The Cupcake Girl says "Thanks!"

THANK YOU from the bottom of my heart to all of my friends and family who have made 2011 the best ever for cupcakes. I cannot begin express my gratitude for your support and loyalty. I also thank you for challenging me to be creative with fondant and new flavors. I can only hope that 2012 is half as great....and don't worry, my kitchen will be baking up new goodies for you to try!

Wishing you and yours a Wonderful New Year!

Heros!

Everyone needs a hero like Captain America!

Minis are the biggest hit!

Minis for weddings. Minis for parties. Minis for munching. Anytime is a good time for a mini cupcake!

Cupcake Girl goes Custom!

Custom toppers made by the cricut....and a great friend!

Luke....I'm your Father!

Thanks to custom toppers one little boys birthday wishes came true!

Baby showers were a Hoot this year!

McQueen, Pirates, Legos....oh my!

Not to be outdone...boys had their share of cupcakes too!

Favorite Themes of 2011....Hello Kitty and Strawberry Shortcake!

Four birthdays with Hello Kitty and 3 with Miss Shortcake...how can a girl go wrong?

Rachel's Wedding

It is such and honor to be asked to create the sweet confections served at any event...especially a wedding. So I was thrilled to be asked to bake some yummy cupcakes for this wedding. Planning started almost a year ago when the bride and I met, with a sample pack for tasting. Once she decided what flavors she wanted to go with it was time to think about display and how many cupcakes to use for this wonderful event. Rachel decided to go with Red Velvet, a favorite of her handsome groom, Chocolate Peanut butter, her fav, and vanilla to have a balance.

The reception was held at the Pewter Rose in Charlotte.....so neat and warm and eclectic. The theme was Black and White so with Rachel's boxes and centerpiece, I added black square plates and cake stands to hold the cupcakes. I think it turned out great....and I hope their marriage is filled with love for a lifetime!

Ganache! A little bite of love on a spoon!

A lot of my friends ask me about Ganache? What is it? How do you make it? What can you use it for? Why is it soooo darn good? Well, Friends, Ganache to me is a little bite of love right on a spoon. And trust me...I've been known to just eat it that way. Right out of the bowl from the spoon!

Ganache is a fancy name for heavy cream combined with chocolate to make a wonderful glaze, filling or icing for just about anything you can think of. I like it with cupcakes, of course, but you can use it on pretzels, cookies, doughnuts, or your finger! A very good friend of mine has stated on several occasions she could just roll herself around in it! Right, Jenny!

It's a simple recipe really, just heat heavy cream (I use a double boiler so as not to burn the cream) and when it starts to boil, take it off and pour it over your favorite chocolate. I like a darker chocolate for my Ganache but you could use milk chocolate for a milder taste. Then combine the cream and chocolate until the chocolate is all melted and you are left with a wonderful creamy, dreamy bowl of yummy. Simply pour over a cake and let it run down the sides or let it set up a little and dip your cupcakes in it to produce a chocolate glaze top. It really doesn't matter how you use Ganache, it will always give you a little bite of love....right from the spoon!

Guinness cupcakes!

Here's my story of the Guinness cupcake. Sit back and enjoy....it's a funny one. Several months back I was in Charleston visiting my cousin, Meggan and we were discussing cupcake flavors and how today flavors were all over the place, from vanilla to double chocolate with ganache filling or even salted caramel. We were laughing that women are the main consumer of cupcakes and chocolate and sweet/salty combinations were perfect for us. But that got me thinking....where was the cupcake for men?

I then found an article on Beef Cake cupcakes...the cupcakes for men. Flavors like Bacon with maple syrup, butter rum and Guinness. Hmmmmm, I thought to myself. How hard could it be to make a chocolate Guinness cupcake with chocolate buttercream icing?

Off to the store I went. I bought a 4-pack of Guinness stout and the first thing I noticed was how heavy it was. When I got it home I also noticed that the can itself clinked. I mean, there was a ball-like contraption in the bottom of it that sounded like a spray paint can. It clinked. SO, I prepared my chocolate batter like normal except I was going to substitute the liquid for the Guinness beer. What does a woman do who doesn't drink beer do when the can sounds like a spray paint can? Shake the can, of course! Shake it until the clink lessens. That's what you do with paint, right?

So imagine my surprise when I pulled the top and beer went EVERYWHERE! On the ceiling (of my new house!), all over the counter, on the floor, all over Me! I was soaked from head to toe...thank goodness I was wearing an apron! Needless to say, I didn't get it right. There is No need to shake this beer and the little ball...only in the bottom to produce a nice foam on top when poured into a glass correctly.

