Halloween Cupcake Cauldron

Hi, it's Jessica from Everyday Party Magazine, and I am so thrilled to be joining Cupcake Wishes and Birthday Dreams again this year for her Handmade Halloween series! I made this cupcake cauldron for my sweet friend's birthday recently and I just loved the way it turned out! 

Supplies:

Plastic Cauldron (I ordered a bunch from Oriental Trading Co.) 

Red, Orange, and Yellow Tissue Paper

Twigs

Hot Glue

2 Bite Cupcakes (I buy them at Target, and they are pretty good) 

Optional; lollipop, paper bag, and baker's twine, double sided tape

Begin but cutting your tissue paper into random flame shapes.  Carefully hot glue the flames on the bottom of the plastic cauldron.  Once you are happy with the flames, hot glue twigs around the edge of the cauldron.  Don't glue them under the cauldron or it won't be stable.  I added hot glue and a small round piece of chipboard to the bottom to help keep it more stable too.  At this point, you can pop a cupcake in it and call it done.  Or, you can turn your lollipop into a broom and stick it in the cupcake like I did.

There are tons and tons of step by step tutorials to make witch brooms, but essentially, you will need to wrap a lollipop in a small paper bag.  I had to cut mine down.  Then cut a strip to cover the candy.  Cut slices into that strip, and wrap it around the lollipop.  I used double sided tape to hold it in place while I wrapped it, and then tied it with baker's twine.  

 My friend was so excited by her birthday cupcake, I decided I would have to make some for my sister's upcoming birthday too!



What a fun way to treat! Thanks, Jessica for sharing. Looking for more Handmade Halloween treats, view our archives here!

{Cupcake Monday} Edible Cupcake Wrapper

I was absolutely over the moon when I got my Cricut Cake for Mother's Day and mentioned that I had a brilliant idea (in MY mind) to take my favorite treat - cupcakes - to another level! So, I made EDIBLE FONDANT CUPCAKE WRAPPERS!!!!

I finally got around to making one over the weekend and since I'm working on getting photos taken for my Mermaid Party Collection I thought an under the water themed wrapper would be appropriate.

I love the little fish!

 

What do you think???  Fun or what?  If you have a Cricut Machine and have the Cricut Lite Cupcake Wrappers cartridge - you can make your own with Fondant or Gum Paste.  I also think there are a few other new Party cartridges coming out that have cupcake wrappers in the collection. 

HOWEVER......since THIS GIRL is turning the big 2-5 (yeah right) on Wednesday, let's jump start the celebrating today and how's about I do a GIVEAWAY for A DOZEN FONDANT CUPCAKE WRAPPERS!!!!!  This would be a GREAT giveaway, especially for anyone currently planning a cupcake party or setting up a dessert table for a shower!!!

TO ENTER:
1. Check out the different wrappers available for the Cricut Lite Cupcake Wrapper (click on the 'images' tab under the product listing)
2.  Come back here and leave a comment below and let me know which design you like most.
3. Be a follower of this blog.
4. (Bonus Entry)  LIKE us on Facebook.
5. Please BE SURE TO LEAVE YOUR EMAIL ALONG WITH YOUR COMMENT so I can contact you - that's MUY IMPORTANTE!!!

The contest ends on Friday, August 8th at 10 pm and the winner will be announced on Wednesday, August 10th.

GOOD LUCK!!!!
(BTW - I'm updating my blog....myself- I probably should pay someone to do it - but I'm super cheap and always think that I can do a better job all on my own.  In a few weeks, I'll admit that I was overly ambitious and will most likely end up paying someone with more time and experience to do it for me.  In the meantime, please enjoy the various changes that will take place on this blog.  It should be quite entertaining!)

{Cupcake Monday} Daffodil Lemon Cake

Look what Mother Nature finally gifted me with!

Beautiful Daffodils on me front lawn!!! They inspired me to make a delicious Four-Layer Lemon Cake.

So I baked and separated....

crumb coated....

and frosted...

Smoothed out....

and decorated.

It may have taken me the better part of the day, but I think it turned out pretty sweet! This cake is  a perfect treat for your next Spring Brunch or dessert for your Easter table.

YUM!

{Sweet Treats} Bubble Gum Candied Popcorn

The Mini Diva loves popcorn and she loves bubblegum so it would only make sense to combine the two and come up with a delicious treat to have as a snack at her party. So, I made Bubble Gum Popcorn Balls!

First, I found the recipe here.

Then I ordered some Bubble Gum Flavoring and went home and started on my masterpiece.

I did make a minor adjustment to the recipe (mine is below) but the steps are easy recipe to follow.

Here's the final product:

I thought the popcorn was absolutely delicious......then, I gave a popcorn ball to Miss Thing for her snack and she hated it! She thought they were gross and really only likes popcorn with the brown (caramel) candy on it......WHATEVER!!!! Honestly, I was so darn ticked off that I didn't even package them up for presentation. I guess I should have expected that as she's in a picky phase at the moment. On the plus side, I'll have one less thing to make for the party!

If you think you'd like to make some you can try your hands at it. You don't have to make bubble gum flavored popcorn balls you can substitute the bubble gum flavor for cherry, cinnamon or vanilla!

Here's the recipe with my minor adjustments:

Bubble Gum Candied Popcorn
Using 1-dram (.125oz) bottles

4 quarts popped corn
1 1/2 cups granulated sugar
1/2 cup light corn syrup
2 Tbsp. butter
1/2 tsp. salt
1/4 tsp. cream of tartar
1 tsp. baking soda
3/4 tsp 1 dram LorAnn Bubble Gum Gourmet Flavoring
Wilton Rose Icing Color

Directions

Keep freshly-popped corn warm in large baking pan in 200°F oven.

Combine sugar, corn syrup, butter, salt and cream of tartar in medium saucepan. Bring to boil, stirring constantly. Cook to 250°F or about another 5 minutes without stirring.

Remove from heat. After boiling action ceases, add flavoring and color. Add soda and stir in quickly but thoroughly. Pour at once while foamy over warm popcorn; mix gently to coat corn. Shape into balls or spread onto cookie sheet and break into pieces when cool. (Handle hot popcorn with care - this is a job for an adult to do if you're doing this with kids).

Sweet Treats Ideas!

I love these Valentine's Day Treats from Parents Magazine.

 

I am especially crushing on those heart shaped fruit kabobs - how cute are those?  Serve them with plain yogurt or my favorite fruit dip recipe:

Marshmallow Creme Fruit Dip

Ingredients

• 8 ounces cream cheese - softened
• 8 ounces marshmallow cream
• ½ teaspoon raspberry flavoring
• Red food coloring (optional)

To Make

1. Combine the cream cheese and marshmallow cream in a bowl until combined.
2. Fold raspberry flavoring.
3. Add food coloring until you reach the desired color. 

Tip:  For a healthier option skip the raspberry flavoring and red food color and mix in 1/2 cup of fresh pureed raspberries or strawberries.