These took me a second to fully appreciate. I was trolling through flickr, and I came across these darling little faces, and the photo was entitled ‘crowning cupcakes’. I stopped, thought about it… and realized those were BABIES crowning! How clever! Flickr user Crafty Beaver says they were a hit at a baby shower she attended.
From Martha Stewart.com: These cupcakes make memorable party treats. Chilling the bowl beforehand helps the cream whip up with the most volume.
Makes 30
One of my Christmas gifts this year, was a box filled to the brim with cupcake stuff. Liners, mini tins, sprinkles, and a Coconut Cupcake & Cream Cheese Frosting Mix by barefoot contessa.
Let me say outright, I am a snob when it comes to box mixes. I’m not sure when it happened exactly. But, I am definitely box mix prejudiced. I stuck the box mix in the pantry, expecting it to grow a heavy case of dust bunnies.
Fast forward a few weeks. I have been slacking here at ATC. Before Jess finds a reason to kick me to the curb, I needed to step it up. Okay, Ill review this damn box mix.
I have made Ina Garten’s Coconut Cupcakes from scratch. They are heavenly. I mean seriously delightful. Its one of my fav recipes. Did I have high hopes for this mix? No, no I did not. Its a mix, come on. I buckled down and baked them up last night. It was easy as pie. The box comes with 3 packets. One with dry batter mix, one with shredded coconut and one with frosting mix. For the batter, you need butter and water. For the frosting you need butter and cream cheese. The box says it makes 10 cupcakes. I got 12, which is nice. Who makes 10 cupcakes?? Those 2 empty liners would be lonely!
Verdict: The cake was eh. It indeed tasted like box mix. It IS a box mix cupcake. They weren’t bad. Just not that down homey taste you get from scratch. The frosting was divine. With that said, you added your own butter and cream cheese. I think the packet labeled “frosting” was just sugar. You cant screw that up.
Would I buy this mix at $10.95/box? No. I would not. But it would be okay in a pinch. Cream cheese frosting makes everything better. When it comes down to it, I didn’t think it was really any easier than making my own cupcakes. And I can make them for less than the mix.
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Who knew that you could even buy a Swarovski pacifier clip? If you’re looking for a gift for that baby who just has everything then take a look at this adorable, yet expensive pacifier clip.
While this little treasure retails at a pricey $40.00 you should check out Baby Bee’s Boutique for some truly beautiful and fun baby items. I could spend the better part of an afternoon perusing some of their fun things.
Originally posted by Metrospective, on 03 April, 2006:
Finding happiness in a cupcake
Recently, I’ve addressed an important question that’s been nagging at me for the past several weeks: how do bakeries make muffins with those beautiful, break-them-off muffin tops?
Perhaps a little background is necessary first.
As I’ve mentioned previously, I’ve been on a bit of a cupcake binge lately. However, my cupcakes are always so small and humble-looking. In the back of my mind, what I’m really thinking about are those behemoths that they sell at Starbucks. If I was truly a cupcake connoisseur, my creations would be just as glamorous looking. Besides, more cupcake is always better, right?
So, I was delighted when I found the answer last week: they make a special muffin pan for this task. The pans have an ordinary-sized receptacle for the paper liner, but the top quickly flares out allowing for muffin-top maximus.
The pans work as advertised, but I quickly discovered a problem.
Imagine a cupcake shaped like a portobello mushroom: it has a small base and a comically-large muffin top. In fact, the top is so large that the cupcake acts as a tiny pedestal for a lot of frosting. And then–just as quickly as you can say ‘Williams-Sonoma’ (professional 12-cup muffin pan, $17)–all of the balance that makes the cupcake so wonderful and so enticing disappears into a top-heavy, 500 calorie turd.
The cupcake–in its infinite wisdom–has taught me something about happiness: find satisfaction in your current abilities because more isn’t always better.
The ultimate travel accessory, our cupcake train case stores your essential toiletries and makeup in true StyleBakery style. Covered in signature brown, pink and blue dots, this cotton canvas case features a sturdy handle, zip-around zipper and enough room to fit several large lotion bottles, makeup, brushes and more.
The pink interior features a clear plastic lining, making messy spills a snap to clean up. A tiny cupcake emblem on the lower corner adds a finishing touch to this cute case.
Size: 9 1/2 x 6 1/2 x 5
Price: $15 at Style Bakery
This adorable cupcake is a sweet lover’s dream. Just don’t try to eat it!
Made with durable hard plastic- keyring has 1″ diameter.
$8.00 at Cute Plush
For those who appreciate a little nerdiness, you will love this shirt!! I couldn’t help but reminisce about Super Mario Brothers. $17.99 at Think Geek.
“There’s a 70% chance the object you’re standing on is a cake.”
1upcake: the ultimate combination of cute and utility. It not only offers extra life, but also frosting-y goodness. Plus, the cupcake, just like the 1up Mushroom, is the ultimate reward, better than cookies because it’s moist and better than cake because it’s portable. And you don’t have to worry about the ratio of people to cake with 1upcakes.
INGREDIENTS: Cotton, Mushroom, Water, Sugar, Enriched Wheat Flour, Whole Eggs, Soybean Oil, Nonfat Milk Powder, Salt, Baking Powder, Corn Starch, FD&C Yellow #6. This product is manufactured in a facility that also processes tree nuts. (Not really.)
1upcake printed on a 100% cotton, navy babydoll.
Is a cupcake with no frosting still a cupcake?
My grandmother, who was a home economics teacher her entire career, says yes. She told me “A muffin should crack on top, a cupcake should not. It’s as simple as that.” In her mind, any little cakes that have not cracked on top, are cupcakes, frosting or not.
