Cupcake Stencils

Last year as I walked the lovely aisles of Crate and Barrel I came upon... cupcake stencils. !!!!!

You can only imagine my absolute joy. I had never even thought to make stencils, and yet lo and behold Crate and Barrel has come up with some for every season. 

In love.

I bought the Christmas ones last year after Christmas, but I finally got to put them to use this year!  

They are so adorable and cute, but they do not work well with sprinkles (look below at lemon cookie decorations). I had to use cinnamon (which can be a little strong) to get the image clearly on the cupcake and cookies.  They were absolutely beautiful though when they did work, as on the Snickerdoodle Cupcakes. 

 

wah wah...

Overall I think they are a super cute idea. I just need to figure out how to better use them. :)

Hope you have had a very Merry Christmas!

Cupcake Garland

My sister and I recently went to Houston for some Wedding ideas. No, no, I'm not get married. My sweet roommate is. We met up with her in College Station and continued on to Houston to the nearest Paper Source . And there we found the perfect book!

By Eunice and Sabrina Moyle of Hello!Lucky

This book is full of fabulous, cute, and simple DIY ideas. 

They are great for weddings or any party really! 

One of the ideas is this Cupcake garland! I have so many cupcake liners that I don't think I'll ever be able to use them all! So when I saw this I was quite excited! Plus, ever get sad that when you use cupcake liners they don't turn out as bright as they were before baking? Well this allows you to showcase the cutest cupcake liners that you love. 

I used Baker's Twine to string the units together. Baker's Twine is definitely one of my favorite materials. You can find it online on Etsy.com and other sites also for great prices. 

This craft is quick and easy. And of course adds whimsy to any party! 

Hope you check the book out and have a great day!

Happy crafting!

Happy 4th!

Alright, I couldn't help myself. I had to bake something for this holiday weekend! Plus I had a fun reason to after making these cute decorations.

I decided on my Key Lime Cupcakes, for a summery flavor.  The decorations are made out of sturdy cardstock, using some of my mom's scrapbook tools.  I look forward to making more of them for special occasions. And maybe even selling them on the upcoming Whimsy Willow Etsy shop! The shop should be up and running around July 15th!

I hope you have a blessed 4th of July! Thank you Lord for a country of freedom. ❤

Patriotic Party

One of my favorite holidays is just two days away, and though I'm busy I couldn't help but notice so many wonderful ideas for this festive time of the year. With red, blue, and white everywhere you can't help but get in the mood. So if you're feelin' crafty and have some time this weekend, I found some super cute ideas for you to try!

The first comes from our dear Martha Stewart herself.  Her company is one of my absolute favorites. I saw this on the front of her latest magazine issue and just about died in the grocery store so thrilled by the idea. This is genius, and I wish so badly I had the chance to try it out, but hopefully next year! May I present to you Fireworks Cookies 

Courtesy MarthaStewart.com

They are based on the simple sugar cookie, but given pizzazz with simple icing that is watered down a bit to make it easier to decorate the fireworks with. These cookies will make any party exciting and will for sure be a huge hit with all your guests.

And who would I be if I didn't write about cupcakes? I found a wonderful blog by Winnie Abramson, where she applies the same method with cupcakes!  Firework Cupcakes Love it!

Courtesy Countryliving.com

Now for a simple, adorable craft idea that will brighten up your mantle, window, or door frame. It comes from Country Living Magazine (One of my favorites).                                  This garland can be made from simple construction paper and newspaper, or simply whatever paper you have.   The link shows you how to make it quick and easy! Happy 4th Garland

This idea can be applied for any holiday or celebration event. Everyone loves the little touches to decorations, and who says you have to go out and buy them! Making your own decorations is often alot cheaper, and usually are a bigger hit than any bought decor. : )

Hope you have a wonderful safe 4th of July!

Happy Fireworks!

Coca-Cola Cupcakes

It's been a while since I last blogged, still getting into the groove of summer time!✻

Well this week I got an itchin' to bake something. Something super sweet and scrumptious! And in popped my mind...I wonder what Coke Cupcakes would taste like! And here follows the answer of that question! THEY TASTE DELICIOUS!!!!! Probably the best chocolate cake recipe I've ever had in my life. And I'm proud to say I even improvised to make my very own icing! Which was heavenly, if I do say so myself. And because I believe that no 100% delicious recipe should ever go unshared, I have the recipe for you!

