Taste the Rainbow!

These photos were from the Orange Coast Magazine shoot in May. I found them buried in my collection. Featured from top to bottom on the tiers area: Good Humors (Strawberry Shortcake), Red Velvet & Grasshoppers (Mint Chocolate).

A Classic Elegance

This design was also made for the 1920's themed birthday. For these cupcakes, my commissioner decided that roses are the best choice to reflect the elegance of the time. I think she is absolutely right! I decided to use pink royal icing roses because they tasted better than the gum paste roses. I added pearls to frame the palette and draw attention to the main decoration. The overall design is simple and effortlessly gorgeous.

Featured are White Chocolate cupcakes. ENJOY!

Hearts All Over The World...

This design was created for a 1920's theme Birthday party. Color of choice is pink and black. Some of you may not know, but the 1920's were known as the "Roaring Twenties." It was the emphasis in culture, art and social dynamics that made it one of the most glamorous and beautiful decades. It's primary reputation was in North America but it also touched Paris, London and Berlin. This is why I decided to call this one... "Hearts all over the world."

Featured are Grasshopper (mint chocolate w/Oreo Cool Mint) cupcakes with light whipped mint frosting. Heart quins and edible pearls were individual hand placed. No detail spared for these cupcakes! Enjoy!

Little Hieuy's!

So named for my friend Hieu who loves this "rarely loved" combination of flavors. The cake is made with homemade ground almonds, similar to almond meal. The almonds are baked right in, practically evaporating into the cake, leaving no traces but it's luscious moisture and fragrant aroma. Freshly cut mango is added into the cupcake for a more naturally sweetened taste. Glazed on top is a mixture of mango puree with fresh ginger and to top everything off is a mound of toasted coconut sprinkled with powder sugar. Enjoy!

Strawberry Shortcake!

As of recent, Genki Living has picked up this flavor as a "regular" in the store. So far, I've kept the cupcake's special characteristic and origin a mystery. The inspiration for these cupcakes were drawn from a Good Humor Ice Cream Bar. A wonderful strawberry shortcake flavor I've often enjoyed.

This cupcake is made of a vevelty almond flavored cake derived from my own Red Velvet recipe. The strawberry cream filling is made with real strawberries and heavy cream. No artificial flavoring. The whole cupcake is then topped with cream cheese frosting and dipped into strawberry shortcake cookie crumbs. MMmmmm...

No, it's not an ice cream bar but it does taste just like it, if it was a cupcake. =)

Access DENIED!!!

Hi fellow cupcake lovers! I recently brought some homemade cupcakes to 3hundred in Anaheim, CA, for a friend's birthday party and was informed that there would be a $25 fee for outside food! For a party of 30 friends, taking up 4 bowling lanes and boozing it up, the venue could not comp us the fee. How horrible. The owners of this place must not have friends who care enough to personally make anything for them. I think this is a case of misplaced resentment. I emailed Erin & Theron, the respective sales and district managers my sympathies. I'm still waiting for a response. Unfortunately, I had to take my cupcakes elsewhere.... =(

Featured below or OREO Surprise! Vanilla cupcakes with one whole Oreo cookie baked right in! Topped with Cream Cheese frosting & Oreo cookie crumbs. ENJOY!

A Touch of Pretty

I recently found these dainty little flowers at the local cake supplier! I loved them on site! They are completely edible, made with gum paste and colored delicately, adding the perfect simple beauty I needed for these cupcakes. Enjoy!

Give Your Friends a Mickey!

Thanks Alyssa for ordering these cute little cuppies! I had so much fun making them and I hope you and all your friends will enjoy them too.

Featured below are Cookies 'N Cream cupcakes with fluffy whipped topping covered in Oreo cookie crumbs. Ears were made with Nilla wafers, frosted, crumbed and then fastened with toothpicks. Enjoy and watch out for the picks!

Hot Pink Birthday!

