Carpe Cupcakes!

Carpe Cupcakes! has moved

2012-01-01T23:35:00.000-08:00

Please join me at www.carpecupcakes.com to continue our journey. A new year....a new platform...a new format...and a new life in the cupcake universe.

Carpe Cupcakes! is moving to WordPress

2011-08-29T17:49:00.000-07:00

Carpe Cupcakes! is moving to WordPress. I will post again when the new location is ready.

Cupcake Necklaces

2011-07-18T00:02:00.000-07:00

We have a shop in Incline Village called The Potlatch and it has an eclectic mix of clothing, dishes, jewelry, candles, picture frames, rugs, and all kinds of other goodness. I went in there yesterday and found these Sweet Life necklaces ($8.99). The necklaces come attached to paper cupcakes with a recipe inside!

BTW....Sweet Life also makes bracelets.

Recipe of the Week: Garden Party Cupcakes

2011-07-17T00:10:00.000-07:00

These garden cupcakes are perfect for a summer party...and the recipe is an easy one from Duncan Hines (my favorite cake mix). Follow the link under the photo for the recipe!

Duncan Hines Garden Party Cupcakes

Yoga Cupcakes

2011-07-16T00:06:00.000-07:00

My niece Payton is here visiting this week and we took a yoga class today....stretching and getting into poses and positions that the human body was not meant to be in. A good time was had by all. Maybe rubbing a cupcake on my sore legs will help.

from the Flickr photostream of doreenseng

Cupcake Scarf (free pattern)

2011-07-15T00:15:00.000-07:00

I know it's the middle of summer, but if you get started now, you will have a cute cupcake scarf by the time the first snowflakes fall. The pattern for this scarf is available free from Craftbits.com.

Craftbits.com

Martha Stewart Cupcake Punch

2011-07-14T00:15:00.000-07:00

You can use this cupcake punch for many things, but I bought it to make cupcake confetti to scatter on a table at a birthday party. I got mine at Michael's but it is also available at craft stores, Borders and Amazon. If you are into scrapbooking, there is also a cupcake corner punch.

Martha Stewart cupcake punch

$12.99

Cupcake Ear Buds

2011-07-13T22:30:00.000-07:00

These cupcake earbuds will make music on your iPod (or whatever device you use) sound even better!

available from Amazon

$16.95

Giant Hostess Cupcake

2011-07-12T23:51:00.000-07:00

This is really a cake...but it is a cake that is supposed to be a hostess cupcake. Sweet!

Leah Reich

Cupcake Costume

2011-07-11T23:18:00.000-07:00

This is my halloween costume this year...except I must change the hat and the shoes! It is available from many sources, but Amazon has the best price.

available from Amazon

$33.90

Recipe of the Week: Lemon Curd-Filled Angel Food Cupcakes

2011-07-10T23:35:00.000-07:00

The inspiration for this week's recipe comes from a giant lemon I found at Wal-Mart. I don't usually buy Wal-Mart produce, but this lemon was huge...so I took it home. I also have the same cupcake wrappers used in the photo. I love these wrappers, but I had to buy 2000 of them for a wedding cupcake display. That was the minimum order so I now have a lifetime supply.

Lemon Curd-Filled Angel Food Cupcakes

Southern Living Recipes

(original photo by Beth Dreiling Hontzas)

Last Space Shuttle Launch

2011-07-08T22:59:00.000-07:00

Today is a little sad for me because I just watched the last space shuttle launch. I started thinking about all the launches I have seen. On July 20, 1969 I watched the first moon landing while looking out the window at the moon and thinking "there are men walking around up there right now." I was at a nursing conference in Nashville, TN when the first shuttle landed. The person giving the lecture stopped and asked the audio-visual guy to switch to the broadcast of the first shuttle landing....amazing to watch the shuttle Columbia on a huge screen. My heart was beating out of my chest as the shuttle touched down and the astronauts got out.

Over the years, I have been fortunate to watch most of the shuttle launches and landings. I was driving at the time of the shuttle Challenger disaster but was listening to the launch on the radio and remembering the knot in my stomach as the announcer's voice said "something is wrong."

I got to see the shuttle flying piggyback on a 747 as it returned to Florida after a landing at Edwards Air Force Base. That was impressive.

I was presenting my dissertation data at a conference in Orlando and was flying home very early in the morning. I knew there would be a shuttle launch that morning so I got up at 3 am to be at the airport and past security before the launch. I remember running to the large windows just in time to see the shuttle clear the trees. It was a clear day so I watched until the booster rockets were released and fell to earth.

So...as I sat watching the shuttle Atlantis leave Kennedy Space Center for the last time ever, I was a little sad. I don't know what NASA has in store for the future, but I feel privileged to have seen so much in my lifetime.

A cupcake toast to the space shuttles!

Enterprise (test flights only), Columbia, Discovery, Challenger, Atlantis, Endeavor

clevercupcakes

A Balanced Diet

2011-07-07T00:15:00.000-07:00

A t-shirt is worth a thousand words...

birdarts

via Etsy

Cupcake Sandwiches

2011-07-06T21:47:00.000-07:00

I have never been a big fan of sandwiches - just never thought of them as real food. However, a cupcake sandwich is a whole 'nuther animal...give me a platter of these!

bittycakes

TheBusinessMakers

Heavenlycakedreamer

Cupcake Treasures from World Market

2011-07-05T08:15:00.000-07:00

World Market has an abundance of cupcake treasures! I was there yesterday and bought cupcake tissue paper to put in a gift bag. They also have cupcake baking kits, plates, napkins....and more.

World Market cupcake kit

$19.95

World Market cupcake napkins

$5.98 (32 napkins)

World Market cupcake purse gift bags

$11.97 (for 3)

Happy July 4th!

