Saturday, March 10, 2012

Top of the Cupcake to you!

Happy St. Patty's Week! Who is excited to bake up a wee pot of cupcake gold for friends, family, and co-workers?? While I definitely feel your angst in creatively coming up with ideas to bake for a holiday largely centered around clovers, leprechauns, and (for those of age...) drinking, I'm here to share with you a few cool ideas I had for 2012!

I got particularly excited after I came across liquor-infused icing ideas, and it's so easy to do! When making the icing, instead of adding water, milk, or vanilla, use Bailey's or whiskey. YUM. Nothing says Irish like integrating drinking into cupcake eating.

Moreover, I know that green cake is often a popular idea, but how about jumping on the red velvet band-wagon and calling it Green Velvet Cupcakes. You can even put some creamy cheese frosting on top to enhance the red-velvet-y flavor. Adorable and classy, right?!

On the more fun, mythical side of the spectrum, you can make any kind of festive cupcake and top it with Lucky Charms. This will undoubtedly be a hit with the kids. Sugar and more sugar?? I'm on board!

Another way to play up the whimsical is to utilize those colored marshmallows (that are on the shelves thanks to Easter just around the corner) to make tiny green top hats (like the below). Or you could always take a page out of my Mad Hatter Tea Party post and turn the cupcake upside down to make it one giant green hat!



Whatever you choose, just remember to taste test - because it's the scientific thing to do!!