I think that we all have that ONE dessert that someone in your family was famous for making! I certaintly do! My Nana always use to make a cake for our birthdays and other holidays. Our birthday would always roll around and she would always ask, ” What kind of cake do you want?’ We had 2 choices, Chocolate Cake or Banana Cake, both homemade. Most people ALWAYS chose the the Chocolate cake. And she would always put it on this super special Birthday Plate.

As the days go on she is unable to make this cake . So my family and I have taken upon ourselves to try and replicate this delcious treat.For some reason most people can not make it right.  My mother and brother have successfully made it and now it is my turn. So being the cupcake geek I am put a little twist on them … cupcake style!  Here is a quick photo adventure of my cooking venture …

I used a simple buttercream chocolate frosting. They were YUMMMY! If  anyone wants the recipe, reply to this with your email and I can send it to you!

Being the cupcake baker that I am I LOVE the Witon Website and I also follow them on Facebook and todays post was great. It is these Circle of Sorcery Cake and Cupcakes.

Wilton does a great job of telling you exactly what you need and exactly how to do it.

This would be a lovely addition to any Halloween Celebration!

Once again as I was doing one of my searches for all things cupcakes online I came across these lovely intricate detailed cupcakes. I contacted Zahirah Motala  that master mind behind these cupcakes of Cupcake D’Lights.

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Where is your company located?

I’m based in Durban which is situated on the east coast of southern Africa.

How did you get the idea to ‘paint’ cupcakes, such as your cupcakes and tea cupcakes?

When I decided to do the vintage tea set I really wanted to paint on a design as I love the gorgeous designs you find on the china especially the vintage cups and saucers.

What are a few cupcake tools you couldn’t live without?

That’s a hard one as I really love my tools which I’ve bought over some time. But my favorite ‘find’ was a box of old mini cutters which was being sold for next to nothing and there are some jewels in there which I know I’ll never find again! So it would def be those :)

What is your inspiration for these lovely cupcakes?

Inspiration comes from everything and everywhere sometimes just a pretty piece of fabric or a tea cup might spark an idea. Lately I don’t have time to play as I get fully booked out and it’s generally what people request from me that I need to interpret their brief and add my unique touch.  Sometimes a mistake or something you throw together becomes such a huge hit :) I enjoy those ones the best!

When did your love of cupcakes start?

I am an oil artist by profession so when I was doing a search for pretty cupcakes to paint and I came across Kylie Lambert amazing cupcakes and I fell in love! She has been a huge support and great friend and I really owe it all to this amazing personality.

Do you eat any of the creations you create?

No I never have the time :) but we often bake for the family and I enjoy making new flavors just for home, but the decorated cupcakes never get eaten at home :)

If you had to eat one flavor of cupcake (& frosting) for the rest of your life what would it be?
Kylie shared with me her very amazing chocolate mud cupcake which I only make for special people and for myself! It’s the most divine cupcake ever which I team it up with my delicious cappuccino nougat ganache mmmmm I could never tire of it!

Anything else you want to share about yourself or your company?

I’m really excited that South Africa has finally caught onto the cupcake fever I started way back in early 2006 and everyone laughed at me when I caught onto the fever. I pride myself in being the first person here to do decorated cupcakes. I also see my ideas and styles all over now (Kylies as well) and it’s great to see that you are an inspiration to others.

I would like to thank Zahirah for taking the time to answer these questions.

Please check out her blog for more information and some amazing looking ( & I am sure tasting ) cupcakes!

http://cupcakedlights.blogspot.com

All Images & Cupcake Ideas are Copyright of Cupcake D’Lights and are not to be used or copied without premission for Zahirah Motala!

