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Monday, October 8, 2012

It's So Sassy!

I'm taking a poll. Do you get more nervous making things for strangers or making things for those near and dear to you?

I get a little apprehensive making things for people I know. With people you don't know, you might not ever see them again so there's a good chance that you'll never know if they loved or hated your product. 
But with people you DO know... Well, that's a whole other story. I'm constantly wondering if this is good enough. Or "Ahhhhh! I hope the cupcake liners aren't sticking to the cake!" What's just a tad bit worse than people you know... are people that know the people you know. Those people could talk to your mom, cousin, brother, sister, uncle.. And you might not ever know the reason behind the "Oh, she tried to do her best but her cupcakes are hard as bricks." look. 

I worry all the time about things like that because I just don't have the confidence that it takes  to think what  I do is good. To myself I think that what I do is fabulous... It's what I think others think of me. People tell me I have talent, and I really do believe them. It's just that little low self confidence monster shows up every once in a while.

Despite that, I really am happy doing what I'm doing. I love making treats for a little girl's first birthday, a holiday party, and anything in between. And thank you all for letting me! =)


On to the actual reason I decided to post a blog entry today...

My mom works at a place that has a TON of people. And in that place are units. I am the official birthday cupcake girl for everyone in her unit. If you are in it then you will get cupcakes. I try to come up with something based on what the birthday girl, or boy, wants. Over the weekend someone had a birthday so they got cupcakes today. 
I have to say.. the cupcakes I made for her were the most fun cupcakes I've ever made. Secret ingredient: Nerds. (The candy.. not a guy wearing thick rimmed glasses and a pocket protector.)

Isn't this fun?!

When I'm making a new kind of cupcake I always have to try a bit of it and snap a few pictures. My intention is to blog my pictures but that doesn't happen as often as I like. My pictures rarely turn out like I want them. They're good.. just not great!

Anyway, these taste just like Nerds in cake form. So delicious!

It's so sassy!



I love the rainbow frosting on top!


A magical cupcake!
I hope the birthday girl enjoyed her cupcakes today! I know I sure had a blast making them!

By the way, the icing and the dark layer at the top of the cupcake is flavored with Kool-Aid! =)


Have a wonderful day, everyone!



Friday, October 5, 2012

New Flavors!

It's been a while since I updated the kinds of cupcakes that I offer so I thought I'd do that now. And remember, I'll do any kind you can think up... These are just flavors that seem to be most popular!

Cranberry Oatmeal Raisin        $1.15 each / $13.80 dozen
 Muffin type oatmeal cupcake loaded with raisins and dried cranberries with a delicious maple butter cream frosting.


Banana Nut                                   $1.15 each / $13.80 dozen
 Homemade fresh banana cupcakes packed with walnut pieces. Frosted with creamy cinnamon butter cream frosting and trimmed with ground walnuts.



Diabetic Italian Cream           $1.10 each / $13.20 dozen
 Dense no-sugar cake filled with walnuts and coconut. Frosted with a creamy delicious cream cheese frosting. Garnished with walnuts and toasted coconut.

     

  Italian Cream                       $1.10 each / $13.20 dozen
 Incredibly moist Italian Cream cake. Frosted with creamy delicious cream cheese frosting. Garnished with toasted coconut and a walnut half.



*NEW* Pumpkin Spice Latte                 $1.00 each / $12.00 dozen
Moist delicious pumpkin and espresso cupcake with a sweetened whipped cream frosting. Drizzled with caramel and sprinkled with cinnamon.


Chocolate, Yellow or White           .70 each / $8.40 dozen
Basic cupcakes with yummy butter cream frosting. Chocolate butter cream add .05 per cupcake. Cream cheese icing add .10 per cupcake. White cupcakes and butter cream tinted at no extra  charge.


