Monday, September 20, 2010

Big Pink Cake


Big Pink Cake
Originally uploaded by two parts sugar
I love the Suessness of this cake by Monica Serratos!

Sunday, September 19, 2010

Bubbly Bear Bath Cake


Bubbly Bear Bath Cake
Originally uploaded by kelannfuller
I need a nice bubbly bath like this. Happy Sunday

Wednesday, September 15, 2010

Cupcake Frosting Bear


Cupcake Frosting Bear
Originally uploaded by violetpie
I love this little bear! Happy Day to you all

Thursday, September 9, 2010

Random Acts of Cupcake Kindness

Hi there cupcake lovers, my name is City but I'm better known in the blogging world as the NZ Cupcake Queen! Lyndsay kindly offered for me to guest blog so I thought I'd share a little post on the joy of sharing cupcakes as random acts of kindness!



Since I started baking cupcakes 6 years ago, I've come to realize that most of the joy I get from my baking comes from sharing it with other people and I'm guessing this is something that most cupcake bakers share. Baking cupcakes is fun, frosting and decorating them is fantastic but nothing beats watching the look of pleasure on a customers face as they bite into one of my cupcakes or how excited a friend gets when I give them a cupcake for no special reason at all!

Whether I'm baking cupcakes for an order or a friends birthday party, I always try to make some extras in the batch, so I can share them with other people, especially people outside of immediate family and close friends. Some days I drop them off to my downstairs neighbors or to the lovely old man who runs our local dry-cleaners or I give some to my boyfriend to share with his co-workers or take them in to share with other students and tutors at my art school or offer one to the plumber who is working in the house.

You could see cupcakes simply as tasty, yummy treats but I guess I tend to view them as little random acts of kindness too. As long as I keep sharing the cupcake love then I never get tired of baking cupcakes. And part of the fun of sharing the cupcakes is sharing them with people who might not normally get to try something so delicious! Lets face it, the families and friends of anyone who is a baker are pretty lucky people, but there are people out there who never get to eat home made treats. I've been thinking a lot lately that I'd like to share extra or left over cupcakes with a few of the homeless men who live near my apartment and see if it might bring a smile to their faces.

I'd love to know other peoples thoughts on cupcakes and their power as little random acts of kindness in cake form! Do you share your cupcakes with strangers or people you don't know very well? Who do you love to give cupcakes to outside of your family?

And if you haven't had the pleasure of sharing a cupcake with a person you might not normally bake for, why don't you go and drop a cupcake or two off to that neighbor that you have only ever said a polite "hello" to in the morning, or drop off some to your mechanic next time you get your car serviced. I think you'll soon find that the power of sharing the cupcake love to more than just our family and friends gives you warm fuzzies and makes the world a sweeter place!

love and cupcakes,

City
the NZ Cupcake Queen

Tuesday, September 7, 2010

Sweet Cuppin Cakes Bakery and Kerry Vincent Guest Judge


Our Kerry Bear Contest is quickly coming to a close. If you have not got your edible teddy bear photo in for the contest now would be a good time to get ready set go and get your best bear to us! We would love to see your artistry. To find out more about my cake crew competitors and to enter the Kerry Bear contest or just to have fun watching please visit our Fimo Fondant blog. You will find a TON to do there as well.
Kerry Vincent Judge from Challenge on Food Network is our guest judge! The prize: A Kerry Vincent Chef Jacket SIGNED! 
Our other sponsors for this contest are Sugar Veil and Cake Journal! You really need to do this, you will be glad you did! Registration dates have been extended.
Good Luck
Lyns

Wednesday, September 1, 2010

Watch for our Autum Ann Clark Cookie Cutters

Lemon Cookies

Ingredients:
 
Instructions:
Makes about 18 cookies

Processing the lemon zest with the sugar helps distribute the lemon flavor.

Process together in a food processor about 15 seconds:
2/3 cup sugar
1 tablespoon freshly grated lemon zest

Beat with an electric mixer
1 cup unsalted butter, softened
Lemon sugar from above

Add and mix:
1 large egg
1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract

Whisk together, then add and beat to incorporate:
2 1/2 cups all purpose flour
1/2 teaspoon salt

Wrap dough in plastic wrap and chill until firm. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Roll dough out on a lightly floured counter to 1/4 inch thickness and cut with your favorite Ann Clark cookie cutters, then transfer cookies onto cookie sheets taht ahve been lined with parchment paper ro silicone liners. Bake 8 to 10 minutes, until very lightly browned around the edges. Let cookies cool slightly on cookie sheets, then transfer to a wire rake to cool completely. Decorate, if desired, before serving.

Lemon Icing

Melt 4 tablespoons unsalted butter, mix with 3 cups confectioners' sugar, 4 tablespoons fresh lemon juice and a pinch of salt to smooth.

Enjoy!