Spiderman/Princess

Patti (otherwise known as BFF) and I did these cakes for her twin's 4th birthday.  We had a great time doing these together.  We always underestimate how much time these things take so we were working very late into the evening which brought out the silliness.  But I have to say when the cake is all gone I am grateful to have the amazing memories and adventure these fun and crazy things create.  

The spiderman one we copied from a friend's picture and the castle one was from Family Fun I believe.  The turrets were ice cream cones frosted purple and covered with clear sprinkles.  We probably should have done a little extra to keep the top of the castle from sinking in, like cardboard underneath with some sticks to hold it up, but that is the fun of it right, learning as we go?

How to make the cupcake tower.

I had a friend with a circular saw cut 4 circles out of a thicker particle board that were 6", 9", 12" & 16".  I painted them white mostly because you will see the bottoms and the edges (because the ribbon doesn't fit perfectly.)  I use a pumpkin can, green bean can and a cream of mushroom can for the pillars.  If you wanted it to be more fancy you could try using glasses or vases as long as their sturdy because the boards are pretty heavy.  Then to cover the boards I have used tissue paper, wrapping paper, scrapbook paper and tablecloths.  The easiest way to do it is trace the board onto paper and then cut out.  I piece the scrapbook paper together first before tracing the big one because 1 sheet isn't big enough.  Then I use double sided tape to adhere it.  I use glue dots to adhere the ribbon (5/8" in size) along the edges and to cover the cans.  I only use 2 dots for the ribbon along the edges because the glue dots make the ribbon pucker so you want that part to be in back.  I have also used paper to wrap the cans and glue dots work well for that too.   

More than meets the eye!

My son's 4th birthday. The night before I piped the autobot symbols onto wax paper with royal icing and then carefully (they were very thin and fragile) peeled them off and placed them on the cupcakes as I was frosting them the day of. I covered the cake tower boards with part of the table cloth and wrapped the cans in ribbon.

The Cupcake Tower!

I did these for Kelly's baby shower.  I used the almond cream cheese frosting with strawberry and vanilla cupcakes.  I covered the tower boards with tissue paper that I put a laminate over, and wrapped the edge with a ribbon to match.  And the cans I covered in ribbon.  The tags on top are just some scrapbook tags that I taped onto sucker sticks.

Pink Cookie Bouquet

These were worth repeating.  I did these for a friends baby shower.  I was amazed and shocked that a few people asked me if I had a business card.  Wow!  The other thing I love about these is that the possibilities of a bouquet are endless, you could do any theme.  Oh how I love desserts! 

I used the lemon cream cheese frosting for these with this sugar cookie recipe:

2 cups sugar

2 eggs

2 tsp. vanilla 

1 cup butter (creamed)

1 cup sour cream

Combine & beat until creamy. Add 61/2 cups flour and 2 tsp. baking soda, and 1 tsp. salt.  Mix well.  Roll out on floured counter 1/2 inch thick.  Cut out with cutter.  Place on greased sheet and Bake for 10 min. @ 350.