Peppermint Popcorn Crunch

My friend at work brought in this amazing bag of popcorn and shared with me.  Angie's White Chocolatier Peppermint Kettle Corn.  Best.....popcorn....EVER!

http://shop.angiespopcorn.com/Holidrizzle-White-Chocolatier-Peppermint/p/AKC-000109&c=AngiesKettleCorn@Holidrizzle

I thought, a cupcake based on this popcorn would probably be unbelievably wonderful so here is what I came up with.  Let me just say it was the hit of every party I made it for this past holiday season.

Princess Belle Cake

Oh my gosh, I am so behind in my posts.  With the holidays, I just didn't have time.  Here is a Princess Belle cake I just finished for Emma who is turning 3.  I love how it turned out.  It is vanilla cake with yellow vanilla buttercream and has 3 layers on the bottom and 2 layers on top.

Article About Yumtastics!

I started this little business for fun.  Never thought someone would want to do an article about me, but someone did and here it is :)  I was honored and really quite excited.  Thanks for supporting my small business.  Thanks Megan at The Karcher Group for doing this great article.

http://www.tkgenius.com/2013/10/yumtastics-social-media/

$1100 HOLIDAY MAGIC GIVEAWAY! JUST IN TIME FOR CHRISTMAS. YAY

I know we just wrapped up the Fall giveaway, but I'm excited to announce that we are going right into the Holiday Magic Giveaway.  I love that so many people visit my blog during these giveaways and hope you all are able to join my blog and continue to follow me throughout the year.  Good luck everyone!

WISHING EVERYONE A VERY MERRY CHRISTMAS AND HAPPY 2014.

This giveaway would not be possible without an awesome group of bloggers and businesses. They include Spaceships and Laser Beams, Mighty Delighty, This Little Mama, Design Dazzle, A Wife A Mom A LIfe, PaperCandee, Doodlecraft, Made by Cristina Marie, Squared Party Printables, BellaGrey Designs, Petite Bebe, I DO invitations by michelle, More Than Paper, PSA Essentials, Yumtastics, Bauble Yumz, Partystock, Pretty My Party, Angelina's Dream Parties, Party With the Warriors, We Heart Parties, Giggles Galore, J'adore Lexie Couture, Fancy Cakes LLC, Inkberry Cards + Design, Cupcake Wishes & Birthday Dreams, Samantha Walker LLC, I Will Invitations, Tempo di Festa, Ribbons Unlimited, Inc., Young Adult Money, babiesartroom and Hello My Sweet. And that's not even everyone! Take a look at the Rafflecopter form to see everyone who so generously provided sponsorship.

$1100 Holiday Magic Cash Giveaway

November 21, 2013 at 12:00am - December 16, 2013 at 12:00am
Open Worldwide

PRIZE: One winner will receive $1100 USD payable via PayPal
Eligibility and Rules: This giveaway runs from 12:00AM ET on November 21, 2013 to 12:00AM ET on December 16, 2013. It is open to individuals over the age of the majority in their home country. The winner will be chosen randomly through the Rafflecopter form. It is the sole responsibility of the winner to adhere to all laws in their respective country, which includes payments to any governing tax body. This giveaway is void in any country where it is prohibited by law.
Claiming Prize: The prize will be sent via PayPal. The winner must claim their prize within 48 hours of receiving notice. If you do not claim your prize within this time frame, your entry will be void and another winner will be drawn. We don't want to have to do that! Please ensure that the email spaceshipsandlaserbeams [at] gmail [dot] com is on your "safe list."
Disclosure: This giveaway is a blogger-sponsored event that is in no way affiliated with PayPal, Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, Instagram or any other social media channel. If you have questions, email Stephanie at Spaceships and Laser Beams at spaceshipsandlaserbeams [at] gmail [dot] com.

Please use the Rafflecopter below to enter!

None of the entries are mandatory but the more entries you do, the more chances you have to win!
(If you're running low on time, you can come back as many times as you like to finish the form and optimize your chances.)

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Check out the giveaway Yumtastics is having on our Facebook page!

Post by Yumtastics.

Apple Cinnamon Spice Cake Pops

I wanted to share the cake recipe I use for my Apple Cinnamon Spice Cake Pops.  The cake itself is so good.  I even wrote out step by step how I made these particular cake pops in case anyone wants to make them.  Happy Cake Pop Making :)

• Moist Apple Cake
• 1 1/2 cups sugar
• 1/2 cup natural applesauce
• 4 cups diced apples (Granny Smith or your favorite) – approx. 2 lbs
• 2 large eggs, lightly beaten
• 1/2 cup chopped walnuts (I do not use these in my cake pops)
• 2 cups flour
• 2 tsp baking soda
• 1 tsp salt
• 2 tsp ground cinnamon
• 1 tsp ground nutmeg

