2/27/2012 01:38:00 AM
Bobbie
I was given a challenge!
A loyal reader of the blog wrote to me and explained that her soon to be “40-something year old friend” was guilty of decapitating every cupcake that she ever eats. In other words, (as my sister would describe) this Birthday girl has a cupcake eating condition whereby she prefers a higher icing to cupcake ratio.
This reader wanted to know if I could create a batch of cupcake tops (like muffin tops) with various icings piled on top for her friend as a birthday gift.
I accepted the challenge!
Since there were three ladies getting together for the reveal of cupcake icings, I decided to take it a step further! You know the other two ladies weren’t going to love sitting there watching their friend devour the icings and listen to her description of the various tastes and textures; nor were they going to ask the birthday girl to share her favorites either. So I went ahead and made a batch for each of the friends so they could all bite into the different flavors and combinations at the same time and do this “Mmmmmmmmmm”.
Surely, if you’ve done the math you’ll notice that there are sets of four on the table, and I’ve mentioned three ladies. That leaves one extra of each flavor combination. Well, The Boss was kind enough to be my “creative editor” for the day and photographed every single set of cupcakes for me. That saved me a LOT of time; I paid him in treats for his labor!
Here’s a closer look at the line up!
Mexican Chocolate- Spiced Chocolate Buttercream/ Chocolate Cake
Birthday Cake- Birthday Cake Icing / Funfetti Cake
Smores- Toasted Marshmallow & Ganache center / Graham Cake
Bertie’s Lemonade- Lemon Cream Cheese Frosting / Vanilla Cake
Cherry Blossom- Cherry Buttercream / Cherry Chip
Tiramisu- Espresso Cream Cheese Frosting / Vanilla Cake
Peppermint Patty- Peppermint Buttercream & Ganache / Chocolate Cake
The Classic- Chocolate Buttercream / Vanilla Cake
Boston Cream- Ganache with Cream Filling / Vanilla
Peanut Butter Nom- Peanut Buttercream & Ganache / Chocolate Cake
**MIA** The “Vanilla Dream” and “Salted Carmel” were the last icings made, and of course I was running a little tight on time and they unfortunately did not get individual “fashion shots”.
Then they were all packaged up including a tasting menu and a bow!
So what do you think, how did I do? Is this a box of treats up might like to receive for your birthday? More importantly I have to very important questions for you…
1) What would you be willing to pay for a dozen customized cupcakes (or just tops) with your choice of cake and icing combination?? Complete with a menu and bow!
2) Reflecting on the flavors I created for these ladies I think I did a good job varying the icing flavor profiles and textures. What flavor would YOU have liked seen featured in a cupcake tasting?
That’s all for now folks, thanks for stopping by!
Posted in: Birthday, Buttercream, caramel, Cherry, Chocolate, cream cheese, Cupcake, Icing, Lemon, Occasions, Peanut Butter, Vanilla
28 comments:
I have no idea what I'd pay...probably not enough. And I think the variety was good. But you should include one that's only cream cheese icing- a cup'cake' made of cream cheese icing, with cream cheese icing on top. I'd pay a lot of money for that.
What a great idea for a birthday gift. A custom made cupcake tasting wrapped in a bow would be priceless really. Great list of flavors, I wouldn't change a thing!
i would love to taste all of them! they look sooo good!
parenting articles
I would die of happiness!!! I too like the high icing ratio and would prefer tops. And to be blunt, a mini-set to reduce calorie damage would probably be preferable - these look pretty big, better suited to the young and slim amongst us... I esp. love the lemon and cherry and funfetti ones, they're like beautiful decorated donuts - to me, this sort of selection often skews a bit chocolatey. What about the classic chocolate cake with vanilla buttercream? My tastes would also say more cream cheese frosting! But really they just look gorgeous!
(Crumbs in NYC sells 12 mean-looking and slightly battered tiny taster cupcakes for something like $14, and I would think for a box like this you'd have to charge at least $30 plus a fee for delivery, wouldn't you? Takes it up to $50-60, which seems like a lot, but I don't see how you could do it for less... easier if you're selling in a store I guess...)
My 4-year old daughter has the same "decapitating" condition, but she has the excuse of being only 4 years of age.
The cup cakes look divine - but really, do you have to post all these pictures when I'm trying to stay off sugar during lent?
They look delicious!! And the perfect size of cupcake to me :) I want all the frosting part! *drool*
Here's something I saw this weekend that made me think of you: http://www.disapprovingrabbits.com/
I would love to have something like that for my birthday. They all look incredible. You are amazing!
