T's MONSTER PARTY!!!!

My nephew turned 1 on Friday!!! His party plan came together when I came across a site for these adorable knit mini-monsters! T's aunt knitted these little critters for T to give out to all of his family as part of his party favor. The other part of the party favor, I thought, was a great idea! It was a photo album with a photo of the birthday boy, from each of the previous 12 months - it was ADORABLE!!!! 

Because this was a 1 year old's birthday party, we wanted the food and snacks to be enjoyed by every age! My absolute favorite thing at the party, other than the birthday boy, was this fruit monster! Sooo fun for the kids, and healthy too!

T's cake was a fairly simple decision, he is a banana monster, so it was a no brainer when we decided on a roasted banana cake with a vanilla buttercream. For the cupcakes, we opted for a delicious carrot cake base with traditional yummy cream cheese frosting!

Before the birthday boy attacked his green monster, I decided to take a last picture of the cake, cupcakes and cute little knit monsters - as one big happy family!

The party was a huge hit! as were the cupcakes and cake. I love it when there is next to nothing left by the time the presents are being opened!

HAPPY 1st BIRTHDAY MONSTER T !!!!!

BLESSINGS ON YOUR CONFIRMATION J

It still amazes me how crazy social media is! I think of all the people and orders I have received solely due to people seeing my Facebook Fanpage and the numbers are unreal! I haven't yet put word out in my neighborhood because I am busy enough by word of mouth! So a BIG Thank You to all of those who have supported Cupcakes On The Side and let your family and friends know about me!



Chocolate cupcake topped with chocolate buttercream and Dulce de Leche drizzle

I received an email for J's mom requesting cupcakes for his confirmation. She already knew exactly what kind of cupcake J wanted, so we just played with the toppings and she included personalizes labels. I was really happy with the outcome! The Cupcakes were moist and fluffy, the buttercream was smooth and light, and, for me, the clencher was dulce de leche caramel drizzle.

Full cupcake with Label (available in pink, purple, beige & blue)

There is something about that caramel just about to drip off the cupcake that makes me want to scoop it up with my finger! This was a tough cupcake to box up and deliver, I just wanted to brew a fresh coffee and have a silent moment with just me and this cupcake!

Congratulations J on such a  blessful event!

"C" is for COOKIE, and "Z" is for ZAC!!!!

So bittersweet when your baby turns ONE! I love being a part of  first birthdays because its such an event! Its a day where parents look at their little one and smile with such joy, but also weep for how fast the time has past. It is a celebration of what a wonderful little person you have raised. Besides, by the child's second birthday, they start having their own ideas, likes and dislikes. So, first birthdays, in some way, is a chance for mommy and daddy to relive 'their' first birthday party!

I had so much fun baking and decorating this cake and cupcakes. The planning for this party started long before Z's birthday! Zacs' Mommy, who happens to be a great friend, had a clear vision. The main theme of the party would be Cookie Monster accented with blue and white decor. For the cupcakes we decided on a simple vanilla cake and tinted the buttercream blue - of course! We were gonna keep it simple at first, but then we decided to push forward with creativity! I first saw these cupcakes I knew they were going to be PERFECT for the party! Then Z's mommy decided that a smash cake would be MUCH more FUN for Z to get his hands into then just a little cupcake, so this is what happened...

Vanilla Cookie Monster Cake

I was sooooo EXCITED for little Z to get his hands dirty - and boy did he!!!! Given the recent popularity of smash cakes, i have yet to see one of my creations attacked - until now!!!! It was so AMAZING to see his reaction to the cake...the cookie, the texture, that first taste of sweet vanilla buttercream - I was overjoyed! in less than 2 minutes he had both hands full of cake and was covered in blue icing looking absolutely 

A-D-O-R-A-B-L-E

Instead of having a larger cake for the friends and family to discreetly eat served on a plate with a fork, we opted for cupcakes (of course) Chocolate cupcakes with vanilla and milk chocolate buttercream for the adults, and mini cookie monsters for the little ones :)

HAPPY 1ST BIRTHDAY Z-MAN!!!!

Zacs' 1st Birthday was brought to you by the letter Z and the #1

Cookie Monster Cake and Cupcakes was a production of :
Cupcakes On The Side

...hehehe - I couldn't resist ending the post this way ;)

FASHIONABLY LATE

Hello All!


As I am still trying to find my 'happy balance' between work, baking, and most importantly my Mommy duties; there are some of my past baking projects hidden in the 'pictures to post' album. As I scan through these pictures, it seems as though I have taken a bit of a break from cupcakes. I guess the endless taste-testing by my family and friends has hit its limit and a change was in order. Cakes, I find, are challenging. It doesn't help that I tend to lean towards being a perfectionist and am very critical of my work. That, and with cupcakes, it is very easy to make a 'tester' with a little left over batter, whereas with a cake, I don't know until it is sliced and served. That's why serving cake or cupcakes to family has its advantages. Firstly, they are honest - sometimes brutally honest. Secondly, less stress, cause they will love me no matter what! and Thirdly, I get to have a piece and judge for myself!


This delicious cake was baked for my sister-in-law who turned 29.....AGAIN ;)






Chocolate layer cake filled with Vanilla-Toasted Marshmallow Frosting
Covered in Milk Chocolate Swiss Meringue Buttercream


I stumbled across this cake recipe and knew that it wouldn't be long before I tried it. Layer cakes have recently become all the rage! The first layer cake that caught my attention was the Rainbow Cake that I baked for my sons first birthday, and this cake I knew would make a birthday appearance FAST!

This cake consisted of 3 decadent layers of moist chocolate cake, layered alternately with a creamy toasted-marshmallow vanilla frosting with bits of actual crispy marshmallows. I know, I know - DELISH right? and why stop there? I frosted this cake with the fluffiest, smooth milk chocolate swiss meringue buttercream and  topped with a toasted marshmallow...YUM! I was told that it was one of my best cakes thus far and tasted DEVINE!!!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY S!!!!