Topping Cupcakes

Who doesn't love a cupcake. Its just sweet bite of cake that is just enough to satisfy.
A delicious hand held treat that appeals to both young and old.
Who are we kidding a cupcake is good but for most (well me anyway) its all about the frosting.
The cupcake is just a vehicle for  what ever you want to put on top. That's the real star of the show.
So many toppings to choose from, chocolate, vanilla, creamcheese. The list goes on and on.

Now, let's take that cupcake and frosting and go one step further into cupcake toppers. With these tiny decorations you can make your cupcakes suitable for any occasion. I love to work in modeling chocolate for my decorations. This yummy medium just kicks my cupcakes into overdrive. Its easy to work with but even better it tastes great!.

Once you try modeling chocolate you will be hooked. Its so easy and inexpensive to make that you'll wonder why you never tried it before. It works as well if not better than fondant in my humble opinion. Try it and see if I'm not telling the truth.

The recipe is as follows

 1 lb. candy melts
1/3- to 1/2 cup light corn syrup (Karo)

Microwave chocolate at 30 second intervals until melted. Add Karo and stir until just incorporated .
and pliable.  Don not over stir. Wrap chocolate in plastic wrap and set aside to cool and come  together. Preferably overnight.
After 24 hours take  your modeling chocolate and knead it a bit to soften. Now you are ready to create anything you can think of. It molds, holds it shape an  is very forgiving. It will also last quite a long time. Store it in an airtight container and you are good to go.


Here are just a few of the cupcake toppers I have made for holidays past and those to come. They took very little effort and brought joy to many.

Until tomorrow eat well live well

  Holly Berry

Candy Canes  

 

 Wreaths

Shamrocks

 

Going for It!

Todays post is all about stepping out of your comfort zone and just going for it. I am a big believer in thinking anything is possible. You can achieve everything if you believe and are persistent; Soooooooo when a client called wanting a cake done in fondant and topped with a shoe I said "Of course we can do that"!

Now mind you I do not usually work with fondant. Actually this would be my first time so I sat with youtube and watched video after video on how to apply it smooth it and make my cake look great. These videos are invaluable to me I learned so much. I then purchased a chocolate shoe mold and I was ready to go.

I worked for two days on my cake and when I was finished I was pretty proud with the results. The zebra layer worked as well as I hoped and even my first attempt at the quilting layer (While not perfect) really gave me an extra boost of confidence. Here's a picture of the finished product.

"The Shoe Cake"

Even better the client was  thrilled and has since ordered another cake. Ok I am on my way!!!!!!!!!!!

So now you see if you really love to do something and put aside your fears the world is yours. Just remember you have to BELEIVE you can do it.

Until tomorrow eat well, live well

Spaghetti Squash and Meat Balls

A healthy alternative to traditional pasta spaghetti squash is as satisfying as it is tasty. Your family will love this and ask for it time and again.

Ingredients:   

 

1 medium to large spaghetti squash For the meatballs: (Yield approx 12 meat balls) 1 lb ground turkey meat Salt and pepper to taste 1/2 tsp garlic powder 1/2 tsp onion powder 1/2 tsp dried parsley For the Sauce: cans 2- 8oz no salt tomato sauce 8 oz water 1/2 tsp salt 1/4 tsp ground pepper 1 tsp Italian seasoning 1/2 tsp garlic powder 1/2 tsp onion powder 1/4 -1/2 tsp dried basil (according to taste)*** if using fresh 4-5 leaves*** * dash red pepper flakes (optional)   Directions Pierce squash intermittently with a fork. Place whole in large pot of boiling water. Cover. Boil approximately 25-30 min or until fork pierces skin easily. When done remove from water cool to touch. Cut squash lengthwise and remove all seeds and first layer of squash strands. (They will be darker yellow and usually attached to seeds). Take fork and lengthwise scrape strands to form spaghetti. The squash will do this naturally. Place in bowl and keep warm.   Place all ingredients for meatballs in bowl and mix until just combined.  Roll mixture into 12 balls.   While squash is boiling in another pot place all ingredients for sauce. Add meatballs. Cook on medium heat 5 minutes. Turn down to simmer cook covered another 5-10 minutes. Stir gently once or twice careful not to break up meatballs Note**If sauce thickens too much add more water a bit at a time readjust seasonings.   Transfer spaghetti squash to serving platter.  Sauce the squash, top with meatballs, garnish with either fresh or dried parsley.  Serve with a garden salad and home made lemon or vinaigrette dressing ENJOY!!!!!!!!!!!    Cooks note: Alternately you can slice the spaghetti squash in half  and roast on a baking sheet face down in the oven for approximately 30 minutes     Until tomorrow eat well live well             .

Happy New Year

Its been a long while since I last posted anything to my blog. To make a long story endless, I have been busy taking care of my mom 24/7 but I have finally gotten it together and decided the New Year would be a good time to get back into the things I love doing.

So hopefully I will be posting on a regular basis. Sharing ideas and gaining new insite.

Happy 2014 until then eat well live well.

Pancake Illusion Cake with Suspended Syrup Bottle - a Cupcake Addiction ...

  This was just too cool not to share on my blog. This woman is amazing. Subscribe to her channel and see what I mean. Happy Baking