cupcakes — Page 7

How to Make a Fondant Pumpkin

October 10, 2011 by Jenn

My newest cupcake that I have been baking is perfectly fitting for the cool evenings and mornings that fall has brought to us . . . pumpkin! I had high hopes of growing my own, but after planting, fertilizing and watering my beloved pumpkin seeds, the season proved to be too short. I have been left buying my pumpkins from the store. Fail.

Oh well, there is always next year! Except our brand new house (yes, we bought a house!) doesn’t have room for much of a garden. BUT, I would love to get a little strip of dirt where I could grow some carrots, beets and peas. I’m good at growing those 🙂 obviously it would have to have a GIANT deer fence.

Since my growing pumpkin test this year was such a failure (they did bloom . . . just not until September!), I have had to create my own pumpkins out of fondant!

They are super quick, easy and most importantly CUTE! Check out the video tutorial on how to do these on our YouTube channel. Hope you like it!

Filed Under: Cupcakes, Tutorials, Videos Tagged With: cupcakes, fondant pumpkin, fondant tutorial, pumpkin

Cranbrook Farmers Market

June 29, 2011 by Jenn

This weekend marked the opening day of the Cranbrook Farmer’s Market 2011 season! This year marks the third year that the market has been running, and it is getting bigger and better every year! There are tons of talented people that have come out of the woodwork to show off their creations, produce and general community spirit!

I have to say . . . IT’S ABOUT TIME CRANBROOK GOT SOME CULTURE and spirit! And uniqueness. (Cranbrook rant done.)

I have been going to this market for the last couple of years as a customer, but this year, Paul and I decided that we wanted to be a part of it! We brought JJ’s to the market! We did a couple of indoor markets in Windermere in the spring, but that paled in comparison to the number of people that came down 10th Ave this weekend! It was great people watching, and a great chance to get to catch up with people you haven’t seen in a while!

It was VERY different from the “other side”. I decided to do a pros/cons list for this (because I’m a dork)! When’s the last time you made a pros/cons list? Grade 4?

Pro: I didn’t spend any money. Con: I didn’t have time to leave my booth!

Pro: I didn’t have time to leave my booth! Con: I didn’t get to see all of the beautiful jewellery I kept hearing about.

Con: Our cupcake balloon flew away! Pro: A man CLIMBED a tree to get it out! I gave him free cupcakes. Thank you monkey-ability man, whoever, and wherever you are.

*Note, when putting a helium filled balloon away in a truck, make sure the windows are shut (not just the doors). Yep, that was me that did that, but I did try pretty hard to blame Paul for leaving the windows open. (That’s the balloon in the pic below….try to take your eyes of the two cuties selling cupcakes).

Pro: We are working out all the kinks in our booth set up. Con: We still have a lot of kinks. And scrapes. And scratches. On us, and the &#%^ gazebo. Poor Paul. I’m not my finest early in the morning.

Pro: My mom came to refill our change drawer when we ran out. Con: She brought like $20 in nickels.

Pro: I made a lot of cupcakes. See my cake fridge? Con: I didn’t get to eat any of them.

Pro: I have the greatest FREE labourer in the world! She is my cupcake expert equal. Con: We don’t get to talk because we’re too busy!

Pro: The market allowed me to FINALLY meet my first blog friend! Karen from Toronto Girl West! Con: I acted like a dork . . . and forgot how to talk. It was like meeting a celebrity! I can’t imagine what I would do if I met (uhhhh, insert current favourite star here…I can’t think of any as I have been in the kitchen too long!).

Despite my large dose of dork, I LOVED meeting Karen! Go and check out her blog, because she is an amazing. And what a photographer she is! I love her pictures, she’s always travelling, and she is so real! I love reading her blog because I totally relate to things that she is saying. Besides, we both like to workout, eat, and have small dogs!! How could be NOT love each other?

The market overall was a great success, for us at JJ’s and I hear from all the other booths as well. The organizers were great, right from the start, I loved their organization (it’s the teacher in me), and stickiness with rules (being the anal control freak that I am, of course I would love to follow the rules).

If you’re around Cranbrook this summer, please come and stop by our booth. We are alternating between the Cranbrook Market, and the Baynes Lake market throughout the summer. If you want to know specific dates as to where we are, shoot me an email and I will let you know! jenn@jjscustomcakery.com

Filed Under: Randomness Tagged With: Cranbrook, cranbrook farmers market, cupcakes, farmers market, market

Healthy-er Carrot Cupcakes

June 21, 2011 by Jenn

If you are a regular reader, or a friend of mine, you know that I also teach spinning at our local fitness facility . . . I’ve been on a bit of a hiatus lately, but I’m starting back up in July . . . oh, that saddle is going to be painful! Good thing I’ve been riding my mountain bike around.

Anyways, the point of me telling you this, is that for our last group instructor meeting, where we all get together (as we hardly see each other due to our various schedules) and talk about what’s going well, classes we might want to look at adding etc, I was asked to bring cupcakes. BUT, do you think that a group of fitness instructors want to eat a huge sugary cupcake? My guess, was no, they’re not like me (aka they are F.I.T. and I’m the round (literally) odd-ball), so I set out to find a “cupcake” that was:

1. not a muffin (an easy disguise),

2. low in sugar,

3. low in fat, and

4. that tasted like it was none of the above!

