Anniversary Kupacakes

On September 18, 2011 two very special people in love (still are) were married. This was also my first wedding order and my first wedding to photograph. As if that ain’t enough, I also was a big part in helping put this wedding together! It was simply lovely!

Here’s the posts I did about the wedding (includes the Kupacakes and some of my photography):

The Preparation

The Wedding

The Bride and Groom

It’s nearly a year later, and I’m still baking and photographing. O and the couple? Definitely still together and very much in love. The bride, Laurel, blogs about her life here. The groom, Michael, is working as a roughneck (on the oil fields) so he is adjusting and seems to be doing well. Tomorrow we are going to do an anniversary themed photo shoot. And tonight I baked some anniversary Kupacakes for them. Since Laurel LOVES pumpkin spice and Michael isn’t a huge sweet fan (and it is becoming fall), I thought that flavor was appropriate. Instead of a usual frosting, I did a butter-scotch/caramel based and it was delicious! Super-moist and they definitely wanted the recipe!

What flavor would you like to see next? Maybe another fall-themed or a drink based one?

High Heel Kupacakes

I was more than excited to finally do these cupcakes! Normally, I’m not a shoe fan. I have wide feet and most heels are not my friends. (I guess this can be a good thing because it saves me money on shoes.) But I love looking at them…

 Any who, I not only wanted to do these but I was able to photograph them for my studio final for a triptych. (A triptych is a series of 3 photographs that has a theme and can sometimes tell a story). So I did 3 pairs of heels: 1 red, 1 blue and 1 pink. They have different styles and the flavor was white champagne. I shot them by them selves then together.

The shoes are created with some frosting, decorating sugar, graham crackers covered in the almond bark for the sole, mini M&M’s for the jewels, Big Red gum for the bow and for the heels I used piroulines. They were very fragile but surprisingly easy to work with and move around. I love the overall turnout! What other designs would you like to see in these? Zebra print? Black and white swirls? Maybe green ones?

Cupcakes or Cake?

That is the question!

For statistics class we had to conduct a research paper. Of course for me it had to involve cupcakes! (The resources are easy to help too) What we are trying to figure out is whether people prefer cupcakes or cake? My partner and I conducted a survey at school and we had actual products for them to choose from. We really wanted to know what they preferred entirely based on the fact whether it was a cupcake or a cake. I baked the same flavor and decorated them the same too.

After the people chose, we then had a small survey for them to fill out:

Are you  Female  or   Male?

Do you have a    2   or   4    or   5 in your Ai ID number?

Which did you take a  Cupcake or a Piece of Cake?

How old are you?

(If you picked the Cupcake) Why did you pick the Cupcake? Circle what answer you think is right below.

A. I picked the Cupcake because it seemed easier to eat.

B. I picked the Cupcake because it looked more pleasing to the eyes then the cake.

C. I picked the Cupcake because it looked like it had more icing.

D. All the Above!.

Which do you prefer: white cupcakes, chocolate cupcakes, or strawberry cupcake?

(If you picked the Cake) Why did you pick the Cake? Circle what answer you think is right below.

A. I picked the Cake because I wanted to eat something sweet, but with a fork or a spoon.

B. I picked the Cake because it looked more pleasing to the eyes then the Cupcake.

C. I picked the Cake because it looked like it had more icing.

D. All the Above!

Which do you prefer: white cupcakes, chocolate cupcakes, or strawberry cupcake?

Turns out that the cake was gone faster and the younger females preferred cupcakes vs. the younger males. But the older male and females prefer cake. Notice how we asked the same questions? Well some say cupcake because of more frosting; while others said that for cake.

Overall it was fun and educational! I’m excited to turn the data into the proper format for the paper!

Speaking of surveys, we will soon have a survey for you to fill out if you have had a Kup-a-cake! Stay tuned!

High Tech Kupacakes

In studio class we’re assigned themes to shoot. I took advantage of this is quarter to shoot themed cupcakes! Last week’s theme was High Tech. Of course I didn’t want to photograph a piece of technology like everyone else was probably doing. Outside the box you must think! So thanks to my “What’s New Cupcake?” book, I was able to create a robot mural cupcake theme!

It consists of gray frosting and gray sprinkles along with graham crackers, pretzels, and other numerous candies. It was fun to put together and my teacher loved the overall turn out! 

Baby Shower Cupcakes in Baby Jars!

For my 3^rd installment of baby shower cupcakes I bring you them in…. Baby Jars! The idea came up from the person who requested them (my cousin with her 2^nd on the way). We mashed our ideas together and volia!

  

We did green velvet flavored with orange cream cheese frosting and yellow cake flavored with green frosting! She came up with the idea think that at typical baby showers (back in the day anyways), they would have a contest in which people would eat actual baby food. Well as “yummy” as that sounds, we figured the cake and frosting looking like the baby food would be fun and tastier!

