I have been making cup cakes like crazy!
3 times in 3 weeks, I think! First was for a co-workers birthday (another story to go with that later on), second was a practice round with my mom for decorating her mom’s birthday cake, and I made them again last week for the potluck at work on Friday for the UL vs UK football game.
I have gotten it pretty down pat. I use a box mix for the cupcakes, but I have been making the icing from scratch. This time was cream cheese- just a block of cream cheese, a stick and a half of butter, 2 or 3 cups of powdered sugar, and a little bit of vanilla. The secret is in the mixing. I love my Kitchenaid mixer. It said to mix for several minutes. If I was doing it by hand, there’s no way I could do it that long and get it that smooth! It’s a little bit of a hassle to get it set up on the counter (my husband hates to have “rarely used appliances” sit on the counter), but it so so worth it! People always rave about them and it’s fun to have something that people request. It’s a 2 nights process though- first night is baking and cooling the cupcakes and the second night is mixing the icing and decorating.
I also made some chocolates! Using the Cardinal bird molds I got for Christmas. They are super easy!
Oh my gosh – what cute cardinal chocolates! I think I need one of those pans to make treats for my husbands – you should tell me where you got it?! I made desserts for the game too =)
Thanks Rachel! The molds were actually those silicone molds for ice cubes, but I just barely filled it up so that the chocolate wouldn’t be such a big piece. I think I have seen them at Hallmark, or other gift shops.