Shayna's Cupcake Cake

Thanks to Suzette who placed an order for 30 cupcakes for her daughter Shayna.  Shayna is turning 7 years old. 

She requested a cupcake cake otherwise referred to as a pull apart or pull away cake.



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Each cupcake receives dollop of icing beneath it and is placed firmly on a 16" square board.

All 30 cupcakes are placed on the board and now it is time to decorate.

Here is another shot of the cake.  I finished off the cupcakes with buttercream icing and added a  gumpaste crown, ring, flower and number 7.  Can you see the cupcakes underneath?

Sweet Heart Cupcakes

Instead of just plain white cupcakes, I took them a step further and made them unique. Show that special someone a Valentine's message by adding Sweetheart candies to your cupcakes.



I went to a bulk candy store for the Sweetheart Candy.  Ugh!  Some of these candies had smudged messages.  Have you ever tried picking up perfectly composed Sweetheart Candies with a large scoop?  Yes I carried home some "broken" hearts.... but I took care of that by (ahem) eating them.

Christmas Cupcakes

Well, what can I say.  I really dropped the ball on posting Halloween themed treats. But I am not one to dwell on the negative.  Let's move on to the next big season.
Christmas!

I baked Devils Food Cupcakes.  This recipe was found at about.com and is by Diane Rattray.

Ingredients:
•3/4 cup unsweetened cocoa
•1 1/3 cups granulated sugar
•1 1/4 cups milk, scalded
•2 cups cake flour, sifted or stirred before measuring
•1 1/4 teaspoons baking soda
•1 teaspoon salt
•2/3 cup shortening
•3 eggs
•1 1/4 teaspoons vanilla extract

Preparation:

Prepare two 1 dozen cupcake trays with cupcake liners. Sift the cocoa with 1/3 cup sugar; pour into the milk gradually; stir until well blended. Set aside to cool. Sift together flour, remaining 1 cup sugar, soda, and salt. Add shortening and half of the cooled cocoa and milk mixture. Beat at medium speed of an electric hand-held mixer. Add eggs, vanilla, and remaining cocoa and milk mixture. Continue beating for about 2 minutes, scraping bowl with a spatula occasionally. Pour into cupcake tray. Bake at 325° for 25 to 30 minutes.Cool and frost devil's food cupcakes as desired.

 

I used icing colors to dye my icing, and my designs were piped using a #2 tip, and smoothed over with a spatula knife.

Pull Away Cake

Great news! I received a second order of cupcakes for 1 year old Drew.

These cupcakes would be different though. The request was is for a cupcake cake! They are to be 24 red velvet, and 6 eggless chocolate with a cream cheese frosting.
Also known as a pull away cake, cupcakes are used as the base and is then frosted as one cake. Since these cakes are made out of cupcakes, they are made to "pull apart". When it is time to serve the cupcakes to the party guests, you simply start pulling the cake apart and handing out the individual cupcakes.

Once frosted, finish off your pull apart cake with small candies, sprinkles, cake decorations, frosting decorations, floral designs, a fancy border, etc.

By the way, here is a recipe for Eggless Chocolate Cupcakes. Makes 16:

1 1/2 cups flour
1 cup granulated sugar
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon salt
1/3 cup cocoa powder
1/2 cup oil
1 cup water
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 tablespoon vinegar

Mix all ingredients together until moist and well blended. Put in cupcake cups and bake for 20-25 minutes at 350 degrees F.

Recipe from gourmeted.com

Family and Friends

I always hold my family and friends in high regards. However this was a week when I cherished them too the max!

This week I discovered that my Tiffany my niece (an avid blogger herself) posted pictures on her blog Sasha Pulker....With Mum & Dad. Here this proud mom posts the adventures of her daughter Sasha as she grows up.

I was excited to learn that Tiffany blogged about Sasha's 3rd birthday. Sasha is turning out to be quite the little lady, and I was honoured that she entrusted me to make her a Little Mermaid Cake in Red Velvet. Thank you Tiffany for showing my cake creation in action.

Today I was invited to a Friendship Brunch involving the important women in my life. MY GIRLZ!

My friends Angella and Janice set it up outside on the patio. Catered West Indian Food and I was asked to provide the cupcakes. Angella requested Red Velvet.

Thank you Ann, for sharing my talents with the group.

A wonderful week indeed!

Want to make your own Red Velvet Cupcakes? Here is a quick and easy reipe for you to follow:

1 Box of golden cake mix
1 Tbsp Cocoa
1 Tbsp Milo
3 Large eggs
1 1/4 Cup water
1 oz red food colouring
1/3 Cup of vegetable oil

Follow mixing instructions on box

Spring Is In The Air

I did some miniture cupcakes for a group of 36. So bright and vibrant like the recent weather here in Toronto.

Easy Angel Food Cake - a Martha Stewart recipe. I would like to thank Cupcakes and Crinloline for the idea.

1 cup cake flour
1/4 teaspoon salt
12 large egg whites, room temperature
1 teaspoon cream of tartar
1 1/4 cups sugar
2 teaspoons vanilla extract