What do you think? Delurk and tell us your take on cupcakes sans frosting. Id love to hear your opinions!
In his words:
“Oh no you didn’t!
Above you can see my original golden tooth Johnny Cupcakes design, which was created and released in 2005. It was featured in many magazines, blogs, and even seen on television. Next to it you’ll see something very similar.
Anyways, a ton of my loyal fans just sent me some different links to this new shirt that Billabong JUST released, called “Billabong Bling Bling”. Looks familiar, eh? It’s the exact same thing, minus the cupcake! Look at the teeth, look at the bottom row of teeth. With them being a bazillion dollar corporation, you figured they could of at least changed it around a little bit, or hired a decent designer. I guess they had to do this so that all the other corporate giants wouldn’t pick on them for not being bully enough. Tssk Tsk!
Please spread the word on this not so good situation / “coincidence” via blogs, myspace, facebook, etc.. The truth MUST be told about this type of nonsense! (Feel free to use the photo & info above.)”
If, like me, you’re powered by that wonderful force that is cupcakes, you should head over to Cafepress.com and check out Telepathic Frog Designs. They have loads of items with the ‘Powered by…’ logo on them ranging from simple magnets to baby bodysuits and maternity t-shirts!
100% Cotton (American Apparel)
Design brought to you by Loyal Army Clothing. Front side all over screen print on an ultra comfy tee. Cupcakin’!
$20.00 at thegiantpeach.com
This sweet and fun bottle koozie would be a perfect addition to any baby shower gift basket. Found online at loopylinedesign.com they retail for just $8.99.
Hand-embroidered hand drawn design on calcutta cloth, illustrated in green, pink, yellow, and red thread.
26″ x 17″
In Stock: 1
Price: $12.00 at Imaginary Friend Shop.
Tea towels made by 5pm Studio.
This sweet tee is cut long with a deep-v neckline and printed allover with tons of pastries. Exclusive to Urban Outfitters. Made in the USA. Machine wash.
* Medium/Regular fit
* 27″l from shoulder to hem
* Fits true to size
* Cotton
$28.00 at Urban Outfitters.
My friend Brina over at Brina Bakes is on a year long mission to make a different flavour cupcake every week of the year! So far she’s done Clementine Cream cupcakes and this week was the turn of Pina Colada cupcakes! They look completely delicious to me (although I may be biased) and all the posts complete with pictures and recipes so head on over to check out her progress in the up and coming weeks!
Edit to Add: She’s still taking flavour suggestions so if you have any, just comment on her most recent post!
Sweetie-pie
Super bake girl, Cupcake
On my mind…
Super Bake Girl, Emilia
An excerpt from her Bio, “Some days it is all about funny little monsters, others I am covered in clay. Sometimes, I feel very Marie Antoinette and others I feel like I am in a strange land where unusual creatures lurk…I just never know what I am going to get on a day to day basis. Scary, silly, fanciful…Noone knows. Least of all, me.”
All artwork above is listed for $20 in her store.
Visit her at her blog and Etsy store.
These pretty colourful tea light holders will add a fun element to the dining table. Whether you are cooking for two or adding these to your Christmas table, they will add a glimmer of colour as the flickering candle light catches the vibrant colours. They come in a set of four and will make a lovely and inexpensive Christmas gift. Or why not just treat yourself?
Sold as a mixed set of 4. Colours may differ from picture.
| This handbag features a brown and red cupcake applique and a matching allover print. Duffle styling with outside flap pockets. Red lining and inside stash pocket. Top zip closure. 16″ x 9″ x 4″. 11″ strap drop. Imported. |
| Was $26.00 Now $18.98 |
Who says travel alarm clocks can’t be cute? This super mini cupcake clock is portable, fully functional, and will sweeten your mornings away from home. Comes with a battery.
Act Soon. Only one left at modcloth.com
$9.99
Congrats to Melisser, of The Urban Housewife, for being the chosen one in Cupcake Hero: Mint!
Melisser’s Rich Chocolate Cupcakes topped with Mint Icing & Bittersweet Chocolate Dipped Candy Cane Joe Joe’s are 2 desserts in one. I think thats why all the kids adored them. And the Moms agreed. They are a sinfully sweet cupcake. With a rich, deep chocolatey cake and peppermint patty tasting frosting, they were devoured in no time. The cookie on top serves as a treat on its own.
Please check out the other sickeningly sweet cupcakes in the Cupcake Hero: Mint Round-up.
I had 1 package of cream cheese that I needed to use up. It was left over from the cheesecake cupcakes that I made. (That recipe will be posted later) These cupcakes turned out delicious and I decided to spice it up even more by making a chocolate peanut butter frosting.
Chocolate Cupcakes:
1 box of chocolate cake mix (I used devil’s food)
(Follow Instructions on box for cupcakes.)
Cream Cheese Mixture:
1 pkg (8 oz) Cream Cheese, (softened)
1/3 c. sugar
1 egg
1/4 tsp. salt (I’d say a little less than this.. I could have done without the salt)
Chocolate Peanut Butter Frosting:
I had some milk chocolate frosting that I needed to use up so I just mixed it with some peanut butter and it was yummy.
Directions:
Preheat oven to 350 degrees. In a bowl, beat cream cheese. Add sugar, egg, salt. Mix well. Prepare cake mix according to directions on box. Fill paper-lined muffin cups half full with cake batter. Top each with 2 tbs of cream cheese mixture. Bake at 350 for 20-25 minutes. Cool 10 minutes and remove from pan.
I sprinkled the top of the cupcakes with powdered sugar.
These cupcake speakers from Semk look good enough to eat… Don’t try however, you just might chip a tooth.