Happy Birthday Michele! This post is about a week late but what counts is that you got your cupcakes on time! Happy 18th and enjoy every moment!

Featured below are 1 dozen Red Velvet cupcakes with Hot Pink cream cheese frosting! Sugar pearls, fondant hearts for decoration. Even a Hot Pink box!

Go Coconut Crazy!

My most recent order was for a set of Red Velvet mini cupcakes topped with cream cheese frosting and toasted coconut flakes. I have to confess that I was a skeptic to my own design and had my doubts about the combination of flavors...BUT I was thrillfully surprised! Coconut can be most overpowering, yet used in the right proportion can give you the most delicious effect.

Coconut flakes are very moist and tend to be a bit oily. Toasting the flakes will relieve some of the moisture, giving the flakes a firmer body and more color. I gave the flakes a sprinkle of powder sugar to finish the look and to give the flakes a sweeter candied taste.

From this same order, I was requested to "copycat" a green coconut cake found locally at Van's Bakery. I've only tried the actual cake once and was never really taken in by it. The cake tended to be dry and spongey, while the coconut flavor lacked character and fell flat. For these cupcakes, I decided to use coconut milk, which contains a good amount of natural fat to help add moisture and a soft structure to the cake. The milk is creamy in texture and flourished with aroma, bringing warmth and dynamics to the overall flavor.

To make the green coconut flakes, I diluted a couple drops of green food coloring in about 1 teaspoon of water and then mixed it with the coconut flakes in a ziplock bag. To evaporate some of the added moisture, lightly toast the flakes. The cupcakes were then topped with a light fluffy frosting, garnished with pink heart quins and set in powdered sugar. To be honest, I'm not a fan of coconut flavored anything but these little green minis turned out to be very fun in flavor and color.

How To Say "I'm Sorry"

A. Text your Cupcaketeer in the middle of night for a RUSH order.
B. Beg profusely for her help.
C. Bribe her with lunch and dinner. =)

Here you go! The "I'm sorry I didn't mean to say that" Hello Kitty gift box.



And this...is Mr. Sensitive who ordered these cupcakes at 3:00 a.m. He really is a sweet guy ladies and very available. =)

Domo-kun cupcakes!

Thanks Robbie for ordering these cute little cupcakes! It gave me a chance to use my square pans and fondant! The order was for 6 Red Velvet cupcakes and 6 White Chocolate cupcakes. Due to the different type of frostings, the food coloring turned out different in each. Domo's teeth is made of white vanilla fondant and eyes are mini M&M's. I had a lot of fun making these mini monsters. ENJOY!

A dish of goodies.

Hot Chocolate cupcakes close up.

Close up of Domo.

Domo cupcake order.

Boxed & ready to go.

More than just RED!

Ever just want to shake things up a bit? I felt that the Red Velvet cupcakes needed a bit more pizazz and flair. Using a variety of unique sprinkles and jimmies, I was able to make these cupcakes blossom. Enjoy!

You give me butterflies.

I found these lovely cupcake toppers at a local bakery supplier and simply could not resist! Boxed and made gift-ready for one lucky person. Enjoy!

Cupcake Fridays @ Genki Living!

Available right now at Genki Living are Cookies 'N Cream and the best sellers, Red Velvet cupcakes! Limited made! Try it before its gone!

Cookies 'N Cream

Red Velvet cupcakes

A Typing Maniac Birthday!

Happy Birthday Kristine!!! For those who don't know, Kristine is a Typing Maniac addict. You'll find her on Facebook typing up a storm when she's not working, hanging out with me or spending time with some guy named Scott.

Featured below are Red Velvet and Cookies 'N Cream cupcakes (Kristine's favorite!). Enjoy!

Typing Maniac birthday cupcakes!

Typing Maniac cupcake topper

Typing Maniac cupcake toppers

Typing Maniac cupcake toppers

Typing Maniac cupcake toppers

Boxed and ready to go!