Memorial Day Cake

This cake was just a little reminder for my family and I - of the true meaning of Memorial Day. It's not really about the start of vacation season or cookout season or time with family - even though all of those things are wonderful things. It's about all the men and women who have given their lives to give us all the freedoms we have in our country. And all the families who have lost loved ones in service to their country. I just want to take a moment to say, "Thank you" to all those families. Even though that could never even begin to be enough - I will truly always be thankful for that sacrifice made.

Pink Zebra Graduation/Birthday

This was a fun project - a cake celebrating both a Graduation and an 18th Birthday! I also had the pleasure of experimenting with flavors a bit as there was a new filling request - to somehow incorporate a strawberry cheesecake flavor! The finished cake was a vanilla buttermilk cake with a layer of fresh sugared strawberries, cheesecake filling, covered in vanilla buttercream with fondant zebra stripes. I then fashioned a graduate's cap using rice krispie treats and covered that with fondant and added fondant banners with messages congratulating the new graduate on her diploma and her birthday! There were also vanilla mini cupcakes with vanilla buttercream and sugar pearls in coordinating colors. :)

Red, Black & Ivory Cupcake Wedding

I so enjoyed making these cupcakes for this wedding - my very first attempt at wedding cupcakes! :) There were three different cupcake flavors featured: chocolate, vanilla and red velvet. I used mainly vanilla buttercream (a few of the vanilla had chocolate buttercream) to ice the cupcakes and even though I did not manage to get photos of them I also had some cupcakes decorated with fondant flowers in the wedding colors as well. The bride and groom had a cutting cake made of fluffy vanilla with ivory vanilla buttercream and fondant accent flowers in the wedding colors of red and black. This was a challenge for me as these were the most cupcakes I've baked and decorated at one time, but I really and truly enjoyed it!

Thin Mint Cupcakes

Special request I had for a Birthday - had fun with this one! Chocolate cupcakes, studded with crushed thin mint cookies, topped with a swirl of mint buttercream and half a thin mint cookie! Good enough to make any Girl Scout proud! ;)

Black & White Bridal Shower Cupcakes

Loved working on these cupcakes for a black & white themed bridal shower! Red velvet cupcakes with vanilla buttercream frosting, black fondant flowers and sugar pearls. :)

Music Birthday Cake

I loved working with this theme! Not that I was ever particularly good at it, but working on this cake certainly brought back memories of many hours spent plunking away at the piano ;) Red velvet cake with cream cheese filling/frosting and fondant details for a music lovers' 14th Birthday!

Campfire Delight Cupcakes

Mmm...these cupcakes. These heavenly, chocolatey cupcakes. I must admit, when I first saw these posted on Sweetapolita's blog, I didn't immediately say, "I must make these!!" It was the malt. The malt held me back. But I'm so glad I finally pushed aside my petty malt problems and tried these - oh, so very glad! Dark chocolate cupcakes with toasted marshmallow filling, malted dark chocolate frosting, dark chocolate sprinkles and malt balls on top - these are a chocolate (and marshmallow) lovers' paradise! Please don't wait as long as I did to try them! ;o)
http://sweetapolita.com/2011/05/campfire-delight-cupcakes/

Carrot Cake Cupcakes

Yes, I have been rather busy trying out new recipes :) But that's just always so much fun for me (as long as they work out anyway). And such was the case with this yummy carrot cake! I've never been a huge fan of carrot cake, it's okay, but definitely not a favorite. I'll always choose chocolate any day (sorry, carrots). But I found this lovely carrot cake cupcake on Food Buzz and just the beauty of it astounded me - I simply had to make it! It uses whole wheat flour to give you a slightly less dense cake - you keep a lighter crumb without it being dry at all - it's really quite perfect in my opinion! Please try this lovely carrot cake recipe, you won't be sorry! I've included a link to the recipe below:
http://bravetart.com/recipes/CarrotCake

Samoa Cupcakes

I have to say first off - these cupcakes were such a pleasant surprise for me! I am as BIG a non-coconut fan as is possible. I don't mind the flavor, I just despise the texture of coconut more than anything - just ick for me! But I found I really enjoy toasted coconut as was featured on these cupcakes and the coconut infused chocolate cupcake as well - all super tasty together! So yes, I'm growing up a little - trying new things such as these Samoa cupcakes: coconut-infused chocolate cupcakes with an old-fashioned cooked caramel frosting, melted chocolate drizzle and sprinkling of toasted coconut! Two thumbs-up from this baker! I've included a link to the recipe below so you can try this amazing Girl Scout cookie inspired cupcake for yourself :)
http://sweetpeaskitchen.com/2011/04/01/samoas-cupcakes/

Daisy Birthday Cake

To borrow a quote, "Daisies are such a friendly flower!" ;) Can't claim inspiration for the design on this one, the Birthday girl sent me a picture and asked if I could replicate the cake - unfortunately I'm not sure who to give credit for on this lovely design! Fluffy lemon cake with lemon swiss meringue buttercream filling, covered in fondant with fondant details. I added a fondant plaque bearing a "Happy Birthday!" message for the birthday girl :)