HAPPY FIRST BRRRRRTHDAY MONKEY!!!!

This past weekend we celebrated my sons first birthday! I can't believe that my little monkey is one already!?! Honestly, when other moms said to me 'time flies', they weren't kidding! I am soooo proud of my little man! He has changed our world and we are sooooo grateful and blessed to have him in our lives!

Now came the hard part - I have been baking for weddings, anniversaries, baptisms and birthdays...What can I make for my sons first birthday that no one would expect? hmmmmm.....

Knowing that his birthday was approaching, I was flip-flopping with ideas and themes for his party for months!!! I didn't want it to be too much, but wanted it to reflect him and his personality. His latest craze/obsession is the cartoon The Backyardigans. The cartoon has some kind of magical power - seriously - the theme song, if played, can silence the craziest crying fit that no cuddling can help...to me, that is magical! 

Now, I didn't want the party to have everything 'backyardigan', I found these great character balloons at Party Packagers and knew that they would be perfect!

Then the ideas started flowing! Books are also a favorite of G's - and for every book that I read, numbers and colours are verbalized - I even point to vegetables in the supermarket, name them and tell him what colour they are! So, I decided to make colours the theme of the party! I searched and searched the internet looking for inspiration and found more than I could imagine. Thank goodness for google search!

Decorations followed, colours EVERYWHERE!!! Crayons on tables covered with poster paper, streamers, balloons, noisemakers, even the candy table and cookies were colourful!

I stumbled upon a post that in the background showed a cake that I HAD to bake! So I prepped everything and was ready to go!

The cake is a very simple white cake recipe. What I absolutely LOVE about this cake is that from the outside it looks simple and perfect...

and THEN....you cut into this cake and listen to the WOW and OH MY!!!!  it couldn't have been any more PERFECT!!!

HAPPY 1ST BIRTHDAY MONKEY!!!

Love, Mommy and Daddy

THE BRIDE, THE GROOM, THE VOWS...THE CUPCAKES!!!





I know that it has been quite some time since my last blog post. I have been soaking up the little time that I have left on maternity leave to spend with my son before returning to work in January. I have been baking, just not finding the time to post as much as before.

This post is one that I have been waiting to write and post on this blog for quite some time! With baking for weddings, most wouldn't think of the time that lingers between the actual wedding day and the delivery of pictures! The wait is AGONIZING...and I'm not even the Bride!!!

I prefer waiting for the pictures from the actual event so that my readers can see the cupcakes in all their GLORY! Perched up on the stand, surrounded by other sweets, looking so delicious and glamorous!

This wedding was no exception! The ceremony, quaint and rustic, took place at the family cottage and the reception was held at Regatta Steak and Seafood Grille at the Muskoka Wharf in Gravenhurst. In talking with the Bride, she was describing the wedding theme and colours. She mentioned that there will be a lot of natural elements brought into the reception to mimic the ceremony and reflect the surroundings of cottage country.

 In choosing the cupcake flavors, a mutual friend, whom attended the first wedding that got this blog started...strongly suggested the Lemon Berry Licious! And how can I blame her? they are a favorite of mine too - so summery and refreshing! The bride and I also thought something with chocolate was in order! Who can resist the Chocolate/Peanut butter combo? Me either!!! So, Curious George was invited to the wedding, and we finished it off with a simple Vanilla cupcake topped with Vanilla buttercream.

K and T, Congrats to both of you! I Wish you Happiness, Laughter and Love forever and ever!!!

THE SALTY-SWEET LIFE

Pumpkin Cupcake with Salted Dulce de Leche buttercream

Fall is, by far, my favorite season! Fall brings us a gorgeous backdrop for pictures, we often go for weekend drives and find little places we never knew existed. We are fortunate enough to live in an area rich in festivals and farmers markets so there is always something to do!

With Halloween quickly approaching, it is a MUST to make my Pumpkin cupcakes with salted Dulce de Leche Buttercream - Ohhhhhh these are SOOOOOOOOO Good!!!! The cupcake is SUPER moist and the salted caramel brings this cupcake to another dimension!

