drive-Down Day," when livestock is brought from pastures to valleys.

Live liturgically with us by:

• Praying the Glorious Mysteries of the Rosary.
• Planning a Mary garden, a tradition that dates back to the Middle Ages. Start by planting flowers that are associated with the Blessed Virgin with an image, or statue, at the center of the garden. Use this space for prayer. Learn more about this practice via Catholic News Agency.
• Attending mass.
• Singing Marian hymns with family and friends.
• Baking blueberry muffins.
• Particularly for children, hosting a birthday party for Mary.

(idea from https://catholiccuisine.blogspot.com)