Holly Wreath Cupcakes

Use a leaf tip and a plain round tip to turn an

ordinary cupcake into a holly wreath!

Pipe two rows of green leaves (use Wilton tips #66 to 69

depending on how big you want your leaves) 

around the cupcake and use the plain round

tip (Wilton # 2 or #3) to add small red

berries to the holly leaves. 

Recipe of the Week - Chocolate Amaretto Cupcakes

Week 22

This recipe combines my two favorite flavors - chocolate & amaretto. These are also great holiday flavors.  Enjoy!

Chocolate Amaretto Cupcakes

2 cups all-purpose flour
1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/4 teaspoon salt
3/4 cup butter or margarine
1 1/2 cups packed brown sugar
2 eggs
1 1/2 cup buttermilk
1/4 cup Amaretto (may alter to taste)
1/3 cup slivered almonds

Sift together flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt - set aside.

Beat butter and brown sugar until creamy. Add eggs, one at a time, beating well after each. Alternately add 1/3 of flour and all of the buttermilk, then 1/3 of flour and the amaretto, beating well after each addition. Add remaining flour and mix until smooth. Stir in almonds.

Fill each cupcake liner 2/3 full. Bake at 375 degrees for 14-16 minutes or until cupcakes test done. Remove and cool completely before frosting. 

May I suggest a white chocolate buttercream frosting?? 

Cupcake Christmas Tree...with presents!

cup.cakers via Flickr

Cupcakes in Bloom

Send flowers disguised as a cupcake!

from  1-800-flowers

Gone Shopping

Gone shopping today...will return tomorrow!

Reindeer Cupcakes

You don't need any fancy decorations to create reindeer cupcakes...so grab some pretzels, M&Ms, marshmallows, cherry candies and candy canes and get to work!

Cece's Cakes via Flickr

Jerainnium via Flickr

Kathham via Flickr

cueorchestra via Flickr

Christmas Tree Cupcake Stand

This cupcake stand is available at Michael's for $9.99 but with the 40% off coupon it makes it very affordable.  It was easy to assemble and if you are careful, it can be reused! 

(we just got a lot of snow at Lake Tahoe and I took this picture in my yard yesterday)

Necktie Cupcakes

Give Dad what he really wants this Christmas...cupcakes (not ties).  However, you can decorate your cupcakes with neckties!

layersoflove via Flickr

Christmas Tree Cupcake (video tutorial)

These cupcakes are soooo cute...and easy to make. 

P.S.  Cupcakes are called Fairy Cakes in other parts of the world. 

Recipe of the Week - Eggnog Cupcakes

Week 21

Tis the eggnog season....just a cupcake-lishuss idea to use your leftover eggnog!  A cinnamon stick would make a great garnish.

Eggnog Cupcakes

1 (16 oz.) pound cake mix

1 1/4 cups eggnog

2 eggs

1/2 tsp. grated nutmeg

1/2 tsp. vanilla

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.  Prepare muffin cups with liners.  Beat all ingredients for two minutes.  Bake for 18-20 minutes.  Cool completely.

Make a standard cream cheese frosting (see recipe from this week) and add 1/4 cup eggnog, 1/4 tsp. grated nutmeg and 1 tsp. vanilla.