2011-07-04T23:32:00.000-07:00

Celebrate our Independence Day with a cupcake!

Cupcake Collars

from Chica and Jo

Recipe of the Week: Red, White & Blue Cupcakes

2011-07-03T00:15:00.000-07:00

Millions of Americans will pack picnic baskets tomorrow to celebrate the Fourth of July Independence Day and many of those baskets will contain cupcakes. This week's recipe is a variation of the one I used for tie-dyed cupcakes....just with red, white and blue colors.

Red, White & Blue Cupcakes

Make a French Vanilla cupcake mix according to package directions. Divide the batter into three bowls. Color one bowl red, one bowl blue and leave the other bowl plain. Prepare your cupcake pan with liners. Add one tablespoon of batter to each liner...experiment with batter placement! Bake as directed on the mix and cool completely.

Frost the cupcakes with your favorite vanilla buttercream or use premade Fluffy White frosting. For toppers, I made red and blue gum paste stars, but you can also use patriotic sprinkles or July 4th cupcake picks!

from the photostream of TidyMom

via Flickr

Crow Cupcakes

2011-07-02T20:35:00.000-07:00

I was outside watering flowers today and there were two crows in a tree just behind me. Our crows here at Lake Tahoe are HUGE...and I think these guys were up to something. I never could figure out what they were doing, but there was an unusual amount of crowing and flying back and forth between trees. Not being blessed with extensive experience in crow behavoir, I will have to wait and see what happens next.

toriejayne

via Flickr

Once upon a midnight dreary, while I pondered weak and weary,

Over many a quaint and curious volume of forgotten lore,

While I nodded, nearly napping, suddenly there came a tapping,

As of some one gently rapping, rapping at my chamber door

"Tis some visitor, " I muttered, "tapping at my chamber door.

Only this, and nothing more."

The Raven
Edgar Allan Poe (1845)

Carpe Cupcakes! (the second anniversary)

2011-07-01T20:05:00.000-07:00

Two years ago I started this blog to explore the cupcake universe. It has been a lot of fun and I learn something new every day. As the third year begins....thanks to all who are regular readers and to those who discover the cupcake universe on the way to somewhere else. Thank you!

the first wedding cupcake I made

(and still my favorite)

Scallion Cheddar Cheese Savory Cupcakes

2011-06-30T06:45:00.000-07:00

I rarely feature savory cupcakes, but this picture from Eatomanic made me want to do it. I think it was something about the two green scallions sticking out on top.

Eatomaniac

(blog)

Macarons (Macaroons) are not the new Cupcake!

2011-06-28T08:38:00.000-07:00

On my recent visit to Paris I have to admit that I was smitten with the French macaron (macaroon)...but at 1 Euro each I didn't eat as I would have liked. That said, this article from NPR has my cupcake wrappers in a bunch. Macarons are NOT the new cupcake!

Critics believe that cupcakes are a trendy dessert, but they have been a part of my life for a very long time (more than a half century for those doing the math) so I wouldn't exactly describe them as a passing fad. Read the article for yourself and see what you think.

Move Over, Cupcake: Make Way For The Macaroon

by Neda Ulaby

photo by Kyle Samperton from the NPR article

BunkyCooks

Cupcake Gift Bag

2011-06-27T22:54:00.000-07:00

I found this Happy Birthday cupcake gift bag at World Market. I put a little something in it today for my friend Solange...happy birthday!

Recipe of the Week: Cream-Filled Chocolate Cupcakes

2011-06-26T07:33:00.000-07:00

In the current market of the "gourmet cupcake" it was nice to find an easy, delicious cupcake any chocolate lover will appreciate. All you need is a Betty Crocker chocolate cupcake mix, a tub of Betty Crocker Fluffy White Frosting (which I eat right out of the can for dessert sometimes) and some chocolate chips for garnish!

Make the chocolate cupcakes as directed on the cake mix box. Cut the end from a ziplock bag and drop in a medium-sized star piping tip. Fill the bag with frosting and insert into the cooled cupcakes. Lift up as you squeeze in the filling. Then swirl frosting on top of the cupcakes and sprinkle with chocolate chips.

Betty Crocker recipes

Cupcake Island

2011-06-25T07:26:00.000-07:00

I just love the name of this cupcake bakery. Their site has photos, recipes and a coloring book page you can download. I may never get to visit there, but I would like to live on Cupcake Island!

Cupcake Island
1314 S. 119th St.
Omaha, NE 68144
402-334-6800

Cupcake Island cupcakes

Betty Crocker Gluten-Free Recipe Contest

2011-06-23T22:44:00.000-07:00

Betty Crocker is sponsoring a gluten-free baking contest! Get creative using any gluten-free Betty Crocker or Bisquick mix and you could win $5000. The deadline is June 30, 2011 so you will have to hurry....get busy and send in your most delicious gluten-free cupcake recipe!

Betty Crocker Gluten-Free

Lemon Cupcakes

Summer Cupcakes

2011-06-22T20:22:00.000-07:00

Today is the first full day of summer...celebrate with some summer cupcakes!

Bakerella

(click on Bakerella's link to learn how to make these

hamburger cupcakes with sugar cookie "fries")

corn on the cob cupcakes

MarthaStewart.com

ice cream cupcakes

MarthaStewart.com

Remembering Clarence Clemons

2011-06-21T06:28:00.000-07:00

A long time ago in a galaxy far, far away, a friend asked me to go to a concert at Mississippi State University. The featured act was a guy named Bruce Springsteen. There were only 200 people there....and he eventually attracted more people at his concerts.

Clarence Clemons, the big guy who played saxophone with Bruce Springsteen's E Street Band, died on June 18th. Thanks for the great music!

Belisa Cupcakes

Balloon Cupcakes

2011-06-20T00:15:00.000-07:00

These balloon cupcakes would look great for any event....the possibilities are endless. You can make them casual or elegant depending on the frosting and ribbon.