Strawberry Daiquiri       $1.20 each / $14.40 dozen
Fresh sweet strawberry cupcake laced with rum and topped with a fresh strawberry daiquiri butter cream frosting.
No-Alcohol Strawberry cupcake       $1.05 each / $12.60 dozen


Pink Champagne     $1.00 each / $12.00 dozen
Delicate pink champagne-laced cupcakes with a luxurious pink champagne frosting. Embellished with elegant pink pearls and sprinkled tastefully with pink sugar.
No-Alcohol Pink Cupcakes    .70 each / $8.40 dozen


Amaretto Sour       $1.25 each / $15.00 dozen
Incredible Amaretto cupcake frosted with an amazing sweet and sour citrusy icing. Garnished with a maraschino cherry.


Cookies & Cream         $1.25 each / $15.00 dozen
Indulgent dark chocolate cake with chocolate sandwich cookies added & a creamy white filling. Topped with delicious butter cream frosting & sprinkled with cookie crumbs.


Chocolate Chocolate Chip Cookie    $2.25 each / $28.00 dozen
Rich chocolaty chocolate chip cupcake with a homemade chocolate chip cookie baked on the inside. Frosted with cookie dough butter cream frosting & decorated with tiny chocolate chip cookies.


Chocolate Peanut Butter     $1.00 each / $12.00 dozen
Delectable chocolate cake with a peanut butter buckeye filling. Iced with creamy peanut butter cream cheese  frosting & topped with handmade chocolate decorations.


Decadent Snickers       $1.20 each / $14.40 dozen
Decadent moist cupcake filled with a light chocolate mousse filling. Topped with a velvety chocolate butter cream frosting & garnished with Snickers candy topping.


*NEW* Mocha Latte      $1.20 each / $14.40 dozen
A shot of espresso flavors a moist, tempting deep chocolate cake. Smooth and creamy vanilla frosting layered on top. Drizzled with caramel and more chocolate.



*NEW* S'Mores       $1.85 each / $22.20 dozen
Delicious chocolate chip cupcakes on a graham cracker crust with a delightful marshmallow butter cream icing. Topped with a teddy bear graham cracker and chocolate pieces.


*NEW* Caramel Apple         $1.20 each / $14.40 dozen
Fresh Granny Smith apple cake with a homemade creamy caramel frosting. Topped with roasted pecans.



*NEW* Apple Pie     $1.25 each / $15.00 dozen
Moist apple cinnamon cake with a fresh apple pie filling. Frosted with a delicious butter cream & garnished with a sprinkle of cinnamon.



Red Velvet        .80 each / $9.60 dozen
Velvety red cupcake with delicious cream cheese icing.


New flavors will be added every month!



Hey, Hi, Hello!

I'm sitting here in front of an open window.. wrapped in a blanket. I just can't bring myself to close the window because today is the definition of Fall. My apple cider candle is burning and I have cupcakes in the oven (SURPRISE!!). My cat is sitting on the windowsill having a staring contest with my dog that is on the front porch. The feline will win because my doggie has the attention span of a baby gnat. Needless to say, I am enjoying this day very much. The only thing missing is some kind of coffee/latte in my hand and Lauren (my niece) singing along with Dora in the next room.

This isn't really a baking related post... other than the fact that I AM baking at the moment. I just wanted to say hello to anyone that may read this. I hope you have a fab day!

Thursday, October 4, 2012

Cupcakes and Old Friends

Cupcakes are baking and I have my apple cider candle burning. I'm trying to pretend like it's still Fall outside even though it feels rather warm. Or it could be because I've been hanging out in and around the oven for a majority of the day today. Same goes for tomorrow.

A very long time ago I was best friends with a girl named Jenny. When I think back at how long it's actually been, it makes me wonder where the time has gone. I probably haven't seen her in 10.. maybe even 13 years. Unless you count the occasional bumping into each other at the grocery store.
There was no fallout between Jenny and I, we just grew apart. She works in the same office building as my mom. And I'm now baking cupcakes for her daughter's first birthday party. Never in a million years would I think I'd be doing that.

People grow apart, but cupcakes bring them together again!

