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Beatrix Potter’s Peter Rabbit Cupcake Kit

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Peter Rabbit Cupcake Kit

Every now and again I come across something that’s so cute it makes me just want to call it a day. It’s like, “Well, nothing I see or do today’s going to top this, might as well put on my pink pajamas and go to bed.”

The Meri Meri Peter Rabbit Cupcake Kit just had that effect on me and I can’t promise that a day hasn’t, indeed, been called.

Features:

  • Includes 24 cupcake cases and 24 decorative toppers in 4 designs
  • Features beatrix potter’s classic illustrations
  • Coordinates with meri meri peter rabbit party range
  • Designed in England
  • Contains standard size cupcake cases that are oven safe and greaseproof

This beautiful cupcake kit is available on Amazon. Click through for more details.

Wilton Silicone Reusuable Baking Cups?

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Silicone Reusable Cupcake and Muffin Liners

I’m pretty much obsessed with cupcakes and muffins – okay, more than pretty much, I’m obsessed to the core. Obsessed enough for 10 people. If I had a dime for every package of paper cupcake and muffin liners I’ve bought I’d buy a Hummer for my husband, a Corvette for each daughter and son-in-law (present and future), and a lifetime supply of Whiska’s for my cats.  For myself? I’d buy all the chinchillas in the world so they could always keep their own fur.

Reasonable, right?

I’ve (obviously) spent oodles of  money on paper liners and, each time, wished for a better way. I have to admit, I get a twinge of green guilt each time I buy paper products.  That’s why I’m so excited about the Wilton 415-9400 Easy Flex Silicone 3-Inch Reusable Baking Cups, 12 Count, shown above.

An ingenious and eco-friendly alternative to buying hundreds of disposable paper muffin liners, these guys can be used again and again and again – saving you money and the earth another headache.

Product Features

  • Set of 12 baking cups measuring 3 by 3 by 1-1/2 inches each
  • Food-grade silicone construction; internal fill lines eliminate guesswork
  • Resists stains and odors; ensures even heat distribution for superior baking
  • Use in standard muffin pan or place on cookie sheet or jelly roll pan for stability
  • Freezer, microwave, and ovensafe (up to 500 degrees F); dishwasher safe; limited lifetime warranty

Amazon Description:
The 3-by-3-by-1-1/2-inch cups fit in the cavities of standard metal or glass muffin pans, or they can be placed individually on a flat cookie sheet or jelly-roll pan for stability. Constructed of food-grade silicone that resists stains and odors, they deliver exceptional baking performance and even cooking for a variety of delicious treats–everything from birthday cupcakes and fresh breakfast muffins to individual brownies, mini cheesecakes, and more. In addition, the flexible cups ensure easy removal of baked goods or molded gelatins, and their crinkled edges impart that traditional muffin edging so popular in coffee shops and bakeries. While safe for use in the freezer, microwave, or conventional oven (up to 500 degrees F), the versatile baking cups can also be used to hold colorful candies, individual party favors, or multi-colored sprinkles and edible glitter while hosting a cookie-making party or decorating cakes. Best of all, they feature convenient fill lines that take the guesswork out of baking. Stackable for compact storage, the set of 12 baking cups (6 red and 6 blue) cleans up easily by hand or in the dishwasher and carries a limited lifetime warranty.

If you’ve ever used silicone pans or kitchen tools, you’re familiar with their fabulousness. A few days ago, while using a silicone pastry brush, I told my cat that I wished every kitchen tool I had was silicone. She seemed to agree – either that or she was humoring me in hopes of another bite of tuna.

See Wilton 415-9400 Easy Flex Silicone 3-Inch Reusable Baking Cups, 12 Count for more information.

More Cupcake Love

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Cupcakes on Cupcake Tower

Above is a picture from the first time I used The Cupcake Tower.  I took the picture with the levels on the “reverse” side to show you the pre-cut holes that are perfect for cake pops.  I didn’t have everything on had to make the pops but I ALWAYS have everything on hand for cupcakes. Always.

I made Orange Cupcakes with Orange-Flavored frosting this time because Orange cake is one of my husband’s favorites.  For the icing, I simply used my favorite Vanilla Frosting but substituted Orange Flavoring for the vanilla.  If you wanted the frosting to LOOK orange as well as TASTE orange, you’d simply have to add food coloring.  I knew I wanted to pipe orange icing around the outsides, so I left the frosting white.

