Another year flew by giving way to a fresh and sparkling 2012, packed with new dreams and new memories. I wish you all a very Happy New Year and may you live every moment with joy, love and lots of laughter.
2011 was a very special year for me. It not only gave me new friends and new dreams but it also gave me two new passions – food and photography! The year gave me so many things to treasure that words can hardly express my feelings.
We reached home yesterday after 2 months long vacation and even though I wished to sleep and get some rest, I could not help but write this post. It’s a special day to celebrate! So, join me my friend to wish ‘Sunshine & Smile’ a very Happy 1st Birthday 🙂 Yes, my blog was born last year on this date. It’s hard to believe that one year has passed by and today; Sunshine & Smile is 1 year old.
I started this blog with zero knowledge on blogging. It’s embarrassing but the fact is that I didn’t even know what a blog was, why people blog and how is it different from a website. Eventually, I discovered the whole new world of blogging and fell in love with it! Blogging is probably one the best things that happened to me.
Without your support, care and love, this blog would not have been where it’s today. I feel proud of my baby and I feel proud to be a part of the blogging community. Thank you for your comments, your feedback and your help. Thank you for being with me all the time. Thank you for all the motivation and inspiration. And THANK YOU so much my friend for making my blog shine and smile everyday!
Every celebration calls for something sweet and these cupcakes were perfect for the occasion. After 2 months of long break, it was really exciting for me to get back in the kitchen and bake these cupcakes. It’s a very easy recipe adapted from Nigella Lawson’s book. They are filled with espresso, coco powder, dark chocolate and decorated with whipped cream.
Celebrating 1st Birthday with Espresso Cupcakes
Ingredients
Instructions
Comments are closed.
Sanjeeta kk
January 2, 2012 at 9:24 PMCongrats for one of the most beautiful babies o line 🙂 Lovely clicks and wonderful presentation. 2011 has been great to treasure friends like you. Looking forward for more of foodie fun in coming year.
And the cupcakes look just right to celebrate this bash.
Love.
Baker Street
January 2, 2012 at 9:30 PMCongratulations Kankana! Here’s to many many more delicious years to come! The cupcakes look gorgeous and I couldn’t think of a better way to celebrate this occasion.
Cheers!
A
Kalyani
January 2, 2012 at 9:41 PMcongrats on 1st birthday …. cupcakes look delicious and tempting pictures …..
Grishma
January 2, 2012 at 9:50 PMCongratulations and celebrations!! I am so happy for you and I can imagine how exciting it must be for you! No need to say that I love your blog 🙂 Keep going and here’s to mannnyyy more to come! Cheers!
Susie
January 2, 2012 at 10:03 PMHappy blog anniversary! Your pictures are stunning. The cupcakes look delicious.
Vimitha Anand
January 2, 2012 at 10:31 PMHappy bloggy birthday dear… The cupcakes look so rich and yum
Priti
January 2, 2012 at 10:34 PMCongrats and wish your blog many years ahead …this looks so pretty ..
Tyler Ngo
January 2, 2012 at 10:42 PMCongratulations! Such a beautiful blog!
Rosa
January 2, 2012 at 11:02 PMLovely cupcakes! That is one of my favorite flvors.
Happy Blogiversary and to many more.
Best wishes for 2012!
Cheers,
Rosa
Joyti
January 2, 2012 at 11:07 PMThose look delicious! And congratulations on the blogoversary!
Zee
January 3, 2012 at 12:17 AMCongratulations on the first anniversary of your blog Kankana.. May you have many many more of such joyous moments 🙂
And those espresso cupcakes look adorable!
Tes
January 3, 2012 at 12:18 AMHappy blog birthday 🙂 Those beautiful cupcakes did was a perfect treat for the celebration 🙂
aarthi
January 3, 2012 at 12:21 AMAwesome Cupcakes
Notyet100
January 3, 2012 at 1:39 AMUmmm thy look delicious.,,,wish ya mny more milestones like this
Madhu
January 3, 2012 at 1:45 AMHappy Birthday to the blog … and also to the blogger 🙂
Your recipes and photographs makes a cooking hater like me want to cook … I doubt it gets better than that 🙂
Hope both of you have many more such birth anniversaries …
Love ad hugs
Alyssa
January 3, 2012 at 1:48 AMHappy blogiversary! Those cupcakes are so cute. I really like your cupcake liners too!
