gimme dem cupcakes

In case you haven’t tasted one yet, look out, my cupcakes ooze with love.  This week, I got my first commission to bake 30-36 mini cupcakes of my choosing for the Literacy Council’s Back to School Night.  I decided on Choconut, Jelly Donut, and Dreamsicle.  Ultimately, it was a good learning experience with a mixture of success and failure.

The event was Wednesday night, so Tuesday after a marathon day at the office, staffing both James Lee registrations, I set out to the grocery store.  On the way I checked my voice mail only to find I did not get the little puppy pending adoption at Animal Welfare League of Arlington.  Then, I of course only found imitation almond extract and forgot to buy more cupcake liners.  Woe is Kt B.  When I got home, my sister and I mourned the puppy while we crushed most of a 500 piece puzzle.  At about 11:30, I went about my preparations, seeing I’d have just enough if I didn’t make any mistakes.  Then, struck by the mood to improvise, I tried subbing out my regular unbleached all-purpose for gluten-free flour with a little almond flour as well as subbing coconut oil for vegetable.  I rushed a little and put regular size cupcakes in with the mini pan.  You can see where this is going.  I was starting to lose my steam especially since I was sad about Ty the puppy. The end result was less delicious, slightly deflated crumbly cupcakes.  Not something I’d be proud to present as my first sale.  So, a little more defeated, I went to bed wishing happy thoughts for Ty and his new owner(s) and brainstorming what I’d need to do in the AM.

I got up at 8 and decided to use some sick leave to collect my self and make some redemption cupcakes.  I stopped at Safeway hoping to find a 2nd mini-cupcake pan and the almond extract.  No pan, but I tried Micheals in the same shopping center.  They were sold out, but they did have the this cool pearl stuff I ‘m thinking of using for another project.  At home, I resolved that Ty is a beautiful puppy and though I’m sad and allowed to be sad, it showed me the kind of bonding I’d like to have with a dog I do adopt.  I also decided there wasn’t a second mini pan because I needed to go at a slow pace and be a little more careful and loving.

Nailed it.  I think I made the best buttercream and cream cheese icings in kt-history.  I also nixed the gluten-free urge.  I did use real vanilla beans for the batters and did find the pure almond extract.  I did try to candy an orange peel 1. by baking 2. by simmering it in sugar water until i forgot about it…  Whoops.  baking made a really dry rind, so in the end, I opted to use rthe candied ginger I had.  End result: gorgeous black and white Choconut, melt in your mouth Dreamsicle, and classic Jelly Donut.  Moreover, my office-mates were thrilled they got to eat my “mistakes.”

Then came the last dilemma, Suzanne insisted the Council pay me.  I had no idea how to price it so I handed her the receipt from Safeway for a reimbursement on supplies instead.  She argued with me but ended with a grin and hug, proud and happy for the sweet little tins we put out for the volunteers.  Whew.

Next project: the “American Dream” cupcake…  <3