White Chocolate Confetti Cupcake

Got a kids birthday party coming up or just want a simple but playful cupcake?  This confetti cupcake is perfect!  Sure, you can get a cake mix that already has sprinkles added to the mix, but your guests will be able to tell before they even bite into your cupcake treat and the jig will be up. So really it's best to fake it to get some praise for your treat.  For my White Chocolate Confetti Cupcake you'll need...

• White Cake Mix (plus ingredients to make the cake...usually eggs, oil, and water - but we're replacing the water with Milk)
• Milk (to replace the water)
• 4 ounces of White Chocolate (melted)
• 2/3 Cup Confetti Sprinkles plus more for garnish if you'd like (I used the star shaped sprinkle) 
• Store Bought Vanilla Icing
• Butter (room temperate...around 1/2 cup....but it's up to you)
• Icing Sugar (optional)
• Garnish Ideas: Sprinkles or fun shaped candles

Here's the recipe...

Step 1: Sort of follow the directions on your White Cake Mix. Start by preheating your oven and add the oil and eggs...but DO NOT add the water.Replace all of the water your cake mix calls for with Milk.  Mix the ingredients together until it is smooth.

Step 2: Melt down the 4 ounces of White Chocolate and be careful not to overheat or burn the chocolate.You may want to use a double boiler instead of your microwave to melt white chocolate.  Mix the melted chocolate into your batter until fully incorporated.

Step 3: Now, that your batter is nice and smooth, stir in 2/3 cup of your Confetti Sprinkles.  It's best to use the chalky textured ones because the colour doesn't bleed into the batter.

Step 4: Spoon the batter into your cupcake liners and bake as directed on the package.  Once they are done baking, let them cool completely.

Step 5: On to the icing! For the simple, but yummy, vanilla icing simply mix together the vanilla icing and butter on high until smooth.  Mix well and add some icing sugar if it's not sweet enough for you or too buttery. Top your cupcake with the icing using any method you like and to garnish you can use more sprinkles or maybe top it with a fun shaped candle.

Happy Faking!

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Chocolate Chip Cookie Cupcake

Love chocolate chip cookies and cupcakes? Then you'll love this mash-up! The soft cake, sweet icing and chewy cookie is a delicious combination that is only made better with a tall glass of milk. You can make them so that the cookie sits in the centre of the cupcake or on the bottom like I did. For this cupcake you'll need...

• Vanilla Cake Mix (plus ingredients to make the cake...usually eggs, oil, and water - but we're subbing out the water for this one)
• Milk (to replace the water)
• Store Bought Cookie Dough
• Store Bought Vanilla Icing
• Butter (room temperate...around 1/2 cup....but it's up to you)
• Icing Sugar (optional)
• Cool Whip
• Semi-Sweet Chocolate 
• Garnish Ideas: Mini Chocolate Chip Cookies, Mini Chocolate Chips, Cookie Dough 

On to the recipe...

Step 1: Follow the direction of your Vanilla Cake Mix - from preheating your oven through to adding the eggs and oil BUT replace the water it calls for with Milk.  Mix together the batter until smooth and spoon into cupcake liners.

Step 2a (Cookie on Bottom of Cupcake): To have your cookie sit near the bottom of your cupcake, add one teaspoon of cookie dough on top of each cupcake, place in oven, and bake as directed on package.  Once they are done baking, let them cool completely. NOTE: This way is way easier and less involved...seriously though, who cares where the cookie is as long as you get to eat it!


Step 2b (Cookie near middle to top of Cupcake): To have your cookie sit closer to the middle-top of your cupcake, add one teaspoon of cookie dough on top of each cupcake half way through the baking process.  So, place your cupcakes in the oven and bake as directed on package, remove half way through and quickly place one teaspoon of cookie dough on top of each half baked cupcake. Put them back in for the remaining time and once they are done baking, let them cool completely. NOTE: You need to be quick putting your dough on your cupcakes because you don't want them to be out of the oven long.

Step 3:  While the cupcakes are cooling you'll want to whip up the glaze and icing.  For the glaze, melt together 4 ounces of semi-sweet chocolate and around a cup of Cool Whip.  Let it cool a little while you make the icing.

