Cupcakes Make Stuff Better: February 2007

Friday, February 16, 2007

Science Fair Cupcakes!

My friends Emma (10) and Chloe (7) had a Science Fair at their school (it was really fun, I got to go!)...and their mom & I made a bunch of cupcakes to take. These were dark chocolate and vanilla cupcakes, with either Vanilla-Overload Cream Cheese frosting, or dipped in dark chocolate ganache. Yummers.

Cupcakes & Science were a good combination..... Experiment successful!

Emma and Chloe - this photo was also posted on
www.Cupcakestakethecake.blogspot.com

Your science fair cupcakes are a little bit famous, I think!

Sunday, February 11, 2007

Frosting and Icing

These were taken along the edge of Lake Ontario this morning.

Even though they are cupcake-free photos, I thought they technically fit under Frosting & Icing - yes?

Friday, February 9, 2007

Caramel Chocolate Cupcakes

Chocolate Chip Caramel cupcakes, chocolate cream frosting...delicious

Tuesday, February 6, 2007

Orange Continues....

Monday, February 5, 2007

Chocolatey-EST Peanut Butter Cupcakes

Buttermilk Peanut Butter Chocolate Cake with Peanut Butter Chips! And why not just glaze them with dark ganache & more peanut butter, hmmm? I see no reason......

More Orange Fantasies.....

Orange Fantasy Cupcakes!

Wow, these are pretty AND delicious. Orange cake with Whipped Orange Cream (Fresh orange and tangerine juice and zest in cake & cream). Whipped Orange Cream made with cream cheese, tangerines, sugar and butter. Smoooooooth.

Thursday, February 1, 2007

Groundhog Day Cupcakes

Do not let it be said that I can't think of an occasion that should be celebrated with cupcakes. Chocolate shortbread Groundhogs, in chocolate chip cupcakes, Maple Syrup Cream Frosting and cookie-crumb dirt. La la la, so much fun.

Why Cupcakes?

It started with baking a cake for fun, in September 2006.

I rediscovered the magic. Those memories of childhood (soft yellow layer cakes with creamy, fudgy frosting) all came flooding back. Everything about it made me happy; the sweet aroma filling the kitchen, the satisfying sight of a fresh cake cooling on a rack in the sunshine. Beating a favourite frosting to glossy perfection, then smoothing it on. Wonderfully cozy.

Cupcakes added that extra dimension to the nostalgia. The lovely, covetous joy of one's own personal treat. No sharing, no frosting-envy, no forks, no plates. Always fresh from it's ideally-designed container.

I clearly remember coming in after school to the scent of spice cupcakes. They were always topped with gorgeous vanilla frosting. Happiness found, retrieving the last trace of soft cake from the inside of those thin pink liners.

And golden cupcakes with that contrast of dark chocolate frosting!

Or the magic of marble cupcakes; shiny foil liners for special occasions. Sweet and enticing messages written on paper and lovingly baked inside! Sprinkles in irresistable colours, icing words of love!

Thus began my quest to re-create that cupcake euphoria. To find the best recipes, intensify the flavours of those fondly-remembered frostings. To come up with those old-style cupcakes that make us smile, get all warm and fuzzy, and want to eat more cake.