(Side note, I’m making a new cupcake for JJ’s and I’m going to call it the Fun Free cupcake and it’s going to be Gluten Free and Dairy Free…bahahaha!)

A carrot filled cupcake seemed like a good start, as I knew the vegetable thing had to be on my side! So I searched my beloved Tastespotting (which I recently had gotten my photo rejected from AGAIN. Lord, how do people do it!?!?!) and found just the recipe that I had been looking for! It is from Tessa at Handle the Heat, and is called Healthier Carrot Cupcakes! This recipe uses whole wheat flour, a small amount of oil, and applesauce for binding!

Here is what you do:

Carrot Cupcakes with Lemony Cream Cheese Icing

Found at Handle the Heat

For the Cupcakes

• 3/4 cup whole-wheat pastry flour or whole wheat flour

• 1/2 cup all-purpose flour

• 1 teaspoon baking soda

• 1/4 teaspoon salt

• 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon

• 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg

• 1/4 cup canola oil

• 3/4 cup firmly packed light brown sugar

• 2 large eggs

• 1/2 cup natural applesauce

• 1/2 teaspoon vanilla

• 1 1/2 cups finely shredded carrots (about 2 medium carrots)

• 1/4 cup plus 2 tablespoons finely chopped walnuts (I omitted this as I was unsure about allergies)

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Line 12 muffin cups with paper liners.

Sift together the first 6 ingredients.

In a large bowl, whisk the oil, brown sugar and eggs until well combined.

Whisk in the applesauce, vanilla and carrots.

Add the dry ingredients and mix until combined.

If using, stir in 1/4 cup of the chopped walnuts.

Divide the batter between the muffin cups. Bake until a toothpick comes out clean, about 20 minutes. Transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.

Lemon Cream Cheese Icing

• 4 ounces 1/3 fat cream cheese

• 3/4 cup confectioners’ sugar, sifted

• 1/2 teaspoon finely grated lemon zest

With an electric mixer, beat together the cream cheese, confectioners’ sugar and lemon zest until smooth and creamy. Frost the cooled cupcakes and sprinkle with the remaining 2 tablespoons chopped walnuts. The cupcakes should be stored in the refrigerator for about 3 days.

I hope you enjoy them . . . and make them for the fitness buffs in your life!

Filed Under: Cupcakes Tagged With: carrot, carrot cake cupcakes, cupcakes, Healthy, whole wheat

Spring Flower Cupcakes

May 19, 2011 by Jenn

It is FINALLY spring. It has been a lllllooooooonnnnngggggg, cold, grey winter/ “spring” ’round these parts this year (was that country enough for y’all?).

It’s almost the May long weekend and we are finally getting sun. I finally had to cut the lawn. I finally had to weed out the dandelions (which took Paul and I two hours each! . . . WITH a handy dandy dandelion digger-upper thingy). Some of you may think that weeding and mowing the lawn is not something that one would be looking forward to, but I totally was! Nuts.

But, I had my reasons for this . . . two reasons . . .

One: having to weed and mow a lawn means I have a lawn! WHOOT! I’m so happy where I’m living now. A real house! Who would have thought 🙂

Two: If the grass and dandelions are growing (weeds included) it means that the sun is shining and bringing everything back to life . . . from the doldrums of winter. S.A.D. anyone? Vitamin D is my best friend . . . best natural head meds you can find!

THREE (I said I had two reasons, oh well): My garden is growing! Rhubard is up, raspberry stalks are sprouting, and the seeds are in the dirt. Yay! I planted some stuff that I plan to use in my cupcakes, and I will be able to say I really made them! Like, really!

This was my Mother’s Day Spring Bouquet. Happy belated Mother’s day to all the fabulous Mother’s out there . . . especially to my own!

These next ones were an order for Mother’s Day cupcakes. I had free rein to try whatever I wanted, so I got out my tools and set to work!

I love the orange rosette on these ones!

Happy spring everyone . . . knock on wood . . . fingers crossed . . . salt over shoulder . . . and all other superstitions that could work in our favour and keep the sun out!

Filed Under: Cupcakes Tagged With: cupcakes, flower cupcakes, flowers, mother's day, mother's day cupcakes, spring cupcakes

Hockey Cupcakes

March 15, 2011 by Jenn

HOCKEY CUPCAKES

About three years ago, my dad decided that he was going to learn how to play hockey. At the age of 59.

What was he thinking!?

He was thinking: it will give me something to do when I retire, it will give me a way to stay in shape, and it will give me something to be passionate about! At least, that’s my interpretation of what he was thinking!

He did it, took skating lessons, joined a “old, old timers league” and every Tuesday and Thursday, texts his family his “Stats” from his games.

I am very proud of my dad for venturing into something brand new for him. He has spent a lot of time learning . . . and falling . . . and scoring goals! With a goalie in the net . . . sometimes 🙂 Kidding aside, I am very proud of him, and can’t wait to get to see him play again soon.