As I was doing one of my searches for lovely cupcake items I found these great vintage like baking cups. The website that I found them on  is www.bakeitpretty.com . This is a great website it has a lot of different cupcake and baking items. So here are the Baking Cups I fell in love with …

Black Elizabeth – Designer Baking Cups

Elenor Green – Designer Baking Cups

Madeleine – Designer Baking Cups

Pink Elizabeth – Designer Baking Cups

Check out the website is has a great selection of Cupcake Toppers ( I like the Wizard of Oz ones myself ). They also have a great and different selection of Sprinkles.

They also have this interestingly named product Edible Disco Dust … I just might buy this!

Enjoy!

Hello there all you cupcake lovers! This is just a reminder that today is the last day to enter our Cupcake Magnet Giveaway sponsored byEtsy crafter threerabbits. One winner will be chosen tomorrow morning so enter now!

Witch Cupcakes

Did Someone Say Monster Mash?

Monster Cupcakes

If I Only Had a Brain …

Brain Cupcakes

I, just like some of you am an avid cupcake baker.  To make marvelous, mouthwatering, munch-able cupcakes you have to have some good tools. Here are a few of my favorite  tools I like to use when baking cupcakes.

This right here is essential for frosting cupcakes. It is angled so you don’t get your finger and hands all covered in frosting.

8 Inch Angled Spatula

Another way to frost cupcakes is to use the plastic bags with the tips. Here is a good starter kit for cupcakes. It comes with a few tips to get you started and you can make fancy designs with it!

Cupcake Decorating Kit

This is the way to get all the last bits of cake batter and frosting.

Spatula

Instead  of using good old fashioned food coloring that get very messy you can you use this Icing Color Set! Plus it has some of the colors already figured out for you! (using food coloring i think you have to be a color chemist to get the righ colors you want).

12 Icing Colors Set

These spray mists are a great way to do a lil’ something different with your cupcakes

Color Mist™ Food Color Spray

This is a great way to carry you treats … bonus is that it has a cupcake pan with it!

24-Cup Cupcake Carrier

These are some of my faveorite tools! Do you have any secret weapons  you use in the kitchen?

I love shopping at TJ Maxx and Marshalls. I can always find a few cupcake items that I just have to have. In the last few weeks I have found many cupcake items in the kitchen sections. Keep in mind when shopping at TJ Maxx or Marshalls that sets of items are often not available at the same time and it may take a few weeks to complete a set. Also keep in mind that half of a set may be for sale at TJ Maxx and the other part at Marshalls. Always save your receipt so if you can’t find all the pieces you want you can just return them.

Cupcake fairy cups 2.99 each

Cupcake party platter 5.99 bowls 2.99 each

Cupcake celebration and birthday pieces 3.99 each, platter 6.99

Need to add a lil’ cupcake to your humble abode? Here are a few ideas!

Eat A Cupcake

When In Doubt

I think I may just have to aquire the first one!!

Sometimes our zeal for life drives us to extremes like tasting the best cupcake, being the best parent, or literally blogging about All Things Cupcake.  There are other priorities that is part of cooking and making cupcakes that we should all try to remember.

Kim O’Donnel reveals 10 lessons cooking has taught her.  This piece if very well written and straight from the heart.  My favorite among them is this one:

10. Less really is more. Exhibit A: the grilled cheese sandwich. If I cooked my last meal over a skillet, ironing two pieces of Cheddar-stuffed bread together with some strong mustard, I would be smiling wide

We received this photo and email from ATC Reader Tessa…

Hello,

I would like to submit this picture of the lovely (cup)cake apron my mother (Yolanda) made me to your website. She spent a lot time on making it, so I think it would be nice for her to see it on your website, before I start spilling batter and chocolate all over it ;-)

Greetings from the Netherlands,
Tessa

Thank you for sharing your cupcake apron with us! It’s gorgeous!

Cupcake Bedding $9.95-$34.95

Cupcake Cake Pan $6.95

Cute As A Cupcake Doll Set $14.95

These cupcake items and more are available at ABC Distributing.

