CUPCAKE APPEAL

This post is in relation to raising money for Childreach International. I hope you read Laura's message below and give generously. 

<3

Hello lovely readers,

By way of introduction, my name is Laura and I am a cupcake addict. However, I must stay away from the little balls of deliciousness as, come July 2013, I will be heading off to Tanzania to climb the highest freestanding mountain in the world for charity.

Cake has already helped raise over £140 at my team's first bake sale. I was lucky enough to get hold of my friend's recipe for chocolate and banana cake (a highly sought after secret) which went down a treat. I will be doing many more bake sales and would welcome ideas and recipes of top sellers at any sales you may have held?

If you want to find out more information about my climb of a lifetime, the charity which will benefit and make a donation then please visit:https://mydonate.bt.com/fundraisers/rowleyclimbskili

Thank you very much.

Laura x

Snowflake Cupcakes

Snowflakes are seriously one of the most beautiful things nature has to offer. And when we talk about snowflakes on a cupcake, oh my god, I am in cupcake heaven. A decadent yet simple decor piece to any cupcake, these gorgeous snowflakes look great as a statement setting or scattered all around the layers of icing.

Photo 1: http://www.theswellelife.com/swelle_life/2009/11/cupcake-monday-the-tasty-snowflake-edition.html
Photo 2: http://pinterest.com/altdawn/tis-the-season-to-be-baking/
Photo 3: http://pinterest.com/pin/500321839822929517/
Photo 4: http://www.godairyfree.org/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/hannahvanillacupcakes.jpg

Savoury Sides: Cream Cheese Onion and Chive Cupcakes

Who says cupcakes have to be sweet? Savoury ones are the new lunchtime treat :) These are my first batch of savoury cupcakes and they won't be the last!

(Original images used, please source!)

Cupcake Sort Of Day

Sometimes an average cupcake can instantly turn an average day into a better one. I picked one up for two pounds at Morrisons (pictured below), and while it was no Hummingbird Cupcake and I didn't have to queue to pay for the delicacy, it was good enough to remind to look forward to the better things in life. Even at this truly awkward period, I hold on to the belief that great things are just around the corner...

[original image used - please source] 

Tip Above The Rest

The icing that gets swirled on top as the cupcake's crowning glory is what makes the cupcake so special. Here are some of the different tips commonly used and some of the unique effects that can be created. I personally like the pastry tip (the one which looks like a closed in star tube - e.g. 3rd image down/last image) because you can make ice cream like swirls and roses. As for the hollow, open circular tip (first image, bottom left corner) - well...I won't be making a purchase for that tip anytime soon.

Photo credits: www.dulcessweets.com

Cupcakes That Just Don't Look Like Cupcakes

These are all cupcakes, I swear! So if you are feeling like ordinary cupcakes just don't cut it out, or feel like giving yours a creative twist - check out some of the blogs and recipes below. 

Photo credits:

(1) http://blog.sweetcitycandy.com/

(2) & (3) diaryofaladybird.blogspot.sg - Check this blog for the recipe too!!

(5) http://sacchef.wordpress.com/2010/08/18/ice-cream-cone-cupcakes/ - Recipe here!  
(6) http://penniesonaplatter.com/2009/04/01/april-fools-spaghetti-meatballs-or-not/ - Awesome gotta try recipe here too :D 

Sweet Couture

Sweet Couture is a cupcake boutique with a couple of eateries around London. The one I visited happened to be in Covent Garden and i'll have to give it two thumbs up. The oreo cupcake was my most favourite, and I just love the British flag made of cupcakes. Although I visited a while ago, and the display may have changed since then, the flag reminds me of the ongoing Olympics! Go Team Britain! 2 gold medals and counting! 

(All photos I took with my camera - please let me know if you want them taken off - lizzieho@gmail.com)

Disney Inspired

Mickey Mouse, Minnie Mouse, and the whole Disney Clubhouse all together! 

Rainbow Cake

Speaking to a member of a younger generation has made me realise how 'uncool' I am, due to the fact I had no idea these gif like creations existed. For the first time, being 21 never felt so old!  There are loads of these gif recipes starting to emerge around the internet and I found this 2 x 3 rainbow cake creation, which reminds me of the time my boyfriend, Simon, tried to create this sort of cake (minus the unicorn). So this post is dedicated to him and hope it inspires him to try again. 

Laduree: Ladies Who Lunch

Piano, my childhood friend, and I have lunched at Laduree twice now. Once at Harrods, the second at Covent Garden. Rare treat for me as I am always trying to save money. We had a tea set and a couple of sandwiches which were nice, but the food that REALLY stole the show were the raspberry and rose ispahan macaroon and the rose milkshake. None of these pictures above are mine but I think they give a glimpse of how much I love rose - the flavour. Sounds silly and so uncommon but I swear you say: I love rose, the way you say I love chocolate. Pricey but worth it for the experience, especially when you get the rooftop seat on a sunny, spring day. 

Photo credit: Latifal Shamsi

Bakerella's Rose Cupcakes

Aren't these some of the most beautiful cupcakes you have ever seen? Classic roses never get boring and I just love the way the white frosting serves as a soft flower bed. The ribbon and hearts add such a special touch - I now know what to wish for next Valentine's Day. These cupcakes and a box of chocolates! Check out Bakerella's flickr profile at http://www.flickr.com/photos/bakerella/ for more delightful desserts. 

Post Exam Dinner Party

After final year exams, one of Simon and my closest friends, Charles du Couëdic, hosted a dinner party. He made an amazing lamb stew which took him 7 hours to perfect! We had mint chocolate and vanilla peach cupcakes for dessert, of course :) Perfect way to celebrate the end of exams....ahhh! Brief celebration only to be cut short by...job applications...nooo! And so, the life of a student continues.

Hokkaido 'Mushiya' Steamed Buns

Strawberry and Honey

Potato and Cheese

Along Some Road in Amsterdam

This was taken a while ago when I went with my student law society to Amsterdam. Amsterdam is an amazing place: full of sideway alleys and quirky shops (CD shops, clothing shops, markets, walls and floors marked with graffiti art), street performers (people pretending to be monsters), beautiful houseboats sprouting boat-top gardens floating in the canals - the scene is stunning! The city is bursting with culture and the historic buildings are marvelous: Tuschinski Theater, Rembrandthuis, Anne Frank Museum, Royal Palace. Lots of red lights too but I won't be posting photos of that. Tucked away in a little shop, one amongst many, was this sweet shop that sold cylinder blocks of sweet, garlic and other gourmet cheese. I bought 2 miniature cupcakes (vanilla and red velvet) and let my eyes feast on the sugary lollipops!

Cedele: Triple Chocolate Cupcakes

Photographed and eaten at home. Simon brought me the most wonderful 'post-essay' snack and I highly recommend it. The chocolate decoration on top is light and crunchy and every mouthful swirls you into chocolate heaven.