Sunday, November 27, 2011

Cute Cupcake Gift Ideas #1


It's hard to believe that in less than one month, December 25 will have been here and gone again.  I'm not sure if it's the first MAJOR snow fall we just had or the fact that I have less than 4 weeks of holiday shopping left, but I'm starting to feel a little panicked when I think all the holiday shopping and baking I have ahead of me

Holiday shopping and baking isn't always the most enjoyable, but I've seen, given and gotten some pretty cute cupcake gifts that are perfect for the cupcake lover on your list. So, to help you find or think of some great cupcake gifts, I'll be sharing some cute cupcake gifts to help you get started for the next four weeks.  Don't worry, I'll also be sharing some cupcake recipes that are great for the holidays.

The first obvious gift is the gift of ACTUAL cupcakes.  There are some great festive cupcake gift boxes that are designed for 2, 4, 6, and more cupcakes!  Use the smaller cupcake gift boxes for single gifts and the larger ones for holiday group gifts like work or holiday parties.  You can buy them at many craft shops like Micheal's and I've even seen them at Winners.

Don't have a lot of time to mess around with baking at this time of year?  Then fake them with some of my recipes!  To get all my recipes to date just click on the word "Cupcake" to the right in the Fancy Cupcake Cloud.  Maybe you'll want to fill your cupcake gift box with a fun summer cocktail inspired cupcake like a PiƱa Colada Cupcake, my next Faking Fancy Cupcake recipe post.
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Tuesday, November 22, 2011

Cosmo Cupcake


Some of my most favourite cupcakes are inspired by delicious cocktails!  This is a personal favourite martini of mine that I have enjoyed on a  number of occasions with some wonderful friends!  Like all flavours I love, I decided to transform it into a cupcake.  Here's my take on a Cosmo Martini, cupcake style.  You could even serve it in a martini glass if you want to up the fanciness!  For this recipe you'll need...
  • White Cake Mix (plus ingredients to make the cake...usually eggs, oil, and water, but no water required for this one)
  • 1 Cup of Cranberry Juice (this will replace some of the water your cake mix calls for)
  • 1/2 Cup of Craisins
  • Lime Juice (to replace the rest of the water called for and some for the icing)
  • Zest of Two Limes (Some for the cake and some for the icing)
  • Store bought Vanilla Icing
  • Butter (room temperate...around 1/2 cup....but it's up to you)
  • Icing Sugar (optional)
  • Red/Pink Food Colouring (gel is preferred - this is optional, it's only for looks)
  • Garnish Ideas: Top with a Craisin or Lime Peel Swirl   
Time for the quick whip up of this yummy recipe...


Optional Prep: To make your craisins a little softer, soak them in the cranberry juice for a few hours or even over night to rehydrate them.  This makes the craisins a little more moist and a better texture when you bake them.  It's optional, but I liked it better!

Step 1: Preheat your oven as directed on the cake mix package.  Add all the ingredients your White Cake Mix calls for EXCEPT for the water.  Instead of the water, replace one cup of the called for amount with Cranberry Juice and top the rest off with Lime Juice.  So, if your recipe calls for 1 1/3 cup of water, add one cup of Cranberry Juice and 1/3 of a cup of Lime Juice.

Step 2: Now it's time to add in the few extra mix'ins.  First add the zest of one lime.  Mix the ingredients together until it is smooth.  Now add the red/pink gel food colouring and mix until the batter is Cosmo pink.  Finally, add the craisins and mix through. Spoon the batter into your cupcake liners and bake as directed on the package.  Once they are done baking, let them cool completely.

Step 3: While they are cooling, why not make the lime flavoured icing by mixing together your vanilla icing and butter on high until smooth.  Now add a small splash of lime juice and the zest of one lime.  Mix well and add some icing sugar until you get the right icing consistency. .

Step 4: Now it's time to pull it all together.  Ice your cupcake with any method you prefer - piping bag, knife, spoon...whatever.  Top it with the garnish of your choice and you're Cosmo Cupcake is ready to be served!  To really impress people with the presentation, try serving it in a martini glass.     

