Wow! Overwhelming Cupcake Orders 2010!

Hey everyone,

Thanks so much for showing so much interest in The Cupcake Cauldron!

The following dates are now booked for cupcakes!

Saturday, December 18th

Thursday, December 23rd

Friday, Christmas Eve

Christmas Day is completely booked!

Still availability for New Years Eve!

Holiday Flavors!

My Holiday flavors are now available under "Seasonal"! Please give atleast 1 weeks notice for orders. Availability is running out!

Don't forget about my delicious Red Velvet cupcakes, made internet famous by Cupcakes Take the Cake in 2009! Contact me today for your orders!

What about your little pup? Want to get em something nutritious and fun?! I am taking orders for holiday dog treats! Cut in cute holiday shapes! Even gift wrapped and ready! Can come dipped in melted carob and sprinkled with seasonal colors!

Cupcake Wars is back!

After it’s first season, Cupcake Wars is returning this December to Food Network for a brand new second season. Tune in tomorrow for the premier episode, Tree Lighting!

Also, there is a fun partnership between the show and the Cupcake Corner Facebook game that I thought you might enjoy. I am strangely addicted to the game! You can make dozen of Cupcake War cupcakes! Check it out!

Life is Delicious!

For those of you that grew up in the 80's, you will remember this cutie! Strawberry Shortcake and her adorable kitty cat Custard, turn 30 years old today!

Happy Birthday, Strawberry Shortcake!

To celebrate, try this delicious recipe from Martha!

ENJOY!

Feliz día de los muertos !

Day of the Dead (Spanish: Día de los Muertos) is a holiday celebrated by many in Mexico and by some Mexican Americansliving in the United States and Canada. The holiday focuses on gatherings of family and friends to pray for and remember friends and family members who have died. The celebration occurs on November 2 in connection with the Catholic holidays ofAll Saints' Day (November 1) and All Souls' Day (November 2). Traditions connected with the holiday include building private altars honoring the deceased using sugar skulls, marigolds, and the favorite foods and beverages of the departed and visiting graves with these as gifts.

Halloween week!!!

It is finally here! The week I look forward to all year round! Halloween is this weekend and I have a whole lot of baking to do before the week is complete!

Speaking of Halloween treats, check out this sweet article about me on All Things Cupcake!

Disney Halloween Cupcakes!

Some might remember that I blogged about my 2009 Halloween experience at Walt Disney World. I was pretty happy to see so many varieties of Halloween cupcakes to choose from. The photograph below was taken at the Main Street Bakery at the Magic Kingdom. Remember my review of the black sugar frosting dying my teeth for the remainder of the morning? Embarrassing, but tasty!

As many of you know already, I am a pretty big Disney fan. I vacation there atleast 1-2 times a year. It's my favorite place since I was a child. I stay pretty well informed on what is going on, so I was very excited to hear that Disney has another line of Halloween cupcakes for this years, "Not So Scary" event! Ghost cupcakes are just 1 of the adorable cupcakes to choose from! If you happen to visit, please send me a review! I would love to hear all about it!

Cake Pops Book Tour!

I'm like a kid in a candy shop! I'm so excited I can barely contain myself! I can't wait! Bakerella is making her way to NJt! Join me on November 13th at her Cake Pop Book Tour signing at The Mall at Short Hills!

All photos from Bakerella

Dessert First With Anne Thornton

The geniuses at Food Network will be airing a new show called Dessert First With Anne Thornton. This new show will premier on Sunday, 10/24! First episode will be entitled, "Scary Sweet"! You know me, I love anything Halloween related! So, I was very excited to be asked back to do a conference call interview with the new host!

Here is a little press release about the show:

Sundays at 12pm ET/PT on Food Network (premieres 10/24)In her “In the Kitchen” Food Network cooking series, Dessert First with Anne Thornton, expert pastry chef Anne Thornton shares indulgent recipes for tantalizing and tasty sweet treats. From fresh pie crust and creamy ice cream cake to flaky pastries and make-ahead tarts, Anne demystifies and simplifies the sweet world of pastry and dessert. While sprucing up old-fashioned favorites like apple turnovers and pecan pie, Anne teaches viewers the keys to no-fear baking proving any home cook can create show-stopping desserts. Whether she’s planning a dinner party for friends or whipping up a quick weeknight meal, Anne always thinks about Dessert First.