Raji
January 3, 2012 at 3:32 AMHappy blog anniversary Kankana..and wishing you many more to come in the future.
The cupcakes look gorgeous. Beautiful presentation as always !
Sandhya
January 3, 2012 at 4:25 AMGood to see you back Kankana… A very Happy New Year… Those beauties are just perfect for your first blog anniv…
Farwin @ Loveandotherspices
January 3, 2012 at 7:08 AMHappy Blogiversary and many more to come ! Love the photos and the one with batter is just awesome .
Soma
January 3, 2012 at 7:33 AMCongrats Congrats! and Happy Birthday to the beautiful blog baby. Love the liners and what a great way to celebrate. Kankana so glad to have found you and could not have done that if this was not born.
i am sure you had a great time back home and can’t wait to hear all about it!
Purabi Naha
January 3, 2012 at 8:10 AMHappy blog anniversary, Kankana. A very happy new year as well! Lovely cupcakes. And beautiful photography! I love coffee in any form, so I am sure I am gonna love this!
Radhika @ foodfor7stages
January 3, 2012 at 8:18 AMHappy Blog Anniversary sweetie. Wishing you many more years of blogging. Keep delighting us with eye candy pictures and droolworthy recipes. Hugs
Kankana
January 3, 2012 at 10:24 AMTHANKS A TON for dropping by and leaving a note:) Thanks so much for all the wishes!
Kristi @ My San Francisco Kitchen
January 3, 2012 at 11:22 AMWow these look amazing!! Happy Birthday 🙂 I love the holders too.
Ananda Rajashekar
January 3, 2012 at 11:44 AM“Sunshine and Smile” “Wish you a very happy birthday” Congrats Darling on this achievement, may sun smile for many more years on your blog! cake is so cute specially the icing! love ur cake tins too 🙂
[email protected]
January 3, 2012 at 11:49 AMHappy 1 year blogoversary! These cupcakes look like a wonderful way to celebrate-Yum! May your blogging journey be even more special this year!
Charles
January 3, 2012 at 12:58 PMCongratulations Kankana – well done on a wonderful blog so far, and here’s to many more years of fabulous blogging! Great way to celebrate with these beautiful cakes, and I’m so happy to have met you in 2011 🙂
a spoonful of yumm
January 3, 2012 at 1:07 PMhappy blog birthday !! thanks for your support & thank you for blogging :-)your pics are inspiring. hope you had a great trip. the cupcakes are too pretty to eat ;-)i’d just stare at them all day long ….
Sneh | Cook Republic
January 3, 2012 at 1:44 PMHappy Birthday to your beautiful blog! I have enjoyed seeing your posts and photos 🙂 Here is to many many many more! Happy New Year Kankana!
Anna
January 3, 2012 at 2:26 PMCongratulations on your 1st Blogoversary!!! Yay! The cupcakes look divine!
Sukanya
January 3, 2012 at 2:29 PMHappy blog birthday and happy new year to u.
It was a delicious journey and these cupcakes are real treat for eyes and taste too. will be waiting for more…
sreelu
January 3, 2012 at 2:32 PMCongrats Kankana,you seem like that friend you know since forever, doesn’t seem like a year old. Wishing you many many delicious anniversaries and HYN !!
Sonia
January 3, 2012 at 3:27 PMCool Post & Congrats !
are u back babe ?
Best Wishes…Sonia
[email protected]
January 3, 2012 at 5:05 PMWOOT?! Happy Birthday dear and lots of pats on your back for coming such a long way in such short years. You have places to go with your blog and talent. Keep up the good work!
Roxana
January 3, 2012 at 5:07 PMHappy New Year and Happy Blog-anniversary Kankana! Wish you many more to come! Loved reading you and can’t wat to see what you’re having up your sleeves this year!
The cupcakes look stunning!
Kiri W.
January 3, 2012 at 5:15 PMCongratulations!! 🙂 How exciting!
These cupcakes look so, so wonderful – I adore coffee flavors in baked goods, especially in combination with bitter chocolate 🙂 Gorgeous little treats!