Coca-Cola Cupcakes

Ingredients:
2 cups of self-rising flour (or 2cups flour, 1 Tbsp baking powder, 1 tsp salt)
2 cups of sugar
2 tbsp cocoa (I used Hershey's cocoa)
1 cup Coca-Cola
2 sticks (8 ounces) butter, room temperature
1 1/2 cups miniature marshmallows
2 eggs, beaten
1/2 cup buttermilk
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Now you can either make this a cake or cupcakes. I chose cupcakes because everyone knows they are just more fun! ☺ But depending on your choice you adjust the time you bake them. So for cupcakes I would adjust the time to about 15-20 min. You want the cupcakes to bounce back when you touch them.

Directions:
In a large bowl combine flour and sugar. In a saucpan combine the cocoa, Coca-Cola, butter, and marshmallows; bring to a boil. Combine the boiled mixture with the flour and sugar mixture.

In a separate bowl mix eggs, buttermilk, baking soda, and vanilla; add to the first mixture. Pour into prepared pan and bake at 350 degrees for about 35 minutes, until cake tests done.


Now for the icing. I used the basic classic buttercream frosting, but instead of using milk and vanilla I just used Coke! You just beat about 1/2 cup of butter and 2 cups of confectioners sugar together, and then add about 1/4 cup of coke. Also add some cocoa for chocolate Coke Icing. I can't really give you the exact recipe for the frosting because I just kinda did a little bit of this, little bit of that method. But it turned out delicious!!! The more coke you put in the frosting the runnier it will get, so it is always better to start with less, and add more if needed.

I hope you get a chance to try these because they are seriously scrumptious! Even Little Lu thought so! (Don't worry she didn't get to eat any, but she definitely liked the smell. We are puppy safe in this kitchen!)

If you ever find yourself with a little time to spare this summer, I would definitely encourage you to try these delectable treats because they will make your mouth water for more!! Happy summer!

Snickerdoodle Doo!

So you love snickerdoodle cookies? Well my friend, say hello to your new favorite little doodle. The Snickerdoodle Cupcake! These are super easy and wonderfully delicious! These little scrumptious cakes are topped with yummy Vanilla Buttercream Frosting. Here follows the recipes so you can enjoy these yourself!

Ingredients for cupcake:

1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1 1/2 tsp baking power
1/4 tsp salt
2 tsp cinnamon
1/2 cup unsalted butter, room temperature
1 cup sugar
2 eggs, room temperature
1 tsp vanilla
3/4 cup milk

Directions:
1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees
2. In a medium bowl, sift together flour, baking powder, salt, and cinnamon
3. In a mixer, cream butter and sugar on medium speed for about 2 minutes
4. Add eggs, one at a time and mix until combined
5. Add vanilla and mix throughly
6. Add flour mixture to creamed butter and sugar in three additions. Alternate with milk in two additions
7. Fill in baking cups about 3/4 full
8. Bake for about 15-20 minutes
9. Remove cupcakes from trays and let cool
10. Ice and sprinkle with brown sugar

Ingredients for frosting:
3 cups powdered sugar
1/3 cup stick margarine or butter, softened*
1 1/2 tsp vanilla
1 to 2 tbsp milk

Directions for frosting:
1. Mix powdered sugar and margarine in medium bowl.
2. Stir in vanilla and milk.
3. Beat until smooth and spreadable.

They are so easy and so delicious! I picked a simple frosting recipe because sometimes you just need a quick frosting, but don't want to resort to store bought (it just isn't the same!). These recipe is quick and makes about 24 cupcakes! I hope you enjoy these sweet treats as much as my family and I did!

Apple Cupcakes!!

I have discovered a Apple treasure! In my few years of adulthood, my taste for apple pie has grown quite alot. So as I made an apple crisp yesterday I realized I still had quite a few left over peeled apples. So, having my little tiny ; ) love for cupcakes, I began my search for such thing as Apple Cupcakes. And let me tell you how much joy I found when I realized they did exist! This recipe is so amazing and delicious! My family is a family of loving zucchini bread, banana bread, oatmeal pecan raisin cookies, and well you get the idea we lean more towards the fruity healthy sweet breads. So when I asked them what they thought of these delicious treats jaws dropped! (Much to my excitement) They were a HUGE hit!


They are super easy to make too! I chose a Brown Sugar Buttercream frosting to go with them. The brown sugar is a perfect match for anything apple. If you don't get the chance to make these, let me know and I will greatly enjoy giving you some!
Here is the recipe I found for the cupcake batter!



