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Thursday, January 20, 2011

The Cutest Baby Shower Cupcakes

So this week, I made cupcakes for a co-worker's baby shower. Well, I love baking so I was ready to go! I'll warn you now, I'm going to get off track a few times with this story.

I started out making white cupcakes and white frosting. My stand mixer broke during Christmas cookie season, so I made the cake using my hand mixer. I've become super dependent on my stand mixer, so this was like going back to the dark ages for me. But, I survived. Now onto the frosting. I love homemade buttercream frosting. There really is no substitute, well except for "better"cream. That's a story for another day. Anyway, time to make the frosting. I heard a tip a while back that frosting should be made in a food processor. I hadn't tried it out yet, so I figured this would be the perfect time. I tossed the butter in the food processor and let it do its thing while I pulled out the powdered sugar, vanilla and milk. While there should be pictures here, I decided to let you guys use your imagination. (translation: my camera was missing for a day) So the butter is now smooth and creamy. I added in the other ingredients and processed away! OMG! I am never mixing frosting again! It's going in the food processor every time now! Then I get ready to add the coloring. Uh-oh. I'm completely out of the good coloring. All I have is the squeeze bottle junk. Erg. But wait! What's that in the cabinet? My food coloring spray! I heart this stuff. I haven't quite justified buying an airbrush doohicky yet, so this is the next best thing. So I go to town piping the frosting on the cupcakes and spraying them blue. Wanna hear something crazy? Ott,A and I were making cupcakes for the same baby shower. Without talking to each other, WE BOTH SPRAYED THE CUPCAKES BLUE! Crazy, right?

Cupcakes-baked and cooled
Frosting-fully processed and piped onto cupcakes
Decorations....ah, the best part. I made these the night before, so they were all dry and set up.

But what are these awesome little things? I found the recipe at Suzy's Artsy Craftsy Sitcom. Her post is about making your own conversation hearts. I used the same recipe and directions, but instead of cutting out small hearts, I cut out letters spelling "It's a Boy", hearts, stars, circles, and other geometric designs. I stuck toothpicks in some of them so I could stand them in the cupcakes rather than laying them all on top of the frosting.





Here's how they turned out:





And I can vouch for Suzy's recipe. They taste just like conversation hearts! Next time I make these, I'm going to try adding different extracts like orange, cherry and maybe even root beer!

Are you ready for the most exciting news ever?? After using the archaic hand mixer, I had enough. I convinced the husband to let me go ahead and get the mixer I've been drooling over for the last couple of years. I went to the website and ordered my KitchenAid Pro 600 Series Stand Mixer. It arrived Wednesday! As he opened the box and pulled it out, I swear the skies opened up and a choir of angels burst out in heavenly song. I'm pretty sure there was an aura around the mixer too :)
Yes, my friends, I finally got my mixer. I'm sure you'll all be seeing shots of it in posts to come. 

14 comments:

Amanda said...

Those are so cute! You did a great job on them. I will try the tip to mix frosting in the food processor. I always trash the kitchen when I make frosting. Great work on the cupcakes.

floweringmama said...

I don't think I could survive without my kitchenaid mixer.

The cupcakes are adorable and I can't wait to check out the conversation heart recipe!

Cathy @ Country Cathy

Cranberry Morning said...

Those are so cute! What a clever idea. :-)

Angie said...

I don't think I bake enough to own one of those. It'd just sit and collect dust. Maybe if I start baking, hubs will get me one.

P.S. Those are the cutest cupcakes! And I love that you sprayed them. It was just the right touch. :)

Unknown said...

Super cute! Congrats on the mixer!!!

Suzy Myers said...

Wow! Those are wonderful! I'm so thrilled that my recipe inspired! You did a wonderful job.

suzy

Sheila Fretz said...

Too Cute!!!

annies home said...

these are adorable we are expecting a grandson next month as well I am your new follower you can find my blog Annies Home at http://shopannies.blogspot.com

Gwen said...

I'm a new follower via GCF from stepping by saturday bloghop.

Please support me by commenting on this post:

http://green-bellpepper.blogspot.com/2011/01/minute-maid-pulply-day.html


Thanks and Happy saturday!

~Gwen

Sandie lee said...

These are so sweet, what a great project!

I'm hopping on by from the Saturday Linky. - I'm a new follow =)

Sandie lee
http://cupofromance.blogspot.com
http://imaginationcafeblog.blogspot.com

Anonymous said...

How cute are those! I wish I had those type of skills.

New GFC follower from Steppin By Saturday.

Carli
http://www.grandmasguidetolife.blogspot.com

Kitty Deschanel said...

Oh, these really are the cutest! And think of all the other possibilities for this design. Adopt a shelter dog? Perfect time for these cupcakes! Thanks for your funny comment on my blog! I hope I'll see you again soon for my Not "Baaad" blog hop :)

Unknown said...

They look amazing.
I am your new follower through saturday hop.
I stumbled your page
Swing by our blog and share your thoughts.
Have a great weekend.
Olfa
http://www.ourfamilyworld.com/blog/

Remodelaholic said...

That is SUCH a great idea! I love how it turned out!