Step 4: For my vanilla icing simply mix together the vanilla icing and butter on high until smooth.  Mix well and add some icing sugar if it's not sweet enough for you or too buttery.

Step 5: Now it's time to ice your cupcakes and top them with the glaze and garnish.  Ice your cupcake with any method you prefer - piping bag, knife, spoon...whatever.  Place the warm chocolate glaze mixture in a piping bag or a Ziploc bag.  Cut the tip and drizzle as much as you want over the top of each cupcake.  Then top with the garnish of your choice and enjoy.

Happy Faking!

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Baby's First Fancy Cupcake #3

This Baby's First Fancy Cupcake had to travel some distance to get to sweet little NJJB.  It's probably a good thing that I don't live in the same Province because you'd be spoiled with sweet treats! Hope to be home for a visit soon!  xxox

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Strawberry Balsamic Cupcake

Looking for a sweet treat for your Valentine?  This is the perfect cupcake that will wow and woo. Besides, how can you go wrong with chocolate, strawberries and balsamic married together into a cupcake!  For this recipe I used a cupcake corer, but it's not necessary.  But before I get into that, let's get to the ingredients.  For this recipe you'll need...

• Chocolate Cake Mix (plus ingredients to make the cake...usually eggs, oil, and water)
• Milk (to replace the water your recipe calls for)
• 2 ounces of Unsweetened Chocolate (melted)
• 2 cups of Fresh Strawberries (cut in quarters length wise)
• 1/2 cup Balsamic Vinegar (reduced)
• Pinch of Pepper (optional)
• Store bought White Icing
• Butter (room temperate...around 1/2 cup....but it's up to you)
• Icing Sugar (optional)

Alright, here's the recipe...

Step 1: For the most part, follow the direction of your Chocolate Cake Mix - preheat your oven and add in your eggs and oil, but replace the water with Milk.  Melt down the 2 ounces of Unsweetened Chocolate - but be careful not to overheat or burn the chocolate.  Mix the melted chocolate into your batter until fully incorporated.

Step 2: Spoon the batter into your cupcake liners and bake as directed on package. Once done, cool completely before icing

Step 3: On to the Strawberry and Balsamic combo - YUM!  Pour 1/2 cup of Balsamic Vinegar in a saucepan and reduce on a low-med heat.  Once it thickens enough to coat the back of a spoon, remove from heat and add a pinch (or more) or pepper if you'd like and stir well. Let cool.

Step 4: Using a cupcake corer or small spoon, make a small hole in the centre of your cooled cupcakes.  If you're using a spoon, you may want to use a knife first to create a small circle and use a spoon to scoop it out.  Make sure you don't go too far down into the centre of your cupcake or your filling will fall out from the bottom when you unwrap it.

Step 5: Lightly toss your Strawberries in the lukewarm Balsamic reduction.  Spoon the Balsamic coated Strawberries into the centre of your cupcakes and SAVE the remaining Balsamic reduction for your icing!

Step 6: Mix together your White Icing, butter and remaining Balsamic reduction on high until smooth. Give it a taste and if it's too buttery for your taste or needs to be thickened, add some icing sugar.Pipe your icing on around the outside of your cupcake so that you can still see the Balsamic Strawberries and that's it!  If you aren't eating them right away, you'll need to refrigerate them.

Happy Faking!

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Fancy Stuff Review #3: Cupcake Corere

I was pretty spoiled this past holiday season with some wonderful cupcake and baking inspired gifts. One of those gifts was a cupcake corer. You may be asking yourself... "What the heck is a cupcake corer?" Well, it's a great little contraption that lets you make a medium sized hole in the centre of your cupcake so that you can fill it with all sorts of delicious things like cream, berries, chocolate, custard, etc.  It's also a great tool to have in the kitchen to make your cupcakes seem super fancy and that you slaved over them for hours.  The first time I used it I made a Strawberry Balsamic Cupcake that was not only super yummy, but it's also a great cupcake to make for your Valentine on February 14. Stay tuned for the recipe this week.