Sandra's Easy Cooking
January 3, 2012 at 5:41 PMWow..1 year! Congrats sweetie! 2011 was special for all of us in a blogging world to know person like you, and we all enjoy your recipes and drool over your photos! I wish you many many more..and Have a Happy New Year..may you be more successful than ever!!!xo
Shumaila
January 3, 2012 at 5:57 PMThose look like the perfect way to celebrate your blog birthday! Congratulations and welcome back!
sarah
January 3, 2012 at 6:24 PMHappy first blog birthday! I had mine this weekend too 🙂 Lovely post and lovely cupcakes. I’m so happy to have found your blog!
Nami | Just One Cookbook
January 3, 2012 at 11:51 PMHappy New Year and Happy 1st Brogiversary Kankana! When I was writing my 1 year anniversary post, I thought of you. Last year went by too quickly, and wished that I could have more time to visit blogs and take more time to improve my blog. But I’m thankful to find you and your blog. I look forward to your new posts and this espresso cupcakes look delicious and it’s my cup of tea!
Maja
January 4, 2012 at 12:50 AMLovely cupcakes, they look amazing!
Kankana, happy 1st blog birthday! I wish you more birthdays like this one, more beautiful posts, recipes and inspiring photos!
Kiran @ KiranTarun.com
January 4, 2012 at 12:26 PMGorgeous cupcakes! What a delicious way to celebrate Blogiversary 🙂 Here’s to many more blogging days ahead!
Divya
January 4, 2012 at 1:05 PMHappy Blogiversary, dear! Glad to see you back!!
Kitchen Belleicious
January 4, 2012 at 2:16 PMHappy first birthday! I just love your blog and I am so glad you started it to share your amazing recipes. These cupcakes are just one example of how fabulous your dishes are!
Tanvi @ The Hathi Cooks
January 4, 2012 at 3:08 PMHappy blog birthday! And Happy New Year!
Yummy Morsel
January 4, 2012 at 7:05 PMCongrats! The cake is absolutely decadent.
Tina (PinayInTexas)
January 4, 2012 at 7:41 PMGorgeous espresso cupcakes!
Happy new year and happy first anniversary to your blog, Kankana! I just love your site, and I want to wish you more wonderful years of food and photography blogging!
Manu
January 4, 2012 at 9:36 PMFirst of all WELCOME BACK! We missed you!!!
Congrats on your first year of blogging! I know what you mean… it was the same for me. I had no idea what blogging even was before starting! 😉
The cupcakes look mouth watering!!! 🙂
Ambika
January 4, 2012 at 10:14 PMHey Kankana, Congratulations and wish you many many more to come!! I have been a silent admirer of you blog and photography for the past few months, you have a lovely blog. Keep up the great work!
Ambika
January 4, 2012 at 10:33 PMThat was quick!! I have to tell you, I fell for your blog after I saw the Raskadam photos. They are THE MOST gorgeous food pictures ever!! Loved the color theme you used, loved your composition and everything about raskadam. I saw that post on your page and somehow forgot the blog’s name. You don’t know how many friends I’ve tortured asking for “what is the Bengali sweet that ends with a kadam”!! Nobody knew what I meant, and thankfulyy I remembered sunshine and Kankana, and so I found you!! I’ve never eaten it before, but your past made me want to eat some right away. Then I went to Hyderabad, India and asked every sweet shop if they sold Raskadam and unfortunately I didn’t find any. So I guess I just have to make my own and eat or maybe visit you sometime 🙂 That is such a fabulous post, Thankyou so much for sharing that with us!! Happy Blogging 🙂
simply.food
January 5, 2012 at 12:47 AMHappy blog anniversary, my 1st visit here ,amazing clicks and the cup cake looks drool worthy.following your blog, do drop by simply.food some time.
foodwanderings
January 5, 2012 at 5:49 AMHappy nlogiversary Kankana and a happy new yeat!! These cupcakes look delicious!! Been too long girl!!Are you back in the States??
