Pumpkin Patch

As the holidays approach, I thought I'd test out some seasonal flavors!  This weeks test was Pumpkin cupcakes.  Let me just say, that I'm not a huge fan of pumpkin to begin with, but I'm going to made a bold statement and say that these are the best tasting cupcakes I've made yet!  They are moist,  full of flavor, and have the perfect not-too-sweet cream cheese frosting to top them off.  These are perfect for the fall season!

First time for fondant!

I was very excited about making this birthday cake because this was the first time I got to use fondant, as well as my first tiered cake!! I was given full creative reign, so I had a good idea of what I wanted the cake to look like, and I picked my favorite colors: pink, black, and white.  As I said, this was my first time working with fondant, and lets just say between dying it and rolling it out, I learned a lot!  It was not as easy to work with as I thought it was going to be!  There were a few moments where I wanted to pull my hair out, or throw the cake out the window, but I stuck with it.  It was a good learning experience, and I know my next one will turn out much better!  This cake was made with basic yellow cake with a mocha mousse filling.  Here is the end result....

Exciting News!

As much as I love baking and decorating cakes and cupcakes, I still have a lot to learn!  Everything I've learned in baking so far has been from watching my mother, grandmother, and aunt in the kitchen all these years.  Everything I've learned in decorating has been from watching shows like Ace of Cakes, or Cake Boss.  I haven't had any formal training thus far, and although I consider myself creative, there is only so much I can do being self-taught.  So, after much thought and consideration, I decided to register for classes at the Wilton School of Cake Decorating in Darien, Illinois!  I've enrolled in their Master Course, where I will learn to make 15 different flowers, 20 types of borders, and by the end of the course will be doing a 3-tiered wedding cake!  The session I'm enrolled in is from January 25th - February 5th 2010.  Until then, I will continue to make cakes to the very best of my ability, and will be counting the days until I can take my skills to the next level!  Thank you to all my family and friends for their amazing support in making me realize the potential I have, and encouraging me to take this next step! 

Who doesn't love PB&J?!?

Simple peanut butter cupcakes, made with all-natural peanut butter and dry-roasted peanuts as well.  

 

Then, each cupcake is filled with grape or strawberry jelly so you get a taste of jelly with every bite.  The cupcakes are covered with peanut butter frosting, and topped off with another spoonful of jelly for good measure!

 

Who needs a sandwhich when you have these?!

Another 1st Birthday!

This past week we celebrated another 1st birthday in our circle of friends!  My good friend Natashia's baby boy had a nice birthday party on Saturday, and I had the honor of baking the cupcakes for all to enjoy!  Natashia requested basic vanilla cupcakes topped with vanilla-blue buttercream frosting. 

 

Again, I apologize for the low-quality pictures, taken with my iPhone.  Hopefully Santa will bring me a nice camera for Christmas!!  =)

1st Birthday!

My oldest brother and his wife, who live in Chicago, came down to Florida a few weeks back in July.  While they were here, we decided to throw a birthday party for their baby girl Lola who turned 1 on August 1st.  The theme of the party was of course, cupcakes! Here are a few pictures from the party:

 

Our nice set up full of goodies, and a chocolate fountain that decided not to flow =(

Upon special request, my famous Red Velvet Cupcakes!  

 

"Fun to Be 1" cupcake tower 

Brownie pops dipped in chocolate with various toppings

Chocolate Layer Peanut Butter Cake

 

Whenever I have a few free hours, I'll try a new cake recipe and see if its a keeper or not.  I LOVE peanut butter, so this was one I had to try.  Its a three-layer chocolate cake covered with chocolate ganache, topped with a chunky peanut butter mousse filling, then covered with dark chocolate frosting.  Peanut butter cups made the perfect garnish, along with peanut butter ganache drizzle. 

Happy 5th Birthday Emma!

This was a birthday cake that I made for my boss' daughter Emma, who turned just turned 5 years old.  The birthday party was a Luau theme, so I decided to go with a beach themed cake.  This is a two-layer marble cake with a chocolate buttercream filling and vanilla buttercream frosting.  

 

Also made for the Luau party:  marble cupcakes with vanilla buttercream frosting dyed with bright, tropical colors. (You'll have to excuse my low-quality pictures, taken with my iPhone)