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Baby's First Fancy Cupcake #2

Since taking up my new hobby I realized I have a few Baby's First Fancy Cupcake to catch up on! This fun train with a cupcake in tow was a 1st birthday gift for JM. Can't wait to bake you one for real!  If dad has his way it will definitely be the Lemon Coconut Cupcake!   

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Chocolate and Peanut Butter Cream Cheese Cupcake

This is THE cupcake that started it all.  The first real Faking Fancy Cupcake that I concocted that made me think you can Fancy-up any cake mix.  I'll be making these this weekend for my sister's birthday, so I thought I'd finally share this yummy recipe that was inspired by a cake my former colleague's wife made from scratch.  For this perfect flavour combination you'll need...  

• Chocolate Cake Mix (plus ingredients to make the cake...usually eggs, oil, and water)
• Milk (to replace the amount of water your cake mix calls for)
• 4 ounces of Bittersweet Chocolate (melted - for cake)
• 2 cups of Cool Whip (one for the icing and one for the glaze)
• 4 ounces Semi-Sweet Chocolate(melted - for glaze)
• 1 - 8oz package of Cream Cheese (room temperature)
• 1/2 cup Peanut Butter
• 3/4 cup Icing Sugar 
• Garnish Ideas: Halves or crumbles Peanut Butter Cups 

And here's the recipe...

Step 1: As per usual, kinda  follow the directions on your Chocolate Cake Mix. Go ahead and preheat your oven and add the oil and eggs...but DO NOT add the water. Instead, replace the water it calls for with Milk.  Mix the ingredients together until it is smooth.

Step 2: Melt down the 4 ounces of Bittersweet Chocolate. Be careful not to overheat or burn the chocolate - use a double boiler if you're prone to burning chocolate in the microwave.  Mix the melted chocolate into your batter until fully incorporated.  .

Step 3: Spoon the batter into your cupcake liners and bake as directed on the package. Once they are done baking, let them cool completely

Step 4: While you're waiting for your cupcakes to cool, start making the glaze. Melt together 4 ounces of semi-sweet chocolate.  Add one cup of Cool Whip and mix well until fully incorporated.  Let the glaze cool while you move on the the peanut butter cream cheese icing!

Step 5: Now for the yummy peanut butter cream cheese. Beat the Cream Cheese and Icing Sugar together. Add in the peanut butter and remaining one cup of Cool Whip. Mix well until it is smooth.

Step 6: Now it's time to put it all together.  Spoon or pipe on your peanut butter cream cheese icing.  You'll be topping it with the chocolate glaze, so you can be extra lazy and sloppy on this step.

Step 7: Next, place the warm chocolate glaze mixture in a piping or a Ziploc bag.  Cut the tip off the bag and drizzle as much, or as little, as you want over the top of each cupcake.  For garnish, top with half a peanut butter cup or peanut butter cup crumbs.  If you aren't eating these delicious cupcakes right away, I'd recommend keeping them in the refrigerator or in a cool place for optimal cream cheese icing enjoyment.

Happy Faking!

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Baby's First Fancy Cupcake #1

Here is the first of my Baby's First Fancy Cupcake artwork series. I happened to give her Mom and Dad this gift a little early.  But thank goodness I did because she came early too! Congrats EP and TP!  I hope MDRP enjoys her first Faking Fancy Cupcake and I can't wait to meet her.

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Baby's First Fancy Cupcake

I love to bake and cook, especially when it's for my friends and family.  In fact, I think I like sharing my kitchen creations as much as I like making and eating them!  The only trouble is, not everyone is old enough to enjoy my treats. So, I decided to improvise with a homemade Fancy Cupcake of a different kind until I can make them an edible Fancy Cupcake to enjoy.  What exactly? Well, I've started to create Fancy Cupcake needle felting art to give to all the babies in my life who deserve their first Fancy Cupcake!  For fun, I'll be sharing them with you as each piece of work is finished and given to a special little cupcake. Stay tuned for all my Baby's First Fancy Cupcakes.