Those look *amazing*! I'd like to see something red velvet in "my" box. Price wise, I'm not sure. $3-$4/cupcake maybe? Really....you can't put a price on deliciousness. ;)
Oh my...we are coming to the DC area to meet up with friends to celebrate our big 4-0's! Possibly an order is in our future! They look amazing!
Banana split.
German Chocolate cake.
Upside down cake.
Black Forest.
Andes Mint.
I went to a buffet this weekend & they had this delightful dessert pizza called "cheesecake cookie dough". It was like they made cookie dough but put creme cheese in the batter & cocked it up like a giant cookie topped with whipped cream. It was wonderful!
wow, those look fantastic. Red Velvet is always my favorite :-)
That is an impressive variety!! I can't even imagine how much time it would take to make all of those, and plate them so perfectly!
This is my version of HEAVEN.
this.is.AWESOME!!!!!! You rock! Based on the local specialty store I use, they charge $36 for a dozen of unique flavors (which obviously takes more time then the classic). This is a full cupcake, so maybe for the tops you could do $30? I think it's totally reasonable based on the market. Flavor wise I'd love to see you get a red velvet/cream cheese, and also a banana's foster type flavor, and a coffee and mocha type pairing. Or maybe a spiced rum/carrot cake combo....I'm stopping now :)
Bobby, thanks for looking at my blog-you did me a big favor by linking to your blog!! OMG...These cupcakes all look FANTASTIC...I would pay $$$ for them!!! I like EVERY flavor.. You could also do a tropical themed cupcake maybe? Bananas and coconut? It might not appeal to as many though. My favorites= among the cupcakes you have pictured: Peppermint Patty and Tiramisu...
Thank you soooo much for doing these! They were delicious and you certainly went way over and above what we'd brainstormed. Also, considering I basically gave you no direction aside from frosting of any type, we were blown away by all the flavors! Everyone had their personal favorites ranging on level of sweet tooth but consistent overall top winners by all were the spicy chocolate, lemonade, and the birthday cake (this was the personal favorite of the 6yr old too, lol). The kid thinks you should enter cupcake wars and win the 10,000$ prize ;-). Again, thank you thank you thank you for entertaining my request!
-Erica
as the birthday girl -- i was totally bowled over by this cupcake tasting !!!! an incredibly creative "frosting delivery system" (though i was told they were fantastic, i was true to form, and shared the cupcake "bottoms" with my golden retriever) my personal favorites were the lemonade (sweet and citrus-y) and the birthday cake (stiff, and sugary) SO FAR ... there are more i haven't tasted .....THANK YOU SO MUCH !!!
hugs, jodi
OH ....
and the little flowers on top were both really really pretty, and also VERY VERY TASTY! hugs, jodi
This is fabulous!!! The classic chocolate with yellow cake is always my 'go to' but salted caramel would be dreamy!!
I think you did a great job with variety! I don't think you should charge any less for tops than whole cupcakes. It's the same amount of labor and ingredients...actually a little more labor since you have to cut down the cake....
Cupcakes here in Orange County are at least $3 each, but a custom order of all different flavors...with the fabulous packaging...and the tasting menu...at least $50.00.
This would be great marketed to ladies having a 'girls night out' or 'in'. Just a forkful of each for everyone and you could try all the different flavors!!! You could even tie on those cute little bamboo forks from garnish!
I agree with the others -- these look fabulous, and it's obvious that you put alot of time into it. Still, and I don't know whether or not this is financially viable, but it would be GREAT if you could undercut the going rate for cupcakes. Yes, they sell for $3 per, but I think people would be really excited by a lower priced option -- a great way to pick up a large and loyal following very quickly! Is $2/cupcake too low?
As for other flavors, that's tough because you made so many great ones already. How about a sweet/salty combo?
@Molly
Where did you find this link??? I love it!!
oh my goodness. may i become an assistant cupcake tester?!
GOSH. This is unbelievable. This is amazing!
How long did it take you to make all of them!?!?!?!??!?!
I can answer # 2: I wouldn't eat a peppermint flavor, but would love to have some strawberry/blueberry etc apart from those above :)
I think the one thing you are missing is a red velvet flavor.
I've been known to pay 3.50 for a cupcake when the truck parks outside my office! It is a big cupcake, though... I think a lower priced tasting menu would fly off the shelves - could you do them from $2-3 if they weren't full sized cupcakes?
These are amazing! So gorgeous! I'd love to get some of these for a bridal shower I'm helping plan in a few months. Let me know if you decide on a price :)
cute cupcakes!
Those cupcakes are beautiful(and hopefully tasteful too). I suggest you get a custom packaging if you want the the idea of selling it to others.
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