Now, you can imagine how excited I was when I saw these Red Velvet Brain Cupcakes! Make sure you tune in to see how Anne whips up these adorable and creepy treats!

Fantastic Peanut Butter and Chocolate Chip Cookies!

During the month of October I love adding Reese's Pieces to just about any recipe. To me, they scream Halloween! One of my all time favorite recipes to do that with is my peanut butter and chocolate chip cookie recipe. This is the fool proof, always delicious cookie recipe I turn to!

Ingredients:

• 1/2 cup (1 stick) butter, softened
• 1/2 cup chunky or smooth peanut butter
• 1/2 cup granulated sugar
• 1/2 cup brown sugar, firmly packed
• 1 egg
• 1 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
• 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1 T vanilla extract
• 1 cup semisweet chocolate chips
• 1 cup of Reese's Pieces (optional)

1. Cream the butter, peanut butter and sugars until light. Add the egg and mix until fluffy. Add vanilla.
2. Blend the flour, baking powder, soda and salt together well. Add these dry ingredients to the butter mixture. Add the chocolate chips.
3. Drop cookie dough onto lightly greased baking sheets. (I normally use a floured tablespoon)
4. Bake for 10-12 minutes at 375°.
5. My extra tip is leave your cookies on the baking sheets for an additional 2 minutes after taking out of oven. They settle nicely.

Halloween, Martha Style

Have you seen how adorable Martha Stewart's Halloween cupcake items are? I just love her! Every year her merchandise just gets better and better. She is the Queen of Halloween for sure!

She has just some of the best ideas and recipes.

For Martha Stewart Recipes:

http://www.marthastewart.com/photogallery/halloween-cakes-and-dessert-recipes

For Martha Stewart Costume Ideas:

http://www.marthastewart.com/photogallery/homemade-kids-halloween-costumes

Decorations and Crafts:

http://www.marthastewart.com/photogallery/halloween-decorating

Gorgeous Carved Pumpkin Ideas:

http://www.marthastewart.com/photogallery/pumpkins

(My inspiration for my Cat pumpkin below)

And don't forget....

Party Ideas:

http://www.marthastewart.com/halloween-kids-activities

ENJOY!

Sweet!

I am counting down the days for the Food Network, Food and Wine festival event Sweet! Hosted by Duff Goldman & Sandra Lee, this awesome evening party will take place at la.venue in NYC. This event will showcase over 12 different pastry chefs, including endless amounts of Godiva chocolate! YUM! I am pretty excited that I scored 2 free tickets for this event!

A blurb from the website:

Tonight is all about free-flowing Champagne in your complimentary Spiegelau flute and the goodies you’ll pair it with: handmade chocolates, cream-filled puffs crammed with silky custard, to-die-for cupcakes slathered with miles of frosting, not to mention layered tortes jammed with liqueur-laced jellies, ice-cream so rich you’ll cry from happiness, and even rare cheeses crafted by artisans. Start your diet today if you must, but leave room for dessert!

Participating Restaurants and Chefs:

1. Adour: Sandro Micheli www.adour-stregis.com
2. BabyCakes NYC: Erin McKenna www.babycakesnyc.com
3. baked: Matt Lewis and Renato Poliafito www.bakednyc.com
4. Billy's Bakery www.billysbakerynyc.com
5. China Grill Management Catering: Alfredo Guaman www.chinagrillmgt.com
6. Daniel: Dominique Ansel www.danielnyc.com
7. Del Posto: Brooks Headley www.delpostonyc.com
8. eater.com Contest Winner: Jessica Mogardo www.eater.com
9. Eighty One: John Miele www.81nyc.com
10. Fishtail by David Burke: Jennifer Domanski www.fishtaildb.com
11. Godiva: David Funaro www.godiva.com
12. Gotham Bar & Grill: Deborah Racicot www.gothambarandgrill.com
13. Hotel Griffou: Anne Thornton
14. Jean Georges: Johnny Iuzzini www.jean-georges.com
15. Levain Bakery: Pamela Weekes and Connie McDonald www.levainbakery.com
16. Locanda Verde: Karen DeMasco www.thegreenwichhotel.com
17. MAD MAC: Florian Bellanger and Ludovic Augendre www.madmacnyc.com
18. more: Patty Rothman www.morecupcakes.com
19. Park Avenue Autumn: Richard Leach www.parkavenyc.com
20. Ron Ben-Israel Cakes: Ron Ben-Israel www.weddingcakes.com
21. “Rose's Heavenly Cakes”: Rose Levy Beranbaum and Jean-Francois Bonnetwww.realbakingwithrose.com
22. Rouge Tomate: James Distefano www.rougetomatenyc.com
23. Spigolo: Heather Fratangelo and Jen Kim
24. Sweetiepie: Humberto Guallpa www.sweetiepierestaurant.com
25. Telepan: Bill Telepan and Larissa Raphael www.telepan-ny.com
26. The North Fork Table & Inn: Claudia Fleming www.northforktableandinn.com
27. The Oak Room: Matthew O'Haver www.oakroomny.com
28. The Sea Grill: Michael Gabriel www.patinagroup.com
29. The Stanton Social: Jaime Sudberg www.thestantonsocial.com
30. Tisserie: Gustavo Agudelo www.tisserie.com
31. ‘wichcraft: Sisha Ortúzar www.wichcraftnyc.com
32. Duncan Hines www.duncanhines.com

Just Say "Yes"!

My best friend of 29 years recently became engaged. For her engagement party I created this beautiful cupcake tower. 6-7 dozen cupcakes were decorated in shades of purple for this wonderful event.

The cupcake flavors were:

• Traditional White Cake made with White Chocolate Pudding frosted with Strawberry Buttercream.
• Super Moist Chocolate Cake with a Chocolate Fudge Frosting
• Vanilla Bean Cake with Butter Vanilla Frosting.

The cupcakes were decorated with gorgeous wrappers by Cupcake Wrapture. There were separate shades of purple which worked beautifully with the decor of the engagement party. I created cupcake toppers to add a more personal touch.

Everyday is Halloween

Happy 1st day of Fall everyone, which means Halloween is right around the corner!!! Enjoy everything this wonderful season has to offer!

Here is one of my favorite Fall recipes.
Wonderful treat on a chilly Sunday afternoon.

Pumpkin Pie Bars

1-1/3 cups Flour

3/4 cup Granulated sugar

1/2 cup packed brown sugar

3/4 cup (1-1/2 sticks) cold butter or margarine

1 cup Old-fashioned or quick-cooking oats, uncooked

1/2 cup chopped Pecans

1 pkg. (8 oz.) Cream Cheese, softened

3 Eggs

1 can (15 oz.) pumpkin

2 Tbsp. Pumpkin pie spice
1 Tbsp. Cinnamon

HEAT oven to 350°F. Line 13x9-inch pan with foil, with ends of foil extending over sides; grease foil. Mix flour, 1/4 granulated sugar and brown sugar in medium bowl; cut in butter with pastry blender or 2 knives until mixture resembles coarse crumbs. Stir in oats and nuts.

RESERVE 1 cup oat mixture; press remaining onto bottom of prepared pan. Bake 15 min. Beat cream cheese, remaining sugar, eggs, pumpkin and spice with mixer until well blended. Pour over crust; sprinkle with reserved crumb mixture and cinnamon.

BAKE 25 min.; cool 10 min. I normally let them cool completely, still them in the fridge to firm up, then cut. This is not a recipe you can immediately serve.

Calling the undead!

Dearest undead of the TriState area,

Yours truly will be a vendor at this years Asbury Park Zombie Walk. I will be baking up hundreds of delicious, zombie themed cupcakes for your consumption!

Please come out and help NJ get in the Guinness Book of World Records for largest Zombie Walk, while eating delicious cupcakes!

ZombieCon will open up at 11AM inside the Convention Center.

The walk will begin at 5PM.

See you there!

Dying for some peanut butter?

I made this frightfully sinful cupcake from Hershey's unsweetened cocoa & Reese's peanut butter cups. Devil's food cake, baked with a mini peanut butter cup inside. Frosted with my delicious & super smooth peanut butter frosting! Topped with mini chocolate and peanut butter chips.

It's soooooo good it's scary!!!