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Chocolate Zucchini Cupcake

The New Year often brings about New Year's resolutions like eating healthier or cutting down on sweets.  This recipe isn't a super healthy choice, but it does up the calcium and  veggie intake!  For this sort of  healthy recipe you’ll need…

• Chocolate Cake Mix (plus ingredients to make the cake...usually eggs, oil, and water...but you won't need the water for this one)
• Store bought Chocolate Icing
• Plain Greek Yogurt (replace the water your recipe calls for with this)
• 1 cup of shredded Zucchini
• Butter (room temperature...around 1/2 cup....but it's up to you)
• Icing Sugar (optional)
• Garnish Idea: Fresh Slice of Zucchini (serve immediately if you're garnishing with this!) or skip the icing and Dust with Icing Sugar

And here's my kinda healthy recipe...

Step 1: Preheat your oven as directed on the Chocolate Cake Mix package.  Add all the ingredients your Chocolate Cake Mix calls for EXCEPT for the water.  Instead of the water, replace the called for amount with Plain Greek Yogurt. Mix the ingredients together until smooth. Add in 1 cup of Zucchini and gently mix into the batter until fully incorporated.

Step 2: 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: For the icing I made my classic Chocolate Icing by mixing together the store bought chocolate icing and around 1/2 cup of butter on high until smooth.  If it's too buttery for you or you need to thicken the icing simply add in some icing sugar.  If you want to keep the calories low, you can always skip the icing and eat them as is or lightly dust with some icing sugar.  And that's it!

Happy Faking!

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Welcome 2012!

2011 was an amazing year filled with some fun Faking Fancy firsts like my first Faking Fancy Cupcake blog entry and my first (and last) Faking Fancy wedding cake. It was also a year with some amazing moments and celebrations for my friends and family as we toasted new marriages and welcomed new bundles of joy.

So, what exciting firsts are in store for 2012? Only time will tell. But I'm sure I'll have many more new Faking Fancy Cupcake recipes with new ingredients thrown into the mix(ture) - whether it's in the batter or the icing.  I'm also extending my Faking Fancy Cupcakes to the world of arts and crafts!  How so?  Well, you'll just have to stay tuned!  But in the mean time, I'll be sharing my Chocolate Zucchini Cupcake to help you introduce some veggies back into your diet after this past junk food filled holiday season.

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Black and White Cupcake

Throwing a New Year's Eve party?  Or maybe you're heading to a party where you need to make the kids and adults happy. This cupcake is the perfect combo of classy look and classic taste.  Besides, who doesn't love a little chocolate and vanilla in one tasty treat?  For this cupcake I used some cute white snowmen sprinkles, but you could use a daintier sprinkle depending on the event you're attending.  For this cupcake you'll need...

• White Cake Mix (plus ingredients to make the cake...usually eggs, oil, and water)
• 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: White Sprinkles

And now the recipe...

Step 1: Follow the directions of your White Cake Mix - preheat your oven and add in your eggs, oil, and water.  I usually just throw all three whole eggs in and don't bother separating as directed on the package. Mix all the ingredients together until the batter is smooth.  Reserve one cup and a half of the batter and spoon the rest of the batter into your cupcake liners.

Step 2: Melt the Semi-Sweet Chocolate in a double boiler. Once fully melted, add the remaining one cup and a half of batter and mix until fully incorporated and smooth. Spoon around a tablespoon or so of the chocolate batter in the centre of the white batter and bake as directed on package. Once done, cool completely before icing.

Step 3: The icing is super simple.  If you'd like, you can make vanilla icing instead of chocolate or do a combo of both! I made Chocolate Icing by simply mixing together your store bought chocolate icing and butter on high until smooth. Give it a taste and if it's too buttery for your taste or needs to be thickened, add some icing sugar.  Once you're happy with the taste and consistency it's time to ice your cupcakes! .

Step 4: Layer on as much or as little of your icing as you'd like.  If you're going for a classy look you'll want to use a piping bag. To garnish your cupcake use a simple sprinkle or if you decide to use a vanilla icing, try adding some chocolate curls.