Disney FamilyFun

Recipe of the Week: Pink Meringue Cupcakes

2011-06-19T19:10:00.000-07:00

I have been experimenting with meringue decorations lately and my experiments are the inspiration for this week's recipe. These cupcakes actually contain no cake....they are made from meringue!

Pink Meringue Cupcakes

with Raspberry Curd

MarthaStewart.com

Flight of the Cupcake

2011-06-17T17:29:00.000-07:00

I came across a blog today called Flight of the Cupcake and thought the photos were great. My favorite was the "citrus trio" on the second page....I am going to make those!

Flight of the Cupcake

Last Day in Paris

2011-06-16T06:34:00.000-07:00

The Internet problems have been solved but it wasn't an easy fix. No matter...I am back online. Here are some photos from the last day in Paris. I still cannot believe that I could not find a cupcake anywhere. When I did a Google search for cupcakes in Paris, there were only a few results, so I guess cupcakes are an untapped market in the city of lights.

Speaking of lights, the last night in Paris we took a boat ride down the Seine and got to see the Eiffel Tower at night. Spectacular is not the word! Every hour on the hour, the Eiffel Tower twinkles with lights for about five minutes and that sight alone was worth the trip.

I really enjoyed soaking in the history of London & Paris, but did not realize the extent of the damage done during WWII. London was more affected by German bombs than Paris due to a deal France made with Hitler (a "no bombing" clause in the contract I guess) but the impact of the destruction of history really hit me hard. It is a shame to have lost so many artifacts and architecture. Not to mention the history lost with the people who could have shared so much by passing down their family history and experiences.

Here are a few photos from the last day....Buttercream had a great vacation!

Buttercream at the Arc de Triomphe

an exact replica of the flame of

the Statue of Liberty

(I didn't even go in)

(didn't go in Cartier either)

The Eiffel Tower

Flag Day Cupcakes

2011-06-14T06:34:00.000-07:00

Today is Flag Day!

It commemorates the adoption of the flag of the United States, which happened on June 14, 1777 by resolution of the Second Continental Congress. In 1916, President Woodrow Wilson issued a proclamation that officially established June 14 as Flag Day. In August 1949, National Flag Day was established by an Act of Congress.

star spangled ice cream sandwiches from Disney Family Fun

served in a cupcake wrapper

garnish your cupcakes with these

"flag" berries

Internet Problems

2011-06-13T13:10:00.000-07:00

I got home around midnight last night....to find that my DSL was out. Working with AT&T today to get it fixed. I need to post my photos from Paris!

P.S. Never did find a single cupcake, but I did find some muffins. Here is an algebraic equation for you:

No frosting + cake-ish batter = not a cupcake

Flying Home from Paris!

2011-06-12T13:09:00.000-07:00

I am somewhere over the Atlantic when you read this....be back soon!

Day 6: No Cupcakes in Paris

2011-06-11T15:45:00.000-07:00

Well....I have been in Paris for three days and have yet to see a single cupcake. Plenty of other desserts, but no cupcakes. I have looked in every pastry shop window. Muffins yes. Cupcakes no. I am sure they are here somewhere but I cannot find them.

We had a nice dinner tonight and a boat ride along the Seine. Met a girl from Mississippi and we know some of the same people....what are the odds of that! Got to see the Eiffel Tower twinkling and it was one of the most beautiful sights I have ever seen. A fabulous memory. The trip ends tomorrow morning with an 8 AM ride to the airport. Goodbye Paris!

Crossing my fingers that I will find a cupcake on the way to the airport. Will post pictures when I get home...including a video of the twinkling Eiffel Tower lights.

Day 5: An American Cupcake in Paris

2011-06-10T11:15:00.000-07:00

Our first full day in Paris and the bottom fell out while we were walking from the Basilica of the Sacre Couer on Montmarte (a hill 130 meters above the city). We were wet and cold....and very happy that we had not worn the new boots we bought earlier in the day.

Are there any cupcakes in Paris? The only cupcake I have come across so far is Buttercream, but I have discovered macaroons. I am thinking about changing the name of this blog to Carpe Macaroons! I paid 4.50 Euros for three of these amazing cookies today and they were worth every bite.

I feel a little bit like Charlie looking for the Golden Ticket in Willie Wonka and the Chocolate Factory. I hope to find the golden cupcake soon.

Buttercream visits Notre Dame Cathedral

Buttercream looks across the city of Paris

Buttercream at the Basilica of the Sacre Coeur

Montmarte

The steps to the

Basilia of the Sacre Couer at Montmarte

(looking down was easier than walking up)

Day 4: Goodbye London & Hello Paris

2011-06-09T14:46:00.000-07:00

Traveling to Paris today by train (Eurostar). Will write when I get reliable Internet access. Not to worry....cupcakes are coming. Here are some highlights from London:

Jack the Ripper Tour

Big Ben & the House of Parliament

Strutton Fried Chicken

Westminster AbbeyWest Door

(where Kate entered for the royal wedding)

Tower of London

St. Peter ad Vincula

(church at the Tower of London where Ann Boleyn is buried)

(Catherine Howard - wife #5 is buried there too)

Make Your Own Cupcake Wrappers

2011-06-09T14:42:00.000-07:00

A reader named Josh Pearce sent me a comment on the blog today. He and his wife have a site where you can download and make your own cupcake wrappers with 105 patterns to choose from. (there are free patterns and premium patterns to purchase). Thanks Josh for sharing your link!

Make Cupcake Wrappers

Here are two of my favorites....

London Day 3: Tower of London cupcakes

2011-06-08T17:16:00.000-07:00

The Tower of London. I lost my head over their cupcakes!