Available now until October 31st!

Halloween Cupcake Fun

So my favorite season is approaching, which means Halloween is right around the corner! I intend on bringing you lots of fun Halloween recipe ideas each week through the months of September and October. Some will be mine and some will be from celebrity chefs and friends.

Ghost Cupcakes by Martha Stewart is first! Don't you just love Martha! She is amazing!

• All-purpose flour, for tins
• Devil's Food Cake Batter
• Thick Ghostly Chocolate Frosting
• 18 large marshmallows, halved lengthwise
• 72 ounces white fondant
• Cornstarch, for surface
• 24 chocolate-candy-coated sunflower seeds, for eyes
• Royal Icing and Fleurs-de-lis, optional

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 350. Line 12 cups of a jumbo-muffin tin (each 1-cup capacity) with extra-large cupcake liners. Butter and flour 12 cups of a mini-muffin tin, and tap out excess flour.
2. Divide batter among muffin tins, filling each cup 1/2 full. Bake, rotating tins halfway through, until testers inserted in centers come out clean, 8 to 9 minutes for mini cupcakes, and 40 to 45 minutes for large cupcakes. Let cool in pans on wire racks. (Cupcakes can be wrapped in plastic, and frozen for up to 1 month; thaw at room temperature before frosting.)
3. Remove cupcake liners from large cupcakes, trim tops of each cupcake to create a flat surface, and reserve tops for another use. Flip cupcakes over. Spread 1 teaspoon frosting on top of each cupcake. Arrange 3 marshmallow halves on top of each (pictured right), cut sides down, pressing them into frosting. Spread 1 teaspoon frosting over each marshmallow trio.
4. Trim tops of each mini cupcake to create a flat surface, and reserve tops for another use. Press 1 mini cupcake, cut side down, onto frosting-topped marshmallows.
5. Spread 1/4 cup frosting over each cupcake stack to create a crumb coat, leaving a 1/4-inch unfrosted rim around bottom. Refrigerate until firm, about 30 minutes.
6. Divide fondant into 12 equal pieces. On a surface lightly dusted with cornstarch, roll a piece of fondant into a 1/4-inch-thick, 10-inch-wide circle. Center fondant over top of 1 frosted cupcake, smoothing downward and creating ruffles around the bottom. Press candy-coated seeds into soft fondant for eyes, remove, dot with royal icing to secure if desired, and then press seeds into icing. Repeat with remaining fondant, cupcakes, and seeds. Let fondant harden slightly at room temperature before serving.

Read more at Marthastewart.com: Ghost Cupcakes Recipe - MarthaStewart.com

Goodbye Summer, Hello Autumn!

Stores are starting to put up their Halloween displays...which means, Halloween cupcake time!!!

Here is a list of just SOME of the flavors I will be offering this Halloween season! Because Fall is one of the busiest seasons for me, please inquire about your Halloween cupcakes today!

Honeypot
Honey spice cake, made with cinnamon and light brown sugar! Topped with Swiss Meringue Buttercream.

The Great Pumpkin
Pumpkin Pudding Spice cake with Pumpkin and Vanilla swirl Buttercream.

Jack-O-Lantern
Sweet Vanilla cake or Chocolate cake topped with Orange colored frosting and cute 3-D Pumpkin topper! This is a colorful and delicious treat for Halloween!

Wicked Witch is Dead

Dark chocolate cake with Mint Green frosting. Topped with a Witch's hat. Inspired by the most popular Wicked Witch of the West, Elphaba!

Apple Pie
Spice cake stuffed with Apple Pie filling, topped with a Cinnamon Vanilla Buttercream.

The Count
Inspired by Bram Stoker, this Red Velvet cupcake is drop dead delicious! Deep, dark Red Velvet cake topped with Dark Chocolate Cream Cheese Frosting. Vampire fang topping with gooey sugar blood!

All Cupcake Cauldron cupcakes can be personalized for Halloween. I have a huge selection of Halloween cupcake toppers. Bats, Vintage Halloween toppers, Pumpkins, Skulls, Witch Hats, etc.

Talking sweets with Red Velvet Stefanie!

