Penguin Tower saves penguins

I searched for weeks for the perfect cupcake tower. I wanted something that was sturdy, easy to put together, resuable and affordable. I found it when I found the Penguin Tower. It's currogated plastic with pop-in grooves, four levels that you can customize to fit your cupcakes. So if you only need three levels for a hundred cupcakes, then all you have to do is remove one of the levels. I used my penguin cupcake tower for an event at Tory and Burch this week. Below is the picture of the tower. I only needed to use three levels. For $65, the cupcake tower was a smart purchase and all proceeds go towards saving the penguins.

Metal Cupcake Tower

Last month I purchased a metal cupcake tower from Walmart. It was only ten dollars and holds thirteen cupcakes. I like having variety when it comes to merchandise because all catering needs are different. I just opened it today and was very surprised at how small it was. It is the perfect size for minis so I lucked out. But if you are looking for a cupcake tower that will hold regular sized cupcakes, I would look elsewhere.

Cutest cupcake makers

Christmas is almost here. Yes, I know its three months away. But if you're like me and hate shopping during the bussiest time of the year then you're probably browsing gifts on online websites. (I hate standing on lines at stores.) So, being the cupcake lover that I am and Google lover, I googled cupcake maker and found two cute cupcake makers for my daughter who is twelve. I know, she could learn how to bake in a real oven, but I'm also an overprotective mommie. (That and the oven is my domain!)

The first cupcake maker I found was at walmart. It's by Girl Gourmet and is featured online as a bundle package because it comes with a ice cream sandwich maker also. And it's listed for only $30 for both. (Currently its sold out online. But I am sure you may find it on another website or store.

I also found an electric mini cupcake maker. Its manufactured by Smart Planet and claims to make six cupcakes in just five minutes! Not bad. It's listed for $17 on some websites on line. If you take a few minutes and google it you can probably find it for less. Target and Walmart don't have this one. But I hope they get them soon. I want one!

Cupcakes for a cause toppers!

I'm so over joyed! I thought that maybe they were lost in the mail or maybe I was never going to receive them at all. But they did arrive! and they look beautiful. I just hope that I can find a spot to hold the event as I do not have a store yet. :(

Either way, delivery is available and free in orange county! Pre-order your minis and help this great cause!

Grand opening of Gay night at Aqua Lounge

Last night, I had the pleasure of creating and donating cupcakes for the grand opening of gay night at Aqua Lounge at Metrowest. It took four hours to make a hundred and fifty mini cupcakes because it was actually alot of work. I had to make the batter, then divide the batter into six bowls and then tint each batter the appropriate color. Then I had to layer the colored batter to match the gay flag's pattern. My biggest problem was deciding on the frosting design. I baked extra mini cupcakes just to practice my ideas and I ended up with two different designs. The greatest result was the design I am officially using as my signiature cupcake design. It's a cross between the shape of petals and butterfly wings. Over all the minis came out great and the party was even better.

Whipped cream flavored vodka

Oh the endless possibilities with such a tasty flavor. I just saw an advertisement for a grape flavored vodka as well. Can't wait to try this vodka in one of my grown up cupcakes. mmmmm.

Patriotic Cupcakes

Today is a day of rememberance and also a day to eat cupakes! With so many different ways to decorate a cupcake I'm right there with you in having the difficult task of choosing just the right cupcake design. My advice is to keep it simple. Don't overload your cupcake with too many different designs, one will do perfectly. Also, keep your color scheme to a minimum. Red, white and blue is the perfect color scheme. If you're making a lot of cupcakes don't give every single cupcake a different design. Pick your top three favorite and stick with that. Too many designs is overwhelming to the baker and to your guests.

Here are some good websites that have cute patriotic cupcake ideas.
http://www.countryliving.com/
http://www.marthastewart.com/
http://www.cdkitchen.com/
http://www.amazingmoms.com/htm/4th-of-july-cupcake-flag-recipe.htm

Cutest Mini cake Pan

I've been on a search all month for the perfect mini tier cake pan. Mostly because my passion in baking is with miniature desserts. A mini cake looks fabulous on top of a cupcake tower. Though I came across a few websites that offered the same style pan I didn't feel as if I had found, "The One." That was, until I landed on cheftools.com! I finally found the cutest mini tier cake pan and it had a really nice price tag, only $12

Visit cheftools.com and order your mini cake pan.

Halloween Cupcakes

To me, Halloween is the best holiday to create fun and imaginatory cupcakes. There are so many things you can use to make the cupcakes that the possibilities are really endless. For example, I was in Cracker Barrel, eating their meatloaf dinner special, which was tassssttyyyy and on the way out of the store a bag of pumpkin shaped candy caught my eye. Quickly, I thought, wow! wouldn't this look great on a cupcake. So now I have officially purchased my first halloween cupcake candy. I can't wait to make hallooween cupcakes.

Some websites with halloween cupcake ideas:

http://www.halloweencupcakes.org/

http://www.halloween-cupcakes.com/

http://www.nickjr.com/recipes/mummy-halloween-cupcakes.jhtml

The perfect ice cream scooper.

I was reading the July 2010 issue of Instyle and came across their article on new ways to serve ice cream. I fell in love with an ice cream scooper that stacks ice cream scopos in cylinder shapes. It's made by Cuisipro and its only $15 on Amazon. Best idea yet is that I can scoop some ice cream on freshly baked cupcakes. yumm!

Never too old to learn new things.

A few days ago I went to a training class to get a food manager certification. It is a necessary certification for any food business in the state of Florida. It guarantees the public that the the food is made in a safe and sanitary way. I will admit it was a long six hour class but I learned more than I thought I would. I will be posting my certificate number on my website soon.

xoxo
enjoy life one bite at a time.