Not really but I thought that was funny. The cake was fairly dry, even for being purchased late in the day, but the buttercream on all three cupcakes was very nice. The chocolate cupcake was topped with marshmallows covered in chocolate and coconut sprinkles. Very nice presentation.

I got to visit all my favorite Henry the VIII places at the Tower and even went in the Chapel of St. Peter ad Vincula on the grounds to see the burial sites of Ann Boleyn and Catherine Howard (wives 2 & 5). The Crown Jewels were magnificent!

London Day 2: Harrod's Cupcakes & Jack the Ripper

2011-06-07T15:38:00.000-07:00

Yesterday's passport drama is behind me so on to the cupcakes! We went to Harrod's this morning and I have to say it was quite overwhelming plus it really is no fun shopping when there is little chance you can actually purchase anything. Well, you can purchase things but you must be prepared to pay...and pay...and pay.

The Food Hall at Harrod's is worth the trip, even if you don't venture anywhere else in the store. Any type of food you can think of is there (and some I had never thought of). Amazing! I bought vegetable samosas with mango chutney and then picked out four mini cupcakes for $3 each. Since it is highly frowned upon to eat your purchases inside the store, we took our munchies outside and sat with the pigeons. (message for Kristi...absolutely NO picnicking at Harrod's!)

We ended our evening with a Jack the Ripper tour that started at Tower Hill and ended near the Liverpool tube station. We were starving after all that murder & mayhem so we found a pub and had fish & chips. We drank shandies (a combination of beer & lemonade) and even though I do not drink beer, I must say that I could have drunk a pitcher of those!

Cupcake box from Harrod's

red velvet, coconut, lemon & chocolate minis

eating outside with the pigeons

cupcake carnage

London Day 1: A Tale of Two Passports but no cupcake

2011-06-06T17:27:00.000-07:00

For those of you who didn’t follow our blog from the New York trip last fall, Shelly and I are having déjà vu all over again. In NYC it was Shelly’s iPhone….in London it was my passport. If you need a review, see the Day 1 NYC blog entry (www.whathappensinnycstaysinnyc.blogspot.com).

We arrived in London late last night and got to the hotel around midnight. We checked in with our passports, got into the elevator, and approached the door to our room. Shelly opened the door with her key and I put my key inside my passport…and that was the last time I saw my passport. We got up this morning and started out for our first day in London, but my passport was nowhere to be found.

After searching frantically (emphasis on frantic), I decided to go to the U.S. Embassy to initiate the passport replacement process. Did you know the U.S. Embassy in London is like Fort Knox? You are not allowed to just go in. You have to make arrangements in advance to get an appointment to be allowed access. If you want to have a car accident or heart attack, please make sure to give them plenty of notice…and download the forms before you lose consciousness.

To make a long story short, after six panic-filled hours, the passport was located in a slot in my suitcase, which had been searched no less than five times by different people. Why a tale of two passports? Because Shelly thought she had her passport in her messenger bag, and when we got back to the hotel, the passport was sitting on the nightstand. Both passports are currently locked in the hotel safe.

On a better note...we went to the Queen's Theatre to see Les Miserables. Fantastic production and the vocal talent was amazing, especially the little girl who played Cosette as a child. After the show we ate a brilliant steak and shared sweet potato fries with a couple from Venezuela who were honeymooning in London.

Since we didn't have time to find a cupcake today, Buttercream (everybody's favorite traveling cupcake) insisted on posing with the two passports!

Recipe of the Week is on Holiday!

2011-06-05T17:20:00.000-07:00

I am flying to London today...will be blogging from London and Paris for the next nine days!

Flaming Strawberry Cupcakes

2011-06-04T10:51:00.000-07:00

My niece Payton sent me a link yesterday to a blog called Sprinkle Bakes. The blog post featured a chocolate cupcake with flaming strawberry topper. The author gives detailed instructions for creating the flaming strawberries....one of the most beautiful presentations I have ever seen. You MUST visit the blog and make some of these (but do not eat the flaming strawberry)!

Sprinkle Bakes

Chocolate Cupcakes with Flaming Strawberries

Sprinkle Bakes

via Google images

Henry VIII & A Cupcake

2011-06-02T23:00:00.000-07:00

I am leaving for London in two days and I can't wait to get to the Tower of London. I am a Henry VIII freak so when I found this on Yay!Tumblr I could not believe it. My two favorite things: Henry VIII and a cupcake.

I will be blogging from London & Paris over the next 10 days (if the InterWeb gods are willing and the creek don't rise).

Yay!Everyday

Dreamscicle Cupcakes

2011-06-01T00:15:00.000-07:00

Worked a 12 hour shift in the ER yesterday and everyone seemed to be having a sinking spell mid-afternoon....so we sent someone down the street to the local grocery store to see what was available. Orange Dreamscicle cupcakes! And they really tasted like orange dreamscicles. I am no great photographer, but I did sprinkle some coffee beans on the stark white plate for a garnish.

Cappuccino Cupcakes

2011-05-31T00:15:00.000-07:00

I came across this beautiful photo today and it made me crave a cappuccino. I wanted to drink this cupcake and then look in the mirror to see my white icing moustache....that is the essence of art.

Tlemetry

(Flickr photostream)

Memorial Day

2011-05-30T00:15:00.000-07:00

Memorial Day is a federal holiday in the United States observed on the last Monday of May. Formerly known as Decoration Day, it commemorates men and women who died while in military service to the United States. First enacted to honor Union and Confederate soldiers following the Civil War, it was extended after World War I to honor Americans who have died in all wars.

A national moment of remembrance takes place at 3 pm local time. Please honor those who have given their lives for our freedom and thank those who are currently serving.

GinaMig

via Google Search

Recipe of the Week: White Chocolate Mud Cupcakes

2011-05-29T00:15:00.000-07:00

This yummy recipe will go with whatever you are serving this holiday weekend. It includes how to make the chocolate curls to garnish your creations.