When it comes to cupcakes and cakes, always experiment with different flavors – you can subsitute a flavoring of your choice in place of the vanilla in the cakes and icings for outrageously fun and delicious variety. My youngest daughter, Stephany, once made a cake from scratch and used Maple Flavoring in place of the vanilla.  I had cake envy so badly it’s a wonder I didn’t pass out.  Then again, I couldn’t pass out because I was too busy shoving it into my face.  It was outstanding.

I often use almond extract, lemon extract, and orange extract – but I’m making it a point to branch out even further.

Also, another fun tip.  At your local bakery, when you see great looking cupcakes decorated with especially cute decorations, buy quite a few. You can wash and use (and reuse and reuse and reuse…) the decorations.  I have an entire drawer full of Disney princesses, movie figurines, butterflies, elves, cartoon characters, and so on.  It makes decorating cakes and cupcakes extra fun.  I’ve built up a set of tools many bakeries would envy.

The Cupcake Tower Kung Fu Panda

The cupcakes in this post feature some adorable characters from Kung Fu Panda.  I got these quite a while back but they’re a favorite for decorating with.  What can I say, I’m in love with the movie.

Also, frequently check the birthday aisle in your favorite stores.  Plastic rings and other trinkets are also fun ways to decorate your cakes and cupcakes.

The Cupcake Tower Kung Fu Panda

It just occurred to me, I think I know the main reason I love desserts – from cupcakes to cookies and from pudding to cobblers.  It all comes down to getting the most out of life.  If you want each day to feel like a party, you have to treat it like a party!  For me, baking special things for my family sets the party in motion.

Party on!

Click through to read more about The Cupcake Tower.

The Cupcake Tower

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The Cupcake Tower

Cupcakes are all the rage right now. About time they got their due! If you want to know how to display cupcakes, and really show off their beauty, The Cupcake Tower is your answer!

One of my favorite things to plan, make, bake, decorate, eat, and… heck, even look at is cupcakes. They’re impossibly cute, consistently fun, deliciously tasty, and always a hit with people of all ages.  What’s not to love?!

The only tricky part of my relationship with cupcakes is the fact that they can be a little bit of a challenge to display impressively. Let’s face it, no matter how cute they are, they’re only so impressive when crowded around a platter.  Cakes (adult cupcakes) are easier.  You can place them on a cake stand and, voila! – a beautiful dessert and lovely presentation.

The Cupcake Tower has now made it just as easy to present your adorable cupcakes.

I was sent a Cupcake Tower to test and review for the food blog. As someone who bakes almost on a daily basis, I’ll be forever and ever grateful to these brilliant fellow cupcake enthusiasts.

The beautiful, well-made, and incredibly sturdy Cupcake Tower is a cinch to put together and take apart – even for someone as un-mechanically inclined as myself.  My family and I are LOVING this Cupcake Tower! I’ve made cupcakes twice since the Tower came my way. (I told you I was somewhat obsessed with cupcakes)

See the picture at the top of the post? Notice the ribbon. Ironically, the Cupcake Tower I was sent came with purple ribbons to place on the Tower. Guess what my favorite color is…. purple. Booyah!!

Each ribbon is pre-cut, and even pre-stiched.  All you have to do is slip one around each level of the tower. It’s as easy as putting a bracelet on your wrist. Click HERE to see their many different, colorful ribbon sets. You can order the colors you want. This will be awesome for the holidays.  I can order orange (along with black, maybe) for Halloween, Autumn colors for Thanksgiving, Reds and Greens for Christmas, and spring colored ribbons for Easter.

As a huge sports fan, I can’t wait to order the blue ribbons for  UK Basketball and Football season, the red for St. Louis Cardinals baseball season, and the orange and deep blue colored ribbons for Denver Broncos game-day!

There are also zebra stripes, leopard print, and rainbow ribbons – endless possibilities.  One of my favorite ribbon sets is the Ladybug one – red with adorable black dots.

You can always order spare parts from the website as well – but I can’t imagine ever needing to.  Each part of this Cupcake Tower is incredibly well made and sturdy.  It’s obvious (right down to the ribbons) that they’ve only used the best of the best in making these beautiful towers.

Here’s something else that’s cool about the Cupcake Tower I was sent – the flip side of each layer has pre-cut holes which can hold cake pops.

From the website:

NEW! Our new reversible round cupcake towers have holes drilled on one side offering the ability to use your stand to display cake pops! Flip them over and they work just like our traditional stands. These versatile stands hold up to 216 cake pops or 208 standard-sized cupcakes. Choose your size below to get started!

You can choose between a square cupcake tower or a round cupcake tower. Either will be a huge hit in your family.  They can be used for holidays, birthdays, wedding showers, baby showers, game-day get togethers, church socials, school events, office parties, poker night, or any time you choose.  As I’ve said, I love to bake and will often surprise my family with a beautiful dessert that’s on the counter or table greeting them when they come home.  I never get tired of seeing (or hearing) the reactions.

