Assorted cupcakes pictures

A lot of friends has asked me to post some pictures of the decorated cupcakes in the blog. They would like to see the different design of the cupcakes. I would love to share some of the simple designed lovely cupcakes. Now I wish I have a better camera & photography skills.

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Tiramisu Cupcakes

Tiramisu is one of my favorite dessert.
I love the classic Tiramisu, the real "pick me up" dessert.

Since I am really into this cupcakes thingy, it was fun to try out a brand new Tiramisu recipes. This recipe was adapted from Baking: From My Home To Yours, Dorie Greenspan. I used Kahlua & the real espresso in making the coffee syrup. It is up to you to omit the Kahlua or replace the espresso with any coffee powder. The strange thing about using Kahlua, it does give the dessert a "kick".

I made these Tiramisu for my family reunion - my brother & sister were back to hometown last weekend. It was a big hit. I ate TWO. Urgh.........thinking when to workout to burn the extra calories........

This recipes adopted from Dorie Greenspan.

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Exchange Cupcakes

One of the weekends, I received an order to make some cupcakes for a friend birthday, there are few extra decorated cupcakes. Then, my daughter requested me to give some of those cupcakes so that she can bring to school for breakfast. Of course, I said yes. She love the cupcake so much & her friends in the kindergarden wanted to trade their "Tuperwared" food (mostly bread or cookies) with her cupcakes. So her friend forced her to trade 1 "Gadinia" bread with her only cupcake. They go back to the ancient way of doing business- system barter.

So, finally I asked her, "Did you ate your cupcake?".
She said,"No!" with a sad face.
Because her friend insisted on that she MUST exhange the cupcake with the bread. Otherwise, her friend do not want to "friend" her.

Since her birthday is coming soon, I will plan to make some for all the kids in the kindergarden. She is really excited about it.

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Cupcakes vs Classic Celebration Cakes

A cupcakes is a small cake designed to serve one person. It is frequently baked in a small & pretty paper cup. It is very common to have frosting, fondant or confectionery sugar decoration on the cupcakes to make it looks good. Cupcake is pretty trendy in the states. It is just like the Nyonya kuih in Malaysia.

When I need to to choose what cake to bake for the suitable occasion, it is always between the little cupcakes vs. classic celebration cakes.

The good things about choosing a cupcakes are:
- it is handy because you do not need to slice the cakes especially it is a big party.
- it is less messy because the cupcakes is already served in the paper cup, we do not need to wash more plates. Just pick up a cupcakes & bite it.
- if it is a party, there is a few flavor of cupcakes for the guests to choose according to his/ her liking.
- it is great for party where there are kids around.
- it is very easy for guest to 'ta pau" the cake if there is any extra.
- it is very suitable as a gift specially for kids birthday parties. Well, instead of bringing wine for an adult parties, a classic cupcakes could be a delightful surprise.

Likewise, the good things about a classic celebration cakes are:
- it looks more formal especially there is a cake cutting ceremony
- it looks more classy to present the whole cake eg. 3 tier wedding cakes
- of course is it very nostalgic eg, the brandy fruit cake for Christmas
- Some cakes are normally served as a whole cake especially cheese cakes, mousse cakes etc
- This is more suitable for family events or a gathering with a few good friends

Finally, as long as the cake is good, a cupcakes or classic cakes, just eat it & enjoy with a cup of coffee/tea.

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To ice a cake.....

"Wow!~, how could they ice the cake so nicely." That is what I tell myself whenever I see a baker icing a cake. I have been into cake decorating lately due to the cupcake thingy. Decorating cakes is fun. So, last week I have challenged myself to ice a strawberry sponge cake.

Well, you can see it from the pictures for the final presentation.
1st lesson to be learned; practice make perfect. That is why the bakers can ice the cake beautifully.
Beautiful cake looks very appealing & appetizing.
2nd lesson, it is OKAY for home baker to ice the cake in a more rustic way. Don't worry even if it is not perfect. Everyone is going to eat it anyway. Just make sure that the "cake" taste great.

Just eat it as long as it tastes good. If it can looks better, that is a bonus. Ganbatte......home bakers.

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