White Chocolate Mud Cupcakes

Cupcake Recipes

Free Cupcake Recipes - Gourmet & Specialty

Crunch-A-Bunch Cupcakes

2011-05-28T22:08:00.000-07:00

These cupcakes are actually Rice Krispie treats molded into cupcakes!

Kellog's Rice Krispies

Crunch-A-Bunch Cupcake Recipe

Hockey Cupcake Wrappers

2011-05-26T00:15:00.000-07:00

The playoffs are in full swing and Lord Stanley's cup will soon be awarded. Cupcakes would make an excellent game-day snack and these cupcake wrappers from Dress My Cupcake will make your playoff cupcake display more festive.

(Congrats to the Sharks for a great season...get ready to play for the cup next year!)

Dress My Cupcake

12 wrappers for $9.99

More Snow at Lake Tahoe

2011-05-25T22:59:00.000-07:00

OK...I love the snow but Puh-Leez can we have some warm weather soon? It snowed 4 inches this afternoon at my house. The good news is that plowing was not required, but it is cold and windy. I would eat two dozen cupcakes if only I could walk around in some flip-flops! (I would eat cupcakes anyway of course)

from the photostream of

be cheery

They're Always After Me Lucky Charms!

2011-05-24T00:15:00.000-07:00

My brother and his wife are leaving on a trip to Ireland today to celebrate their 30th anniversary.

Dan & Lane...wishing you safe travels and hoping your trip is "magically delicious!"

Lucky Charms cupcakes

Betty Crocker Recipes

Recipe of the Week: Hummingbird Cupcakes

2011-05-22T20:11:00.000-07:00

The first hummingbirds of the year appeared this weekend, which is a bit surprising since we got almost a foot of snow last week. Maybe they know something our weathermen don't. This week's recipe honors the arrival of the first hummingbirds.

Hummingbird Cupcakes

(from Martha Stewart)

firelyn21

via Flickr

Chocolate...my favorite food group

2011-05-21T18:42:00.000-07:00

....what else is there to say!

from the Etsy store of gigglls

Cupcake Recipe Box Dividers

2011-05-20T00:15:00.000-07:00

My plain wooden recipe box is about to get a cupcake makeover!

P.S. There is a matching recipe box.

KellysPaperCrafts

via Etsy

Cupcake Boxes from Fancy Flours

2011-05-19T14:26:00.000-07:00

Fancy Flours is one of my favorite places to order cupcake supplies and I am always looking for unique presentation ideas. These cupcake boxes are perfect for almost any occasion. The large box holds 4 cupcakes and costs $12 for 3 boxes. The small box holds a single cupcake and costs $9 for 4 boxes.

Fancy Flours cupcake boxes

Happy Birthday Payton!

2011-05-19T00:00:00.000-07:00

My niece Payton has a birthday this week so I am sending her a virtual cupcake....with congratulations on a very sweet new kayak & paddle! Love ya!

mommylife.net

via Google images

Hostess Cupcake Coupon

2011-05-18T23:53:00.000-07:00

Coupons-R-Fun is offering $1 off two boxes of Hostess cupcakes...so download your coupon and enjoy!

Message for Laurena in Switzerland

2011-05-18T10:00:00.000-07:00

Laurena - I bought the Pier 1 cupcake cookie jar for you. Please send your mailing address via carpecupcakes@gmail.com and I will send it to you. Pier 1 does not currently have online ordering (which I could not believe), but I talked to the people in our local store and they are going to begin offering some of their products online. Thanks for reading the blog!

A Picture (of a Cupcake) is Worth a Thousand Words

2011-05-17T23:52:00.000-07:00

This cupcake sums up my week so far!

Cupcake Bandit

(created by Huge Marmugi for the Cupcake Bandit Film Festival)

I Want This Cupcake Truck!

2011-05-16T00:15:00.000-07:00

I was surfing through some blogs today and found this photo of a cupcake truck...I would love to drive this! The photo is from the Flickr photostream of jctrenton and was featured on a blog called Driving and Dining. The caption states that the photo was taken as the photographer passed on the highway.

If the owner of this cupcake truck should happen to read this blog someday and wants to sell this truck....please contact me!

jctrenton

Recipe of the Week: Vegan Vanilla Cupcakes

2011-05-15T20:53:00.000-07:00

I am making vegan cupcakes for an upcoming party and this recipe is very very good...even for us non-vegans.

from the Flickr photostream of

MRiggsy24

VeganVanilla Cupcakes

1 cup soymilk

1 teaspoon apple cider vinegar

3/4 cup sugar

1 3/4 cups all-purpose flour

2 tablespoons cornstarch

3/4 teaspoon baking powder

1/2 teaspoon baking soda

1/2 teaspoon salt

1/3 cup vegetable oil

2 1/4 teaspoons vanilla

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees and prepare muffin pan with cupcake liners.

Mix the soy milk and vinegar and set aside a few minutes to curdle. In a large bowl, sift the flour, cornstarch, baking powder, baking soda and salt and stir to combine.

In a separate large bowl, beat together the soy milk mixture, oil, sugar and vanilla. Stir the dry ingredients and mix until no lumps remain.

Fill cupcake liners two-thirds full and bake for 18-20 minutes - checking frequently after 15 minutes. Cool completely.

Music Note Cupcake Picks

2011-05-13T18:11:00.000-07:00

I am still in the planning stages for the upcoming graduation party for a musican graduate. On a lighter note (pun intended) I found these cupcake picks to go with the black and white cupcake wrappers I am making.

shopbakersnook

Cupcakes and Google Search Page 77

2011-05-11T00:15:00.000-07:00

When you do a Google search, how many pages do you click through before you quit or move on to another search? I did a Google search using the keyword "cupcakes" and it returned a total of 77 pages (45,300,000 results in 0.32 seconds)...so I decided to give whatever was on the last page a chance to be seen.