Well, the beer is cleaned up and I've since gotten it down and the men who I know.....LOVE the Guinness cupcake. Enjoy this funny little story and if you want....a Guinness cupcake to go along with it.

And the winner is.........

CONGRATULATIONS to Ms. Ashley Gordon winner of the first Cupcake Drop cupcake basket generously donated by Christine of Thoughtful Creations. Don't forget to check out her FB page!

Fondant Factory!

With the Cupcake Drop just hours me, I got to work on the fondant for the weekend. Turtles and Hello Kitty...how can you go wrong!

Another Wedding!

July Newsletter

July 2011

Hello Friends!!

Welcome to the July Newsletter!

So, you probably noticed that I didn’t host my Cupcake Drop last month, huh? Life got a little hectic in June, but July is here and I am ready. Are you?!

DATE: July 22 1-7

Where/What: Come by My House, 3482 Richards Crossing- Look for the Pink & Green, and get some Cupcake Girl treats for your weekend!

Buy one cupcake or a dozen. Mix and match your flavors. The more you buy... the more you save. Individual cupcakes starting at $1.50 a piece.

If you have a special request send me an email by Monday the 18th and I will have them waiting for you.

I will also have a wonderful cupcake themed basket that I will be raffling off at the Cupcake Drop. This basket was provided by Thoughtful Creations and the talented Christine Barbera (look her up on Facebook). You must come by my house on the 22^nd to be entered in the drawing!

Also, a limited selection of push up pop cupcakes. Delish and MESS FREE or at least LESS messy!

********Cash ONLY Please

* Flavor of the month for JULY… Key Lime. YUM!!!

* Thanks to all YOU, the Cupcake Girl was able to write a check for over $300 to Samaritans Purse. THANK YOU!

* Next month, introduction of the frequent buyer program and The Cupcake Girl does COOKIES!.

I hope you all are enjoying every minute of your summer!

Jen

The Cupcake Girl

Visit me at my blog jenthecupcakegirl.blogspot.com & on facebook

Minis make great Wedding cupcakes

Green is the color of the season so far, followed closely by yellow. What was your color scheme?

THE BEST HELPERS a girl can have!

A special Thank You to Christy and Abby Bonker and my special daughter Sophia for helping me this weekend with my wedding deliveries!

Let The Cupcake Girl bake for your wedding!

June and July have been busy months for Weddings! Three brides. Three different themes, venues, styles and flavors. All beautiful and hopefully full of love for a lifetime.

Cupcake Drop Basket Raffle!!

My first Cupcake Drop will be on Friday July 22nd from 1-7 and to get things off to a great start I have partnered with Christine Barbera, owner of Thoughtful Creations, a unique whimsical basket company. Christine has graciously donated an "Everything Cupcake" basket that will be raffled off to some lucky person who attends the Cupcake Drop. This basket is valued at $50! Check out Christine and her gorgeous baskets on Facebook at Thoughtful Creations. And keep checking back through the next weeks to get more details on the Cupcake Drop. I am excited! You should be too!

$310 to Samaritan's Purse!

Thank you for a great June! As I said before 25% of this months sales would go to Samaritan's Purse for disaster relief out West. I cannot be more thrilled today to be writing a check for $310 for the cause. I know that we can make a difference......one cupcake at a time!

Fathers Day Yumminess

Doesn't Dad deserve a yummy treat made just for him? Take a chocolate cupcake, add some Guinness Stout, tops with MORE chocolate. Yummy Deliciousness!

$3 boxed and ready

Cake POPS!!

Now offering Cake Pops! $15/dozen

Chocolate, Vanilla, and Red Velvet

Over the Rainbow

Rainbow frosted chocolate cupcakes made for a sweet 4 year old's birthday party.

June Newsletter

Welcome to the June Newsletter!

As promised I have lots of fun things planned for June.

* Fathers Day is fast approaching. I have whipped up a special cupcake for all of the favorite guys in your life- Chocolate Guinness Chocolate. Is your mouth watering? I can box up this goody for your Dad for $3.

* Cake POPS are now available. $15/dozen

* 25% of all orders taken in June will be donated back to Samaritans Purse to help all those who have been affected by the storms in the Mid – West.

* Check out our ad in the June Baxter Bulletin

* Like us on Face book for a chance to win FREE cupcakes

I am so excited to share with you all by biggest NEWS. Once a month, I will be hosting a CUPCAKE DROP! This is the opportunity for you to drop by my home and buy 1, 3, 7 cupcakes...however many you want! Big afternoon at the pool and craving a chocolate cupcake? Come on by! I will have several flavors available and if you have a special request send me an email ahead of time and I will have them waiting for you. You can mix and match your flavors… the more you buy… the more you save! Individual cupcakes starting at $1.50 a piece. More details to come...