Terra
January 5, 2012 at 6:11 AMHappy Blog Birthday! Thank you to Foodwanderings, I stopped by, and so happy to find you:-) Your Cupcakes look wonderful! Have a beautiful day:-) Take care, Terra
Abby
January 5, 2012 at 6:55 AMchocolate and coffee, my fav! I love that you used whip cream, i’m not a fan of sugary frostings either. And I love that your recipe makes 12 cupcakes, perfect!
nipponnin
January 5, 2012 at 10:33 AMA Happy New Year and Happy Anniversary! I had one year blog anniversary last month too. But look! You are so ahead of me in every aspects and ooh I’m bit jealous. I think your blog is so refined and fantastic. All the dishes you crated were divine including this. Congratulations on top 9!
Delishhh
January 5, 2012 at 11:43 AMHappy New year and happy birthday!!! Just fabulous blog!
Jess
January 5, 2012 at 12:17 PMHappy Blog Anniversary!! These cupcakes looks so tasty, can’t wait to try them. Happy New Year and congrats on Top 9. 🙂
Magic of Spice
January 5, 2012 at 4:33 PMHappy birthday to you and your beautiful blog!
The cupcakes are just delightful, and so pretty 🙂
Sylvie @ Gourmande in the Kitchen
January 5, 2012 at 6:22 PMA very Happy Blog Birthday to you! Looking forward to another delicious and beautiful year.
Ira Rodrigues
January 5, 2012 at 7:56 PMoh, i definitely love this cup cake recipe as me a coffee lover.
Happy bday for sunshine and smile and congrats for being top 9!
Kankana
January 5, 2012 at 7:57 PMThank you very much my friends. Thanks for your visit and for all your kind words. 🙂
easyfoodsmith
January 5, 2012 at 8:21 PMHi Kankana! Good seeing you back. Happy blogiversary and wishing you many more such successful years ahead. The cupcakes look like a perfect way to celebrate the occasion. I am also no big fan of frosting but seeing your cupcakes, for once I don’t mind having it 😉
Melanie @ Melanie Cooks
January 6, 2012 at 8:56 AMI love baked goodies with added espresso! These cupcakes look gorgeous!
Rinku
January 6, 2012 at 7:14 PMThis looks absolutely stunning! Congratulations!
Reem | Simply Reem
January 6, 2012 at 8:40 PMKankana….
A very Happy New year my dear…. I have been thinking abt you. Hope you had a great trip.
A Very Happy Birthday to beautiful Sunshine and Smile…
I had been crazy busy with guest and then got sick, will call u soon.
[email protected]'s Recipes
January 7, 2012 at 8:04 AMCongratulations!
Those coffee cupcakes look so elegant and fabulous.
balvinder
January 7, 2012 at 10:29 AMHappy Blog anniversary,Kankana. I enjoy seeing your posts whenever I come. The cup cakes look lovely and no doubt your photography is stunning.
Juliana
January 8, 2012 at 7:18 PMCongratulations on your 1st anniversary Kankana…the coffee cupcakes look great, like how light they are.
Hope you have a wonderful week ahead and again congratulations!
Anita Menon
January 8, 2012 at 10:54 PMSo good to have you back , Kankana. I hope you had a wonderful vacation.
Best wishes for your first blog anniversary. It is rather special. Shows how much you have persevered.
The cupcakes look sooo cute.
Stefanie
January 10, 2012 at 6:36 PMCongrats and happy birthday to your blog!! These cupcakes look like a wonderful way to celebrate such a great landmark 🙂
athena
January 11, 2012 at 1:32 AMHappy 1 year blogiversary, and here’s to many more! The espresso cupcakes are perfect for such a happy occasion.
Sawsan @ chef in disguise
January 12, 2012 at 2:32 PMWelcome home and happy birthday sunshine and smile 🙂
Kankana you are one of the most talented bloggers I know, your photography is my inspiration. coming here is always a joy to the eyes and taste buds.
Keep up the wonderful job you are doing and wishing you great more success 🙂
mustardseed
January 13, 2012 at 10:13 AMCongratulations and wish you all the very best! These cupcakes look delicious and flavored with coffee…YUM!!
Padhu
January 14, 2012 at 3:19 AMCupcakes look divine .Excellent presentation and pictures
C&T
January 15, 2012 at 6:02 AMHappy Blog Birthday!!!! 🙂 Cupcakes looks delicious! 🙂
sally
January 17, 2012 at 6:02 PMCongratulations Kankana! I look forward to lots more yummy recipes on Sunshine & Smile in 2012.