I'm just testing out my phone app. =)

I'm not always at my computer.... but my phone is always next to me somewhere. So I might post blog updates from this if I don't get to a computer when I need to. :-) 

Caramel Apple, Candles, Cool Temps, and Elvis!

Apple cinnamon and pumpkin spice candles burning throughout the house puts me in a wonderful mood. Add cool, crisp temperatures outside to the equals the perfect time of year. At least for me. I've already heard people complaining that they're too cold. Seriously? Come on, people. You know who I'm talking about. You were the ones complaining about melting in our hot-as-lava summer. You wanted cooler air and here it is!

As I'm sitting here thinking of how awesome Fall is, I hear the sounds of Elvis' Christmas music wafting in from the next room. It IS FINALLY that time of year again. =)

One of my favorite Fall flavors is caramel apple. And, yes.... I have a cupcake that is the definition of delish. If you want to know how to make the caramel apple cupcake.... continue reading!!

Caramel Apple Cupcakes:

fresh apple cake

1/2 cup butter, melted
1 cup granulated sugar
1 cup firmly packed dark brown sugar
2 large eggs
1 tsp. vanilla
2 cups all purpose flour
1 tsp. baking soda
1 tsp. salt
2 tsp. ground cinnamon
4 large Granny Smith apples, peeled and chopped

  1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees
  2. Stir together first 5 ingredients in a large bowl until blended.
  3. Combine flour and next 3 ingredients; add butter to mixture, stirring until blended. Stir in apples.
  4. Place paper baking cups in 2 (12 cup) cupcake pans; spoon batter into cups, filling 2/3 full.
  5. Bake for 12 to 15 minutes or until a cake taster (knife or toothpick) inserted in the center comes out clean. Cool in pans on wire racks for 10 minutes; remove from pans to wire racks, let cool completely. Makes 24 cupcakes.
Caramel Frosting

1 cup butter
1 (16 oz) package of dark brown sugar
1/2 cup evaporated milk
1/4 tsp. baking soda
1 Tbsp. light corn syrup
4 cups powdered sugar

  1. Melt butter in a 3-qt saucepan over medium heat. Add brown sugar; bring to a boil, stirring constantly. Stir in evaporated milk, baking soda, and corn syrup; bring to a boil. Remove from heat, and let cool completely (about 1 hour). Transfer to a bowl.
  2. Gradually add powdered sugar to the caramel mixture, beating at medium speed with an electric mixer until blended. Beat at high speed 2 minutes or until cream. Use immediately. Makes 3 cups.

The baking soda in the frosting helps to prevent the caramel from becoming grainy. We don't want frosting that feels like sand, do we? Nope. I didn't think so.

I hope you enjoy the recipe. I made samples (mini cupcakes) and within an hour they were completely gone.

Happy baking!!

Wednesday, October 3, 2012

It's The Most Wonderful Time of the Year!

I'm not talking specifically about Christmas, but it is included in the most wonderful time of the year. The song says so and I agree. =)

Anyway, we are well into the first week of one of my favorite months: October. The month of cooler weather, Halloween, deep Fall colored manicures, delish smelling Fall candles, and one month closer to Thanksgiving and Christmas.

I always get inspired to bake during the holiday season. This year will be different, though... In a good way! I will be baking even more!

Caramel Apple & Pumpkin Spice Latte cupcakes will be the cupcake specials for the month of October. I'm so incredibly excited for everyone to try these! They will be offered at a discount price all through this month only, but will be available at regular price throughout the rest of the season.

Also, Candy Corn cupcakes will be available this month. They're super fun and cute! Look!
This is not my picture. I don't have any of my own just yet.
November will feature a surprise cupcake. You can be pumpkin will be involved! ;-)

December will include gingerbread cupcakes. I am beyond excited to offer these!

As I mentioned before, these are "cupcakes of the month"... meaning they will be on sale for their specific month. BUT they WILL still be available after the month is over, just at regular price. =)

Remember, if you want something I don't offer on my menu, just contact me 2 weeks before you need them so I can make sure I am able to get the customized just the way you want them!

Be looking for an updated menu in a future blog post!