Thank you all for my best MAY EVER. I loved every minute of it and I hope you all loved your cupcakes. Schools out… Summer is here… Who wants a cupcake?!?

I LOVE making people Happy!!!

"Jen-you don't know me, but I just had to tell you,today I recieved one of your cupcakes from a student on her last day of school. By the time it got to me , she had of course shaken,tossed,flipped and who knows what else to the box. The first thing I noticed was the logo-too cute ! I work for a kids art studio,and we also host birthday parties-we get to taste a LOT of cupcakes from generous party moms as you can imagine. I have to tell you-of all the cupcakes I've had in my 5 years working there and 8 years as a mom.......your cupcake was AMAZING ! I was sad when it was gone and shamelessly licked the frosting off the sides of the box ! It's pretty common to taste a cupcake with delicious frosting,but I've never had one that had equally delicious cake. It was so good ! I have a baby shower coming up in a few months and will definately be ordering from you - thanks for the mid-day deliciousness!!!!! :) -Kelly"

Getting Down to Business

In order to provide you with the best possible cupcake experience, I have asked my Dear Friend, Jen Lumpkin, to help me with my cupcake orders. I want to make sure that all of my orders are accurate, so she will be checking The Cupcake Girl email for all incoming orders, will respond with suggestions and pricing, and I.....will just bake and deliver.

The most efficient way to order is to send an email to thecupcakegirl@rocketmail.com so we have a record. If you call, after we chat about your order, I will ask you to send an email just to verify and clarify your order. If I forget to ask....remind me! I want to provide the best service and cupcakes to you, my customers.

Thank you to all of you who have supported me this year and let's make June the very best month. Remember, 25% goes to Samaritan's Purse for disaster relief.

Ladybug Deliciousness

{chocolate & vanilla with buttercream and fondant ladybugs}

Samaritan's Purse Disaster Relief effort

Due to all of the devastation out West due to the outbreak of tornados, I feel the need to try to help. So for the entire month of June, The Cupcake Girl will give 25% of all sales to Samaritan's Purse for the disaster relief effort. It may not be a lot, but together we can help families who have lost everything. Keep checking this blog and Facebook for June specials and progress on our donation progress. Just trying to make the world a sweeter place....one cupcake at a time!

Sweets for Your Grad

High School, Preschool, Kindergarden, College.... So many graduations coming up. Let me make something for your special your favorite Grad. I can include these cute cupcakes toppers for an extra $2/dozen. I also have star wars cupcake toppers that are adorable!

LOGO LOVE

I love my new Logo... Don't you? Life has bee hectic lately, but I have SO many exciting things in store for you!! Flavors of the month... monthly newsletter... a cupcake drop in. Details to come. Get EXCITED!!!

Lakeside Chatter

It has been a busy month personally and professionally for me. I have so many exciting things planned for the next fews months. I hope you will all continue with me on my cupcake journey!

If you have a minute check out the cupcake Girl on Lakeside Chatter.

It's almost the end of the month and I am still 53 followers away from FREE cupcakes for one of you! Spread the Word... The Cupcake Girl Word!!

Recent Order Update!

I had an order for some Sweet 16 basketball cupcakes a few weeks ago. She shoots... She scores!

Another recent order for some cupcakes for a special little boys Baptism.

New BLOG design, New Pricing & a Facebook Promotion

My goal as the Cupcake Girl is to provide my customers with the best quality, best tasting cupcakes. Unfortunately, prices of some of my staple items have gone through the roof (butter has gone up 66%)! This combined with rising gas prices, leave me no choice but to raise my prices just a tiny bit.

Now onto to fun stuff! I hope you love my new blog design... I sure do. I promise to be a better blogger from now on.

I have set a high goal for myself for the month of April. I want to double my facebook followers and I need your help to do it. Share your love for the Cupcake Girl and get me to 150 followers. I will draw a name and give one of you a free dozen cupcakes of your choice! Isn't FREE a wonderful word?! We've got 30 days... let's do it!!

Accepting Valentine's Day Orders NOW!

It's not too early to place your Valentine's Day order! And this year I am offering a special treat...if you call or email me at least by Saturday the 12th you can purchase just ONE of your favorite cupcakes boxed for that Special Someone! Great for teachers, children, friends or spouses. Cupcakes will be ready for pick up or delivery Sunday afternoon or anytime Monday. Of course you can still order a dozen or two...but if you want just one, two, or three....these orders will be taken for Valentine's Day!

Cute as a Button!

I was asked to make cupcakes for a baby shower where baby's gender was unknown. The theme was Cute as a Button.....I think the cupcakes turned out CUTE too!