You could say I was bored. You could say I didn't have a clue what to write about. You could say that I need to get a life...and all of these things would be true.

Here's to you Page 77!

Ruth's Kitchen Experiments

Coconut Cupcakes

The English Kitchen

Blog on the Landscape: Cupcakes

375 Degrees

La Cuisine de Helene: Red Velvet Cupcakes

A Cupcake in Paris

2011-05-10T21:21:00.000-07:00

Started thinking about my upcoming trip to Paris....and then I found this necklace on Etsy. Can't wait to have a cup of tea and a cupcake near the Eiffel Tower.

PenelopesPorch

via Etsy

Cupcake Ferris Wheel

2011-05-09T22:41:00.000-07:00

As often happens when I go cupcake surfing...I find something cute! This cupcake ferris wheel is available for $299.99 from Knob Creek Metal Arts.

cupcake ferris wheel

KnobCreekMetalArts

via Etsy

Recipe of the Week: Mexican Chocolate Sour Cream Cupcakes with Dulce de Leche Frosting

2011-05-08T00:15:00.000-07:00

This past week was so busy I didn't have time to celebrate Cinco de Mayo....so I am celebrating it today with a recipe for Mexican Chocolate cupcakes. This recipe comes from Amanda's Cookin' and is easy and delicious!

Mexican Chocolate Cupcakes with Dulce de Leche Frosting

Amanda's Cookin'

family friendly recipes and sweet desserts

Music Note Cupcake Wrappers

2011-05-07T12:18:00.000-07:00

A friend has asked me to make cupcakes for her daughter's high school graduation. The graduate has earned a college music scholarship so I want to incorporate this honor into the cupcakes. These musical cupcake wrappers are just what I was looking for!

P.S. Congrats Maggie!

cupcakelinerswrappers.com

balloons.co.uk

Not Exactly Wedding Cupcakes

2011-05-05T20:18:00.000-07:00

I made a cake for a wedding this afternoon. I did make a few cupcakes out of the extra batter, but not for the wedding...I ate them myself! I was pleased with the wedding cake, but the groom insisted on putting orchids on top of the cake. IMHO the orchids were out of place with the roses, but it made him happy. Anyway...I thought I would share my day even though it wasn't cupcakes.

How to Pipe Two-Toned Cupcake Icing

2011-05-04T22:56:00.000-07:00

Blue Door Bakery (UK) has a video showing an easy way to pipe two-toned icing on cupcakes. It looks really nice using the 1M Wilton tip to create a white rose with colored edges.

Cupcakes & Tulips

2011-05-03T00:15:00.000-07:00

I made lemon cupcakes today with strawberry buttercream. I cooked some fresh strawberries and made a puree and added that to the plain buttercream. I have to say it turned out to be quite tasty. A few months ago I bought a plastic cupcake vase and filled it with silk tulips....so I used that in the photos.

Laduree (Paris)

2011-05-02T21:58:00.000-07:00

My friend Kristi has left London and is now on pastry assignment in Paris. She sent pictures from Laduree in Paris today so I have to share them. She bought five mini macaroons, a chocolate eclair, and a small piece of chocolate gateau for $25 USD....sounds pricey but she said it was worth every bite! I will be in Paris June 9-11 and will sample some goodies for myself!

If you have time, check out the Laduree web site because it is a work of art itself.

French cupcakes

(really nice photos are on their web site)

Pastries!

Macaroon selection

Beautiful packaging!

Recipe of the Week: Swiss Meringue Buttercream

2011-05-01T01:55:00.000-07:00

Through no fault of my own, I am making a wedding cake this week. I thought I was helping out a friend, but as it turns out, my friend did not have anything to do with this arrangement...I do wish it was cupcakes instead of this cake.

But on to the recipe...the client wants an icing that is not too sweet so I am making a Swiss Meringue Buttercream instead of my usual buttercream. I can't imagine why someone would not want a sweet icing, but it is not my wedding. This recipe is easy and makes a great presentation.

calista lee

Swiss Meringue Buttercream (makes 5 cups)

1 1/4 cups sugar
5 large egg whites
2 cups (4 sticks) unsalted butter - cut into pieces

1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract

Place sugar and egg whites in the heat-proof bowl of an electric mixer. Set bowl over a pan of gently simmering water, and whisk until sugar has dissolved and egg whites are hot to the touch, about 3 minutes. It should feel completely smooth when you rub it between your fingers.

Transfer bowl to mixer stand. Using the whisk attachment, beat on high speed until mixture has cooled completely and formed stiff and glossy peaks, about 10 minutes.

Add the butter, one piece at a time, and beat until incorporated after each addition. If the buttercream appears curdled after all the butter has been added, it will become smooth again with continued beating. Add vanilla, and beat just until combined.

Switch to the paddle attachment, and beat on the lowest speed to eliminate any air pockets, about 5 minutes. If using buttercream within several hours, cover bowl with plastic wrap, and set aside at cool room temperature. Can transfer to an airtight container, and store in the refrigerator, up to 3 days. Before using, bring buttercream to room temperature, and beat on the lowest speed with the paddle attachment until smooth, about 5 minutes.

The Royal Wedding Day

2011-04-29T23:13:00.000-07:00

April 29, 2011
William & Kate
The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge...and future king and queen of England. I hope that at some point today they are served a cupcake.

My friend Kristi is in London this week and sent me some fabulous photos from local bakeries celebrating the royal wedding with baked tributes. She didn't identify the specific bakeries, so if the creators of these cakes happen to come across this blog, please email me your information. I would love to credit your beautiful work.

cupcake crown

made by Two Little Bluebirds

(this artist has a store on Etsy)

royal wedding ring cupcakes

wedding caketribute to William & Kate...

the Union Jack tiers are stunning!

this is really a cake!

