• Email
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • RSS
    • Twitter

Bakingdom

All you need is love. And dessert.

  • Home
  • Recipes
    • Basic Recipes
  • Travel
  • Shop
  • Meet Darla
    • FAQ
    • Press
  • Contact

Hello, Cupcake

Wednesday, February 24, 2010 by Darla

Last year for my birthday, I got Hello, Cupcake!: Irresistibly Playful Creations Anyone Can Make by Karen Tack & Alan Richardson.

I had seen it featured on a lot of websites and I was very excited about it. When I got it and flipped through it,  I was even more excited! There are some very seriously cute cupcakes in this book!

And they all really do seem so easy, like anyone could make them.

I don’t know if I’d want to make all of them… These bugs frankly look too real for my taste. But I imagine there are some little boys and girls out there that would love how disgustingly tasty they are!

Then there’s the frosting version of Starry Night by Van Gogh. Personally, I subscribe to Jen Yates’ way of thinking as far as cupcake cakes go, but isn’t this gorgeous? It would translate to a sheet cake beautifully, and why stop at Van Gogh? I think Monet’s Water-Lillies would look delicious in frosting! And don’t even get me started on Picasso!! I love the idea of putting it in a frame too! Genius!

Even the more complicated designs and ideas look so simple after reading the instructions. All of the ideas are clear and concise with easy to follow directions, so none of it seems like it would be an overwhelming undertaking.

And yet…

After owning the book for a good four months, I still hadn’t attempted any of the ideas. I mean, I was soooo excited about it, and…nothing.

Here’s the thing: they all seem very easy to do with such great direction. They all seem so fun to make based on the lovely photos. But they all require a lot of random ingredients that I just don’t keep on hand. Obviously the cake and frosting ingredients are always around here, considering how much I bake, I’m well stocked for cupcakes. I don’t, however, buy fruit rolls, donut holes, or vanilla wafers (not to mention the boatloads of candy) on a regular basis. And you need a combination of these and much, much more to do the majority of these cupcake designs.

Of course, it’s all very accessible stuff. I don’t think there is a single ingredient in this book that every single person couldn’t find. No, my point is that I can’t just pick it up and make the cupcakes of my choice. I rarely plan ahead for my baked goods. They’re spur-of-the-moment, what-am-I-in-the-mood-for? creations. So every time I picked this book up, I walked away disappointed because I had to make a trip to the store just to make cupcakes.

I finally did get around to making a recipe though.

It’s one of the simpler, more accessible ideas. All I needed were cupcakes and mini marshmallows (the book recommends using white and yellow marshmallows, but I think you could definitely get away with plain white ones). I always have all of that on hand. Plus, I just happened to have some seriously adorable popcorn containers, so I set to work.

The recipe requires mini cupcakes, so I made a basic vanilla cupcake with vanilla frosting. If you don’t have a mini muffin pan, you can use foil cupcake liners set on a rimmed cookie sheet. Bake your cupcakes as directed, and allow to cool. Now the fun starts!

To make your “popcorn kernels,” simply cut three mini marshmallows in half. Lay them sticky side up on the counter to help prevent mess and irritation. You’ll use three halves and one whole mini marshmallow for each kernel.

Place a small amount of frosting on the end of one of your whole marshmallows and “glue” three of the halves to the base. Frost a cupcake and stick two to three completed kernels onto it while the frosting is still wet. It’s important to frost each cupcake individually so that the frosting doesn’t have time to set up before you stick the “popcorn” to it.

You can see here how the three halves should be arranged, and it really does end up looking remarkably like popcorn! As you can see, I went with both colors of marshmallows, but I don’t think it makes a great enough difference to buy the colored bag specifically for this (I ended up throwing the rest away from lack of need). But the cuppies are adorable, aren’t they?

We had them for movie night. HRH Beermeister borrowed a beautiful projector, we hung a huge white sheet from the ceiling, and sat down to “popcorn” and a movie. It was a lot of fun and the cupcakes were definitely a hit. I have to say that the containers really added something to it, too. I got these at Target for one dollar each!! They usually sell them at random throughout the year, so it’s worth checking out. Amazon also has a lot of choices, including paper/cardboard or plastic.