I baked them in the actual jars in the cupcake pans and for the portioning part, it’s different than normal. Since it was my first time, it was kind of an experiment. Some overflowed but luckily scraped out real easily. Just from looking at them they definitely look like baby food! She completed the look with buttons on top and tied baby spoons and forks to them! I loved it and I think it’s unique, fun and totally appropriate for the shower! 

Congrats to my cousin! We’ll see the little guy in October!

Boston cream pie birthday kupacakes

I'm always looking for excuses to try out new flavors. So luckily my wonderful boyfriend is always helpful in this too. Yesterday was his 20th birthday and we tossed up about 3 different flavor ideas for his birthday Kupacakes. They could have been: coca-cola, or monster energy, or coke and rum. Then out of nowhere he had it: BOSTON CREAM PIE!! He's a huge fan so why not?!

Last year we did German chocolate butter-pecan rum filled which he tried for this year but I’m glad he stuck with the new flavor. They were yummy, a little labor intensive but simply decorated. Everything is homemade and not too sweet.

We celebrated his birthday with magic candles (he got mad lol) and some decorations. 

Strawberry lemonade kupacakes

I've done this version before for a baby shower back in February. I tried it a little different this time. No filling and the strawberry flavor is in the frosting. We were supposed to know the sex of the baby a week or so ago, but it was so excited they couldn't get a clear picture of the little one. So the pink frosting with blue non-perils was appropriate! I also added white stars because the baby is a "rock-star"! I also took some event photos of the shower! It was the first baby shower I’ve been to that was at a bar! lol

Not only did I do Kupacakes for the shower, I was the photographer for the couples' maternity session just a few days before. You can see more photos here. Here are some lovely moments from that:

Congratulations to the happy couple (I forgot to mention that the girl is my best friend growing up!!)!

4th of July Kupacakes

Unlike last year where I created a mural cupcake creation (you can see that here), I decided to go simple with this year. I found patriotic themed liners with mini-flags. Perfect! I did a basic white cupcake with fruit flavored frosting. It was one of my few attempts at fruit based frostings. Unfortunately, they weren’t exactly how I pictured them (I’m still trying to master frosting). But I’ll keep on the lookout for new ways. 

Life's a beach! Kupacakes

I was going to tempted yet again to do beach themed cupcakes. The flavor was lemon poppyseed (which turned out amazing). I did the “life savers” as mini-doughnuts and placed the teddy grahams in them. Now we all know teddy grahams are pretty small to begin with; apparently they make “minis” of them! I accidently bought the minis so they look really small in the lifesavers. But on the “sand” part of the cupcake with their towel they look alright! I also wanted to add flip flops on some cupcakes, which I did making them out of nutter-butters and frosting. I’d say the cupcakes were a hit overall but I would keep a better eye out on the teddy grahams for next time. 

Final Decorating Cake Class for Course 3

So I mentioned that I had to miss class 3 as I was out of town (but obiviously I didn’t miss out on baking!)

For the final week of class, we’re supposed to decorate a cake with fondant and some gum paste flowers. I was unprepared but I managed to create something lovely at the last minute!

I had to go buy a cake because it gets too hot in my house during the day to bake one. I found a simple chocolate bundt cake at King Sooper’s and covered it with blue fondant. Now mind you that the cake was baked with a hole in the middle. Luckily, the fondant covered it nicely without the middle drooping in so you can’t tell. I created a green wavy border for the bottom and made leaves too. I didn’t have my flowers so a fellow classmate let me use some of her extras!

Last week they learned how to make daisies, so I had the instructor show me that real quick! I’m so pleased with the results!

I’m getting back into my regular school sessions soon so I’m taking a break from the decorating classes for now!

BUT: I now know how to use and create fondant cakes and gum paste flowers!

Sweet Tea Cupcakes

There’s a few things that really say “southern”. Cobbler, pecan pie and sweet tea. A regular requested a new flavor: Sweet Tea cupcakes with Lemon-based frosting! So I began research and went to work!

 I changed the recipe I found up a bit. I accidently added all the tea/milk mix into the batter instead of half. I have found heavy whipping cream successful in frosting so I decided to add that to the frosting recipe. (I micro waved it first then steamed 3 tea bags. One bag broke from the extreme heat and so some loose tea was incorporated into the frosting—didn’t hurt it.) I also added lemon juice too. I was successful in the frosting and the sweet tea cupcakes successful as well!

Here’s the ravings:

“It was like eating a glass of good sweet tea.”

“The frosting was light and a great combination with the tea cupcake.”

“I wouldn’t be offended if you made a more concentrated “tea” for the batter.”

“They were very moist. Not too sweet; creamy and perfect.”

So overall, success! I’m excited to try out more drink-based cupcakes! 