As you can well imagine, the sight of the cupcakes on the tower above with the rich, delicious chocolate frosting elicited many oohs and ahhs.  One of my mottos has always been: Make each family member THRILLED to be home.

You’d be amazed at how well cupcakes help contribute to the cause.

Speaking of causes, I saved this information for the last because I think it’s extra special.  The Cupcake Tower donates 10% of each order to charities. Can you imagine how many precious lives could be touched if every company in the world did that?!  Wow.

If you love cupcakes and desserts even half as much as I do, I know you’ll want to read more about The Cupcake Tower. Click the link to view pictures, read more, and of course, check out the beautiful ribbons. The Cupcake Tower is outstanding from top to bottom.  Great people, great product.

 

Adorable Cupcake Cookie Jar

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Cupcake Cookie Jar

I’m as big a fan of cookies, cakes, and cupcakes as you’ll ever find.  I’m pretty sure God equipped me with an entire mouth full of sweet teeth.  When I hear someone say, “I have such a sweet tooth!” – I want to sit them down by letting them know that’s nothing.  I don’t have a tooth that isn’t a sweet tooth.

So there.

Anyway, boasting aside, the Cupcake Cookie Jar by tag®, shown above, is one of the most adorable cookie jars I’ve ever seen – and being the human version of Cookie Monster, I’ve seen my share.

Product Description

Bring the pastry shop home with this adorable Cupcake Cookie Jar by tag. It’s the perfect way to add color and character to any kitchen countertop. Keep all your favorite cookies, fruit bars, and other delicious treats fresh and ready to eat in this one-of-a-kind earthenware jar. Also make as a great storage container for sugar, or any other loose ingredient.

You will love the unique hand-painted design which adds whimsical flair to this cupcake shaped jar. The container comes in a lively red tone with thin pink stripes and has a 7 cup capacity for all your treats and ingredients. The white cupcake top lid has a heart shaped cherry top, pink detail accents and features a rubber gasket seal for a secure hold and freshness of contents. Hand wash only.

Features:
• Cupcake Shaped Cookie Jar
• Keeps cookies and delicious treats fresh
• Features rubber gasket seal for freshness
• Hand wash only
• Finish: Hand painted earthenware

Click Cupcake Cookie Jar by tag® to take a closer look.

Celebration Cupcakes Perfect for Christmas Parties!

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The following recipe comes from Hotel Chocolat, a luxury British cocoa grower and chocolatier, and is one of a number of gourmet chocolate recipes that can be found on the company’s website. The ingredients listed below make around 12 Cupcakes, with 20 minutes of preparation time. The only special equipment needed is a sieve, piping bag & nozzle, and muffin tray.

Ingredients for the Chocolate Cupcakes: (See the link at the bottom for measurement conversions.)

  • 85g Hotel Chocolat Dark Chocolate for Cooking
  • 85g butter, cut into 2cm cubes
  • 100g soft light brown sugar
  • 1 egg and 1 egg yolk at room temperature
  • Half tsp vanilla extract
  • 1 tbsp sour cream
  • 75g self-rising flour
  • 1 tbsp Hotel Chocolat Organic Cocoa Powder
  • A pinch of salt

Ingredients for the icing:

  • 30g Confectioners Icing Sugar
  • 2tbsp Hotel Chocolat Organic Cocoa Powder
  • 75g of soft unsalted butter
  • 25g of melted Hotel Chocolat Dark Chocolate for Cooking

Method
Preheat the oven to 350 deg. F/ Gas mark 4 and line a muffin tin with 12 paper cases. Add the Hotel Chocolat Dark Chocolate for Cooking, butter and sugar to a heatproof bowl, placed over simmering water and gently melt – taking care to stir continuously. Once melted and smoothly mixed, set aside to cool slightly.

