Halloween Cupcake Idea

I am in love with these Cupcake Liner Witch Hats by Carrie of Half Baked .
Her creativity makes me swoon! Check out her tutorial for the cuties here. There is lots of sweet eye candy over at Half Baked so be sure to browse a bit.

Orange Crush Cupcakes

This fun recipe is from Nothing but Country, a sweet blog dedicated to cooking, crafting, and country life. Definitely a unique cupcake recipe to try, and orange creamsicles are my favorite popsicle, so I'm sure I'll love them!!

Orange Crush Soda Cupcakes
350 degrees
13 – 15 minutes (convection oven)



CUPCAKE

1 cup butter
2 cup sugar
4 eggs
4 cup sifted all-purpose flour
1 tsp. vanilla
1/2 tsp. baking soda
1 bottle of Orange Crush Soda (12 oz)
1 TBS fresh orange zest

•Butter is best at room temperature. Cream together your butter and sugar.
•One at a time, add in your eggs and beat for a minute more.
•Add in your sifted flour and baking soda, and alternate 1 cup of flour and some of your soda. Till you have added and blended it all together well.
•Mix in your orange zest and vanilla last.
•Pour into your cupcake liners. We use an icecream scoop that scrapes the icecream out. One hefty scoop per cupcake filled it 3/4 of the way.
•Bake for 13-15 minutes (convection oven) And 19-23 minutes regular oven. But watch them. They will not need to get golden brown. Just till toothpick inserted and removed is clean.
•Cool completely before you add your frosting/icing.
FROSTING

1 cup butter
4 cups powdered sugar
1/8 cup fresh orange juice
1 TBS orange zest
1 tsp vanilla
(Approx) 1/8 cup Orange Crush Soda
Gummy Orange Slices

•Butter at room temperature beat your butter till nicely whipped.
•Add in slowly your 4 cups of powder sugar alternating with your 1/8 cup of fresh orange juice.
•Add in your orange zest and Vanilla.
•If your frosting is too thick, I added approx. 1/8 cup of Orange Crush Soda to the frosting. Adding a little at a time till I got the consistency I wanted.
•Pipe frosting on your cooled cupcakes.
•Garnish with orange slice candy.

Fireworks Cupcakes

Loving these fireworks cupcakes from Wilton. They don't look to difficult and they are definitely bursting with color. This top recipe uses royal icing for the bursting fireworks, but I think you could use twizzler pull and peels cut to size, inserted into your cupcake. You can find red, white, and blue star sprinkles at just about any store this time of year. Fun stuff!!
{ Image } Wilton

Instructions:
Step 1
In advance: Make fireworks. Prepare Royal Icing recipe. Tint half Red-Red/Christmas Red combination and half blue. Cover pattern with parchment paper. Using royal icing, pipe Round Decorating Tip 5 fireworks; make 240 red and 240 blue fireworks arcs (20 for each cupcake; number includes extras to allow for breakage); let dry.
Step 2
Bake and cool cupcakes in your favorite Patriotic Themed Baking Cups.
Step 3
Prepare Buttercream Icing recipe. Using white buttercream icing, pipe Large Star Decorating Tip 1M swirls on tops of cupcakes.
Step 4
Insert fireworks arcs and attach icing decorations using white buttercream icing and Round Decorating Tip 5 dots.
Step 5
To assemble, place 10 in. plate and pillars on Cake Base. Place 6 in. plate and pillars on 10 in. plate. Place one pillar on 6 in. plate. Position 1 cupcake on top pillar, 4 cupcakes on 6 in. plate, 8 cupcakes on 10 in. plate and remainder on Cake Base.

{ Image } Wilton

Instructions:
Step 1
Bake cupcakes in Stars & Stripes or Patriotic Themed Standard Baking Cups and cool completely on Cooling Grid.
Step 2
Prepare Buttercream Icing recipe. Tint 1/3 of icing with Royal Blue Icing Color. Tint another 1/3 icing with Christmas Red Icing Color.
Step 3
For fireworks, pipe a ring of fringe around rim of cupcake with blue icing and Multi-Opening Decorating Tip 233. Using same tip, pipe a concentric circle with white icing. Finish by piping red icing fringe in the center and inserting a 4th of July Party Pick.

Cupcake Push Pop

Looking for a treat to delight the little guests on the 4th of July? How about these trendy and oh so cute cupcake push pops. Cupcake push pops are all over right now and the upcoming holiday is the perfect opportunity for you to try them out!! Lindsay Ann from Dollhouse Bake Shoppe offers a step by step tutorial here on Celebrations. If you give them a try e mail me a picture, I would love to see them!


Image { Dollhouse Bake Shoppe }

Margarita Cupcakes

Happy Cinco de Mayo!!!! Since I am unable to have a true margarita this Cinco de Mayo ( I'm breastfeeding a newborn ;) and a virgin margarita just isn't the same! ), I went searching for a couple margarita inspired desserts. These Margarita cupcakes from The Bliss Blog sound delicious!

