For my birthday I was given Cupcake by Charise Mericle Harper.  The cute children’s story is about a sad plain vanilla cupcake who with the help of a candle searches for a topping that will make him be as fancy as all his brother and sister cupcakes.  The end of the book includes a recipe for Deliciously Plain Vanilla Cupcakes and Butter Cream Frosting. The book which is published by Disney and Hyperion Books is available on several websites including Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and Target with prices ranging from $8.24 to $13.49.

For my birthday, one of my friends went to our local Container Store to find cupcake packaging products that she gave as my gift.  The Container Store website does not offer the products but I was able to find them on other sites.  I can not wait to bake a batch of cupcakes and use my new Meri Meri Love Bake cupcake liners.  I was given the standard size liners which include two patterns that come in a package of 48 liners and can be purchased from the Meri Meri website for $4.25. The same patterns are available as mini liners, a package with 32 of each liner is $5.50.

My friend also found cupcake boxes by The Gift Wrap Company in Candy Dot Spot.  Included in the package are two food safe gift boxes with an insert tray that holds four standard size cupcakes.  I found a 12 pack of the packages on amazon for $51.00. Read the rest of this entry »

Continuing with the cupcake related gifts, for my birthday I was given Red Velvet Cupcake Taffy.  Since I haven’t had much taffy in the past, I don’t have anything to compare this flavored taffy to but I thought it was good.  It definitely tastes like cake and is very sweet! The taffy comes from Dylan’s Candy Bar in New York City but can also be purchased online for $5.00.  On website they also have a German Chocolate Cupcake flavor but they advise caution when purchasing candy that has to be shipped during warm weather.

DCI Product has so many great cupcake items and for my birthday I was lucky enough to receive some of them! Magnolia and Buttercup cupcakes were brought all the way from New York to North Carolina to be displayed in the DCI cupcake stand and are pictured above.  The stand which holds a dozen cupcakes has a hot pink base that looks like a giant cupcake wrapper.  I found The Cupcake Stand on Australian Ebay for AU $19.95.

I was also given the pink DCI cupcake measuring cups and spoons.  I found the measuring spoons and cups on an awesome site called: I’m With Cupcake.  The measuring spoons cost $6.99 and come with four measurements, 1/4 teaspoons, 1/2 teaspoon, 1 teaspoon, and 1 tablespoon.  The measuring cups include the 1/4 cup, 1/3 cup, 1/2 cup, and 1 cup measurement and costs $11.99. Read the rest of this entry »

Birthdays are great for so many reasons including cupcakes and gifts.  For my next couple posts I will be sharing a few cupcake related items I received for my most recent birthday.  To start things off I received a card by Tree-Free Greetings, an eco-friendly company.  The “Have Cupcake Will Travel” card was made with 50% recycled paper, mixed ec0-paper envelopes and soy based inks were used when printing the paper.    If you are interested in purchasing the cards, Peaceful Valley Greetings offers the card for $2.95.

Ice Cream Sundae Cupcakes are the best of both worlds.

You get the look of a sundae but the flavor of a cupcakes with a moist chocolate cake, frosting that won’t melt instead of ice cream that forces you to eat quickly and hot fudge! In my opinion you can not go wrong with this dessert! And Love From The Oven used really cute sundae cups by Meri Meri, purchased from Sur La Table.  Don’t forget there are free printable tags included in Love From The Oven’s original post!

I think these DIY paper  fortune cookies would make great place settings or table decorations at a party.  Created by Disney Family Fun are made out of cupcake wrappers, fortunes written on pieces of paper.  Glue holds the cookie together which makes this craft kid friendly and really easy.

It’s not just about how the cupcake tastes but it’s also about how it looks which is why I am always looking for unique ways to package cupcakes when giving them to others. Which is why I like these Cupcake Take Out Bags from World Market.  The bag comes as a set of 2 packages, each containing three bags for $7.98 and is available in multiple colors; Florida Keys is the color shown about but there is also orange, blue, and pink to choose from.  Of course you don’t have to fill the bags with cupcakes, you could use them as “goodie bags” and fill them with party favors.

