Chocolate cupcakes with buttercream frosting

Today is my cousin's daughter 16th birthday and she held a BBQ celebration this evening. October also happens to be the month of the birthdays of my godbrothers, as well as my cousin's other daughter. I made them a handful of cupcakes and hope that they will like them.

Using the fondant skills I have just acquired, I made some fondant stuff 2 days back (giving them time to dry). My godbrother is born in the year of the pig, so I made him a pig face. My niece Peiwen, gives me the ever-relaxed, happy-go-lucky feeling, so I made her a pair of flip flops. For my other godbrother Wilson and other cousin's daughter Michelle, I am not sure what they will like (on hindsight, the pair of flip-flops should be for Wilson instead..), so I put cheerful flowers next to their names.

Last year, I gave Willie some cupcakes for his birthday too, I hope this year's cupcakes are an improvement. They are made with a different recipe, and I hope he finds them delicious. The chocolate cupcake is from Donna Hay's book named Chocolate. Willie will be back tonight from Hong Kong, so I guess they will be a surprise for him.

I am not sure how they will like the cupcakes, because buttercream is not something everyone likes. I find that the locals do not favour buttercream because of the sweetness and high calorie count. That is why I tried to frost them as thinly as possible, instead of making nicer and higher swirls. I would have liked to keep them to a common theme, but the fondant figures that I made cannot belong to a common theme...so I guess..until I master more fondant figures, then I will try to make the colours and figurines to a common theme next time.

The youngsters sure had a good time this evening. Seeing them makes me feel old...I am not as energetic as them anymore...I need to get my beauty sleep now..zzzzzzz

Recipe for the cupcakes has been added here!

Fondant decorations

These days, I have been looking up videos and information on fondant and how to make figurines with them.

I have seen how beautiful cakes, cupcakes and cookies can turn out to be when covered with a layer of smooth looking fondant. But I had my reservations about them because I know that most people do not actually like to eat them very much. Especially for my family and friends, I know that they will not be great fans of the sweet sugarpaste. And the tools for fondant making can be quite expensive, and I procrastinate because I am not sure if I will get to use them often.

However, I still decided to learn something new, so I signed up for a Fondant Decoration class. It was only last night that I knew my registration for today's class has been confirmed. But yesterday, I had already bought some new colours and readymade fondant, ready to do some experimenting even if the class was full and my registration had to be rejected.

So, this morning, I went to the class with great excitement and enthusiasm. It's like playing with Play-Doh, really fun! The instructor taught us to make teddy bear, penguins, roses and goldfish etc. The numerous videos I had been watching on Youtube lately has been of great help. I went to the class, with knowledge of how to make fondant roses and bumble bees. But the class is useful so that I know how to handle the fondant in our humidity, and to pick up any useful tips that the class might provide.

These are my results. As you can see, more practice is very much needed. My bear doesn't quite look like one, and the penguin is out of shape by the time I got home. While the instructor was letting us try out doing the animals, I managed to make a bumble bee by recalling the Youtube video I saw. It's my favourite because it is very easy to make! :D I also tried making a pumpkin, which I might be able to use for Halloween.

With my pack of readymade fondant and some new knowledge, throw me the cupcakes! I am ready to do some decoration! Throw me the cupcakes! And you will not only see the minty green in my frosting anymore! I have bought new colouring! Hahaha!

Sweet & Simple Bakes - Vanilla Apple Cake

I am late I am LATE!

I baked this vanilla apple cake a few weeks ago, looking forward to the end of the month...and then in the midst of doing my stuff, I forgot about posting it!

Without further ado, here is my vanilla apple cake!

It is was terrific when moist and warm. My only regret is not putting more apples, as the apples shrank when baking. It doesn't look like the most beautiful thing, but it is one of the most comforting foods! Once out of the oven, it was gone in a jiffy! :)

The great recipe can be found here.