mr. t’s 60!
A._’s dad is a big fan of the Ateneo Blue Eagles basketball team. When the team captured the 2011 UAAP (University Athletic Association of the Philippines) crown making them four-peat champions, Mr. T. and his wife were naturally ecstatic. This euphoria was carried over his 60th birthday celebration as evidenced by these “sporty” cupcakes. Of course, some of the cupcakes must have the Ateneo colors.
Cupcake base was caramel. Frosting for the basketball cupcakes was whipped cream tinted orange with melted semisweet chocolate markings. Frosting for the Tony 60 cupcakes was creme ivoire (white chocolate glaze) tinted blue. Since creme ivoire is chocolate-based, I had a challenging time getting the right shade of blue as the candy colors (food color for chocolate) palette is limited. I had to use a mixture of the Wilton candy color and the regular gel-based food color.
I was happy with my test cupcake even if the blue frosting stained my tongue. 
I forgot to warn A._ about it when I delivered the cupcakes. I wondered if the birthday boy were among those who got a blue-tinged tongue? Hmm, it must have been quite a sight but I was sure it added to the festivity of the occasion.
I was curious so I asked if Mr. T._ used to be a basketball player. No, his wife told me they are just avid fans of their alma mater’s team. Wow, such dedication! I wish I can be that way too with my own team but they always lose early. Sigh. At least I was fortunate that the UP Fighting Maroons captured their only championship trophy to date (haha, still hopeful!) during my sophomore year in UP. For UAAP fans, just figure out the year.
Thanks A._ for making my cupcakes a part of your wonderful celebration!
January 2nd, 2012
ABC Blocks Cake and Cupcakes Project – cake decorated with edible alphabet blocks and chocolate booties and cupcakes topped with baby icons made of chocolate. Price available upon request.
welcome, naomi!
My cousin K._ and her husband E._ recently welcomed their beautiful baby Naomi. K._ asked me if I can make her cake and cupcakes for the baby’s christening.
Cupcakes? My Sweet Baby cupcakes, what else! As for the cake, I thought an edible standup teddy bear cake would be adorable. K._ was ok with it. It had been several years since I used my Wilton Stand-Up Cuddly Bear Pan so a test cake was in order. After assembling the pan, I slid it inside the oven to see how it will fit and to ensure that I will not be spilling anything during baking. What the hey, it didn’t fit! And then I remembered we used to have a different oven back then. Dang it! Fortunately, there was no cake batter to bake yet. Whew!
Times like these spur my creative juices. And so I came up with a new cake design—alphabet blocks spelling out Naomi’s name. The blocks were brownies that I covered and decorated with marzipan. The booties were made of chocolate. The cupcakes were meant to be giveaways so they were individually packed in boxes with ribbons and sticker labels.
K._ told me afterwards that her guests loved the cupcakes, even the packaging. And the cake that they took home? Yummy! Thanks, cousin! Hope to see you, Naomi, and the entire family again soon!
December 29th, 2011
Elephant Cupcakes - cupcakes with chocolate elephant toppers. Price available upon request.
it’s a boy!
S._ asked if I do cookies with elephant design. She was having a baby shower and her theme is blue elephants. I bake cookies too but I suggested my Safari cupcakes instead. One of the toppers in those cupcakes is a blue elephant which I think is a delicious sub for the cookies. K._readily agreed.
Later, S._ texted me this message: “I loved the cupcakes! I’m glad there were enough of them left after the party for me to enjoy! ”
Thanks also S._!
November 5th, 2011
Flower Pot Cupcakes – Nutella Hazelnut cupcakes with chocolate flower lollipops. Price available upon request.
“when i fall in love…”
What can a young man do to please his lady love? Give her cupcakes, of course! But they should be not just any cupcakes, ahem. They have to be unique, they have to convey the true sentiments of the giver, and they have to taste as good as they look.
These cupcakes were actually the second batch of order from JP and were originally as they are, just the Nutella Hazelnut cupcakes. But wanting to give something extraordinary, he asked if I can embellish the cupcakes a bit. He sent some images of cupcakes with whimsical toppers. I thought hard. What can melt a girl’s heart? Diamonds! But for those on a budget, (lol) flowers will do. So why not make chocolate flower lollipops and stick them in the cupcakes? The color of the cupcake liners were so apt because they resemble flower pots (albeit expensive ones because they’re gold, haha) and the ganache topping was like soil with gravel because of the chopped hazelnuts. The “I love you” placard is chocolate attached to a biscuit. I was aiming for it to be like some sort of “No picking of flowers” signage. When I showed a sample to JP, he said they were better than the cupcake design he suggested.
JP later told me his special someone loved his gift and was totally impressed. That was good enough for me. By the way, JP’s first order was the “I Love You” cupcakes. Oh, to be young and in love.
Thanks JP!
November 3rd, 2011
Chocolate Banana Cake Project – banana cake and cupcakes frosted with dark chocolate ganache and topped with white chocolate curls. Price available upon request.
birthday blessings
Mr. J._ was turning 50 and his wife P._ wanted cake and cupcakes as desserts for the special occasion. They readily chose banana flavor because the birthday boy loves banana cake. So it was settled. The cake was to be a large scale version of my Chocolate Banana cupcakes. P._ told me when the project was due. On. My. Birthday. Yes, Mr. J_ and I share the same birthday! I was hoping to make that day free (it was a Saturday) but what the hey, business is business.
There were to be 70 cupcakes in all so I had to make 210 white chocolate curls, three per cupcake. I lost count of how many were supposed to be on the cake but I just made a lot just in case.
As I was busy with the preparations weeks ahead, along came a call from former client MM who also wanted to order cupcakes for her birthday. Due date? On. My. Birthday. Great, more blessings! MM needed her cupcakes at noon and P._ needed hers late in the afternoon. Yes! *fist pumps* There was still time for a dinner celebration with my family.
Despite a heavy downpour on D-day, my deliveries went well and my family was able to enjoy a dinner buffet in Palms Country Club in Alabang. What a birthday!
A few days later, I got to talk to P._ and she told me that their guests loved the cupcakes. Some even went back for seconds! She said it was a good thing she had a cake because there would have been nothing left for the family to savor. Getting those orders and hearing those positive words from a satisfied client are among the best birthday gifts I have ever gotten. Thanks P._ and MM!
November 2nd, 2011
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