Margarita Cupcakes

Ingredients:
2 c. unbleached all-purpose flour
1 Tbsp instant milk powder
1 Tbsp baking powder
1/2 tsp salt
12 Tbsp (1 1/2 sticks) unsalted butter, at room temperature
1 1/2 c. sugar
1 Tbsp vanilla extract
1 c. margarita mix (or any basic sweet and sour mixer)
5 egg whites, at room temperature

4 oz. light cream cheese, room temperature
6 Tbsp unsalted butter, room temperature
zest and juice of 1 lime
1 tsp vanilla extract
pinch salt
2 c. powdered sugar

Directions:
-Preheat oven to 350 degrees and prepare 2 cupcake pans.
-In a medium bowl, sift together the flour, instant milk, baking powder and salt and set aside.
-In bowl of electric mixer, beat the butter and sugar together on medium-high until light (about 3 mins).
-Beat in the vanilla extract, then margarita mix.
-Reduce the speed to low and beat the flour mixture into the butter mixture until just combined.
-In a large bowl, using an electric mixer fitted with clean, dry beaters and set on high speed, beat the egg whites until stiff peaks form.
-Using a rubber spatula, gently fold the beaten whites into the batter just until incorporated.
-Divide the batter between the cupcake molds.
-Bake about 20-22 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the centers comes out clean.
-Meanwhile, in bowl of stand mixer combine cream cheese, butter, lime juice, and zest, vanilla extract and beat on high until light and fluffy.
-Slowly add in salt and sugar mixing until combined thoroughly.
-Place bowl in fridge until cupcakes are cooled and ready to frost.
-Once cupcakes have cooled completely, remove icing from fridge, frost, and decorate to your liking.

Makes about 24 cupcakes

Hello cheesecake, meet my friend margarita! These Margarita Cheesecake Bars from Woman's Day sound equally delightful!

Recipe Ingredients
1 box (18.25 oz) lemon cake mix, prepared as box directs
1⁄3 cup fresh lime juice (grate lime peel first)
1 pkt (21⁄2 tsp) unflavored gelatin
3 bricks (8 oz each) cream cheese, softened
1⁄2 cup sugar
1 Tbsp freshly grated lime peel
Garnish: 1 lime
Recipe Preparation
1. Heat oven to 350°F. Line a 13 x 9-in. baking pan with foil, letting foil extend about 2 in. above pan at both ends. Coat foil with nonstick spray.
2. Spread cake batter in prepared pan. Bake as box directs. Cool completely in pan on a wire rack. Holding foil ends, lift from pan. Trim rounded top (hump) off cake with a long serrated knife until flat. Holding foil ends, return cake to pan.
3.Pour lime juice into a small saucepan; sprinkle with gelatin. Let stand 1 minute, then stir over low heat 3 minutes until gelatin completely dissolves. Remove from heat.
4. Beat cream cheese, sugar and lime peel in a large bowl with mixer on medium speed 2 minutes until fluffy. Slowly beat in gelatin mixture. Beat 1 minute to blend. Scrape onto cake, then spread evenly to edges. Refrigerate 1 hour to set, then cover loosely and refrigerate 2 hours or overnight.
5. To serve: Lift from pan. Cut in 42 bars (dip knife in hot water; wipe clean between cuts).

To garnish: With citrus zester, cut peel off lime. Cut lime in quarters lengthwise then crosswise in 11 slices. Top bars with lime and peel.

Planning Tip: Can be made through Step 4 up to 1 day ahead. Garnish just before serving.

Baseball Cupcakes

Fall isn't just about crisp air, caramel apples, and Halloween. It's also a time for great Baseball!! We are big Yankee fans and couldn't be happier with their clinch of the ALDS last night. Here are a couple of baseball inspired treats you could make for the upcoming American League Championship Series.

Image { Paige's Pantry }
Image { Family Fun }

Image { Cupcakes In Heels }

Skeleton Cupcakes

I had the sheer pleasure of grocery shopping without my children Sunday, and the checkout lines were long. I promptly took advantage of this by browsing celebrity gossip magazines and looking through some of the Halloween edition magazines out right now. I spotted these little guys in Woman's Day. I think they are fantastic! Cute and easy...that's how I like my cupcakes ;) They are made out of a marshmallow and yogurt covered pretzels. You can view the how to here. Have a great day!

Almost Halloween Time My Pretties!!

It's almost Halloween my pretties, and here are a few witch inspired treats to get you going. Halloween is my favorite holiday and I look forward to sharing lots of good ideas with you! Witch one is your favorite ? ;) Have a great weekend!


Image { Taste of Home }

Image { Martha Stewart }

Image { Martha Stewart }

Image { The Celebration Shoppe }

Image { Bakerella }

Caramel Apple Cupcakes

My two favorite things about fall are Halloween and Caramel apples. And, as I've said before I love cupcakes, so you can imagine how excited I was when I found this recipe for Caramel Apple Cupcakes in my Taste of Home magazine. A batch of these will surely help with the separation anxiety I'm experiencing with summer gone!!