Happy Faking!

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Thanks Again Duncan Hines!

What a way to end 2011! I just found out that I won a second prize in the Spooky Recipe Search Contest with my Pumpkin Patch-Pie Cupcake recipe. Not only do I get bragging rights, but I also get a small cash prize to keep funding my baking obsession. Yippee!

Big thanks, again, to Duncan Hines for putting off these contests. Perhaps you'd like to sponsor me full time? I'd love a baking allowance and endless supply of cake mixes and icing! But in the mean time, I'll continue funding my Faking Fancy Cupcakes and create new flavours to let you wow your friends all with a simple cake mix.  My next post for the upcoming New Year's celebrations is my classy Black and White Cupcake.

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Grinch Cupcake

Christmas isn't complete without the Grinch!  So of course I had to make this novelty cupcake that was more for the hilarity of watching people eat them than having people actually enjoy them.  If you make these, you may want to whip up one of my REAL recipes.  I would say I had a 50/50 mix of people who liked them and, I have to admit, I couldn't bring myself to try them.  They probably could have been more palatable if I had used a different flavour chip, but it was the perfect Grinch flavour, so it had to be done!  Here's what you'll need if you date to make the Grinch Cupcake...

• Chocolate Cake Mix (plus ingredients to make the cake...usually eggs, oil, and water)
• Store bought White Icing
• 1 cup of crushed (but not too fine) Rippled Dill Pickle Sour Cream Flavoured Chips plus 24 more chips to put on top
• Green Gel Food Colouring
• Butter (room temperate...around 1/2 cup....but it's up to you)
• Icing Sugar (optional)
• Garnish Ideas: Halawa with Pistachios, Chips or Crushed Pistachios

 And here's the recipe if you're feeling adventurous...

Step 1: Follow the direction of your Chocolate Cake Mix - from preheating your oven through to adding the eggs, oil, water, etc.  Mix together until the batter is smooth. Fold in 1 cup of Crushed Rippled Dill Pickle Sour Cream Flavoured Chips.

Step 2:  Spoon the batter into your cupcake pan liners and top batter with a chip.   Place in the oven and bake as directed on package.

Step 3: On to the icing. For my icing all you need to do is mix together the white icing and butter on high until smooth.  Add some icing sugar if you like it super sweet or find it too buttery.  Of course, for this cupcake the icing needs to be green.  Simply add a few drops of green food colouring and mix until it's fully incorporated.  If you want it to be greener, just add more green food colouring!

Step 4: To assemble you cupcake, spoon on your green icing.  Top with the garnish of your choice, I used Halawa with Pistachios, and serve. If you're brave enough to make these, expect mixed reviews, but it's pretty hilarious to watch people try them! 

Happy Holidays and Happy Faking!

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Cute Cupcake Gift Ideas #4

It's hard to believe that Christmas is this weekend!  Are you doing some last minute shopping for the cupcake lover on your list?  Here are some easy to find cupcake gifts that are sure to be a hit!  You can find these at Chapters, Walmart, and Micheal's to name a few retailers.

Cupcake Ornament
There are so many different styles, sizes and colours of cupcake ornaments in shops big and small.  From glass to wool, you're sure to find a unique cupcake ornament that will fit the personality of any cupcake lover on your list.  This is also a great gift that can become a gifting tradition.  Just think of the fun collection of cupcake ornaments you can give someone over the next few years.

Cupcake Calendar

There are lots of different cupcake calendars out  there with delicious cupcakes featured and some will even share the recipe!  Last year I was given a cupcake calendar that had a new recipe for each day.  It was great for inspiring new flavour combination and faking fancy cupcake creations.  You can never go wrong with a cupcake calendar and, the best part is, they will need a new one next year no matter what!

Cupcake Recipe Book
Giving a baker a cupcake recipe book is always a good idea, provided that they don't already have the book you're looking at giving!  There are lots of different types of cupcake books you can choose from and many of them show you how to make really cute designs.  If you're not sure if they have the recipe book already, try to be sneaky and ask a family member or close friend to investigate if you don't have easy access to their bookshelf.

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