Lovely cupcake doorstop from Ditsy Daisies.  I loved this line in the description:

FABULOUS FOR A CHILDS BEDROOM, CAKE SHOP OR IN FACT ANYWHERE……………

I would imagine the world to be a better place if all doorstops were so cute.  This one measures 24 cm high by 15 cm (9.4 in by 5.9 in).

Gourmet Gift Company Giveaway

Gourmet Gift Company is giving away a variety pack of one of each of their cupcake mixes…Red Velvet, Champagne, Vanilla and Chocolate… to one lucky winner!

What the winner will receive…

1- variety pack of one of each of the Gourmet Gift Company‘s cupcake mixes…Red Velvet, Champagne, Vanilla and Chocolate.

Red Velvet Cupcake Mix

This mix bakes up one dozen of these festive favorites. Made with the finest ingredients including Nielsen-Massey Pure Madagascar Bourbon Vanilla and just a hint of cocoa.

Champagne Cupcake Mix

Cheers to you!  When its time to celebrate our champagne cupcakes add the perfect touch.  Your favorite champagne compliments the other fine ingredients in the scrumptious cupcakes perfectly.

Vanilla Cupcake Mix

These scrumptious vanilla cupcakes are made with the finest ingredients available, including Nielsen-Massey Pure Madagascar Bourbon Vanilla.  Our favorite easy to make frosting recipes are included. Yields one dozen cupcakes.

Chocolate Cupcake Mix

Just like mom used to make!  These moist and delicious cupcakes are always a favorite.  Our favorite easy to make frosting recipes are included.  Yields one dozen cupcakes.

To enter this giveaway please visit Gourmet Gift Company and then come back to ATC and leave a comment to this post telling us about what your favorite item that you saw on her site was.

This giveaway is open to residents of USA and Canada. A winner will be chosen via random.org on June 21st.

I would like to thank Gourmet Gift Company for creating and donating the gorgeous prize for this giveaway.

The Cupcakery’s Martha Stewart Cupcakes Cookbook & Martha Stewart Cookie Cookbook Giveaway

If you are among the people who have not yet been able to get your hands on the book, here is your chance to win. I am really excited about giving away the Martha Stewart Cupcakes Cookbook because I have 3 to giveaway! I also have as a runner up prize, which is really also a Grand Prize to me, the Martha Stewart Cookies Cookbook to giveaway.

cupcake goodie bags

cupcake envelopes

cupcake note cards

Pop-Art Cupcake Cards Giveaway from Tricia-Rennea Art.

This is a Giveaway for everyone! Free Printables for all!

You may also like the recipe cards from Bitsy of Bitsy the Bakery.

Thank you Tricia & Bitsy for donating your awesome stuff to this giveaway!

Eco-friendly sandwich size reusble bag.

Each reusable snack and sandwich bag can replace hundreds of plastic bags in it’s lifetime. So if you think about it these bag really help the earth by reducing waste.

Reusable Waterproof Snack Bag $6

The exterior of the bag is a 100% novelty cotton print. The interior (lining) of the bag is a 100% waterproof PUL fabric (commonly used when diaper making) which is safe to use with food and snack as it is NOT made from vinyl.

The bag has velcro closer across entire top to ensure your snacks don’t fall out. The outter cotton print has already been preshrunk so the bag will not shrink when washed. This bag is great because it can be turned inside out and wiped OR you can just throw it into the washer and line dry if you get stick PB&J on it!

Available at Sewingmommy’s Etsy Shop

Big Top Cupcake $19.95

Your purchase will include…

Available at Big Top Cupcake.

I really really want this!

Girlie Apron – Cupcake $20.00

Vintage inspired apron in a festive cupcake theme pattern fabric. The apron is accented with pink ties and white ruffle on the hem.

The ties are 41″ in length. The waist band is 15″ and the length of the skirt from hem to the bottom of the waist band is 15″.

The Cupcake apron is the perfect item to give you a little pick me up in the kitchen while you are making dinner any day of the week or special occasion.

