My first Tart!

When my good friend Natalia's birthday rolled around, I knew exactly what to make her. And no, it wasn't a cake or cupcakes. It was a fruit tart! Every time she tries my cupcakes, she says they are too sweet *gasp*. Yes yes, I have a super sweet tooth!

So for her birthday, I decided to contain my sweet tooth and attempt a yummy fruit tart. And I'm glad I did! I will definitely make the recipe again because I loved the filling and crust. It was like eating a shortbread cookie and a cheesecake (ok, maybe not to that cheesy of an extent) at the same time! Mmmm...

Happy Birthday Nat!

Mrs-to-be!

I love weddings. And I equally love bridal showers! A friend of mine is getting married in a few weeks so last weekend, I baked her a bridal shower cake. The thing is, she's a cake baker too - and an amazing one at that, so the pressure was on!

Also, 2.5 years ago, she baked my and hubby's engagement cake so I certainly wanted to return the favour! The recipe I used was one I LOVE and use often! A double chocolate cake with a super chocolaty filling.

Congrats Ky!

Baby Shower Cuppies!

One of friends is having a BABY!! Can you believe it!? Just a few years ago I was her bridesmaid. And now, she's going to be a mommy! I am very excited for both her and her husband and can't wait until the baby arrives early September. Until then... here are some pictures:

We're excited to meet you baby Micah!

Congratulations Niki + Marco

Oh my, I am such a slacker with my postings! So where do I start?

Niki and Marco's Wedding!!

I opened up my first bag of flour Friday morning and did not put down my spatula until Saturday afternoon at 3pm. Besides a last minute drive to Sobey's at 2am in the morning (thanks babe!), everything went as planned.

450+ cupcakes later, we sat through a lovely wedding reception dinner and enjoyed watching people devour the little cupcakes! We even caught this one girl making rounds around the foyer picking up 2 vanilla cupcakes each time she passed by. Yay!

Congrats Niki & Marco!

Cupcake News!

In about 1 week, I'll be baking my biggest order - 450 mini cupcakes for a friend's wedding. I'm excited about all the baking that'll happen, but I can't imagine how hot my townhouse is going to feel with the oven turned on for hours!

On another note, a good friend of mine has offered to help build my cupcake website!! I've sent in all the info/wording for the site so I can't wait until it's all finished and ready to be viewed by the world.

Birthday Cupcakes

Birthday Cupcakes. My favourite! I wanted something funloving and cute (exactly like my friend!) and ended up with bright coloured chocolate and vanilla cupcakes. The colour theme, green and purple, goes along with her wedding, which is this coming October.

Happy Birthday!!

Cupcake Key Covers

A friend of mine, who knows me all too well, bought me these super cute cupcake key covers! They are so fun and I love how each one has a different facial expression. I tried to get the hubby to put one one... yeah, not happening.

Friendships & Farewell...

One of my closest friends left for Australia a few days ago. While I am happy for her, I'm also sad that we won't be able to see one another as often (or at all) for the next year-ish or so. But thanks to emails and facebook (!!), we'll still be able to keep in close contact.

Before she left, I invited her and a couple of girlfriends (above) over for lunch. The theme, super healthy (ok, minus the dessert part - duh!) and colourful! Veggie sticks, chicken Caesar salad and fruity raspberry + kiwi drinks!

For dessert, Oreo ice cream sandwiches. Can you believe my friend has never tried one of these before?? Talk about deprived!! Well, she tried it, and loved it!

Happy Birthday Hubby!

It was my husband's birthday this weekend and of course, it gave me reason to bake! But instead of using my trusty recipe for chocolate cupcakes (which I love!) I decided to spread my wings and attempt a super chocolatey cake.

I found the recipe a while back in a magazine (not even sure which magazine as I had merely cut the recipe out) but it looks like a keeper. It's two chocolate cakes sandwiched between a layer of crumbled chocolate brownies. Doesn't that sound delicious?

Well, it was! I don't think I've ever tasted anything quite like it, dense yet moist and jumping with chocolate flavour. It's true, chocolate does make everything taste better!

What do Mangos, Bananas and Chocolate have in common?? Nothing, except that they taste amazing when put together in a cupcake!!

I was asked by a friend to make cupcakes for her fiance's birthday. Of course, I agreed. And I was thankful I did, because the cupcake flavour she asked me to make was certainly... original. Inspired by Starbucks Vivanto drink (I think - with Mango, Orange and Banana) I ended up with flavourful cupcakes that I'd certainly bake again!

Frying up the bananas (which, eaten alone, are scrumptious!)

Happy Birthday Ray!

Mission (Kenora) Accomplished...

This past Sunday, I baked 100 mini cupcakes and sold them at my mom's church fundraiser, and boy was it fun! Children are just too cute. When they lay their eyes upon a yummy cupcake, seeing their faces brighten as they point to the cupcake they want, makes me happy. All 100 cupcakes were sold and for an awesome cause.

I think it's amazing that these kids are going to be participating in a mission trip to Kenora with their parents. One of the little boys was telling me how he and his friends wanted to make mini loot bags to hand out to the kids in Kenora. He was so excited to fill it up with toys and other fun stuff, for kids he hadn't met yet.

Teaching them how to show love, in the simplest of ways like filling up a loot bag, is something truly admire. In the end, the kids raised $1700 that will be divided evenly among the 5 kids going. I can't wait until they come back so I can hear of all their stories!

This weekend I am baking more cupcakes for a friend's birthday. He's a fan of the new mango-banana smoothie at Starbucks so that's my inspiration. I've never made mango-banana cupcakes before, but hey, it sounds like it could be heavenly!

Raising Funds!

I was talking to my mom today about my cupcakes when she mentioned a fundraiser happening at her church. A couple of families are going on a mission trip to Kenora this summer and since many of the children can't raise funds on their own, the church has decided to hold a fundraiser especially for them.

I immediately jumped at the opportunity to bake, which came as no surprise to my mom. I will be baking 100 mini cupcakes and selling them this coming Sunday. Because it's a fundraiser for kids, I've decided to make cupcakes that will appeal to them - with candy & chocolate! I can't wait.

It's a Go!

The meeting yesterday went well! After talking to the bride, groom and the bride's mother for just over 3 hours, they have decided to use me as their cake vendor. I couldn't be happier!

I am beyond honoured to play such an important part on their wedding day. It's a big order. 400 mini cupcakes; 5 tiers and a top cake base. The bride only wants vanilla and chocolate cupcakes so it makes my job easier as I don't have to play around with different recipes, but perfect the ones I already have.

The picture below is what they want their wedding cake to look like, taken from flickr. I'll be changing it up a little but on the whole, that's the vision they are going for. Now, to start working on the cake base!

Could it be?!

A few days ago, I received a phone call that made me smile - okok, it made me smile + jump around like a little kid (on the inside of course)!

A friend from high school, who I haven't talked to in years, is getting married this July and wants to meet up to discuss my making her wedding cupcakes! I am very excited and happy that she's even considering my work so hopefully our meeting will go well and I'll have my first 'official' order.

A Girl Can Dream...

so dream she will!

Ever since my first from-scratch birthday cake was delivered to a friend and received with a genuine smile, devoured in minutes and with the suggestion "you should open your own bakery!", I've always wondered what it would be like. And every cake delivery since, my dreams have only grown and my passion for cupcakes and sweets along with them.

As of right now, opening up a bakery isn't very likely, but baking for special occasions and events from home certainly is! So, my goal for this blog is to meet other foodie lovers like myself, share my baking experiences (and pictures) in the kitchen and enjoy my love for all things sweet! Please feel free to leave comments as I would love to hear from you!