Ingredients:
(makes 2 dozen cupcakes)

2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
2 teaspoons baking soda
2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, softened
2 cups sugar
2 large eggs
1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
4 cups coarsely shredded apples, such as Macintosh (about 1 3/4 pounds)

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Line 2 standard muffin tins with paper liners; set aside. Whisk together flour, baking soda, cinnamon, nutmeg, and salt in a medium bowl; set aside.
2. Put butter and sugar into the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the paddle attachment; mix on medium-high speed until pale and fluffy, about 5 minutes. Mix in eggs and vanilla. Reduce speed to low; mix in apples. Add flour mixture; mix, scraping down sides of bowl as needed, until just combined.
3. Divide batter among lined cups, filling halfway; bake until tops are springy to the touch, 18 to 20 minutes. Remove cupcakes from tins; transfer to a wire rack; let cool completely.

I used apples I already had, Fuji, and they turned out fine! Different apples do have different tastes, some more tart and some more sweet, but any apple should taste good! It would be fun to experiment how all the different apples taste!

Un Upate

Well Hi there. It's been a while hasn't it!

I went on an adventure to Austin with my sister and cousin, and let me say, it was quite a trip! Lots of shopping was done (not my cup of tea) but it was worth it being able to go to Whole Foods! The Whole Foods in Austin is amazing! We ate almost every meal there in their cafe. Austin is a beautiful city. It is so full of lush trees and foliage. I love how active everyone is. I definitely have to say that Austin people are alot kinder and patient than Dallas people. My conclusion has come to be that Austin is MUCH better than Dallas. I'm really not a big fan of Dallas, just ain't my style : )

BUT so today my sister and I went to Dimples cupcakes and got these lovely little goodies.


They were the biggest cupcakes i've ever had! They were pretty good, but a bit too sweet for me. But I REALLY want my own little cupcake bakery some day. I might be able to shadow a family friend who has a wedding cake bakery! So hopefully that will affirm whether or not I could really run a bakery and enjoy it. My dilemma is that I want to bake alllllll the time, but I can't eat all the goodies! So...that logically led to me think of owning a simple bakery! I have the name and decorations all ready planned. : ) It would be so fun!

Work and summer classes have kept me alot more busy than I would like, as it is preventing me from crafting more and writing on here more often. But as long as I am being somewhat productive that is good. : )

I have just started Leviticus, and well it will be an interesting read. It is a hard book to read because it isn't a story of people, which I greatly enjoy, but more a focus of laws. But my close friend has given me a Bible Study to go along with it that was very inspirational to her. So I am quite excited about reading it!

School soon. : D I have a good feeling about this year. : )

I hope you have a blessed day friend.

Divine Key Lime

Well hello there!
Today is an especially lovely summer day, and I have an especially lovely recipe for you! It is so easy, but SOOO good! I found the recipe online, but decided to make a few changes. Here are the ingredients i used.

If you don't have time to make cupcakes from scratch, much less icing from scratch, this recipe is for you! These cupcakes I made for my family flew off the plate. They were so delicious! Ok ok, come on with the recipe already right? Here it is:

Cupcakes:
1 package of Betty Crocker Vanilla cake mix

- Follow cake directions only Just make the cupcakes out of this


**Icing:
1 container of Vanilla Betty Crocker Vanilla frosting
1 Tablespoon of fresh Lime juice
1/2 Teaspoon of grated regular lime peel (basically Lime zest)

Directions:
1. Bake cupcakes for about 12 min @ 350 degrees or until they are firm and come out clean with a toothpick
2. In a large bowl, combine frosting ingredients. Gently stir in 1 tablespoon of the lime juice and the lime peel. Spoon frosting into 1-quart resealable food-storage plastic bag. Cut 1/2-inch opening from bottom corner of bag. Squeeze 1 rounded teaspoonful frosting from bag onto topping. And if you want, to top it off with a little lime wedge! It adds just the perfect touch!

P.S. Try not to overcook the cupcakes, the light fluffiness of the perfect cupcake is what makes it so perfect!

It's so easy and doesn't even take too long! My favorite part is icing them! it's so fun! Makes you feel like a real baker!

I hope you try this and enjoy it as much as my family and I did! You should have seen the frowns when they were all gone. Key Lime Cupcakes are truly the perfect delicious summer treat!

ENJOY!

Today's song: Race You - Elizabeth & The Catapult