Sunday, May 17, 2009

Thank You! (cupcakes)


for sticking around the past couple of weeks while I packed up my life and moved halfway down the East Coast. My blogging frequency definitely went down as well, but, let's be honest, my daily blogging was not easy to maintain. Anyway, I'm settled. ish. And I've got a whole new crowd to bake for.

My first batch of VA cupcakes were requested by my mom in appreciation of her boss's big to-do over Receptionists' Day earlier this week. Since most of my cupcake things are packed and who-knows-where, I wanted to go simple on these cupcakes. I used Martha Stewart's One Bowl Chocolate Cake recipe and halved it roughly. I say "roughly" because when I halved 3 eggs, I used 2.

The batter was wicked liquid and that made for some... messy distribution.


Oops.

While the cupsters were baking, I melted some Tiffany blue candy melts and poured them into a sandwich-sized ziploc bag. There was no wax paper to be found, so I piped onto another gallon-sized ziploc. It was classy.


This is only the second time I've piped candy melts, and the first time I piped lettering. I am pretty pleased with the results.


Some of the more spindly connections broke when I lifted them from the plastic, but I did enough extras to make things work. I ended up spelling out "Thank You Victoria!" with one letter per cupcake, but I guess you could have figured that out on your own. You can see some of them in the background of this shot.


The cupcakes were a big hit in the office. When asked by a coworker for a cupcake, the recipient, Victoria, said, "Um... it's cream cheese icing. Hell no!" And then capitulated and gave her a cupcake anyway.

Speaking of that cream cheese icing, I used Cassie's perfect cream cheese again. It's fabulous and there really is no reason to use any other process. The icing, unsurprisingly paired very well with Martha's cake.

Blogger's Note: Upon review, or "preview" I guess, I realized that this post is more awkward than usual. I'm not changing it. Just know that I know. You can look forward to more coherent posts in the future, I'm sure.

11 comments:

Evan said...

I'm very sad that you have a whole new audience for your cupcakes. They (and you) will be missed in Maine.

kmari03 said...

What a cute way to use the letters!

Maybe I'll get inspired to start blogging again one of these days. I think I may be in Newport News in two weeks, coming with my Mom for a Capitol Steps trip. I'll let you know, I hope I can see you if you're around!

A Slice of Concentrated Love said...

I never thought to add words to cupcakes that way. I like it!

Amber said...

a) the lettering is amazing. AMAZING!
b) at some point soon we will do dinner and i'll make the food and you can come teach me to make cupcakes and it will be great. CROSS-BLOGGING ATTACK!

Kate said...

Your lettering is awesome. I'm so jealous of your piping abilities. Also, I like that you updated your header image. I'm sad, however, that the adorable kitchen in your picture is no longer in your possession. Perhaps when I complete the move to VA I'll need to update my blog layout as well...

Anonymous said...

Totally awesome! You have great piping skills, I love your handwriting - mine is revolting.

Elyse said...

These cupcakes look absolutely fabulous!! I'm so impressed. And the writing--perfect. I can't think of a better way to say "thank you." Glad you're finally moved/settled. Sorry that I've been an absent commenter; I just finished up my law school exams and am finally getting around to my google reader.

Grace said...

Love your blog. Love your tweets. Love your cupcakes. Need I say more?? Isa has a bday in Aug...will you be around & in a baking mood?

Ingrid_3Bs said...

Those look great!

Btw, thanks for visiting my blog! Good luck with yours and I'll be back!

Happy Holiday weekend!
~ingrid

Anonymous said...

Love the lettering!

What's Tiffany blue candy melts, I'm from the UK, what could I use/melt down instead?

Amanda said...

Anonymous: Candy melts are just chocolate-type disks that melt really easily. They come in all colors and quite a few different flavors. They are used for making candies in molds or covering truffles, nuts, things like that. I use Wilton brand candy melts but there a quite a few brands out there. I don't know what the UK equivalent would be. Let me know if you find something that works the same way!