“Cupcakes aren’t just a dessert, they are a lifestyle.” -Stefanie

Film Festival Face-off was a pretty intense episode of Cupcake Wars! I originally tuned in to see Mr. Cupcakes from Clifton, NJ. Being a NJ native, I wanted to see if he had what it takes to win on Cupcake Wars!

I was pleasantly surprised to see not only Bee Sweet Cupcakes from NOLA competing, but Red Velvet Stefanie was also on this episode! Sweet! To be honest, I was cheering on RVS the whole time. I am fan of her blog and her awesome Ultimate Red Velvet Cheesecake at the Cheesecake factory!

So, I recently had the opportunity to talk to her about her experience on Cupcake Wars!

1. Who is your biggest inspiration in the baking world?

Candace Nelson from Sprinkle's, she started the cupcake trend! Candace is the Cupcake Queen!

2. Where did you get the name Red Velvet Stefanie from?

After Stefanie's Ultimate Red Velvet Cake Cheesecake came out at the Cheesecake Factory, my friends started calling me this! They would introduce me to people as the, "Stefanie, as in Stefanie's Ultimate Red Velvet Cake Cheesecake Stefanie" and then, shortened down to Red Velvet Stefanie! the other was such a mouthful! lol

3. What was the most challenging part of the competition for you? The time limit? the 1,000 cupcakes?

Waiting to hear what Candace was going to say about my cupcakes, she is my hero after all!

4. Would you ever compete in something like Cupcake Wars again?

OH YES! My next competition is actually August 22nd in LA. The Sweet's Truck asked me to compete with LA's top cupcake baker's to find the best Red Velvet Cupcake in Los Angeles! I am so going to win!

5. What is your favorite cupcake flavor, and why?

I wish I had a more exciting answer but, Red Velvet is truly my favorite Red Velvet Cupcake! I have never liked chocolate cake so, I like the little accent of cocoa in red velvet plus, cream cheese frosting is to die for! I love the bright red color of the cake paired with the light fluffy frosting, it is such an elegant combination!

Thanks Red Velvet Stefanie for taking the time to answer some questions!!!

Also, tomorrow is Cheesecake Day! The Cheesecake Factory has a pretty awesome deal for you. Any cheesecake slice is 1/2 price! So get on over and get yourself a luscious slice of red velvet cheesecake! And additional 25 cents is donated to Feeding America every time you purchase it!

Dog Birthday Parties!

Wanna get your pup something truly special this Birthday?

I am now offering dog cupcakes & cakes made of all organic, all natural ingredients. Only wholesome goodness for your best friend! All pupcakes are frosted with melted carob "frosting" too!

*(Please let me know if your dog has any allergies at the time of ordering).*

Having some pups over to celebrate? Need some goodie bags? I now make all natural dog biscuits, which will come in clear baggies and tied with pretty bows! List of ingredients are always supplied! Seasonal cookie cutters available too! Pumpkin, Apple & Molasses are just a few flavors to choose from!

Pricing

Pupcakes - 1 dozen regular $40.00
Pupcakes - 2 dozen minis $40.00

Personalized Pupcake - 8" round cake $35.00

Dog treat baggies w/ bow - Inquire about pricing. Minimal amount required.

*Cute Boston Terrier not included* - That is my pup Linus!

Summer is flying by! Remember, just a few more weeks of these special seasonal flavors! My fall flavors will be debuting the second week of September!

Remember, you can inquire about season Fall flavors NOW for your special occasion! Dates are booking fast! Email me at thecupcakecauldron@gmail.com!

Humming Bird Cupcakes

These cupcakes are delicious! Made with ripe bananas, fresh pineapple, vanilla bean, cinnamon and pecans! Topped with a silky vanilla bean cream cheese frosting and topped with dried bananas.

Cotton Candy

Vanilla cake topped with a delicious pink Cotton Candy buttercream.

Pink Lemonade

Lemon pudding cake, made with lots of zest and fresh lemons! Topped with a tart pink lemonade buttercream. Each dolled up with sugar sprinkles and a cute straw!

Root beer Float

My delicious root beer cake made with A&W root beer, is topped with a vanilla whipped buttercream. Root beer drizzle is on top!

Ice Cream Sundae

Hershey's syrup cake with Vanilla Bean frosting. Topping off this Sundae is a homemade ganache, sprinkles and a cherry!