I know this is old in the blogging world but I still love this quote and the cupcake liner background.  Found via Creature Comforts I think this quote is a great reminder of why you should stay positive! It makes for a great desktop background!

I can’t believe I am just now noticing this app.  In the Julius Hearts Cupcakes! app you create cupcakes with special ingredients for holidays and lots of sprinkles.  Save your cupcake creations so you can advance to the next level.  Be sure to share your cupcakes in your bakery or through twitter and Facebook.  The app created by Curious Brain costs $1.99 and was last updated May 4, 2011.

Disney’s DSigned has created a girls line called The Sharpay Collection.  Available at Target the line was created to go along with the movie, Sharpay’s Fabulous Adventure which came out on Blue Ray and DVD back in April.  The movie is a spin off from Disney’s High School Musical series, staring Ashley Tisdale who plays Sharpay.  Target’s short sleeve, yellow cupcake graphic tee shirt is only $9.99 and comes in sizes extra small though extra large.

I love toffee and have always liked Heath Bars and Skor Bars; which is why these Heath Bar Cupcakes sound delicious to me!  Jamie on My Baking Addition blogged about these chocolate candy bar cupcakes.  One of the best parts of these cupcakes is that they are a doctored cake mix will help save you time.  My Baking Addition has tons of other great recipes so be sure to check out the website.

My mom spotted this cupcake find at Marshalls and I am curious about this The Inflate & Take Cupcake Carrier.  The carrier costs $30, similarly priced to other cupcake carriers on the market except with this one, you aren’t left with a big bulky plastic carrier to bring home.  You are left with a cupcake carrier that you can deflate to a smaller package.  Created by Silvermark, the website description states:

Your cupcakes travel in style and arrive unharmed and smudge free at a birthday party, office event or for any occasion where cupcakes are welcome. The WOW is when you are done; the Inflate & Take®; deflates for neat, compact storage. The trays stack and attach to one another so multiple layers can be combined to increase the capacity. The Inflate & Take® accommodates cupcakes of various sizes—even supersized cupcakes and muffins are held firmly in place.

Set contains 2 trays, each with a 12-cupcake capacity, and a separate storage lid. Each tray measures 21˝x 17˝x 4˝ when inflated. The set also includes a hand pump, carrying strap and storage case. Available in clear, blue or red.

I’m left wondering how the cupcakes are after being transported in this inflatable carrier? Is it like giant bubble wrap for your cupcakes? Would you buy this product?

We’ve shared several ideas for how to turn your favorite breakfast foods into cupcakes.  Remember the pancake cupcakes, or the donut cupcakes? How about the cinnamon roll cupcakes?  Well until I came across this recipe I had not thought of turning breakfast cereal into cupcakes.  Multiply Delicious took a classic cereal and turned it into Cap’n Crunch Cookie cupcakes topped with vanilla ice cream.  Below is the recipe for the captain crunch cookie cupcakes but be sure to check out Multiply Delicious for other cupcake recipes! Read the rest of this entry »

Looking for a unique way to display your mini cupcakes? How about The Pastry Pedestal designed by Jess from Pen and Paperflowers.  Instead of the typical cake stand these reusable stands allow you to customize your cupcakes for each event.  The starter kit includes 12 rounds, 12 rods in 3 varying sizes, 12 stabilizing rings, and a drawstring bag for storage.  The kit can purchased from the website for $29.99 or you can enter to win the Amy Atlas giveaway that ends Tuesday July 12, 2011.

ATC reader Tom sent us these pictures of his multipurpose motocross cupcake stand.  Tom set out to create a cupcake stand that once done displaying cupcakes could double as a race track for his son, Ryan aka the birthday boy!  Ryan celebrated his third birthday with a theme dedicated to his love of  motocross.  With the help of his crafty wife, Tom created a track that is to scale and large enough  for a two dozen cupcakes to be displayed on.  After displaying the cupcakes, Ryan is able to race his collection of toy motorcycles on the track. Read the rest of this entry »

The Sweetest Occasion has really great party inspiration from guest bloggers like these edible cupcake toppers from Hank + Hunt.  I love combining bakers twine which is so popular with Fruit Roll-Up pendants.  For those with more patients the edible flowers are more time consuming but look great on top of cupcakes! Last time Hank + Hunt guest blogged on The Sweetest Occasion they shared a tutorial on how to crate Pom Pom Heart Toppers.  While checking out the site be sure to look at the printable protest cupcake toppers.  I think my favorite is the one that says “You can work it off tomorrow.”

