Check out these darling cupcakes done for a biology graduate. It was a darling frog-themed cupcake stand. The Olivia blue and brown swirl was used to look like waves of water.
I know this isn't quite specifically about cupcakes but hope you don't mind me sharing a bit of insight on something which Bella Cupcake Couture is being a part of.
The film crew for the "Shine" Biznik movie project was at my home a week ago. They are doing a documentary on entrepreneurs and allowing them to share their business goals and mission.
They started their filming at Fremont Studios (pictured above) with over 200+ small business owners in attendance. There was so much synergy and excitement during the event. Every small business owner had approximately 1-3 minutes to record their own video.
The next place they filmed was at the giant airplane hangar at Magnuson Park. I was unable to attend this site location but heard it was very busy with so many excited to tell their story.
A few weeks later I received a call from Dan the co-owner of Biznik asking for me to expand on my entrepreneurial story. In particular, going from the corporate world for so many years - to - doing it on my own. It was a great experience and fun to be a small part of this big film!
If you are, know of or want to be an entrepreneur, here is a incredibly moving video Dan McComb shared on his blog. It really got to me about the amazing impact people are having on changing the world day by day.
Also here is a link to more details on the movie project they have undertaken: http://tinyurl.com/cd664x.
Thanks Dan McComb and Ben Medina (and Lara Feltin too)! It was a great experience. And thank you to all of you who read my blog, buy my product and share your sweet comments with me each and every day. I'm proud to be an entrepreneur!
Thank you Ideal Bite for the wonderful post today!
Check out the Bella Cupcake Couture story posted by the folks at Ideal Bite. We like all the great insights they have provided their readers on the benefits of going recycled and using soy-based inks-- like our chic cupcake wrappers.
If you haven't read Ideal Bite before....it is terrific. They provide eco-living tips everyday. Interested? Sign up for their newsletter today!
Here are photos from the Parasol Party. It was a fun-filled night for manicures, massages, fashion shows, cupcake tastings and lots of shopping. Two guests of the event got all dolled up for the occasion. Don't they look sweet?! I love when people get into the theme.
I've always loved to read all the wonderful updates on the Cupcakes Take the Cake blog. You can find so many great recipes, cupcake shops, decoration ideas and cupcake stories via this fabulous site. We feel so lucky to have been featured last week (Monday, 6/8). Thanks Ladies!
From June 28- 30 I will be attending the Fancy Food Show in New York. If you're going to the show, please stop by the Hagensborg Chocolates booth to say hi (and also taste their delicious Truffle Pig bars).
Of course, I plan to go a couple days early for LOTS of cupcake tasting!! I can't wait! I have a very long list (above are just a few examples) of all the fabulous shops I'd like to go to.
I've also scheduled a meet up with two of the fabulous ladies of Cupcakes Take the Cake blog; Rachel and Nichelle. I'm really looking forward to meeting them.
When I get back, I will definitely be blogging about the whole visit.
It's confirmed, the second Trophy Cupcake shop opens their doors tomorrow. The new store is located in University Village. Below is an excerpt from their recent newsletter:
"After months of making everything just so, our second shop turned out even sweeter than we had hoped! We are so excited for everyone to come down and see what we've created! Please join us for our opening day celebration from 9am to 9pm tomorrow. We will have Trophy balloons for the kids, shelves stocked with our Thursday cupcake flavors and Pineapple Upside Down cupcakes as an extra special treat!
We are located in the southern breezeway, near the children's playground, two doors down from Pasta & Co."
Have you ever taken a cooking class? I have and they are always so much fun. You meet new people and get to make new dishes you haven't made before.
How about a cupcake baking class? I had not but saw that Sur La Table (one of my favorite kitchen shops) was offering a class and had to go.
First step, find a friend who enjoyed cupcakes and learning as much as I do. Check-- I had my friend Shanda (of Pixel Soup Creative) at the mention of "cupcake".
So we signed up and went to the class (cost $69) in Kirkland on May 30th. The instructors name was Ed Kernan (on Twitter @sltcooks).
The description of the class was:
"From a casual meal to an elegant dinner, they're the perfect petite, sweet dessert. In this class our chef will share some special cupcake recipes designed to celebrate spring and show you how easy it is to craft these creative little crowd-pleasers."
MENU:
Boston Cream Pie Cupcakes
Banana Cupcakes with Caramel Buttercream
One-Bowl Chocolate Cupcakes with Chocolate Glaze
Strawberry Cupcakes with Strawberry Buttercream
Once the class started we were split into teams. Shanda and I helped to create the Boston Cream Pie Cupcakes and the Strawberry Cupcakes. It was fun learning great tricks about making the frosting (eggs at room temperature and butter at 65-68 F).
Our ganache turned out amazing as well as the Vanilla Cream. Unfortunately a couple teams frosting didn't work out so we had a few cupcakes shy of the frosting. However, I always say "the frosting shouldn't have all the limelight".