It would also make a great gift for your friend or relative who likes to spend time in the kitchen baking or entertaining.

10% of the purchase price of this item will go to the NieNie Recovery Fund.

Available at Sweet Things: Hand-Crafted Designs!

We received these photos and this email from ATC Reader Jen…

Hey there, I have a few things to share! I found these adorable cupcake kitchen towels at the DOLLAR TREE! And my good friend Becky got me the Cupcake Dog Toy from WAL-MART! My puppy Cupcake Loves her new cupcake toy!

Thank you for sharing these finds with us Jen! Your dog is adorable!

Smokin’ 40s 50s hausfrau full-length ‘Baking Beauty’ cupcake apron by Suzi Homemaker $65.00

Get your oven mitts on this smokin’ hot full-length ‘Baking Beauty’ cupcake apron with matching ruffle edging!

THIS APRON IS NOT YET AVAILABLE IN STORES- this is an Etsy-exclusive sneak-preview!

Perfect for baking in the nude, mixing martinis or general house-prancing and seduction duties. Suitable for day or night; one-size fits most means anyone can bring out their inner Kitchen Vixen.

Available at Suzi Homemaker.

We received these photos and this email from ATC Reader Lindsey…

Hi! Love your site! I just wanted to share my cupcake apron and laptop bag! I made them both myself. I am a beginner to sewing and these were my first two projects. :o)

Thank you for sharing your creations with us! They are adorable!

I have been so busy getting our webstore finalized and what we plan to carry that it has been a while since I posted here. I am happy to announce that we are now supplying to several bakeries all over the world and learning so much of the cupcake industry everywhere! Soooo today I bring all ATC readers some sweet news! We are now carrying an absolutley gorgeous line of gift cupcake liners, their beauty and high quality cannot be seen in a photo but I assure you these are so pretty you may not want to bake in them.

Each package is elegantly packaged with a keen sense of the environment, you can read about that on our site! There is a lovely size selection that you can easily adapt to your pans! Hint : Never oil your pans prior to baking with a cupcake liner! Make sure you are not sweating your cakes, they need dry hot quick baking! Also if you are using a convection oven, again do not sweat them, bake them by turning off the fan for the last half of baking! All these hints will keep the integrity of your gorgeous liners. Each box has a European recipe for cupcakes (muffins) printed on the bottom.

Now to introduce our line up

You can find these in Sweet Cuppin Cakes Bakery and Cupcakery Supply

And for a sweet cuppin deal for all All Things Cupcake readers we will toss in a free sample of our other new product line up. Pinks, purples, rainbows, polkas and a whole lot more. In the message area of your order simply  type  “I LUV ALL THINGS CUPCAKE ”

Cheers to all and enjoy the day!

Lyns

Molly Ruffle Half Apron $22

YUMMY!

This little ruffled number is covered in cupcakes & sprinkles – what could be better? Four tier ruffle half-apron is made with vibrant cotton print fabric – Cupcakes galore on aqua background and sprinkles a plenty. Machine sewn, fully lined with sprinkles fabric. Measures approximately 15 inches from waistband to bottom hem. Waistband is approx 20 inches and each tie is 28 inches making this apron suitable for all waist sizes. Apron makes a beautiful gift for birthdays, showers, weddings, housewarming and more.

Available from Splendid Minta’s Etsy Shop

Cupcake Hot Pad Pattern $5.00

This is for a Hot Pad e-pattern in the shape of a cupcake!! 100% calorie free!! This pattern is an easy to read and follow with pictures for reference. Traceable templates are also included.

Included in the e-pattern:
cupcake hot pad pattern
cupcake napkin ring pattern
cupcake tea towel applique pattern
cupcake pocket + basic apron pattern

Such a great deal and collection of cupcake yumminess. Perfect for presents, showers, themed parties, or just plain ‘ol cook’n.  Files are in PDF format .

Available at whosiesandwhatnots’s Etsy Shop