Happy Father’s Day to all the cupcake loving dads!  Do you need a last minute Father’s Day cupcake idea? How about these lawnmower coconut cupcakes that Kiss My Spatula tweeked from Martha Stewart.  Made from died coconut and a variety of candy you’ll be able to easily find the ingredients at your local grocery store.

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These orange grilled cupcakes have been on my “to-bake” list for some time now.  Now that it is summer, and it is H-O-T outside, it is the perfect time to attempt these cupcakes by Stef from Cupcake Project.  Even though I have never grilled anything I think cupcakes is the perfect food to start with, right?  For these cupcakes you grill the cupcake batter directly in the orange halves! Just be careful if you use a cupcake pan, Stef said that her pan charred. Below are the instructions for grilling, if you would like the vanilla cupcake recipe that she used and some more tips, check out the origianl post.

1. Cut the oranges in half and scoop out the insides. You don’t have to be perfect about it. If there is some orange left in there it will just be a tasty treat at the bottom of your cupcake.
2. Fill the orange halves 3/4 full with cupcake batter.
3. Place the oranges in foil directly on the wood or coal as shown in the picture on the left or set the oranges in a cupcake tray on the grill as shown in the picture on the right. I tried both methods. I think the cupcake tray worked better but the tray got a bit charred and is a pain to clean. Use an old one if you have one.
4. Monitor the cupcakes really closely. The cooking speed will vary depending on the heat of your grill. You may also need to rotate the tray or the individual cupcakes to account for uneven heat. You know they are done when a toothpick comes out dry. It took mine about 10 minutes to cook.

I have a confession to make, I am a Harry Potter fan.  I have read all the books, seen all the movies, and want to go to The Wizarding World of Harry Potter at Universal’s Islands of Adventure park.  One of the reasons I want to go to The Wizarding World of Harry Potter is because I have always wanted to try butterbeer, even though it is a fictitious drink.  If you’re at all like me you might want to try out this recipe for Butterbeer Cupcakes.  The recipe comes from AmyBites who was lucky enough to get to go to The Wizarding World of Harry Potter!  Click “continue reading” for the recipe!

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I was looking at Tilly’s, a surf and skate clothing, shoe, and accessories store’s website and realized they have a random selection of fun cupcake products.  Some are things we’ve told you about before like the cupcake dental floss, cupcake beanie, or the cupcake manicure set.  This was the first time I’d seen a cupcake watch! The watch is only $15.00 and comes in white or black.  I also like the “love at first bite” items which include a pink rubber bracelet that is $2.97! And the girls yellow and grey striped t-shirt that even has a cupcake with a bite missing from it!

Coffee and donuts take on a whole new meaning when they are in the form of cupcakes.  Always With Butter is a baking and cooking blog that has such amazing photography and recipes that I want to make everything.  The coffee and donut cupcakes look good enough to eat for breakfast!   The best part is that the recipes are on cute recipe cards with a kitchen utensil banner across the top.

Kate from See Kate Sew used a template to create her own cupcake wrappers from old magazine pages.  The wrappers are easy to make and you simply place the cupcake inside the wrapper after baking.  I found this pdf template for cupcake wrappers if you are interested in making your own wrappers.

It’s graduation season which means you might be looking for a fun way to decorate the grad in your life’s cupcakes.  How about these fun Jumping For Joy cupcake toppers from Queen Bee Inspiration’s Etsy shop.  The set of 12 is only $8.00 and you choose from either the guy or a girl.

Happy National Iced Tea Day everyone!  What better way to celebrate this fun little holiday then with this Iced Tea Cupcake recipe found via Tastespotting.  Hannah from BitterSweet blog created this cupcake recipe that seems perfect for today, especially since here in the south it’s 95^oF outside!   They also seem like a good recipe for fathers day, which is only 9 days away!  Read the rest of this entry »