(and my favorite)

William & Kate Cupcakes

2011-04-28T00:45:00.000-07:00

Less than 24 hours to go until the royal wedding....for those looking forward to it and for those who can't wait for it to be over. Whatever side you are on, only one more day to go!

Cakehole

(London)

The Northerner Blog (UK)

Completely Cakes (UK)

Princess Cupcakes

2011-04-27T06:48:00.000-07:00

Princess cupcakes are appropriate as the royal wedding day approaches. Kate Middleton will enter Westminster Abbey as a commoner and emerge a princess...so if you are watching the wedding, take a big bite of a princess cupcake as she emerges from the church.

Wilton princess cupcake wrappers

Wilton princess cupcake stand

(to match the wrappers above)

You can make your own princess cupcake wrappers thanks to the blog Food Art Party! There are lots of other goodies on that site too, so be sure to check it out.

Princess cupcake pops from The Cupcake Blog!

Royal Wedding Cupcake Supplies

2011-04-26T00:15:00.000-07:00

Cakes, Cookies & Crafts (UK) has everything you can imagine to make Royal Wedding cupcakes....if only I had found this site in time to order before the wedding. Oh well...Prince Harry will get married one day! I will have to make room in my luggage to bring back some supplies.

P.S. I like the term "cupcake cases."

Union Jack cupcake cases

Union Jack cupcake stand

Cake Topper Designs (UK) has many William & Kate cupcake toppers to choose from!

William & Kate edible cupcake toppers

Cake Craft Shop (UK) has a Royal Wedding kit....everything you need for your royal cupcakes!

Royal Wedding cupcake package

Blog Recommendation: Sweet Bakes of Mine

2011-04-25T20:59:00.000-07:00

I recently received a comment from another cupcake blogger and wanted to share her blog with you. We are nurses but also share a love of baking. You will love her blog!

Sweet Bakes of Mine

by Yaneri

(Scroll down on the right side and play Sugar Sugar by The Archies while you are enjoying her blog. I have listened to it five times in a row! This song has a special place in my heart...when I was in the 7th grade my boyfriend and I chose this as "our song")

London & Cupcakes

2011-04-25T20:17:00.000-07:00

To kick off Royal Wedding Week I wanted to feature some cupcakeries in London. You can't keep up the strength to follow the royals without a little sugar & cake! I also have another motive....doing research for my trip to London in June.

Cake It To The Limit
(UK)

Bea's of Bloomsbury
I will definitely be visiting here. Check out their slideshow (and the strawberries and cream cupcakes).

The Hummingbird Bakery
Lots of cupcake photos on this site and I will definitely be trying the lemon meringue.

Crumbs & Doilies
Check out their selection of Royal Wedding Cupcakes!

Royal Wedding Week Begins!

2011-04-24T13:45:00.000-07:00

Countdown to the Royal Wedding! My friend Kristi is flying to London tomorrow and will be sending me photos and Royal Wedding updates all week. Her mission is to boldly go and seek out cupcakes from every corner of London! Stay tuned this week....I feel a case of Royal fever coming on.

Mistake Corrected

2011-04-24T13:40:00.000-07:00

Yesterday I posted about a contest from Nikki's Cakery....and mistakenly linked her site to another blog. I have corrected it (a big thanks to the reader who caught the error). I worked a night shift in the ER Friday night and blogged without sleeping first. Lesson learned: friends don't let friends type tired!

Happy Easter!

2011-04-24T00:15:00.000-07:00

No matter how you celebrate this holiday, enjoy it with a cupcake!

cross cupcake cake

“He is not here, but He has risen. Remember how He spoke to you while He was still in Galilee, saying that the Son of Man must be delivered into the hands of sinful men, and be crucified, and the third day rise again.” Luke 24:6-7

Cupcake Contest from Nikki's Cakery

2011-04-23T13:27:00.000-07:00

Nikki from Nikki's Cakery is having a contest to celebrate her 100th blog post. You could win this cupcake manicure kit.

Happy Earth Day!

2011-04-22T10:39:00.000-07:00

April 22nd is Earth Day and this year I would like to encourage everyone to do more than just celebrate. I remember the first Earth Day in 1970 when we were driving gas-guzzling cars, wasting electricity like crazy and there were few laws governing air pollution. We have come a long way but still have a lot more to do and there are lots of other countries that need to step up to the plate (you know who you are).

Eat a cupcake to celebrate of course, but take a few minutes today to think about what you can do to keep our planet clean.

windy_sydney

SugarBabys

Teeth & Cupcakes

2011-04-21T09:44:00.000-07:00

Going to the dentist today...clean teeth anyone? On the same subject, I bought tooth & toothbrush cookie cutters to make cupcake toppers. I actually ended up making my dentist & his office staff some cookies instead, and I even made a dollop of black icing so one cookie would have a cavity.

dancingpidge

Cirencester Cupcakes

Carissa Marie

(cupcake dental floss available from Amazon.com)

One Year Ago Today....Gulf Oil Spill

2011-04-20T07:41:00.000-07:00

The Deepwater Horizon exploded one year ago today and the real impact of this will probably not be known for hundreds of years. I grew up on the Mississippi Gulf coast and a friend of mine was on that oil rig the day it exploded. He is an engineer and was thankfully not injured, but the 11 people who died are being remembered today all over the world.

On a more upbeat note....I have eaten Gulf seafood recently and it is just a delicious as always. If you have access to it, buy Gulf seafood and support the recovering industry!

memorial cupcakes

Infrogmation via Flickr

Party Cupcakes

2011-04-18T21:07:00.000-07:00

Took some minis to a party tonight....they were deelish!

