Cupcake Wrappers

Just perusing some other cupcake blogs and sites, I came across these lasercut cupcake wrappers. I think they are beautiful, and obviously make the cupcake become more than just a cupcake. But are they really functional for eating the cupcake?


Spring Lasercut Cupcake Wrapper
from http://www.accenttheparty.com/


I mean, how am I supposed to dig into that delicious, scrumptious cupcake? Which brings me to another question: How do you eat a cupcake? Are you a "peel-and-bite" section by section eater, or a "peel-it-all-away-and-devour" eater? For me, normally, I'm a peel-it-all-away-and-devour eater. I like to peel the entire cupcake wrapper away, revealing the delightful dessert in all its glory. The last time I had a cupcake (Okay, it was plural - cupCAKES), I peeled the wrapper away and separated the lusciously frosted top from the bottom, essentially saving the best for last. (The frosting was really good!) Can I do that with these wrappers that seem to double as works of art? I'm thinking, not really. I'd probably remove the cupcake carefully from the lasercut wrapper, and then proceed to devour!

The lasercut wrappers are truly beautiful, and I can see that they would add just that extra little detail to the presentation of the cupcakes, especially for fancy events like weddings (which we do!).

So, how do you eat a cupcake?

Cupcakes in honor of the final installment of Harry Potter

"It All Ends" . . . tomorrow. The final installment of the Harry Potter movie franchise opens in theatres Friday, July 15. While perusing other cupcakery blogs, I came across this entry. Some daring and creative baker - and Potter-fan - has created a cupcake based on the butterbeer drink featured in Hogsmeade, the fictional town near the school, Hogwarts.

Now, I half-expected them to be emblazoned with Harry's face, but they are not. But, they ARE done very close to Gryffindor colors, although that just makes sense given the butter and butterscotch flavorings. Kudos to the baker for being so creative and having a lot of fun in celebrating the books and movies that have captured the imagination of so many!

This first link takes you to the blog where I found the post.

http://cupcakestakethecake.blogspot.com/2011/07/harry-potter-butterbeer-cupcakes-plus.html

This second link takes you to the original posting, which has the recipe, along with other very creative ideas for celebrating the end of a decade of Harry Potter.

http://www.cooklikeachampionblog.com/2011/07/butterbeer-cupcakes.html

Will you be glad or sad to see Harry Potter come to an end?

Independence Day, 4th of July!!

In honor of the upcoming holiday, we thought we'd look up "The History of the Cupcake". Here are a few interesting facts, courtesy of Open Source Cupcakes.

1. Cupcakes have been around for centuries, and likely originated around the 18th century.

2. There are two theories as to how the cupcake came to be named. One is that they were originally baked in cups or other small baking pans. The second is that the name referred to the "cup" measurements used to make it (a cupful of flour, a cupful of butter, a cupful of sugar, etc.). This second theory follows the tradition of naming cakes for their measurements.

3. Paper liners didn't come to wide use until after World War I. The James River Corporation used machines that were previously making artillery shells to manufacture the cupcake liners!

Remember as you get ready for your 4th of July BBQ or picnic, cupcakes can be the perfect sweet bite to end the meal. They are so easy to share. And, cupcakes are loved by the young and the young-at-heart! Stop by our website to browse flavors, and place an order for our super fun and patriotic, red, white & blue Confetti cupcakes!

Turlock Farmers' Market

The Turlock Certified Farmers' Market in Downtown Turlock has been going on since May 6th, and is open every Friday from 8am to 1pm. We are so excited to be a part of this growing market that highlights local growers and producers, as well as local businesses like us!

Cupcakes By Jo will be there on June 24th for the daytime market and the special night market from 4pm to 8pm. There will only be 3 night markets this year, with June 24th the very first one.

Please come out and see us, and get your little bite of bliss - as long as they last! We'll be giving out free samples of our made-from-scratch cupcakes. Come by and say hi!

Happy Father's Day!

Today is Father's Day! Happy Father's Day!

In honor of Fathers everywhere who work hard and give their children love and affection and rules and curfews, we'd like to know, which flavor would your father like?

There are the standards: good ol' Chocolate cupcake or Yellow cupcake with Chocolate Buttercream Frosting. Those are bound to be a hit with just about any Dad.

But, then we also have cupcakes based on popular cakes, like Carrot, Red Velvet, and even Pineapple Upside Down. Is one of those cakes your Dad's favorite? He can have it in a wonderful, fun-to-eat cupcake, topped with delicious, rich, creamy Cream Cheese Frosting.

If you want to be a little more adventurous, maybe Dad would like a Rocky Road cupcake with Chocolate Ganache or Amaretto cupcake. Or maybe go gourmet, with Burnt Sugar with Vanilla Bean Cream Cheese Frosting or Rosewater with Rosewater Icing. Or, maybe Rosewater is too flowery for a Dad?

Whatever your Father's favorite flavor, we at Cupcakes By Jo hope Father's Day is great for all those wonderful, hard-working Dads out there.

Make sure to check out our website http://www.cupcakesbyjo.com/ for all our flavors and ordering information.

Have a great day!

Patterson Apricot Fiesta

We had such a great time at the Apricot Fiesta. Here are some pictures from the weekend. Enjoy!

 

Our booth with the lovely Miss Marisa

  

Our booth with friends, Cathy and Annette.
They helped out by passing out flyers.
You ladies are awesome!





He gave us the "Thumbs Up!"




Mom, helping out!




Enjoying our cupcakes!
Happy customers!



This customer was such a cupcake enthusiast
that she had a cupcake tattoo on her foot!
(We had to take a pic of that!)





Jo with the winning Patterson Fire Department team

 The Patterson Fire Department had several teams compete in games at the Fiesta. The winning team (pictured above) received apricot cupcakes on the house.  We had a wonderful time at the Apricot Fiesta and we look forward to coming back next year!

We will be attending other events in and around the Central Valley, so keep your eyes and ears open for news. We will update information here on the blog, as well as on our Facebook page and on Twitter (@CupcakesByJo).

Hope you are all having a blissful day!