The best Christmas gift for kids isn’t difficult to figure out, though most of us overlook it. Put down the Black Friday ads for this one. Yes, really. If you don’t want to take my word for it, just ask Cornell University’s Dr. Gilovich who studied and found money spent on an experience leaves longer lasting happiness than buying things. Sure we all remember that amazing thing we received that one year, but if you think about it now, is…
Fall brings many unique sights, sounds, activities and flavors that make this season a favorite of many. Autumnal flavors stand out and bring this wonderful season to all our senses. Baking is a favorite pastime to bring these flavors to life. Of course, my favorite baked item is cupcakes! This year to commemorate Fall I made 3 fabulous fall flavored cupcakes. Surprisingly, no pumpkin cake flavor either! Gasp-worthy, I know. See below for my 3 Fabulous fall flavored cupcakes. I…
Halloween has always had a special place in my heart. Whether you enjoy super scariness or simple spooks to celebrate Halloween, one thing is certain, Halloween has to have treats! Spiderweb Cupcakes are my go-to Halloween treat for any seasonal party. The best part of Spiderweb Cupcakes is how simple they are! It’s spooky how simple. Read on to make your own Spooky Simple Spiderweb Cupcakes! First, gather your ingredients and tools. The things you will need to make Spooky…
Hoppy Easter everyone! Ok, so it is way past Easter. Still, these are super adorable and it is always a good time for a new cupcake idea, right? I learned how to do these bunny cottontail cupcakes when I took a class at Michaels. Looking at them seemed more complicated than it turned out to be. Always a pleasant surprise! Bunny Cottontail Cupcakes don’t have to be reserved for Easter. Any springtime event or for any bunny lover’s birthday would…
Color swirl cupcakes! I always marveled at the technique that must be used on cakes and cupcakes to reach a multi-toned look. It always looked amazing, but not like something I would ever have the skill (or patience) to pull off. Color swirl cupcakes were just not going to be produced by me, until Wilton’s new ColorSwirl 3-Color Coupler came out. The method to swirl frosting colors before this invention was an intricate balance of smooshing the frosting into opposing…
This summer I was honored to be asked by a friend to make Hulk Smash Birthday Cupcakes and a Smash Cake for her little one’s birthday. Cakes for kids are some of my favorite kinds to create. She gave me a few guidelines and I ran with it. Hulk Smash Cupcakes for a small crowd, and a Hulk Smash-Smash Cake for the birthday boy himself. Never having done a superhero birthday before, but being swept up in the hype of…
This is THE BEST FROSTING EVER!!! Seriously. There are a lot of recipes out there that claim to be “the best ever.” Nothing is more perfect than this hybrid of fresh whipped cream/cream cheese frosting. It is light, creamy, cool, smooth, flavorful, not too sweet, and perhaps best of all, it pairs well with every cake I’ve ever tried it on. It also colors extremely well too. My whipped cream/cream cheese frosting is what I’ve been covering cupcakes with for…
Rainbow Dust metallic food paint tips and tricks is nothing I ever thought I’d be writing about. Metallic food paint is a new dimension to cake decorating I just discovered. I found it as a side note when watching some baking videos on youtube. A small piece of fondant was being painted as an accent to a much larger design with bronze Rainbow Dust metallic food paint. It caught my attention as my husband’s orders for Volkswagen Cupcakes had been…
Me: “What kind of cupcakes would you like for your birthday?” Husband: “Volkswagen.” Me: : / That’s my man. A total Volkswagen lover. He’s owned many models over the years and, before I came along, it was his one true love. I should have seen it coming. There was nothing better to him than his perfectly polished car. When we got together he said he finally had a reason to leave the garage. (Awwww, so sweet.) Guess he just…
Today is Teacher Appreciation Day! Thank a teacher with this teacher appreciation gift card bouquet today! I have so many favorite teachers in my past it is amazing to reflect on them all. The decades I spent in school cannot be summarized in my fancy diplomas on the wall. My brain was built, challenged, enlightened and much more by every teacher I’ve had. Both in the classroom and out their lessons shaped me, set me up for all my successes…