Cupcake Party Favors!

These are Vanilla,Vanilla pink cupcakes.  They were given as party favors for a birthday party.  Love how a simple box and a bow can dress a cupcake so nicely!  Simple goes a long way!

Cupcake in a Basket

I found these GREAT, TINY baskets the other day and I just couldn't resist!!  I know they are EASTER baskets meant for Easter eggs and the likes, but why not a CUPCAKE!  It would make such a wonderful PARTY FAVOR!

There are also other colors and patterns available that just scream SPRING!!
I used pink frosting on this one because that's what I had at the moment, but I think I would prefer plain white, lime green or yellow for this particular basket.

How PRETTY is that!!

Rich Chocolate Raspberry Cupcakes!

You might be wondering what is going with all this baking lately!  Well, I have to confess that besides the new book I got as a gift the other day, I also got myself a NEW CAMERA!!  YES, I did!!  
I'm besides myself!  My 'you know what' is on fire!!  Can't stop!  Want to bake, create and take pictures all the time!!  Feeling so inspired and charged.

What a difference!! You can see it if you go back to my past posts!! No matter what I did, it served it no justice.  It was terribly disappointing.  I would be so happy with my final product and then my pictures would tell me another story!  Yikes!!  So glad that's a thing of the past now!! 

Ok, ok....Back to cupcakes!!  These are a very rich chocolate cupcakes with a deep raspberry buttercream.  I finished it with melted Ion chocolate drizzle and a small chunk on top. (I'm also on an Ion chocolate drizzle frenzy lately).

What is it with Raspberry and Chocolate that goes so well together??!  It is sooo delicious.....and that extra crunch that the cooled melted, chocolate gives it??!   Insane!!

Rose Water and Turkish Delight Cupcakes Continue....

Having liked so much the way Rose water compliments chocolate cupcakes, I decided to experiment with it a little bit more!  

I figured, if it goes well with chocolate, then it must be great in the frosting!  

So, I made some Vanilla Buttercream with Madagascar (to give it a more intense vanilla taste) and poured in two tablespoons of Rose Water.  I added two tablespoons because I didn't want it too strong.... but that's me!  You can add more or less depending on your preference.

Not to toot my own horn?!... but it was delicious!! I swear, my head won't stop thinking of all the possible ways I can use this!!  
How about combining a little coconut and Rose Water in the frosting?  Hmm...

So, while still on yesterday's mode of Turkish Delights and Rose Water, I added some, not too many, Turkish Delights on top.  Remember, in Greek...Loukoumi!

  
...and then finished it with some Chocolate Drizzle! 
Heaven!!!!

For those who like a lighter version, I omitted the chocolate on this one and threw on some silver dragees.  Just as delicious!  (You do get more the Rose water scent this way, as well).  So pretty! 

Can't wait to try it in other recipes!!
Will keep you posted!!

Loukoumi (Turkish Delight) Rose Water Chocolate Cupcakes!!

So much to tell!!  This weekend I got from my dearest friend and neighbor, Armando, a great cupcake book!  
 

When he first told me the name of the book, I was a little hesitant....Kinky Cupcakes, he said.  Kinky Cupcakes??!! I thought...Not my style!

Well, I must say, I was so pleasantly surprised to find such great recipes and decorations.  Not only were they tastefully sexy and exotic but delicious as well.  A great find and gift!  

I immediately went to my kitchen and started working.  I pulled this recipe out and adapted the cake part to my own.  Everything else, plus decoration, is from the book!  Kinky Cupcakes by Joanna Farrow.  I love how she uses rose water in the chocolate cake!  So yum!

Of course, I picked this particular recipe because of its Turkish Delight ( In Greek, Loukoumi).   You know how much I love using Greek ingredients in my cupcakes!!...

Not so kinky after all!

Thanks, Armando!!

Cake Bunting, Flags and Banners!

My new obsession??

Cake bunting, flags and banners!!

I love the way it gives it that rustic, homemade look to it....And they go great on Cupcakes too!

Got it from one of my favorite blogs The TomKat Studio.

Strawberry Fever!!!

How to make Strawberry decorations for your cakes and cupcakes!

It's very easy!  Simply make some heart cutouts.....

 

Prickle with a sculpting knife, blade, or toothpick....

Glue on some green daisies or green stars......

And there you have it, Strawberries!!
 

Half way there.....

For the cake, choose your favorite chocolate cake, fill with strawberry frosting and fresh strawberries (make sure they are nice and sweet!).  Top with another layer of chocolate cake, frost again with strawberry frosting......

And decorate your heart away!!!!

My Cupcake Mascot!!!

My sister sent me this cute cupcake pin last month.  While I was holding it and looking at it, my Dobbie was annoyingly licking my hands and trying to get my attention.  I took one look at him and saw him staring at me with those BEAUTIFUL eyes and  I just couldn't resist!!!  Next thing, he is wearing my pin!!!!

Doesn't he look Adorable!!!  I LOVE YOU Dobbie!!!!

My First Vasilopita!!!

Greek Vasilopita is a cake or sweet bread that is traditionally made to bring in the New Year. It is cut and served after midnight of New Year's Eve. A coin is placed in the cake or bread during the baking period.  The eldest family member or head of household then blesses and cuts the Vasilopita and distributes it among the rest of the family and guests, beginning from eldest to youngest.  Who ever gets the coin will have good luck for the new year.  


This tradition varies among families but this is the short and simple version!

I have never made a Vasilopita before but since the Cake Vasilopita is slowly replacing the bread version, I decided (after a friend suggesting I make her one!) to give it a try!  Initially, I was hesitant, insisting 'I don't make these!'.... but after thinking about it, I thought 'why not, it's just a cake!'.

Anyway, a cake I baked!!  Vanilla almond cake, I thought for my first try, topped with Madagascar vanilla glaze.  Then, an idea struck me!!  This is like any cupcake....and flavors are endless!  Why not make VASILOPITA CUPCAKES!!!!  All you have to do is place the coin in one of the cupcakes!!!!!   I thought brilliant!!!  But my Greek friend was not ready for this!!  She wanted to do the traditional cutting herself!

Oh well, I guess it's like a Thanksgiving turkey.......no fun if no one is carving it at the table!!!  

Happy New Year!!!  Kali Xronia!!!!

P.S.   My friend loved it!!!  And so did her kids!!  Hoooray!!!

The Cupcake Marathon!!!

This weekend I participated in a Christmas Bazaar for W.I.N. Hellas.   It was a two day, all day Bazaar, so I had to make enough cupcakes to last me through both days.  Me, the worrying type, decided that 600 cupcakes should cover it!!!  God forbid I run out!!.....The thing was, they had to be ready by Friday night, the latest!!!  So, the marathon began and I baked 600 and PLUS CUPCAKES!!  

How did I do this?  And with no help?....Well, with VERY little sleep and NON-STOP baking, of course!!!.....I really surprised myself with this project!  It took very good planning, organizing, and a lot of math!!!!  How much flour, butter, eggs, ect. would be needed, how many decorations had to be made, when to make them, how to make them, and on and on and on.....

Gotta say, that I really stressed myself out for this one!!! Every night this week I was DREAMING of cupcakes all night long!!!  Dreaming about the decorations, the presentation, the piping, colors...you name it!  

But FINALLY, I pulled it through!!!  Friday night came along and I had finished them!!!!!  WHAT A FEELING OF ACCOMPLISHMENT!!  AND....OH, HOW SWEET IT WAS!!!............I decided then, that after this, I can pull anything off!!!   So, BRING IT ON!!!

And this is me!!  Gleaming with pride!!!!!!