Image { Cupcake Blog }

Ingredients
1 package (18-1/4 ounces) spice cake mix or 1 package (18 ounces) carrot cake mix
2 cups chopped peeled tart apples
20 caramels
3 tablespoons milk
1 cup finely chopped pecans, toasted
12 Popsicle sticks

Directions
Prepare cake batter according to package directions; fold in apples.
Fill 12 greased or paper-lined jumbo muffin cups three-fourths full. Bake at 350° for 20 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean. Cool for 10 minutes before removing from pans to wire racks to cool completely.
In a saucepan, cook the caramels and milk over low heat until smooth. Spread over cupcakes. Sprinkle with pecans. Insert a wooden stick into the center of each cupcake. Yield: 1 dozen.

" Fin " tastic Inspiration

I've been gathering ideas for a shark themed birthday party for my son's birthday party coming up this winter. Since Connor and Parker's birthdays are not only right in the middle of the holidays ( Connor's is Christmas Day ) but also close together I've decided to do a combined party this year. It truly simplifies things for me and since Parker is still little he won't know the difference :). Connor is crazy about sharks so we have chosen that as our theme. I've settled on a light ocean blue, red, and gray color palette. I've got some great ideas going in my little head and can't wait to get them going. Send any "fin" tastic inspiration you might have or see my way!


Life preserver { Fotolia } Cupcakes { Hello Cupcake } Straw labels { Beaded Ink }

Favor boxes{ Polka Dots and Pirates }

Shark shirt { Kohls } Rain boots { Piperlime } Shark sign { Signs }



Cupcake topper { The Birthday House }

Fondant Toppers

Looking to replace the standard cupcake pick with something super cute? Want the look of fondant but the taste of buttercream ? How about these adorable fondant cupcake toppers! Aren't they fabulous. And, the prices are completely reasonable. Most of the shops can customize their existing toppers to fit you color scheme or will do a custom design just for your event. Love them!!

Image { LC Cakes Etsy }

Image { Two Sugar Babies Etsy }

Image { Two Sugar Babies Etsy }

Image { Jo's Cupcake Gallery Etsy }

Image { Jo's Cupcake Gallery Etsy }

Image { Jo's Cupcake Gallery Etsy }

Image { Two Sugar Babies Etsy }

Image { A Cake Couture Etsy }


Do yourself a favor and check out the all creative toppers these ladies have to choose from!

Watermelon Cupcakes

Image { Project Dennler }

I'm always amazed at what fun things people do with cupcakes. These watermelon cupcakes are so perfect for summer! You can make them by simply adding approx. 8 - 10 drops of red food coloring to your favorite white or vanilla cupcake batter then add 1/4 c miniature chocolate chips. Bake as directed then frost with green frosting. Seriously easy and way cute!

Cupcake Kabobs

Looking for something unique and cute to make for your next gathering? How about cupcake kabobs. You can customize them to fit any occasion and add just about any sweet treat you can stick a skewer through. I made some for my sister in law's baby shower last year using miniature cupcakes with pink frosting, cream filled wafers, and miniature reece's peanut butter cups. They were yummy and adorable. Here are a few ideas for you. Enjoy!
Image { Meringue Bakeshop blog } has a step by step photo tutorial

Image { Frosted Happy Cupcakes }

Image { Once Upon a Treat via Flickr }

Image { Cupcake Kabobs }

Summer Cupcake Ideas

Image { Martha Stewart }

Image { Martha Stewart }

Image { Cupcakes Take The Cake }

Image { Cocoaandfig }

Aren't these cupcakes fun! They would be great for a summer birthday party, pool party, or any beach themed event. And... you don't need fondant or decorating skills...yay!! You can buy fondant flip flops from Clineff's Confections on etsy. Drink umbrellas and miniature sand pails can be purchased from Century Novelty

The "sand" can be made of brown sugar or crushed graham crackers. The sand pail cupcakes were made by cutting a 13 x 9 cake into squares and placing the squares into the sand pails, stack them until you get the height you desire, then frost, add "sand", and voila YOU are the new crafty woman the block.

Rainbow Cupcakes

These bright and fun cupcakes were made by Juliet from Stylish Celebrations for her son's circus birthday party. She used regular white boxed cake mix, divided the batter into 4 bowls then tinted it with food coloring. Next she just layered the colored mixes into standard white baking cups and baked! Aren't colors are great! Thanks Juliet for the pictures and how to's! I can't wait to try them with my kiddos.

Oh Cupcake!

My heart is overwhelmed with joy! There is talk of someone within my family opening up a cupcake shop. I know!!!! Huge right? Oh how I love those frosted bits of happiness. I can't wait to find out more details. For now here are some images I had saved in my cupcake file. What? Don't you have a cupcake file too? Have a great weekend! Tracy

Image 1 { bella cupcake couture }

Image 2 { cupcakes take the cake }

Image 3 { cupcakes take the cake }

Image 4 { cupcakes take the cake }