It' a Wrap! Laser Cut Cupcake Wrappers!

You've put all that money out for the wedding ... you might as well go all the way. Beautify your cupcakes with goregous themed cupcake wrappers. Don't serve your cupcakes in the blue, yellow and pink paper wrappers of yester year. And yes, I know the silver ones are pretty, but check out the new laser cut cupcake wrappers. You don't bake in them, you set your baked cupcake in them. Believe me it's worth the effort. It turns your cupcakes into works of art! Until they are eaten of course!

See more of my It's a Wrap! Laser Cut Cupcake Wrappers! list at ThisNext.

Retro Cake Topper Just Ooozes Retro Style

Is this just not the cutest thing you ever saw????

This couple simply oozes retro style with their hip outfits and fab hair. This is an especially fun look when paired with a bright, whimsically decorated cake. The piece is made of lightweight polished silver metal and includes a stem at the base to anchor it securely into your cake top. Measures 7" tall, 3.7" wide and the stem is 2.5" long. Available here.

If this doesn't make you smile I don't know what will : )

Edible Flowers As Wedding Cake Decorations

"Mary, Mary, Quite Contrary, How does your garden grow?" Hopefully she has violets, roses and a nice assortment of edible flowers.

If you are looking for a fabulous conversation starter at your wedding and a unique approach to decorating your food; try using edible flowers as decor for your desserts or wedding cake.

After somewhat disappearing for many years, cooking and garnishing with flowers is back in vogue. You can decorate cupcakes, petit-fours, cookies; even the wedding cake with a large variety of edible flowers. Just make sure you research the flowers you choose because not all flowers are edible. Some edible blooms include: violets, naturtiums, scented geraniums and violets.

Using flowers as decorations and eating them is not new. The art of flower cooking can be traced back to Roman times, and to the Chinese, Middle Eastern, and Indian cultures. Edible flowers are known to have been popular during Queen Victoria's reign in the Victorian era . Today, many restaurant chefs and innovative home cooks garnish their entrees with flower blossoms for a touch of elegance.

The secret to success when using edible flowers is to use flowers sparingly in your recipes. You don't want digestive complications that can occur with a large consumption rate; and you do not want to add to many other flavors that will over power the delicate taste of the flower.

Although the concept of using fresh edible flowers in cooking is not new it is still awe inspiring to see. It is a nearly lost art that is enjoying a revival.

TIPS:

One very important thing that you need to remember is that not every flower is edible.

• Sampling some flowers can make you very, very sick.

• Make sure your flowers have never been introduced to pesticides

• Identify the flower exactly and eat only edible flowers, and edible parts of those flowers; or

• You can be like me and buy the edible flowers : ) If you are not sure how or what to do with flowers it's easier to let someone else to the work for you. One company is Sweetfeilds with offerings such as Edible Candied Pansies or the Sweetfields Silver Mixed Tray

• If you want to grow your own flowers and find recipes to candy them, try the book Edible
  Flowers by Kathy Brown, which has a wealth of information

• For more information and recipes, check out: What's Cooking America; Osage Gardens and the Hub Pages for a great Candied Violet recipe, or even Wikipedia.

Guess it's safe to say that when you are cooking with flowers, every time you scrape that bowl you are putting the "petal to the metal!" Sorry, couldn't resist the pun.

The Trendy Cupcake Wedding Cake ... the Pro's

Cupcake wedding cakes are the new trend, and it can add a conversational touch to an already enjoyable event. Your guests will appreciate the originality and if the bride chooses, the various flavors to choose from. The cupcake wedding cake is used, instead of a regular wedding cake. Sometimes a traditional cake is used for photos while the cupcakes are served to the guests. However in a true cupcake wedding cake there's usually at least one cake tier (or a separate cake) that is used for the cutting of the cake.

Here are some benefits of having a cupcake wedding cake.

• A cupcake wedding cake is usually a cheaper option than a traditional cake.
• Cupcake wedding cakes are easier to handle and not as messy.
• Transporting cupcakes is a lot easier than carrying a large cake with multiple layers.
• Cupcake wedding cakes can be assembled at the reception hall rather than at the bakery.
• Since there are so many little cakes, you can actually have a lot of different flavors!
• Because they’re individually wrapped, the reception staff doesn’t have to deal with plating up slices for each guest.
• The cupcakes don’t even have to be served. Each guest can pick a cupcake from the tower or “cupcake bar”.
• Cupcakes are also easier to carry home for the guest who would love a piece of cake, but would rather not eat it at the reception.
• They could also be boxed up and used as favors.

And, you can use these adorable cupcakes holders I found ... beautiful aren't they?

"""Butterflies"" Laser-Cut Cupcake Holders (Set of 50)"

Because it's the smallest details that turn good parties into great events, you'll definitely impress your guests with tasty cupcakes served in these magnificent "Butterflies" Cupcake Holders. Ideal for spring, summer and garden weddings, bridal showers, rehearsal dinners, birthday parties, baby showers, Mother's Day lunches, Easter parties, and more, these elegant, white cupcake holders feature an exquisite laser-cut design that transforms a simple cupcake into a heavenly treat. The cupcake holders come in a set of 50. Easy assembly.

Cupcake photo from BakeDesserts.com

Zombie Wedding Cake Topper : )

In the spirit of Halloween I have to post this!

Someone on Craftster.com made this adorable custom zombie wedding cake topper: "A zombie portrait wedding cake topper I did for my friend Rebecca's wedding cake. She wanted a topper of her and her groom with her eating his brains,so I did just that."

Way to go girl!!!! : )

Red Velvet Cake For Your Wedding Cake ... Not So Strange : )

What's one of the hottest wedding cake flavors today? Red Velvet cake -- an old Southern specialty that has had a resurgence of popularity. Couples love the color (Red) created by blemding cocoa powder and red food coloring and they crave the "not-too-sweet" batter and
cream cheese frosting. Red velvet is also a creative way to personalize your wedding -- it tastes great, looks great and makes a good conversation piece at the table : ) And, don't forget ... you can also make red velvet cupcakes! Need a recipe? Here is the easy version:

The Cake

1 pkg. (18.25 oz.) German Chocolate cake Mix

1 pkg (3.4 oz) Instant Vanilla Pudding Mix

2 Tbs. cocoa Powder

1 Cup sour cream

1/3 cup oil

3 eggs

1 oz. liquid red food coloring

Frosting:

8 oz. cream cheese

1/2 cup butter softened

4 cups confectioner's sugar

1 Tbs. milk

3/4 tsp. vanilla

• Preheat oven to 350^oF. Grease 2 (9") round cake pans. Combine cake mix, pudding mix and cocoa. Stir in sour cream, 1/2 cup water, oil, eggs and fool coloring. On medium speed beat 2 minutes. Divide batter between pans. Bake 30 minutes or until pick instead into centers comes out clean. Cool.
• Frosting: on medium beat cream cheese, and butter. Slowly beat in sugar, then milk and vanilla until fluffy. Fill and frost cake.

Want more recipes? Check out Smitten Kitten; Cake Man Raven; Epicurious; Martha Stewart's recipe or simply put a request in the search engine under "Red Velvet."

Easier still; buy one : ) at Amazon.com or Bake Me a Wish's Red Velvet Chocolate Anniversary Cake