I made these cupcakes this weekend for a gathering of great friends - as these cupcakes sat perched in their display case, it was nice to see the excitement of  "what kind of cupcakes did you make Nadia?" I swear, we could have had eaten these before the planned lunch!

I absolutely LOVE watching people enjoy my cupcakes and the looks on my friends faces were priceless! It is so gratifying when you see them go back for seconds and even thirds!!!

If you are planning a Halloween party or gathering and would like to make these cupcakes a part of your celebration, email me at cupcakesontheside@yahoo.ca

TRIPLE CHOCOLATE THREAT

This Birthday cupcake order was one of the easiest thus far! I often ask customers key questions to get to 'know' the recipient of the cupcakes, and for this order - the answer to almost all the questions was CHOCOLATE!!!!

24 Triple Chocolate Threats waiting to be devoured

Who doesn't LOVE chocolate???

This cupcake OOZES chocolate! Hence the title of this blog! The ever popular Guinness Chocolate Cupcake was filled with a semi-sweet chocolate ganache and topped with the most delicious Chocolate Fudge icing...really...I'm not often a lick the spatula kind of girl, but this spatula covered in fudge frosting was SCREAMING my name!!!!

YUM YUM YUM!!!!

This order was made for a wonderful friend that I have known for many years. We recently have been re-acquainted and have been spending time making great memories for ourselves and our kids! 

To this order, I added Happy Birthday cupcake toppers (pictured below) cause its a fun way to decorate and personalize any cupcake order. I often find decorating cupcakes for boys and men a bit more challenging that girls and women. Cupcake toppers make statement without 'over-doing' it with glitter and sprinkles.

The end product is simple yet mouth watering!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY D!!!!

Happy Birthday Cupcake Toppers

Cupcake Toppers on Cupcakes

BABY D's BAPTISIM



Often, through friends we meet friends.That is exactly how I came to know baby D's parents. We first met pre-babies and now we have both been blessed with bouncing boys! It has been an awesome adventure and a great relief to have someone to talk to who is experiencing similar 'events' on a daily basis as I am.

When asked to make cupcakes for baby D's Baptism, I was excited! One of the best parts of this venture, is listening to people try to make decisions on the flavours! I love that people are so excited about all the different kinds of flavours that I offer and am flattered when they can't seem to settle on just one.



Vanilla Bean filled with Nutella topped with Peanut Butter Buttercream
Iced Cappuccino High Hats



I think we went through at least five different kinds before 'setteling' on the final decision of Vanilla Bean filled with Nutella topped with creamy peanut butter buttercream and the previously posted Iced Cappuccino Cupcakes.

I'm sure that Baby D's celebration was one full of Love, Laughter, and Blessings - I'm just glad to have been able to add a little sweetness to the special day!

Blessings to Baby D and his Parents!

GOD BLESS BABY L

Who knew that when I started this venture that it would have me re-connect with so many people who have touched my life in so many different ways! After 'launching' this blog on FB, I received many well wishes from my main circle of friends and family. Quietly the group started to grow and I was flattered to see some old acquaintances support me in this venture.

One of the first emails in my inbox was a childhood friend who grew up right across the street from me. I can recount countless stories from our summers together from swimming in her backyard, gossiping in the sauna, and walking to the corner restaurant to stuff our faces with the greasiest most delicious steak cut french fries that I still crave!



Vanilla Bean and Guinness cupcakes in blue liners



Well, we are all grown up now! and it was time for her little man to be baptized. I was privileged to be asked to bake cupcakes for this event. She decided on the Vanilla Bean cupcakes filled with Dulce De Leche and the Guinness cupcakes. We wanted to incorporate the colour theme of blue, brown so we decided to play with the frosting colour.



The Guinness cupcakes were topped with white buttercream, then 6 of the Vanilla Bean cupcakes were topped with vanilla buttercream tinted blue and the remainder were topped with delicious Nutella buttercream.

