My Mini-Cupcake Ordeal...(Via Made By Girl)

This past weekend I went on a baking RAMPAGE. I tried to bake mini-cupcakes for the FIRST time in my life!! First, I started off with baking cups from Bake it Pretty. I love their cup designs, especially for parties! However, I recommend ONLY baking white cake with these cups so that you can ACTUALLY SEE the designs. I tried some with chocolate & you could BARELY TELL tell how cute the cups really were! Duh.

Not sure what happened here (see below) , but the baking cups started coming away from the cake!! What the!?!? Does anyone know why this happened?!?

I was pretty surprised & it didn't happen once, it happened several times & ALL were minis! I was thinking it was probably this particular baking cup (the blue one with the pink flowers) because it was the ONLY cup that came apart from the cake!


All in all, I think I ended making about 70 mini-cakes because of this issue, so several were DUMPED or given to my dogs. They loved them & didn't COMPLAIN ....

I made 3 different flavors (banana, chocolate & white), below are the banana nut ones. How cute! Of course, I made them from a box, which means they weren't as tasty! 
I should have gotten baking tips from Sonja of Tied with a Bouw blog, she's pretty darn good at baking! My guy made the maple syrup FROSTING for these, he's such a great cook!

 

The mini cupcakes below were just plain CHOCOLATE flavored with a turquoise blue frosting & a piece of a gluten-free OREO cookie on top to adorn it!

images by jen ramos

After this experience, it's safe to say, I probably won't be baking mini-cupcakes again.....

Baking Mini-Cupcakes This Wknd...(Via Made By Girl)

This weekend I'm going to try & make mini-CUPCAKES for the FIRST TIME EVER!! I've gathered lots of pics for inspiration & I can't wait to start!  I heard that mini-cupcakes tend to get dry quicker than standard sized cupcakes, anyone else heard this??!? 

OMG! I hope this isn't the case, but please leave your comments & any tips you have. I've got 3 flavors I'm going to be making: chocolate, banana & carrot (minus raisins)....can't stand raisins in cake, YUCK!! 

Let's see here...I bought the baking pan, the mix & I also bought several of these amazing baking cups via Bake It Pretty, aren't they gorgeous!? Hope they arrive in time for my cupcakes, if not....I'm DOOMED!  Well, not really...they just won't look as pretty! 

images via: country living, bakerella, annie'e eats, bake it pretty and thomas fahey

*Again, if you've made mini-cupcakes and have any TIPS for me, please leave a comment! 


 

Rainbow Cupcakes....Clever!

Even though we talk MOSTLY about Interior Design around here,  I love highlighting CREATIVE and innovative things! So, when Shari from Spearmint Baby introduced me to her rainbow cupcakes, I had to post it. Now, this is such a FUN & exciting recipe to put together with KIDS.....even though I don't have any, I'm certain my husband & I will enjoy trying this in our kitchen! For this SUPER COOL recipe and more pics, go here.

Anyone of you ever try to make a rainbow cupcake?

images by shari

Crumbs Bake Shop....Cosmo Cupcake!

If you're anywhere near West 40th street in New York & looking for a cupcake shop, try Crumbs. I've been hearing only good things about this bake shop. A couple of my friends have been there & have enjoyed the experience of biting into their SUPER moist cupcakes! 

As I've said before, we desperately need a good quality, home-made cupcake shop here in Las Vegas, one that doesn't serve you DRY CUPCAKES!  (Some of you may know which shop I am talking about.....hmmmm).  Anyhow, on my next visit to the NYC, I will make a point to stop at Crumbs & try their Cosmo cupcake. I don't think it has any relation to the actual cosmo drink though....so pretty! 

images via crumbs bake shop

A SWEET change of Pace.....

Sprinkles Cupcakes located in Beverly Hills, California has made a huge splash on the dessert scene. I have to tell you that I've tasted some of their little cupcakes and they are the best I've had! The carrot cake and the dark chocolate are my faves!! Super soft and so moist! I recommend anyone visiting CA. to stop by and grab one or two or 3! Its too bad they don't deliver to Vegas, however there will be a Sprinkles shop here soon! The packaging is so pretty & colorful, love it. Happy Mom's Day.