Its been a while...

But that does not mean I have not been baking up a storm. 

December is a busy time for me. There is my birthday, my sister's birthday and my dad's birthday. On top of that Christmas and New Year's are just around the corner. 

I made myself a birthday cake because I wanted to try out a new lemon cake recipe. 

The result was tasty but not pretty. The lemon curd filling I made decided to ooze out of the middle. 

I used the same recipe for cupcake to take to the office. They were yummy AND pretty. Lemon cake with lemon butter cream frosting.

I also received a very pretty cup measurer set and tsp/Tbsp set.

They are so pretty! I just have to figure out where to display them.

I also made some mini cupcake for my dad to take to class. Red Velvet with cream cheese butter cream that looked like Christmas Trees.

                        

As you can see I have been busy! I have more coming up too. I am off of work for 2 weeks and plan to make Christmas cookies.

Stay tuned.

Your Daily Coffee...

In a cupcake.

Mocha Cupcakes with Espresso Frosting. Thanks to Brown Eyed Baker.

I am taking them to my sister for her last day at work. 

Congrats on the promotion Ash!

Rest In Peace Cupcakes

I know this is a bit belated but I just have not had a moment to post it seems.

Here are the cupcakes I made for the Katherine's Halloween party.

They are pumpkin and vanilla cupcakes

with cream cheese or cinnamon brown butter frosting. The tombstones are sugar cookies and the dirt is brown sugar. Next time I will have to find something a little less sweet for the dirt.

Everyone seems to like them. 

Next on the agenda of cooking -- red velvet cake pops and vanilla cupcakes with chai tea frosting.

Finally... Some Pumpkin Baking

I have been trying to bake these all week but life just got in the way until now.

These were a big hit last year though I changed it up with a different frosting this time.

It is time to expand my frosting horizons beyond cream cheese.

Here are some pictures of my pumpkin spice cupcakes with cinnamon brown butter frosting.

I will let you know the verdict tomorrow after the office tastes them.

Cake Pops #2

 More cake pops to take to work. 

They turned out much better this time.

Cake balls

 Red ones

Orange ones for the Giants!

I even decorated them for Alumni Weekend.

And one with a happy face. My sister ate him.

Then some white ones just for fun.

All wrapped up.

I displayed them at the office and they were a big hit.

Slider Cupcakes

Yesterday was a weird day.

It was my boss's last day.

I have worked with her for almost four years at two different jobs.

She has done so much for me and I am sad to see her go.

BUT she is going to do something great.

So I am happy for her.

There was a theme to her farewell party..... Sliders.

So for the occasion I made cupcakes.

The plain slider.

I added some lettuce and the patty.

Then some tomato and the top bun.

All and all they turned out great!

First Attempt at Cake Pops

It went OK but they will be better the next time around.

I am going to do pumpkins.

I will also have some better pictures.

 My make shift drying area. It could have worked better since they all fell over at one point.

Some would not stay on the sticks. Either they were too big or the coating was too thick.

They looked pretty once I wrapped them up.

And they were a hit a work.

They disappeared quickly!

And I am sure they will be better next time.

Later this week.... slider cupcakes and maybe some more cake pops.

Brothers B-Day Cake

I am taking all of the brithday's and events for my family coming up as an opportunity to practice. 

Here are some pictures of my brothers birthday cake. 

It is a vanilla cake filled with lemon curd and blueberries and frosted with a cream cheese butter cream icing.

The flowers were left over from the cowboy cake.

I was able to get a larger cake base so I could add the boarder which really made a difference.

I also added some sparkle with the edible gold power I used to paint the boot on the cowboy cake.

I have some more ideas to try out soon. Maybe I will do some cupcakes today.

If I do I will post the pictures and will be looking for taste testers.

Cowboy Cake

So the cake for the engagement party is finished and out the door. Here are some pictures of the cake. 

Triple layer chocolate cake filled with chocolate gnash and fresh crushed raspberries.

I am still working on the vanilla cake filled with lemon curd for my brother's birthday. 

Those pictures will follow.

Sample Cakes and Gumpaste Poppies

In preparation for the engagement party this weekend I made some mini cakes topped with gumpaste poppies. They turned out much better than I expected for my first go around and I even have another job on the books for June. 

Here are some pictures of the mini cakes and flowers.

Pictures of the final project to come.

Here we go

So I guess this is where it all started, my brother's engagement party. I was asked to make my chocolate cake and some cupcakes for the event. The result... a triple layer chocolate cake and carrot cake cupcakes.

Though this was my first attempt at a triple layer cake and it was not as clean as I would have liked, everyone enjoyed it.

At then end of the party there were some left over cupcakes and my mom took them to her school to share with the teachers. This happenstance marketing actually resulted in booking a  gig to make a cake and cupcakes for another engagement party. 

So here we go on my baking journey...