Rainbow Cupcakes! SO EASY.

ahem..(cue Kermit the Frog singing Rainbow Connection ) "why are there so many songs about rainbows?"... Because they are AWESOME, that's why!

And even better on a cupcake! Here's a really fun cupcake to try, the next time creativity hits you. It is not my original idea, but the photo you see here IS of the ones we made.

Wilton 307-826 Cupcakes 'n More 23-Count 4-Tier Metal Dessert Stand

My daughter and I wanted to make cupcakes for the snack table, following her upcoming Summer Orchestra Camp concert.   We saw these on Pinterest (of course!) and thought they would be perfect, because one of the songs they were playing was, "Rainbow Connection".

Blue cupcake liners were a must, and so perfect. We made yellow cupcakes with a mix, and stirred in colored sprinkles to the batter before baking to make a fun confetti looking surprise on the inside. Sky blue icing was swirled on top and the rainbows.., well, they were my best -find- of- the -day -ever. They are from a package of Air Heads Extremes candies in the Rainbow Berry Sour Candy flavor. (not my top choice, but they LOOK adorable!) Each candy strip was cut into 3 rainbows. To secure the ends of the rainbows in a 3-D shape, my daughter piped fluffy white buttercream icing, with a #12 tip for "clouds".

Jessie Steele Cupcakes Apron

Needless to say, they were a BIG hit ! I bought extra packages of the candy, because I know I'll be making these again. Using pre-made things like candies, to decorate, makes for some DIY -friendly results. And what better way to display your cupcakes than on an awesome cupcake stand. They take up less table space and make for more cupcake drama for sure!

Hello, Cupcake!: Irresistibly Playful Creations Anyone Can Make

I hope you'll try these, so fun and so easy. Check out my DIY Wedding Cake for Under $50, book. http://diyweddingcakeunder50.com 

making your life sweeter,

Liz
The Party Hostess Diva
http://facebook.com/partyhostessdiva

http://youtu.be/pC2nePyCcl4

ATTENTION BRIDES! A Wedding cake for under $50 !!

BE THE FIRST TO TAKE ADVANTAGE OF THIS LIMITED TIME OFFER!

ATTENTION DIY BRIDES! ATTENTION FRUGAL DIVA'S!

Wilton Fancy Scrolls Cake Stand

The "Do-it-Yourself Wedding Cake for under $50" eBook is FINALLY available! It is a start-to finish, hold your hand along the way tutorial on how to make your own classic and delicious 2 or 3 tiered wedding cake!!(or get an awesome friend to help or do it for you !)

 Includes full color photos and a 40 minute narrated instructional video! This takes the mystery out of "how do they DO that?!" and puts it in your own capable hands. In fact, the method can be used over and over again to make impressive large cakes for other celebration events; Baby showers ..(first comes love, then comes marraige..then comes...? ..in the baby carraige), Christenings, Anniversaries, Birthday Parties, etc.

There is so much more, as well. Advice on transporting your cake, ideas for the cake table, suggestions for DIY cake toppers...resources listed.

Wilton 10 Inch Featherweight Piping Bag

The following link will take you to an information page where you can get it.

http://youtu.be/pC2nePyCcl4


Thanks, in advance, for sharing this with anyone and everyone. There will be a contest on my Pinterest for those who make the cakes using this book. Can't wait!

Making your life a little sweeter,
Liz
The Party Hostess Diva on Facebook
Elizabeth Corbett on Pinterest

Hot Tub Fun !! playing with gumpaste people...

What do you do with a 9 inch square cake, a photo of 4 friends in a hot tub and gumpaste and piping gel? Unleash the creativity! Fondant, of course is a wonderful medium to play with. Shown here is a square, two tiered cake, covered in icing then chocolate fondant that has been scored and marked to look like wooden planks. The inside was partially scooped out and filled with blue buttercream icing. On top of that, clear piping gel (fantastic stuff!) tinted blue for the water effect.

Wilton Gum Paste and Fondant Student Kit

  

Featured in the hot tub are figures made of gumpaste, with fondant bathingsuits and icing hair. Fun little touches are bottles of beer. See the spilled one on the right? candles, and a towel, all made of fondant. This was my first attempt at making people out of gumpaste. I would like to experiment further to fine tune the details and continue to work with the recipe.

Not much for "how to" with this post, but just wanted to share the photo. You could easily adapt this idea to a round swimming pool and fill with just little heads bobbing around and tubes and rafts. What would YOU like to see on a cake with this great water effect?

Wilton Piping Gel, 10-Ounce

This photo and other cake and food ideas are also shown on my facebook pg.(see below)

Making your life a little sweeter,

Liz
The Party Hostess Diva on Facebook
Elizabeth Corbett on Pinterest

http://youtu.be/pC2nePyCcl4

Steps To The Perfect Cupcake

A cupcake is a pretty standard thing to bake, but here are some tips to end up with a professional looking treat, taking your reviews from "oh, that must be home made, to "wow, did they come from a bakery?"



First, a cupcake liner is a must, there are SO many fun options out there. You can check out your local craft store, and on eBay, you can buy custom colors in bulk, for a special event. I found these awesome zebra/hot pink ones at the grocery store. Don't use the pastel thin ones that sometimes end up greasy and sheer, a heavier paper is a must. And with many you can even go without a standard muffin/cupcake tin.


Cupcake Creations 32 Standard Cups: Pink Zebra

Next, I recommend using a mechanical scoop to neatly measure the batter into each liner. I have all 3 sizes in stainless steel by Pampered Chef. They take prime real estate in my bakery gadget drawer.
If you fill the papers only half full, they will rise to the top of the paper and you have plenty of space for plenty of icing, and who doesn't love icing! 

Wilton 2104-7778 Master Tip Set

For a uniform professional looking swirl with your icing, I recommend the #1 M Open Star tip by Wilton. I like to use a coupler in the decorating bag for stability and the convenience of switching to a different tip with the same bag/color.

If you decide to add sprinkles or sugar, it is best to sprinkle on when icing is moist, before it sets, otherwise they won't stick. Ice several, then sprinkle, then move on to the next ones and repeat. Sprinkle over a bowl and you can reuse the ones that fall off. No waste. Less is more when it comes to sprinkles and sugar, you're looking for an accent of color.

I save the sturdy plastic trays that party platters come on, as seen above, (including the domed lid) Wash in hot sudsy water, remove or cover the sticker, and you have a perfect presentation container for your next bake sale or away from home casual party. No need to worry about leaving your favorite container or plate. 

And of course, always always always make your frosting from scratch. Leave the tub-o-plastic icing at the grocery store. Wilton's, Buttercream is a no-fail favorite. Whip until light and fluffy and smooth preferably with a quality stand mixer. (see my post on my 20+ yr. faithful companion) and finally, NEVER, use margarine...or spreadable plastic as I like to say, ALWAYS use real butter!

Cupcakes 'N More Dessert Stand-Holds 23 Cupcakes 1

 Experiment with flavors, a touch of vanilla and a hint of almond is a nice combination. Substitute orange juice for the  cream or milk and you have a delightful citrus icing. (garnish with orange zest?) Or how about peppermint extract , a drop or two of red food color to make a pale pink icing and top with crushed candy canes, on a chocolate cupcake..divine! 

If you'd like to see more cupcake and cake ideas, check out my facebook page, Party Hostess Diva. I'm also on Pinterest, as Elizabeth Corbett. 

making your life a little sweeter,

Liz

see my latest project at this link:
http://youtu.be/pC2nePyCcl4



Happy Baking !!