Thank you so much for letting me be a part of such a special day!

God Bless Sweet Baby L!!!

HOLIDAY FLAVORS - ONLY AVAILABLE FOR A LIMITED TIME

FLAVORS

GINGERBREAD HOUSE

Gingerbread cupcakes topped with vanilla buttercream and gumdrops

EGGNOG CUPCAKES

Eggnog cupcake topped with eggnog & rum buttercream sprinkled with cinnamon

PEPPERMINT TWIST

Deep chocolate cupcake filled with a white chocolate ganache studded with crushed candy canes topped with a peppermint buttercream

FERRERO ROCHER

Chocolate hazelnut cupcake filled with Nutella and topped with a Ferrero Rocher chocolate

TURTLE CUPCAKE
Chocolate cupcake filled with caramel, topped with caramel buttercream sprinkled with chopped pecans

WITH MORE TO COME....

OPENING DATES FOR 2011

Hi Everyone!

Thanks for checking in :)

These last few weeks have been super busy with Mommy duties and Cupcakes. Just wanted to let you all know that I will be opening dates for 2011. So, if you have any events planned, or know of anyone who is planing birthdays, weddings, corporate events, I would be delighted to be a part of the festivities!

For those of you who have been following my blog regularly, you will have noticed that the month of December has been fully booked. I do have some time available over the holidays, so if there are any holiday parties wanting some 'Cupcake Cheer' - send me an e-mail:

cupcakesontheside@yahoo.ca



I will also be adding some seasonal flavors - so be sure to continue to check my
FLAVOURS AVAILABLE tab!

Cupcakes fit for a Princess

I am so thankful and grateful for my family and extended families support with this cupcake venture. This past week my cousin and her family came to visit my lil'guy. Not only did she spoil him with a brand new block set, but she even spoiled ME with a Wilton cooling rack! LOVE IT!!!!!

Her little princess was turning 5 the very next weekend - so of course we started talking Cupcakes!!!

I find that princesses are often misrepresented as picky and diva-like. Not this Birthday Princess! She went for the traditional mix of Vanilla Cupcakes, Chocolate Cupcakes and Marble Cupcakes. They were topped with a creamy delicious Vanilla Swiss Meringue Buttercream tinted pink, purple and blue (we had to include the boys somehow). To make them extra special I adorned them with 'princess silver jewels' and Happy Birthday cupcake flags.

Vanilla, Chocolate and Marble cupcakes with tinted Vanilla Swiss Meringue Buttercream

HAPPY 5TH BIRTHDAY PRINCESS A!!!!!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY MUNCHKIN

My niece turned 8 this past week! She is one of those kids who sees the good in everything and makes you smile everyday! She is the girliest girl that I know; has wardrobe changes daily and is always willing to try a new lip gloss or nail polish!

I thought that her dream cupcake would consist of pink and glitter + sparkles... NOPE!
She couldn't decide between chocolate and vanilla cupcakes so we compromised and chose a marble cupcake. Then for the frosting she knew immediately that Nutella had to be in there! She would eat nutella in some shape or form daily if she could!!!

Italian Marble Cupcakes

 So, half of the cupcakes were adorned with a Nutella Swiss Buttercream and the other half with a Vanilla Swiss Buttercream. Thus the 'Italian Marble' Cupcake was born and is now offered under the Favorites Tab.


HAPPY BIRTHDAY MY NUTELLA MUNCHKIN!!!!

POOL PARTY - HAPPY BIRTHDAY E!!!!

With being a new mom, it isn't too often that 'relaxation' is part of my daily routine! Lil' G's nap time is FULL of getting tasks done around the house, and now...posting a blog entry ;)

Iced Cappuccino

When visiting my sister, I was asked by her friend P to make cupcakes for her daughters pool party - ahhhhh a pool party - lounging by the pool, in the pool, feeling the heat of the sun, I close my eyes and picture it! Soooo relaxing. After some discussion with E, her likes, her dislikes, etc... it was mentioned that her favorite summer drink is Iced Capp from TH - I knew exactly what cupcake to bake!