The best part of the whole day of course was the sampling of all our hard work. My favorite was the Boston Cream Pie (no, not just cause we worked on them). See recipe below. It was a delicious day with some very fun people. Thanks Shanda for being my partner in (vanilla) cream.
Boston Cream Pie Cupcakes
Ingredients: 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour, plus more for tins 1 1/2 teaspoon baking powder 1/2 teaspoon salt 1/2 cup whole milk 3 ounces unsalted butter, at 65-68F, plus more for tins 3 large eggs, at room temperature 1 cup sugar 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract Vanilla Cream (recipe follows) Chocolate-Ganache Glaze (recipe follows)
Instructions: Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Butter and flour standard muffin tins. Whisk together flour, baking powder, and salt in a small bowl. Warm milk and butter in a saucepan over low heat.
Beat eggs and sugar with a mixer on high speed until thick and pale, about 5 minutes. Beat in dry ingredients.
Bring milk and butter to a boil. With mixer on low speed, add milk mixture to batter, and beat until smooth Add vanilla. Divide batter among muffin cups, filling each halfway. Bake cupcakes until light gold, about 15 minutes. Let cool in tins for 10 minutes, then transfer to wire racks. Let cool.
Using a serrated knife, cut each in half horizontally. Spread 1 tablespoon vanilla cream on each cupcake bottom. Sandwich with top. Spoon glaze over each and serve immediately. (Note in the class we decided to inject the vanilla cream and roll the top of cupcake in the ganache. Either works well).
Vanilla Cream
Ingredients: 2 large egg yolks 1/4 cup sugar 2 tablespoons plus 1/2 teaspoon cornstarch Pinch of salt 1 cup whole milk 1/2 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
Instructions: Whisk yolks until smooth. Mix sugar, cornstarch and salt in a medium saucepan over medium heat. Add milk in a slow, steady stream. Cook, stiffing until mixture begins to bubble and thicken, about 5 minutes.
Pour 1/3 of milk mixture into yolks, whisking constantly. Return mixture to saucepan, and cook over medium heat, stirring often, until thick 2 to 4 minutes. Stir in vanilla.
Pass vanilla cream through a fine sieve into a bowl. Press plastic wrap directly on surface. Refrigerate until cold, at least 1 hour or up to 2 days.
Makes 1 1/2 cups.
Chocolate- Ganache Glaze
Ingredients:
2/3 cup heavy cream 6 ounces semisweet chocolate, finely chopped 1 tablespoon light corn syrup
Instructions: Bring cream to a boil in a small saucepan. Remove from heat, and add chocolate and corn syrup. Let stand 5 minutes. Whisk until smooth. Transfer to a bowl, and let cool, stirring often. Use immediately.
If you are like me, I enjoy time catching up with friends and family on Facebook. Of course, it does not replace the cherished moments of being together for coffee chats, family celebrations and day-to-day moments. However, it really can keep you in touch with all those you care about.
Therefore, we have decided to also have a presence on Facebook to share Bella Cupcake Couture news with all cupcake lovers and chic fashionistas.
We hope you join us on Facebook. Click here to become a fan.
Kitchenware News is a leading business-to-business publication covering the specialty foods and kitchenwares market. And Gourmet News is the business newspaper for the gourmet industry.
Bella Cupcake Couture is proud to be a part of the past two months news coverage for both of these newspapers.
The Parasol Party is a scene-setting event. Stepping into the lush gardens of the Clise Mansion guests will enter into a feminine, vintage, European fantasy. Where else can a girl and her friends sip cocktails, snack on decadent sweets, enjoy signature shopping, and partake in a fashion show under their very own parasol?
Sponsors of the Parasol Party include Seattle Picks, Bella Umbrella, DRY Soda, Wink Cupcakes, Amore Chocolates, BellevueMassage, The Bathery, and Brick House Photography. Vendors include Poco Carretto Gelato, LUSH, Scentsy Candles, Deco Modiste, Party Girl Aprons, Sandy Martino Jewelry, Julep Nail Parlor and of course us, Bella Cupcake Couture.
They were both at a recent baby shower in Northern California. Pear Tree Premier Events put together an elegant event for a mother-to-be. The decor theme was black and white with accents of pink polka dots and stripes.
Here is Cupcake Royale's Cupcake of the Month (June 1-30). Tangy cream cheese frosting with chunks of sweet Rainier cherries from Olmsted Orchards in Yakima Valley, with a splash of Portland Oregon's own Clear Creek Distillery Cherry Liquer.
And they top the whole thing off with a sprinkling uniquely crunchy, organic roasted cocoa nibs from Theo's Chocolates.
And, of course a bit of pink sparkle for good measure.
They were both at a recent baby shower in Northern California. Pear Tree Premier Events put together an elegant event for a mother-to-be. The decor theme was black and white with accents of pink polka dots and stripes.
