Balloon Cupcakes

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

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

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

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

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

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!

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

Day 6: No Cupcakes in Paris

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

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

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)