In honour of my Dad, I wanted to name a cupcake after him. His FAVOURITE kind of cookie is a peanut butter with a scoop of raspberry jam on the top. So, what better cupcake to make for him than a PB & J! I asked him what he would like me to name it, and he chose “The Classic”, named after his hockey team! How cute . . . and perfect for a name, as what is more classic than PB & J!?

Here is The Classic, customized for a special order, in honour of my dad’s hockey team. Apparently the “guys” like the cupcakes.

Well done Dad, I’m proud of your hard work.

Filed Under: Cupcakes Tagged With: cupcakes, hockey, hockey cupcakes, jam, peanut butter, sports

Basketball Cupcakes

March 14, 2011 by Jenn

BASKETBALL CUPCAKES

Getting the fortune of teaching in one school this year (after being in two different ones for the last two years) has allowed me to get back to doing extra curricular activities. I loved sports and music when I was going through school, and I was on every team I could be, and in band and choir. As a Kindergarten teacher, I love to be able to teach the older kids sometimes, and through coaching, I get that opportunity.

Our season was a lot of fun . . . and we even won a game! Which we didn’t during the volleyball season 🙁 I had a great group of girls, who tried hard, and had a lot of fun throughout the season.

We had our traditional pizza lunch last week to wrap up the season, and I wanted to make them something special. So what did I think of? An ice cream cake!! But, then I remembered that I’m running a cupcake business. Hellooooo. So I made them some cute basketball cupcake treats.

Paul was my diligent fondant cutter . . . look how round those balls turned out 😉 He has officially be initiated into the land of fondant.

Filed Under: Cupcakes Tagged With: basketball, cupcakes, sports

Popcorn Cupcakes and A Movie Cake?

March 8, 2011 by Jenn

I love movies.

I love rom-coms. I love dramas. I love action.

I don’t love sci-fi.

I love popcorn.

It sounds like I’m one of my Kindergartener’s writing a poem! I think that means I should stop. I hope you get the idea.

When a friend of mine asked me to make a birthday cake for her daughter’s 12th birthday, she happened to mention that I would need to drop the cake off at a restaurant after the movie. Movie? I had JUST the idea!

I used to go to the movies all the time . . . it was one of my favourite pastimes in University. I love the smell of the butter and the huge lazy boy type chairs that the super theatres now have (not that we have one of those in Cranbrook!) I just don’t seem to have much time to go to movies these days. Also, it doesn’t seem like there are many quality movies making their way to the local theatre.

To go with the bad habit of filling up on a big bag of popcorn, I had was always falling asleep once the movie started!

I blame the dark.

My friends developed the “helpful” habit of elbowing me to wake me up. Thanks.

What else goes with popcorn, and a nap at the movies? Candy of course! To go with this cake, I went searching the aisles of the movie theatre . . . Mike n Ike’s, MnM’s,and chocolate covered caramels.

These popcorn tubs were so fun to make! I got the idea for Hello Cupcake, and had seen it months ago. I was so excited to finally get to make this cute addition for a cake.

How to Make Marshmallow Popcorn:

You will need one bag of white mini marshmallows, and one bag of multi coloured flavoured marshmallows. Separate out all of the yellow marshmallows. You will be making around 200 kernels of popcorn! Take one marshmallow and cut it into three pieces. These become the “petals” of the popcorn. Put a dot of icing on the bottom a whole marshmallow, and attach the three pieces of cut marshmallow to the whole one. That’s it! Super easy, but time consuming. Make sure you have a good movie to turn on 🙂 Edited to add: Thanks Paul for putting together so many of the popcorn pieces together. You’re the greatest helper.

The cake is chocolate with chocolate buttercream, and the cupcakes were vanilla with salted caramel buttercream, and vanilla with vanilla buttercream.

I LOVED making this cake. It was so much fun.

What’s your favourite movie?

Filed Under: Cakes, Cupcakes Tagged With: cakes, cupcakes, movie cakes, popcorn cupcakes

Cookies and Cream Cupcakes

March 3, 2011 by Jenn

Should I be sharing my recipes now that I’m making them for money? Hmmm, that is the question . . . oh well, I’ll worry about that another day and give you this pictorial!

First, I have to start off telling you that there is an Oreo in the bottom of this cupcake! How great is that?! As soon as I saw the bottom of the cupcake tin with the Oreo in it, I HAD to make this cupcake and add it to my repertoire.

Is it love for you too?

I try to stay away from Oreo’s . . . and the entire cookie aisle when shopping because cookies and I don’t get along well. In fact, they make me so mad, that I have to eat all of them! Imagine my fright when I had to buy the SUPERSIZED box of Oreo’s for this recipe. I was worried none of them would make it to the bowl.

First off start whipping up the batter . . . eggs, sugar, butter.

Add in the flour . . .

Now for the best part, mix in quartered Oreo’s! HUGE chunks on top of the half Oreo! Good Lord.

Spoon into cupcake tins, and you’re ready to bake these bites of gooey Oreo goodness! It took every ounce of self control to resist spooning this batter out of the cups and into my mouth!

It’s Oreo-delicious!

Filed Under: Cupcakes Tagged With: cookies and cream, cupcakes, oreos