Red Velvet Yummilicious

I finally got the red velvet right!  I have been trying to perfect it for almost 4 months now and it is officially the Licatesi favorite.  Yesterday, my daughter was home from school with a cold and her Dad home from work with a cold.  I thought I'd cheer everyone up and give the red velvet another try with yet another online recipe.   I didn't make fresh icing, this is canned and let me tell you, we all devoured our cupcakes after dinner last night.  After multiple finger tip dips and licks, my kids are ususally done once there is a plain cupcake staring at them.  The color is so deep and inviting that they BOTH ate them completely with only liners left as evidence (and red fingers too)!!  If only they'd gobble up their meals cooked with as much love and time.  Everyone felt better today so they may do the trick next time there's a sniffle or cough in this household.

What a Knock Out!

These chocolate cupcakes are for a great friend who I used to work with.  Nancy's Dad is turning 60 and boxed a bit in his younger years.  I thought her ideas were perfect!  She wanted his heritage to be on the custom banners and I was surprised to find the boxing gloves with the Puerto Rican flag on them!  After doing so many gloves one by one, I starting to think of lobster claws and got very nervous that this would not deliver the punch I was hoping for.  I then added the black accents to each glove with fondant & edible ink for the laces.  I think the contender will be pleased!

Got Milk?

I just love when I get out of the box requests and I am able to fulfill them.  I was secretly nervous about making these cows but they turned out well.  A friend of mine from high school has a full plate.  She is a mother of five, a nurse and has a DJ business on the side.  She contacted me and requested "cow cupcakes" for her daughter Danielle's birthday.  She gave me full freedom and told me to do anything I wanted.  That's something else I really love because it really proves to me that my creativity is trusted.  I am looking forward to delivering these tonight!!  Happy Birthday Danielle!!

Just what the doctor ordered!

Okay, so I don't eat an apple a day....I'm not even suggesting a cupcake a day but once in a while, why not?  My parents are very on top of their health & therefore have pretty great relationships with their doctors.  One in particular, Dr. Katz.  My parents travel a long distance for annual check ups because they are devoted to his care.  My Mom has known this man since he was a teenager!  These are for Dr. Katz and his wonderful staff from devoted patients who really value and trust the work they do.
These vanilla cupcakes are topped with homemade marshmellow fondant and the design is credited to the bakers all the way from Boulder, Colorado....Tee & Cakes.  I changed it up slightly but loved the symbols suggested on their site.

Cupcake to go........

Cupcakes have always been a favorite for many reasons. They always make you smile, you don't have to share, and for those with portion control issues, ahem, these are perfectly portioned! They are compact and so personal.

My friend from elementary school, Kristine called me up and we discussed cupcakes for her daughter's birthday.  Allison loves butterflies and "My Little Pony."  I was ready do do both themes and Kristine decided on the butterflies and giving them out as favors in honor of Allison's big day.  They are freehand and rather simple but no doubt they will bring on the smiles.  Each is packaged in it's own little box and Kristine suggested I shamelessly promote myself with a business card tucked inside each one.  Thank you Kristine and HAPPY BIRTHDAY ALLISON!!

Cake anyone?

These are a THANK YOU to two lovely neighbors of my parents, Sol & Aldona.  These two ladies are always looking out for my Mom & Dad and even their pooch, Chico.  Sometimes it's just the little things that mean so much like when they'll walk the dog when my parents have been to our house to visit and Chico has been alone for a longer than usual period of time, or the times they've picked up an extra dessert when out dining and bring it to them as a sweet gesture.  These are the kind of neighbors that people hope for when moving to a new place!  So THANK YOU, GRACIAS, GRAZIE, etc....

The cupcakes are vanilla and topped with tinted (pale yellow) vanilla icing and homemade marshmellow fondant.  I love cupcakes but think the cake slice is my favorite.  My Mom kept me company while I prepared these making this project even more fun.

Spring Garden

I just love these!  These chocolate cupcakes with pale yellow icing are just so adorable!  The watering can was a challenge and time consuming because needed to chill them before placement adding some challenges I didn't foresee.  I used a very handy online tutorial for these and very happy with the outcome.  It's time to drive around with the windows down listen to my favorite song and dig out the flip flops....Spring is here!!

May flowers came early!

Just Hatched!

These chocolate cupcakes are for a great friend Michele.  She is all about family and this past year, her neice had a little baby boy and she had him in mind when requesting Easter cupcakes.  Also some "firsts" for me...I made the homemade fondant "chicks" blue instead of yellow to add the boyish touch and the banners have the traditional ones.  It was the first time using the tip that makes the icing resemble grass and love the way they look.  Also my first try at making any kind of fondant animal and although I need practice, not too shabby.

Happy First Easter Nicholas!