• Instructions

  • Preheat oven to 350°F. Coat a 13 x 9-inch baking dish with cooking spray.
  • In a large bowl, combine sugar, applesauce, and diced apples. Mix in eggs and walnuts.
  • In another bowl, sift together flour, baking soda, salt, cinnamon and nutmeg. Add to apple/egg mixture and stir until combined.
  • Pour batter into prepared pan. Bake until a tester inserted in center comes out clean, about 1 hour.
  • Divide into 12 even slices.
  • 
    
    Serving Size: 1 slice
• 
  
• *IF YOU WANT TO MAKE A CAKE POP LIKE THE ONE PICTURED ABOVE PLEASE FOLLOW THESE DIRECTIONS*

You will need the following:

Cinnamon Sticks

Melting Chocolates (I use Merkens)

Caramel (I always burn caramel so I buy some premade from a local store and microwave it)

Salt

Cake

Wax Paper

Buttercream Frosting (recipe below)

BUTTERCREAM FROSTING:

2 sticks softened butter

3 cups confectioners sugar (sifted)

1 teaspoon vanilla

2 tablespoons of whipping cream (you do not have to use this, but it makes the buttercream lighter and fluffier)

Beat butter and confectioners sugar on low until incorporated then add other ingredients and let mix for several minutes.

I crumble my cakes in a large bowl by hand then add buttercream to it slowly until they roll and stay together.  Too much buttercream will cause them to be too mushy and not stay on stick.  Not enough buttercream will make them fall apart and not stay bound.  

Once you have rolled the cake balls,  place them in the refrigerator for about 40 minutes.  

While they are in refrigerator, warm your melting chocolate in microwave on 20 second increments until completely melted.

Remove cake balls and dip end of cinnamon stick into melted chocolate then place half way into cake ball.   Do it slowly so the cake doesn't split.  If it splits, no big deal.  Just pinch it back together with your fingers.  

Wait a few minutes and then dip each one into the chocolate.  Tap stick letting excess chocolate drip off then place onto a wax lined cookie sheet.  Let dry.

Melt your caramel and incorporate salt.  I use about a teaspoon of salt.  Taste to make sure it has the salty flavor and then drizzle over cake pops.  

Jungle Cake

What a super fun cake to make for my friend who was throwing a baby shower for her friend.  I was so thrilled with how it turned out.  Especially since I am incredibly far from being a professional and am completely self taught.

Fall Fun Giveaway !!!!!!!!!!!

Hi everyone ~ I am so excited about the Fall Fun Giveaway starting this Thursday. One lucky winner will receive $1,200.00 just in time for the holidays. Remember, you can't win unless you enter :) Give it a shot. You may be the winner !!!!

A giveaway with a prize of this size would not be possible without the cooperation of many participating bloggers and small businesses. They include Spaceships and Laser Beams, Mighty Delighty, Strawberry Mommycakes, Design Dazzle, Partystock, Go Against the Grain, j'adore Lexie Couture, Michelle's Party Plan-It, This Little Mama, Petite Bebe, Unlimited Party Themes, Hello My Sweet, Party Printables, Modern Moments Designs, I Will Invitations, Krysta Steen, Vintage Confections, Young Adult Money, Giggledust Parties, Party Patisserie, Artchoo, Party Dime Time, Bison Bleu LLC dba Printable Parties to Go, Yumtastics, Pretty Little Treasures, Angelina's Dream Parties, The Kids' Dept., The Purple Pug, Paige Simple Studio, Fancy Cakes, LLC, Party With the Warriors, Greyson Design, WorldWideParty Design, A Little Pixel, Made by a Princess, anna and blue paperie, The Pretty Party Shoppe, Flaired Affairs, Marie Louise - Candy Buffets and Events, and Creative Designs by Toni. And that's not even everyone! Be sure to check out the Rafflecopter form for a complete list of bloggers and small business owners who have so generously contributed!

$1200 Fall Fun Cash Giveaway
October 24, 2013 at 12:00am - November 18, 2013 at 12:00am
Open Worldwide

PRIZE: One winner will receive $1200 USD payable via PayPal
Eligibility and Rules: This giveaway runs from 12:00AM ET on October 24, 2013 to 12:00AM ET on November 18, 2013. It is open to individuals over the age of the majority in their home country. The winner will be chosen randomly through the Rafflecopter form. It is the sole responsibility of the winner to adhere to all laws in their respective country, which includes payments to any governing tax body. This giveaway is void in any country where it is prohibited by law.
Claiming Prize: The prize will be sent via PayPal. The winner must claim their prize within 48 hours of receiving notice. If you do not claim your prize within this time frame, your entry will be void and another winner will be drawn. And that would be such a shame! Please ensure that the email spaceshipsandlaserbeams [at] gmail [dot] com is on your "safe list."
Disclosure: This giveaway is a blogger-sponsored event that is in no way affiliated with PayPal, Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, Instagram or any other social media channel. If you have questions, email Stephanie at Spaceships and Laser Beams at spaceshipsandlaserbeams [at] gmail [dot] com.