Happy Faking!
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Tuesday, November 15, 2011

Big Thanks to YOU!


First of all, a Big THANK YOU to all of you who have checked out my blog, shared it with friends, or started baking some of my easy, tasty recipes! I love hearing all about everyone's big baking successes and excitement to be baking!  Also wanted to send out a big THANK YOU for nominating Faking Fancy Cupcakes in the Best New Weblog and Food & Drink categories for the 2011 Canadian Weblog Awards!  To celebrate all of the exciting happenings, my next post will be a cupcake worthy of toasting to good friends, fabulous food and fine accomplishments...my Cosmo Cupcake!
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Monday, November 7, 2011

Death by Chocolate Cupcake


Can't find the chocolate fix you need?  Sometimes you need a little something over the top to satisfy your chocolate craving...and this should definitely hit the spot!  From the chocolate packed cake base up to the chocolate icing topped with a chocolate wafer, this Death by Chocolate Cupcake is a chocoholic's dream!

  • Chocolate Cake Mix (plus ingredients to make the cake...usually eggs, oil, and water)
  • Chocolate Milk  (replace the amount water it calls for)
  • 4 ounces Semi Sweet Chocolate (melted)
  • Store bought Chocolate Icing 
  • Butter (room temperate...around 1/2 cup....but it's up to you)
  • Icing Sugar (optional)
  • Garnish Ideas: Anything chocolate like a Chocolate Wafer or a ChocolateChunk
And here's the recipe...

Step 1: Follow the directions on your chocolate cake mix - from preheating your oven through to adding the eggs and oil, but DON'T add the water. Instead, replace it with Chocolate Milk.  Mix together the batter until all the lumps are gone. But wait, you're not done yet.  To make it even more chocolatey, melt 4 ounces of semi sweet chocolate and mix it into your batter.  Ok, now your batter is ready for the oven.

Step 2: Spoon your thick, rich chocolate cupcake batter into your cupcake pan liners.  Place them in the oven and bake as directed on  the package.  Once they are done baking, let them cool completely.

Step 3: For the icing, mix together your store bought chocolate frosting with butter and simply mix until smooth.  You'll want to give it a taste and if it's too buttery for you, add some icing sugar until you're happy with the taste.

Step 4: To frost your cupcakes you can do the classic knife spread, lazy man's spoon lump, or use a piping bag.  If you use a piping tip, your cupcake will look even fancier.  But really it's up to you.  To top it off, you can garnish your cupcake with any chocolatey treat of your choice. 

Happy Faking!
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Thursday, November 3, 2011

Quick Tip #8 - Homemade Cupcake Carriers


I'm sure you'll all be surprised to know that I bake a lot, especially cupcakes!  I have some great cupcake carriers I use to bring them around to parties and work.  But when I have a party at my home, I like to give away leftover cupcakes to my guests.  Here are two homemade cupcake carriers I've whipped up on the fly for my guests to take their cupcakes home for breakfast.  They may not be the classiest or cutest of carriers, but they certainly work well if you're in a bind...and who's going to complain about the carrier when they are getting a cupcake to go!

Single Cupcake Carrier
This is such a simple carrier that only requires you to do a little washing.  Take an empty and CLEAN tall food container with a cover.  Some great containers are tall yogurt containers or a 1L ice cream container.  Put the cover down on a the counter upside down and put your cupcake on top.  Then, place the container over top your cupcake and snap it into the cover.

Three-Cupcakes Carrier
Need to unload more than just one cupcake?  You can make a cupcake carrier that holds three with a shallow box and some scissors.  Take an empty shallow box like your cake mix box or cracker box and cut three holes on the front that are large enough to drop the base of your cupcake in, but small enough that the icing top sticks out.  Drop your cupcakes in and your guests have a sturdy cupcake tray they can bring home.  This one is the most popular carrier I've rigged because you can take home more than three!  The only trouble is when you make more than three cupcake flavours and people have to pick!  Like this past weekend when I whipped up four new flavours including the popular Death by Chocolate Cupcake, recipe to follow in my nest post.
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