Cross Section of Iced Cappuccino after being dipped in milk chocolate

The Iced Cappuccino cupcake is a chocolate mocha base with a cappuccino flavoured meringue buttercream. I decided to make it extra special by making it a 'High-Hat' cupcake and dipping it in milk chocolate...Mmmmm!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY E!!!!

Class of 2010

Where does the time go? I was 17 years old and remember clearly holding my first niece in my arms and marveling at how small and gorgeous she was. I would spend all of my free time with her, and often thought to myself  'when you will be 17, I will be...oh my gosh!!!'- She's not there yet (thank goodness), she is now 14 and will be starting her first year of high school in September. So I ask again - Where does the time go???

Vanilla Bean Cupcake filled with Nutella topped with Peanut Butter Buttercream and a fondant graduation cap

Here is a perfect example of how you can use the Flavors Available tab Mix-&-Match to create your own signature cupcake! We used a Vanilla bean cupcake base filled with Nutella and then topped them with a Peanut Butter Buttercream. Knowing that the more 'mature' generation aren't big PB fans we opted to leave some the cupcakes plain and topped them with a Fresh Mixed Berry Buttercream (same buttercream used on the Lemon Berry-Licious).

Double Digits!!! HAPPY BIRTHDAY T!!!

I am blessed with a beautiful family! One of my nieces turned 10 this month - Double Digits! - I still remember my 10th birthday and how old I thought I was because now two numbers represented my age. Of course I baked cupcakes for this special day! The request was Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough - Now I can't say that I am a 'true' cookie dough fan ( I don't normally like any type of uncooked batter/dough) but these cupcakes were YUMMY!!!!

Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough

This cupcake encompasses a chocolate chip cookie from start to finish. A moist vanilla chocolate chip cupcake is filled with an egg-less cookie dough and then topped with a cookie dough buttercream that has that unmistakable sugary crunch that makes cookie dough so delicious and then topped with an adorable mini chocolate chip cookie.

My First Wedding Order - CONGRATS A & S

OK, So this is where it all began! for those of you who have read my "About Me" will know that it was the compliments from my hubby's co-workers that got me going on my cupcake obsession! I had baked them my Guinness cupcakes filled with a Baileys chocolate ganache topped with a Baileys cream cheese frosting. My cell phone was going to explode for how many compliments my hunny was passing on. One of his co-workers had been searching the city for her 'wedding cupcakes', after devouring her cupcake, she had mentioned the search to my husband and said "This cupcake is to DIE FOR! Do you think she would be interested in baking cupcakes for my wedding?" He answered, like most men would, "let me get back to you". That night, he brought up A's request and at first I thought that she was crazy! I am by no means a professional baker! And these were cupcakes for her WEDDING!!! the event that every girl dreams of! What if I screwed everything up?

After multiple conversations, text messages and sending samples of different cupcakes to my hubby's work (they didn't seem to mind) The bride and groom decided on 3 different kinds of cupcakes for their special day:
Lemon Berry-Licious, Curious George and of course Guinness - the cupcake that started all of this!

Lemon Berry-Licious

The bride also thought that a cutting cake would be a nice addition to the cupcakes so that they have something to 'cut' into - so, another first...FONDANT! The Cake was a success and decorated in the brides theme of fuschia, black and platinum.

Special thanks to Daniela at Pink Pearl Images for the above photo taken at A&S's wedding
http://www.pinkpearlimages.com/

Thank you A&S for believing in me and allowing me to be a part of your special day!

Thomas the Train Cupcakes - HAPPY BIRTHDAY CP!

My neighbors son LOVES Thomas the Train! So I couldn't resist making these cupcakes to be part of his special day! The cupcakes were a delicious Vanilla Bean cupcake with Vanilla buttercream topped with a fondant disk featuring Thomas (blue), James (red), and Molly (yellow).