All about Cupcakes

“Friends are like cupcakes in my pantry of memories.”

- Anonymous

This week I experimented a bit with flavor. After making Cookie dough Truffles (see previous blog), I made Vanilla bean cupcakes with some rich 'Bourbon' vanilla bean I had recently picked up on a trip to Germany. I also added some lemon zest, which made them very aromatic. I tried a new recipe, and they came out a little more dense then what I'm used to (I really like a light & fluffy cake) but that's par for the course when trying something new! 

Even though the cupcakes were a little dense, I would definitely make them again because they were so yummy! They tasted exactly like a cupcake I one had at Petits Gâteaux for my birthday last year!

The concept for the 3 different designs was as simple as this, I had a dozen cupcakes and three different design ideas I wanted to try! Ha Ha!

First I started with the 'Birthday' cupcake:

The Idea here is fairly simple. These would be great for any kind of party or celebration. The pink on white makes them whimsical and makes me think of my birthday parties when I was a little  girl! The pink decorating sugar is very girly, but the decorating sugar could be any color. For example, if it were green they would be great for St. Patrick's Day! The point is that they are simple and tasty without being too over the top!

Next, 'Not Your Typical Fairy Cakes' cupcakes:

A Fairy Cake is what the British & sometimes Irish call a cupcake... especially when they're really cute! :)

These little blue cupcakes were just another way to use my way yummy icing with blue gel coloring! Getting back to the icing, I have never had icing this good before. Growing up with a mom who is a pastry chef, buttercream icing in our house was as common to find as water! And maybe because of that, I hated it! When I moved out, one of the first desserts I made was slathered in a 'tin' frosting, and I loved it! Since then when making most things I always stuck to tin frosting, but when trying to decorate cakes/cupcakes you need something a bit stiffer- here's where the buttercream icing comes in. Yuck! Not anymore, though! I came up with my own delicious recipe for buttercream icing. It is buttery yet sweet and smooth! It's amazing! You will just have to try it I guess!

Lastly, Chocolate fudge buttercream:

Since I'm not the biggest fan of chocolate, I'm not the best judge of these cupcakes. So i'll just tell you what my husband said about them. "They tasted fresh, and were delicious! The frosting was light, fluffy and flavorful, it's consistency was like chocolate mousse, but with more flavor!"

I finished off the chocolate puff of frosting with a shaved dark chocolate from Belgium! The frosting recipe also had some rich melted chocolate inside!!

I really love making cupcakes! They always make people happy!

!!

Also today, as I announced on Twitter, I was at the printer finalizing my business card! I'm so excited, by next week my box labels and business cards should be ready! I wanted to give you all a sneak peek at it:

If your wondering, the name 'Madeline' comes from a cartoon that I used to watch when I was little. The cartoon was about a little Parisian orphan who lived in Paris and was always getting into trouble! Because of this cartoon, I have always wanted to have a daughter named Madeline and my husband assures me that this will never happen. Not because we are not having children, (because we are clearly having children) but because he's never been partial to that name! Ha! 

Also, 'Madeline' also comes from the cookie/cake 'Madeleine' !!

Until next time, I hope your all having a fabulous week!

xo