Cupcakes Replaced By Candy

I took a break this weekend from baking cupcakes but was still in the kitchen.  My friends and I had our second annual Christmas candy making day.  On Saturday, cupcakes were replaced with all sorts of other sweet treats.  We were very ambitious, here is the list off goodies we made: oreo truffles, cookie dough truffles, peanut butter kiss cookies, peanut butter balls, fudge, sugar cookies, pumpkin cookies, corn flake wreaths and cracker toffee bark.  I was stressed for a while about the size of my kitchen (small) and the amount of room needed (a lot!) for all this candy to set up.  I needed a gentle reminder from my friend to just relax (and have a glass of wine).  That reminder was exactly what I needed.  If I didn't take the second to step back, I would have missed out on enjoying the time with friends and the many laughs.  Seeing a friend use a hand mixer for the first time was just one of the moments that made me laugh. 





containers waiting to be filled with goodies







some of the candy and cookies we made







Reminders to step back and take it all in are often needed around busy times like the holidays.  To do lists get long but sometimes have to wait in order to fully enjoy these times spent with friends and family.  It is also that hustle and bustle that gets me in the Christmas spirit.  I'm usually the one to procrastinate with shopping and decorating.  My tree is up but there are still presents to be bought.  There is also a lot of baking to be done this week.  I'll be attempting tiramisu cupcakes for the first time.  Cookies-n-Cream cupcakes will be made for my sister's birthday and my week is starting and ending with more Peppermint Hot Chocolate cupcakes.  I hope to also fit in making some chex mix and candied pecans to give as gifts along with plates of the wonderful cookies and candies made this weekend.  I love giving something home made as a gift.  It's the "one size fits all" kind of gift that is bound to please even the pickiest of recipients.



my newest ornament reads "She has it on very good authority that Santa prefers champagne and cupcakes". now that's my kind of Santa!



Yes, this week will be very busy.  Lots of baking, buying and wrapping to fit in amongst working my "real" job.  Stressful?  A little.  Worth it?  You bet!  I love this time of year.  Nothing beats spending time with friends and family over the holidays.  Merry Christmas from me and Izzy to each of you and your families.  During this busy week to come, remember to relax and enjoy every bit of it (wine optional).

Winners

Thanks to all the followers and those that posted their thoughts on great cupcake flavors yesterday.  I think some of those ideas might make the flavor list next year.  I hope you had fun, I think I will do contests like this again in the future.  I was so excited, I decided to pick two winners!  Cheryl and Angela's names were picked this morning and will each get 1 dozen cupcakes.  Congratulations ladies and I will be in touch to pick a day to get you your cupcakes.  Have a great weekend everyone.  More baking here for me and a day of candy making too!

Happy National Cupcake Day!

There are so many things to celebrate this time of year, why not add one more?  No, this holiday is not on the Hallmark calendar so you probably won't find a greeting card fitting of this occasion.  According to the food site, The Nibble, it is National Cupcake Day.  You can check out the entire list of December food holidays here.  I think being a cupcake blog, it is only fitting to celebrate this food holiday and not something like Roast Suckling Pig Day (which is December 18th for you pork fans!).  I'm also celebrating 3 whole weeks of having this blog up and running!  To thank everyone for all of the support, I'd like to have a little give-away.

Here's how it works.  Comment below on what your dream cupcake flavor combination would be or become a follower of this blog.  It's that simple.  The names of all of those who submit comments today and all of those on the followers list (yes, current followers are automatically entered) will be entered in a drawing to win cupcakes or cupcake goodies.  Those local to Appleton, WI will get cupcakes.  Those anywhere else will get a cupcake care package mailed to them (non-perishable cupcake products).  So make sure to be signed in when you comment or leave an email address so I can get a hold of you.

I'll get everyone started.  My dream flavor combination would be chocolate, coffee and toffee.  Ben and Jerry's has an ice cream flavor, Coffee Heath Bar Crunch, that I think I will be creating a cupcake based on.  Yum!  O.K. so what is your dream cupcake flavor? 

Have a Happy National Cupcake Day everyone!  How will you be celebrating?  I will be baking and dreaming up more cupcake creations!