Healthy Cupcakes: Lavender-Lemon

Awhile back I was asked, “Do you make healthy cupcakes?” What they meant was, “Are there delicious healthy cupcakes?” My answer is simple: yes.

I have finally gotten around to making them! The recipe was: Lavender-Lemon Cupcakes. It was simple and I like how the icing is made of lemon juice and powdered sugar (with lemon zest and lavender too); no butter! I only ended up using ½ of butter and they taste delicious! Not too heavy and the glaze (icing) was a nice sweet touch!

I’m excited to see what other yummy delicious and healthy cupcakes are out there! (fruit-based?, savory?)


 Ideal for: bridal showers and tea parties

Cake Decorating Classes: Course 3, Class 2

We created gum paste flowers this week! It was really fun and truly fascinating! You create the layers and then gum glue them together. You have to go fast or it will dry out and you have to roll the layers REALLY thing 1/16” or thinner actually! And sometime the layers have to dry before you can combine them (in dry air no problem; humid air some problem!) 

We first did the buds for the flowers last week so they were nice and hard to work with.

The first flower we did was the cal lily. We rolled out the shape (a heart) and then wrapped it around the cal lily former to set. Then we rolled the pollen for the middle part, rolled that in yellow sugar and let it set for a bit. After letting them “set” or harden, we gum glued them together! So pretty it turned out!

 The second flower we did was the rose. We created the bud first. Then cut flower petal shapes and “wrapped” them layer by layer with gum glue to the bud and volia! A rose! (There’s more to it than that but that’s the just of it).

For the final flower, we created a carnation! We created the base last week. This one HAS to be super thin to get the ruffled look. Depending on how fast they dry to will also let you know if you need to make more layers than normal. Those started out as plain circles then we ruffled the edges and let them set out a bit. After setting, we gum glued them together and volia! Carnations—my favorite of all the flowers we made!!

 Next week, we’re supposed to make the daisies but I’ll be gone unfortunately. 

Cake Decorating Classes: Course 3, Class 1

So we played with Fondant and Gum Paste today! It was really fun! You have to work fast and keep what you’ve cut (but not finalized) covered or it’ll dry out. You have to have your fondant rolled out at a certain depth for it to work right. Patience is key! You dust your area with combined powdered sugar and cornstarch and your hands lightly coated with shortening to prevent sticking.

I believe the main ingredient in fondant is marshmallows. We created a big fondant bow and bases for our gum paste flowers that we’ll create next week!

It feels like playing with play-doh! I learned a lot this week! Can’t wait til next week (and I’ll be missing week 3 unfortunately as I’ll be out of town). 

Cake Décor Class 3 and 4, Course 1

For week 3 we finally got to decorate cupcakes! We learned how to fill them (which I already knew), create little flowers and do the spiral effect on top. We also learned how to make leaves too (already knew that--nice recap though).

 I already knew how to do the spiral effect before but my instructor used a closed star tip and it creates a much fluffier effect! The flowers were fun to create too!

For class 4, it was our final! I ended up doing a cake: Boston Cream Pie to be exact! The top I frosted earlier before class and then decorated the rest there. 

Most of the class involved decorating, but we learned how to make roses and practice writing which was a nice refreshment! And Volia! I have officially completed Decorating Basics Course 1!  This Wednesday I’m moving right into Fondant and Gum Paste! I’m so excited!

Coooookie Monster Cupcakes!

So for my birthday I got some fun new things (purse and matching wallet, tripod, Cupcake tackle box with my Kup-a-cakes logo on it) oh and tickets to Closing night of Wicked: the musical!!! Amazing birthday!!

I chose to create cupcakes for my birthday! I chose 2 flavors as mentioned in the previous post and my first one was: Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough!

SUCCESSFUL! Great texture, moisture and for some fans: a new favorite!

I even decorated Cookie Monster on top eating a cookie! They taste just like chocolate chip cookies, except in cupcake form and I put in edible cookie dough filling! Perfecto! And after making some, I put some in and air-tight container. A few hours later, the Cookies on top were soft! Loved it!

Cake Décor Class 2, Course 1

This class was super fun because I got to let my creativity come out! We were supposed to decorate a cake and use a piping gel transfer. One of transfer patterns that came with the kit is a CUPCAKE!! So of course I did that!

The colors I used were purple, pink and of course Green. The tips we learn today was the zigzag and star-line technique and the dot one. I applied it all! It was super duper fun! The flavor of the cake was pink lemonade!

Next week we are FINALLY decorating cupcakes!!

ALSO: This coming Monday is my Birthday! I’m doing Reese’s and chocolate-chip cookie dough!

What’s your favorite birthday flavor?

Happy Mother's Day!!

This year I created Hershey’s red velvet cupcakes with basic whipped frosting. I then added simple but cute marshmallow and M&M flowers on top!

I then photographed them with 3 different backgrounds: White, Green, and Roses. I think the Green works best of course!