05 11 / 2012
Oh La La … French Macaroons !
Corny joke, I know. And yes they are not cupcakes however I am quite proud of these.
I took a 2 hour French Macaroon making class at this wonderful place called Cathcart & Reddy, and it was the best Groupon I ever purchased. It was like earning a skill point on the Sims, and I just felt so amazing afterwards having learned something new.
The teacher was phenomenal. She gave so much detail and instruction and did not make anyone feel left out or uncomfortable. The class ran longer than 2 hours, which was fine with me, we learned so much and it was all completely worth it. The class, the mixing and the tasting, it was just total … bliss.
Being a Jersey girl I had to ride into the city alone, take the subway, the whole thing and being an introvert going anywhere alone to meet a bunch of strangers is my worst nightmare. But the prospect of learning how to make a french dessert was enough to deter my social anxiety. In the end i’m so glad I went through with it. My giddiness lasted for days.
You know, I sense a new hobby coming on …
27 4 / 2012
My roommate asked me to make cupcakes to take into her last day of interning at Johnson & Johnson. These seemed appropriate. She said they were a big hit ;)
-C
26 4 / 2012
Morning/Afternoon after a long night of clubbing bliss in Atlantic City …..
What better way to appease a sweet tooth than a cupcake? After an epic weekend, I decided to take a spin with a cupcake by Crumbs. I didn’t go to a legitimate bakery, just some random place that was selling them, called Temptations.
Red Velvet Cupcake
Verdict: Delicious! The frosting was no where near overpowering and it complemented the cake wonderfully. It was just the right amount of sweet, it put me in complete bliss. Though expensive, I think it’s worth it. The cupcake is HUGE, so you’re getting your money’s worth. I’m picky when it comes to red velvet, but let me tell you. Overall, I recommend Crumbs. You won’t be disappointed. ;)
-C
24 3 / 2012
08 3 / 2012
"You have to respect an artist whose medium is a baked good."
08 3 / 2012
My Podcast.
A little tidbit about the bakeries I visited & why they’re famous.
08 3 / 2012
Angry Birds.
Lots of Marshmallows, dyed sugar & jelly beans.
Made them myself, red velvet from scratch.
-Cristhal
08 3 / 2012
The “Ice Cream Swirl”
It’s really called the 1M swirl, because of the tip used. It’s very popular, and it’s one of my favorite ways to top a cupcake. It’s so easy and it can make any cupcake look professionally made. I highly suggest it!
-Cristhal
07 3 / 2012
The Secret to Red Frosting?
So oftentimes, I stumble upon forums discussing the conquest of achieving … red frosting.
It may not sound hard, but have you ever tried it? It’s really difficult. Oftentimes i just get pink, dark peach, or some other insane not-even-close-to-red color.
But apparently the secret is to dye it pink first? I have yet to try it, but when you think about it, it makes sense.
One of these days I’ll get around to it. But for now, my red frosting conquest remains unconquered.
Till next time,
Cristhal
07 3 / 2012
Quick & Easy Roses
I can’t make the fancy roses like they do on Cake Boss, so instead I stumbled upon this beauty. I use it when I make roses on my cupcakes. It’s one of my favorite decorating techniques and I love how easy it is!
Check it out, the Wilton 2D drop flower frosting tip. Great for swirls and roses.
-Cristhal
07 3 / 2012
Enchanted Roses.
In an attempt to make my mom red roses dusted with edible pearl dust, heading for a Beauty and the Beast vibe, for her birthday, I got this instead.
Red is difficult to make, of which I got this peach color instead. But hey I tried.
Anyway, the cupcakes you see are Ghirardelli dark chocolate with fluffy vanilla buttercream, all made from scratch.
Despite getting frustrated trying to get the frosting red, in the end I’m happy with my results and I think these are some of the best cupcakes i’ve ever made. :)
-Cristhal
07 3 / 2012
Sprinkles Cupcakes
Again, while in DC, my mom was telling me about the “original” cupcake bakery, called “Sprinkles.” While on foursquare it came up on my phone so I knew it couldn’t be too far. And yet again, I treated my family to ridiculously expensive cupcakes.
These cupcakes were more expensive than Georgetown Cupcakes, and they’re weren’t even that good.
Vanilla: Got it for my brother. It was so boring, and the vanilla they used was so strong, it overpowered your taste buds. And again too much frosting, come on people. It was so sweet it hurt my teeth.
Carrot: Got it for my aunt. It was good, not too rich. But the cinnamon buttercream was pretty delicious.
Red Velvet: Nothing special at all.
Verdict: They’re considered gourmet cupcakes, but really they’re just really expensive ($3.50). In my opinion, at least try it once, but try something “original.”
I’d be lying if I said I didn’t like the decor though. And the customer service was amazing!
Till next time,
Cristhal
06 3 / 2012
Best Friend’s 21st
Over the summer my best friend turned 21, and we threw her a surprise party. The theme ocean(we call her the mermaid), which explains the whales. The seagull’s because she works for a place called “Seagull’s nest” and the sunflowers because they’re her favorite flower.
Her guests were impressed with them, or so I’m told. I was hiding, because I didn’t know anyone, but later my friends said the other guests were saying cupcakes like the ones I made go for A LOT in Manhattan. And here I made them for free.
Despite the amazing compliments, the birthday girl told me she didn’t even get to eat one. Talk about disappointing, everyone ate one before she could! But that’s okay I have this summer to try again, and out due last years birthday cupcakes.
I made these when I first started getting into decorated, so they’re actually box mix funfetti.
The sunflowers, however, are buttercream I made myself from scratch surrounding chocolate cookies.
The whales are twinkles dipped in melted frosting. And the seagulls are marshmallows accented with brown and yellow frosting.
I love the sunflowers, but everyone went gaga over the whales. Heh, to each your own I guess.
-Cristhal