Whisk together the eggs, vanilla and soured cream, then stir in the cooled chocolate mixture. Then, over the bowl, sift the flour, Hotel Chocolat Organic Cocoa Powder and salt and fold in. Spoon the mixture into the paper cases, filing them to around 2/3 full.
Bake in a preheated oven for approx 20 minutes, until the muffins are risen and just firm to the touch, then allow to cool for 5 minutes, before transferring to a cooling rack.
To make the chocolate topping, firstly melt the Hotel Chocolat Dark Chocolate for Cooking over lightly simmering water and allow to cool. Then beat the butter, confectioner’s sugar and Hotel Chocolat Organic Cocoa Powder together, and add in the cooled melted chocolate – a tablespoon at a time until a thick consistency is achieved, thick enough to pipe.
Use the piping bag to top the cakes with chocolate icing, starting at the centre of the cake and piping outwards. Finish with whatever decorations fit the occasion… Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer?!
If this has tickled your chocoholic taste buds, Hotel Chocolat has much more to offer than this gorgeous chocolate recipe. If you’re thinking ahead to Christmas parties, the website has a variety of Christmas gifts including the spectacular ‘Rather Large Christmas Cracker’. This giant luxury Christmas cracker measures an impressive 64cm across, and is crammed with forty chocolates, twelve Christmas hats, and twelve jokes, all tied in thick ribbon. The Christmas range also includes exciting Chocolate Advent Calendars and Stocking Fillers. With a selection of chocolates with and without alcohol, there’s something for everyone to share at family parties and get-togethers.

See Hotel Chocolat for a wide range of Christmas gifts in the run up to the holiday season.

*** These chocolaty delicious cupcakes would also make an extraordinary Halloween treat!

Click the link for a great UK to US Cooking Measurement Conversions chart (opens in a new window).

Enter the Duncan Hines Red Carpet Cupcake Challenge!

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Duncan Hines has an outstanding Cupcake Challenge generating a lot of buzz.  If you’re a cupcake ninja…. and I know you are… this is the contest for you. Get your spatula in gear and give the challenge a shot.

Best of luck!

Duncan Hines Makes Its Hollywood Debut ….AND YOU’RE INVITED!

Mountain Lakes, NJ (June 2010) – Duncan Hines announces that this year they will be the official dessert sponsor of the 62nd Primetime Emmy Awards and Creative Arts Awards Governors Ball.  In the spirit of this excitement, Duncan Hines invites their biggest supporters, bakers across the U.S., to enter the “Duncan Hines Red Carpet Cupcake Challenge” contest.

Duncan Hines is asking all creative bakers to submit their most decadent cupcakes for a chance of a lifetime.  The winner will have their delicious cupcake creation sampled by the Emmy winners, celebrities and guests who will all be in attendance at this year’s Performer’s Nominees Reception on August 27th.  However, the red carpet doesn’t stop there, as the winner will also receive a trip for two to Los Angeles, California and two tickets to Fans in the Stands, the best seat in the house for all the pre-Emmy, red carpet excitement.

Here is how it works, contestants can enter their Emmy award-winning photographs and cupcake recipes using a Duncan Hines product on DucanHines.com now through July 21, 2010. Even though the contest ends July 21st voting continues till July 28, 2010. Visitors can go online and vote for their favorite cupcake recipe and photo.  The recipes with the highest number of votes will enter the Top 10 phase.  The Grand Prize winner is then selected by both Pinnacle Foods Group and celebrity judges based on creativity, ease of preparation, and taste. The winner will be announced on August 3, 2010.

“We are thrilled to invite our passionate baking consumers to share this experience with Duncan Hines,” says Lora Van Velsor, vice president of Marketing for Pinnacle’s Duncan Hines Food division.  “Duncan Hines was a real person who stood for superior quality and today we still celebrate Duncan Hines’ inventive spirit through innovative programs like the “Duncan Hines Red Carpet Cupcake Challenge” and sponsorships like the 62nd Primetime Emmy Awards and Governors Ball,” continues Van Velsor.

Before Fodor’s and Zagat, there was Hines. At a time when there was no such thing as restaurant critics and ratings, Duncan was onto something new. Four little words would come to have significant importance to restaurants all across the country: “Recommended by Duncan Hines.”

Duncan spent years discovering new trends in food and sharing them with his expanded following of “foodies.” His reputation for honesty and reliability were two of the most important ingredients in his recipe for success. These qualities lead to what Duncan Hines stands for today.  Today, the Duncan Hines brand still celebrates the man’s inventive spirit through a relentless commitment to quality and innovation.

About Duncan Hines

A household name for decades, Duncan Hines is one of America’s most recognizable brands. The brand was started by a man named Duncan Hines who was a traveling salesman, food critic and book author in the 1940s. Today, the Duncan Hines product line includes over 80 different mixes ranging from cakes and brownies to muffins and cookies as well as ready-to-spread frosting.  With a relentless commitment to quality, every product and recipe is developed in celebration of Duncan Hines’ inventive spirit and passion for baking. For more information on Duncan Hines, log onto www.duncanhines.com.

The cupcakes pictured at the top of the post are the Caps and Diplomas Cupcakes from Duncan Hines.  Too cute.  Too too cute!  Click through the link for more wonderful Duncan Hines recipes.