1,500 likers and beyond!

Thank you to all the followers of Darcy's Cupcake Creations.  

I am thrilled to pieces that there are a core group of followers who interact on the page, whether it is to ask a question or to pass comment on a recent creation.  Your involvement is always welcomed and your kind comments are much appreciated.

As a way of saying thank you, I have put together a give-away in recognition of getting to 1,500 likers.

In time for Easter or Mother's Day, I have put together the following items to post to a lucky follower:

• 6 white scalloped cupcake cases decorated with a yellow satin ribbon bow
• a white rosanna petite treat cupcake stand
• 20g of white and yellow non-pareils to decorate your cupcakes as used many times at Darcy's
• 6 large sheets of Viva towels to achieve a smooth buttercream finish like the cakes below

To achieve the smooth buttercream effect with viva towels as I did above, you can see it here http://randy12.hubpages.com/hub/smoothbuttercreamicing

In order to be in with a chance (or three) to be selected at random to receive the above give-away, you need to:

• leave a comment below as to which is your favourite Darcy's creation  
• for an additional chance, share Darcy's Cupcake Creations facebook page on your wall 
• for a further chance, mention and link to Darcy's Cupcake Creations facebook page within your own blog

You will need to make sure that you tagged Darcy's facebook page of your sharing otherwise I won't know about it and won't be able to count it.  The draw will close on Wednesday 29th February at midnight and the the winner will be announced on Darcy's facebook wall on Thursday 1st March.  

Good luck :)

Where have I been ........

Well with Alice in Wonderland!  I have had a really busy fortnight creating the most exciting cupcakes and Top Hat layer cake.  I have had a fabulous time challenging myself in an area that I haven't really ventured into before as I have been too scared, modelling.  I managed to pull it off and surprised myself too that I can actually do it!

The results of my fondant moelling

 I completely underestimated how much time making these creations took and how deceptive a picture can look that someone gives you as a guide.  All the hours were forgotten about when I got an email from the dad saying that his daughter was almost in tears when she saw the creations!  On the other extreme, I have been asked to make a robot cake for a little 4 year old who doesn't even eat cake!! I find it difficult to create a "simple" cake (his mom's words) when it is underestimated by others what is still involved.  Why is it perceived that simple must mean cheap?

I hope you all had a great Valentine's day.  This year it was all a bit of a blur and I didn't feel the love at all as between my dearest and I, we were working into the wee hours and it all past with only a passing "happy valentine's!!".  Will have to make up for it on our wedding anniversary next month!!

I posted some valentine's cupcakes as a surprise to someone and was delighted to see that they arrived in perfect condition.  I used a posting pack and although my cupcakes are larger than the pack allows, I just decorated the cupcake accordingly and viola!

Packaged cupcakes in their posting pack

On a completely separate topic, while I was collecting all the bits I needed for my Alice creations I got some piping jelly.  I found it was great for attaching ribbons to the silver boards, not seeping through and marking the ribbon and sticks it 'really' well.  I also discovered that it is great for attaching sequence to the edge of my cupcakes in this creation, yet making it very easy to peel off before eating, unlike royal icing.

Next time, I will try publish a tutorial on making my White Rabbit (in time for those wanting to practice for Easter!!) and details of the 1,500 facebook liker give-away will be posted.

Happy baking

How to achieve a domed sugarpaste cupcake!

I am rather particular with my cupcakes and don't like the frosting to dirty the edges of the cupcake cases (a bit of my OCD) and therefore wanted a method that didn't use a spatula or a knife.  I have seen one by Pretty Witty Cupcakes via Victorious Cupcakes. https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.287713417923543.82070.145004412194445&type=3  

I am able to create domed cupcakes with sugarpaste, but I was never "really" happy with them.  I wanted the dome higher, more perfect and knew that other great bakers out there were achieving it, so why couldn't I?  I had read somewhere that an ice-cream scoop was used and never one who needs an excuse to play with some cupcakes, I got to work and was very pleased with the results.

When I enjoy a cupcake, I like to have a 25% buttercream to 75% cupcake ratio.  I did a normal Darcy buttercream swirl on a cupcake then measured how much buttercream I used in the ice-cream scoop.  They were about the same, using no more than I would with a swirl.

Thank you for stopping by.