So, I finally made one of the designs from the book. They were a hit and everyone loved them.

I haven’t made anything since.

It’s a little depressing because it’s a wonderful book. I really do highly recommend it. Especially if you have young children, as the majority of the cupcakes are geared towards kids. But more than the designs is the fact that they are so easy to follow. I do intend to do an “artist cake” inspired by the Starry Night idea, and I love the idea of getting some of the really unique cupcakes made. I’ll keep you posted on whether I get myself motivated on it, though. Meanwhile, check this book from the library at the very least. I know this isn’t exactly a sterling review of the book (I don’t think I actually fall into the audience they’re going for, i.e., people with small children), but it’s definitely worth flipping through, and you’ll probably end up buying it because it’s brilliant.

  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Pinterest
  • Email
Leave a comment

Filed Under: Cookbooks, Cupcakes, Tutorial Tagged With: Cookbooks, Cupcakes, Miscellaneous, Popcorn, Tutorial

« Handmade Aprons
Peanut Butter Sandwiches »

Comments

  1. Sarah Legendre says

    Thursday, February 25, 2010 at 10:45 am

    I have this cookbook! I love it!! would love to see you make the butterfly cupcakes!

welcome!
Baker.
Photographer.
Geek.
Read More…

Weight Conversions

Faves

Donald Duck Tsum Tsum Cupcakes

Wednesday, February 25, 2015

Butterbeer?! Oh Yes, Friends! Butterbeer!!

