Page 236 - Cupcakes

I have taken special care to make the recipes clear, and I have offered up several

suggestions and options for decorations, because I know it’s tough to find every
ingredient everywhere. Plus, when you use a little creativity with the ingredients
you’ve got on hand, you’re going to enjoy baking more. In order to make this a
stress-free zone, I consulted with a half dozen creative friends and we bounced
easy ideas off each other.
As the months and seasons pass, I know you’ll have fun flipping these pages
to find the right cupcakes for the right party. There are Mardi Gras Cupcakes that
are gold and glitzy, Groundhog Day Cupcakes that are so cute, Kiss Me Cakes,
in a sweetheart shape and with a combination of chocolate and fresh raspberry

flavors, as well as the individual Strawberry Rose Cakes.
I’ve also included recipes for Election Cupcakes, incorporating flavors of
early America, green-colored and Bailey’s-flavored St. Patrick’s Pistachio
Cupcakes, the previously mentioned Easter Basket Cupcakes, and brightly
decorated cinnamon and chocolate Cinco de Mayo cupcakes. For the patriotic

holidays, there are Stars and Stripes Cupcakes arranged on a platter to resemble
the American flag, as well as the Fireworks Confetti Cupcakes, decorated inside
and out.
And for fall, there are Little Pumpkin Cinnamon Cakes and Halloween Spider
Cupcakes, as well as Pilgrims’ Hats, which children adore. For winter parties,
there are Snowman Cupcakes made by stacking marshmallows on cupcakes, and
Holiday Gift Cupcakes, which resemble wrapped presents, for large family
gatherings.

Every cupcake in this chapter is a personal favorite—fun, festive, and
relatively easy. They look stunning on a platter and they taste great, too!