Recipe of the Week:

2011-04-17T12:31:00.000-07:00

Easter is almost here and my favorite Easter cupcakes are simple white cupcakes with fluffy white icing (topped with coconut).

BlueStaria

Easy White Cupcakes

1 cup white sugar
1/2 cup butter
2 eggs
2 teaspoons vanilla
1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1 3/4 teaspoons baking powder
1/2 cup milk

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Prepare a muffin pan with cupcake liners.

In a medium bowl, cream together the sugar and butter. Beat in the eggs, one at a time, then stir in the vanilla. Combine flour and baking powder. Add to the creamed mixture and mix well. Stir in the milk until batter is smooth. Fill liners 3/4 full.

Bake for 15-18 minutes - checking frequently after 12 minutes. Cool completely.

** My favorite fluffy white icing is the Betty Crocker one in the can....but don't tell anybody.

Strawberry Cupcakes

2011-04-16T08:55:00.000-07:00

I grew up in south Mississippi, just a short ride from Ponchatoula, LA...."the Strawberry Capitol of the World." The 2011 40th Annual Ponchatoula Strawberry Festival was held last weekend and I have been thinking about all the strawberries we used to eat at the end of March and first part of April. It seemed like they were everywhere. I never had strawberries on a cupcake back then, but it is time to have them now!

Vineyard Vogue

(blog)

Aaron Landry

via Flickr

Dawn's Sweets

G is for Grapes

2011-04-15T20:53:00.000-07:00

Doesn't this look just like a cluster of grapes!

Disney Family Fun

Martha Stewart Sunflower Cupcake Cake

2011-04-13T00:15:00.000-07:00

I was searching for meringue recipes on MarthaStewart.com today and came across this sunflower cupcake cake. I LOVE the blackberry center. Bee-you-tee-full.

Martha Stewart sunflower cupcake cakes

50th Anniversary of the First Space Flight

2011-04-12T10:26:00.000-07:00

Fifty years ago today Yuri Garagin became the first human in space when the Vostok spacecraft orbited the Earth. Today's "Google Doodle" commemorates this milestone and the crew of the International Space Station sent a video message honoring him in multiple languages and wore black Yuri Garagin t-shirts.

Yuri....these outer space cupcakes are for you!

Caroline's Creations

Recipe of the Week: Key Lime Cupcakes

2011-04-10T08:53:00.000-07:00

One week left before the retirement party cupcakes are due and I am thinking about making key lime cupcakes instead of margarita cupcakes (see last week's recipe). So the experimenting continues....

JillMade

Key Lime Cupcakes

1 Duncan Hines yellow cake mix
1/3 cup key lime juice
1 Tablespoon lime zest

Mix as directed substituting lime juice for part of the water required (I substitute buttermilk instead of water). Add the lime zest to the batter. Bake as directed on package.
** If you feel adventurous, these cupcakes can be filled with lime curd.

Key Lime Buttercream

1 stick unsalted butter
1 1/2 cups Crisco
1/4 cup key lime juice
1/4 cup water
1 teaspoon salt
8 cups powdered sugar
1 Tablespoon lime zest

Cream the butter and Crisco for several minutes. Mix the salt and lime juice and water until salt is dissolved. Add the powdered sugar and the liquid alternately and beat for 5 minutes. Add the lime zest and mix thoroughly. You can refrigerate this buttercream for one week or freeze it for up to three months.

Garnish with a sprinkle of graham cracker crumbs, a lime wedge, or some candied lime peel.

Cupcake Wine Charms

2011-04-09T23:07:00.000-07:00

Pier 1 has cupcake wine charms! There are six charms for $7.95....a cupcake bargain.

Spring(?) and Cupcakes

2011-04-08T01:51:00.000-07:00

As I sit here watching it snow (again), the need to see something bloom is getting more intense. If I can't have real blooms...I'll take cupcakes with colorful flowers! I do love living at Lake Tahoe, but could we please get some sun and spring weather?

ShamsD

Meg&Fred

deliziose

Cupcakes & Feathers

2011-04-07T01:17:00.000-07:00

I got feathers (FeatherLocks) put into my hair today and when I got home I started thinking about feathers and cupcakes. Believe it or not...I found some on Flickr!

Cupcake Ramekin

2011-04-05T00:15:00.000-07:00

This ramekin filled with meringue kisses looks just like a cupcake! The recipe for the meringues and additional photos are available on the Save the Date for Cupcakes blog.

from the Flickr photostream of Bakingdom

In Memory of Layla

2011-04-04T20:00:00.000-07:00

One of the links on this blog is to a blog called 52 Cupcakes. If you have ever done a cupcake search on Flickr or Google you have come across the Cupcake Queen and her dog Layla. Very sadly, Layla passed away early this morning. I have never met the Cupcake Queen, but my heart is with her today and I will miss Layla's photos with cupcakes.

Layla

Button Cupcakes

2011-04-04T00:15:00.000-07:00

When I was a little girl, my grandmother had an old treadle sewing machine. One of the drawers was full of buttons collected over decades and I spent hours sitting on the floor picking through those old buttons while she sewed.

I don't know what happened to them but the designs on those old buttons are burned into my memory and they popped into my head today for no apparent reason. I started to think about cupcakes decorated with buttons!

my grandmother's sewing machine

cupcakesandsundry

Maria Olejniczak

edible vintage candy buttons

death by cupcake

button cupcake wrapper

Ally Cake Designs

Recipe of the Week: Margarita Cupcakes with Key Lime Icing

2011-04-03T11:09:00.000-07:00

I am experimenting with margarita cupcakes for an upcoming retirement party and this is my first attempt with this recipe. Sweet yet tangy! This week's recipe comes from Food.com ... enjoy!

Margarita Cupcakes with Key Lime Icing

Hostess with the Mostess Inc.