Tuesday, November 16, 2010

Easy Irish Soda Bread

Friday, March 14, 2014

Rainbow-filled Chocolate Icebox Cookies

Tuesday, March 17, 2015

Happy Garland Cake

Wednesday, December 3, 2014

Archives

Instagram

bakingdom

The best good boy that ever lived. 🤍 My brain i The best good boy that ever lived. 🤍 My brain is struggling to comprehend how it’s been almost two years without him. It feels like a flash in time and an eternity, simultaneously. #LittleMightyLoki
Twentieth New Year’s Eve together and he still m Twentieth New Year’s Eve together and he still makes me laugh til I cry {swipe}.
😂
I’m ready for new adventures, new memories, more kindness, and lots of healing in 2021. Among so many things I want for you, I’m especially wishing you belly laughs, abundant pleasure, endless excitement, and great food in the new year. Cheers and  happy New Year, my friends!
I always knew that I would be bounding as Olaf tod I always knew that I would be bounding as Olaf today because he is the epitome of a happy character. But it’s not just Olaf...I’m also bounding today as @joshgad, in a roundabout way, because Josh has brought so much joy and compassion to people. Yes, with his portrayal of Olaf (and so many other characters), but also, and mainly, as himself. He’s such a joyful and kind person, it has been a pleasure laughing and crying along with him, and Olaf, this year. Thank you, sir, for making my 2020 more magical and joyful than it would have been without you!
❄️
Today is the last day of dressemberbound! Thank you to everyone who helped me meet my goal, and helped our team achieve TWICE our original goal!! Please visit the blue link on my profile to see my @dressember funraising page and to make a donation. 💗 You can also click through to visit my dressemberbound group to see all of the great people who are participating in this funraiser. 💜
I’m so excited to get to share a fellow bounder I’m so excited to get to share a fellow bounder today for #dressemberbound! It was really, really hard to narrow it down to one because everyone is SO talented and SO fun, but I had to share @rogue_princess_ today because every bound she does brings a smile to face and fills me with joy!
💛
I’d also like to take a moment to share our fearless team leaders: @shebounds and @libraryladylife. They’re both so creative and they’ve been so encouraging throughout the whole month. 
❤️
We’ve been wearing dresses every day in December to help raise awareness and funds to fight human trafficking. Please visit the blue link in my profile to see my @dressember FUNdraising page and to make a donation. 💗 You can also click through to visit my dressemberbound group to see all of the great people who are participating in this funraiser. 💜
You can do anything in a dress, even slay a dragon You can do anything in a dress, even slay a dragon!
🗡
Pick a prince, any prince! He’s not my favorite, but Prince Phillip sure is dashing.
🛡
Today is the perfect day to make a big impact with @dressember in the fight against human trafficking! There is a donation match running today, with matches up to $84,000!!! Please visit the blue link in my profile to see my @dressember FUNdraising page and to make a donation. 💗 You can also click through to visit my dressemberbound group to see all of the great people who are participating in this funraiser. 💜
“I’m practically perfect in every way.” -Mar “I’m practically perfect in every way.” -Mary Poppins, P.L. Travers
🪁 
Although, truth be told, I’m much more like Michael and Jane... noisy, mischievous, and short-tempered. 😅 Or stubborn, suspicious, and inclined to giggle, if you want to use the movie for reference. 
🌂 
Thank you so much to everyone who contributed to my FUNdraiser! I’m wearing dresses every day in December to help raise awareness and funds to fight human trafficking. There will be donation matching beginning Tuesday, if you’ve been waiting for the right time to make a bigger impact! Please visit the blue link in my profile to see my @dressember FUNdraising page and to make a donation. 💗 You can also click through to visit my dressemberbound group to see all of the great people who are participating in this funraiser. 💜
“If you are what you eat, then I only want to ea “If you are what you eat, then I only want to eat the good stuff.” -Remy
🧀
“Good food is like music you can taste, color you can smell. There is excellence all around you. You need only be aware to stop and savor it.” - Chef Gusteau
🥘
I couldn’t pick just a Remy quote for today because the one by Chef Gusteau is one of my favorites from any movie. I think it’s clear from several of my other bounds this month that food is one of my love languages, and Remy and Gusteau totally get it.
🥐
Please visit the blue link on my profile to see my @dressember funraising page and to make a donation. 💗 You can also click through to visit my dressemberbound group to see all of the great people who are participating in this funraiser. 💜
I do not know whether to kill you, or to kiss you. I do not know whether to kill you, or to kiss you.
🕷😘
Miss Spider, James and the Giant Peach
🍑🕸 
I’m wearing dresses every day in December to help raise awareness and funds to fight human trafficking. Please visit the blue link in my profile to see my @dressember FUNdraising page and to make a donation. 💗 You can also click through to visit my dressemberbound group to see all of the great people who are participating in this funraiser. 💜
And I am here for the food. 🍎 Rizzo the Rat is And I am here for the food.
🍎
Rizzo the Rat is the best part of The Muppet Christmas Carol and when he kisses Gonzo’s nose over the jellybeans, I lose it every time. 😍 And to top it all off, he’s a Gryffindor. 😘
🎄
Merry Christmas to those celebrating today! Happy holidays to those celebrating their special days this season! Love you guys like Rizzo loves food.
❤️
I’m wearing dresses every day in December to help raise awareness and funds to fight human trafficking. I will be making donation matches to any contribution made by Christmas Day, up to a total of $75. Please visit the blue link in my profile to see my @dressember FUNdraising page and to make a donation. 💗 You can also click through to visit my dressemberbound group to see all of the great people who are participating in this funraiser. 💜
Load More... Follow on Instagram

Copyright

Creative Commons License
Bakingdom is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivs 3.0 Unported License. All writing, photography, original recipes, and printables are copyright © 2010-2017 Bakingdom, Darla Wireman. All Rights Reserved. Endorsement Disclosure: Purchases made through Amazon Affiliate links on this blog yield a small referral fee. For more information, click here.

Queenie’s Apple Strudel Dumplings

Happy Happy Narwhal Cake

Prickly Pair Valentine Cake

Perfect Chocolate Cupcakes with Perfect Chocolate Buttercream

Happy 7th Birthday, Bakingdom!

A Life Update and An Announcement

Follow on Facebook!

    • Email
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • RSS
    • Twitter
  • Copyright © Bakingdom. Design & Development by Melissa Rose Design