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?

Time goes by . . . Turlock Night Farmer's Market coming up!

Cupcakes by Jo will be at Turlock Farmer's Market on August 26th. Yes, that is about one month away, but time moves forward - every day!

Can you believe there are only 40 days left until Labor Day? The end of summer vacation slips slowly, day by day, until we realize we need to get some school supplies for the upcoming year, and then - holy cow! School will be starting in 2 weeks! You know that's how it happens.

We better get busy having some fun! Make sure to join us in August (which will be here before you know it!) at the Turlock Night Farmer's Market in Downtown Turlock.

What are some fun things you have done this summer?

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?

Dog Days

We are in the "dog days of summer" here in the Northern Hemisphere. Lazy days when it feels too warm to do anything other than nap. Or lounge by the water (be it a pool, lake, river or kiddie pool) with a book. It doesn’t have to be a good book; it could be a silly romance or a salacious biography. Just as long as it’s entertaining!

These are the days of summer vacations and time moving slowly – at least, for children. Remember when we were in elementary school and summer vacation seemed to last forever?

Some of our cupcake flavors really evoke summer. We have fruit flavors like Pineapple Upside Down, Banana and Strawberry, and, then, there’s Rocky Road and Confetti. They’re just fun!

Which flavor would you enjoy on these dog days of summer?

Follow us!

If you'd like to stay up-to-date on all the happenings with Cupcakes by Jo, then follow us!

There are different ways to do so. You can click on the Follow button in the right column if you have a Google account. If you do not have a Google account, you can follow us by entering your email address under "Follow by Email" and clicking Submit. You can also Subscribe to the blog (also in the right column) to get our posts sent to you directly through an existing news feed.

If you are a Facebook user, "Like" our Facebook page and you'll see our updates, which include blog posts in addition to other things.

And, if you have a Twitter account, follow us on Twitter @CupcakesByJo for instant interaction and updates, where we are and what cupcake flavors we have.

There are a lot of options. Choose the one that fits the way you like to get your information. Or choose all of them! All of these links are also available by going to our website News page.

In addition to getting updates and news from us, following us is a great way to give us some feedback. We'd love to know favorite flavors, colors, decorations - whatever you would love to share with us.

We look forward to hearing from you!

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 Journal article, and Turlock Farmer's Market

We made the front page! We are so excited to share this article with you. Cupcakes by Jo is featured on the front page of The Turlock Journal, which highlighted us as a home-based business. You can read the article by clicking here.



Marisa and Jo prepping for the Turlock Farmer's Market,
photo courtesy of The Turlock Journal

We are home-based for now, but do plan on opening a store-front as we grow. And, we are getting the word out!

The Turlock Farmer's Market on Friday, June 24th, was wonderful. The weather was fantastic for both the day and night sessions. It was a great opportunity to share our cupcakes. Some people loved them so much, they purchased our mini samples! Thanks to everyone who stopped by and sampled our cupcakes, and gave us such great feedback.

We have other events coming up so if you missed us at the Turlock Farmer's Market, you'll have other opportunities. We'll keep you posted here on the blog, on Facebook and on Twitter as well! Of course, you can always check out our website for ordering information and flavors if you cannot wait to get your own little bite of bliss!