Please use the Rafflecopter below to enter!

None of the entries are mandatory but remember that the more entries you do, the more chances you have to win.
(If you're running low on time, you can come back as many times as you like to finish the form and optimize your chances.)

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Snowball Cakepops

These remind me of the hostess snowball cakes I ate as a kid and still love to this day.

Halloween Gempop Cakepops

Cake pops have come a long way in the past 2 years since I started making them.  Now they can be glittery and fancy shmancy!  I have seen others make these so I decided to join in on the action.  

  

One Direction & Sports Themed Cakes

One Direction is so huge right now.  Brings me back to my New Kids On The Block days :)  The below cakes are for my friends kids who turned 11 over the weekend.  Emma and Liz wanted One Direction, while Andrew wanted Sports!  

Chocolate Peanut Butter Cupcakes

I love the illusion that these are peanut butter cookies, but in fact they are peanut butter icing formed to look like cookies.  I should have added more confectioners sugar to get them a little thicker so they would have kept their form a little better.  Trial and error I guess.  They tasted pretty amazing! 

Carnaby Street Style Fashion Show

I was lucky enough to provide cupcakes for Carnaby Street Style's 1st Annual Fashion Show Event this past Friday.  Not only did I get to make their cupcakes, but I was invited to their VIP fashion show.  Here are some pictures from the fun night.

Logo cupcakes

Emma put on a great fashion show.  

Go Katherine !  Work that runway girl :)

Union Jack

I love how these cupcake toppers match Emma's dress :)

I love how they had customers in the show too!

Awesome crowd for the 8pm show.

Mickey & Minnie Cupcakes

If I learned anything this past weekend, it was NEVER, EVER, EVER place fondant ears on mickey, then place a lid over it the night before.  I woke up to almost every ear flopped over and was HORRIFIED. They softened because they had no air.  The only way to fix it was to snap toothpicks in half and place one behind each ear.  I was a mess all day worrying about it.  Luckily, my client was kind and understanding.  I refused to let her pay for the order and she refused to take her money back.  I was told they tasted great so that made me feel a little better.  That will never happen again!  I have no pics of the ears flopped over because I was way too upset to take any, but here are some shots I got the night before.

Cupcake? Why yes please!

I also made cupcakes to go with the cake pops I recently posted.  I was wondering why I had gained a few pounds recently.  It occurred to me that I have been taste testing a little too much.  When I see a little too much, I mean a lot too much lol.

Key Lime

Apple Cinnamon Spice with Salted Caramel Drizzle

Maple Bacon

Vanilla Bean

I Love Wedding Tastings

A really sweet couple had a tasting with me recently. Their wedding is going to be in a beautiful national park setting...in the fall (gorgeous) so here were some sweets I made for them. I especially love how the cinnamon stick turned out.

Apple Spiced Cinnamon Stick Cake Pops with Salted Caramel Drizzle

Vanilla Bean

Key Lime with Graham Cracker Crumble

Recipe for Apple Spice Cake:

http://www.weightwatchers.com/util/art/index_art.aspx?tabnum=1&art_id=113651

Colorful Paper Sticks Are Now At Target

I was at Target last weekend picking up a gift for one of our kids friends when I came across the paper sticks I use for cake pops.  They are in the section by gift cards and gift bags.  24 pack for $1.99.  Wow! That is so much cheaper than the $4.99 + shipping on Etsy.  I also saw Hobby Lobby is now carrying them, but Target is far cheaper.  I had a picnic this weekend so I used them for that.

Outside Shot

Instagram Shot

Back To School Visa Gift Card Giveaway - Open Worldwide

It’s that time of year again – Back to School! What better way to start the school year off than to win a Visa gift card for all your back to school clothing and supplies! 2 winners will each win a $450 Visa gift card to spend as they wish!

Pretty My Party has teamed up with some wonderful bloggers and businesses to bring you this awesome Back to School Giveaway! Cupcake with Character, Charming Touch Parties, Petits Plaisirs Chocolata Treats, Smart Party Planning, Just Us Four, Mom Spark, Design Dazzle, The Glitter Revival, Miss Momvocate, Bloom Designs, Michelle’s Party Plan-It, Yumtastics, Petite Bebe, Mommy Octopus, Printable Parties to Go, Party Patisserie, Taradara Made It,MYGRAFICO, Catch My Party, PurpleTrail, Design Dazzle, Daddy Mojo, Invite Shop, Wedding Paperie

Rules: Giveaway is open worldwide to all participants ages 18 and older. Your chances of winning the prize will increase if you like and follow all pages! If the winner resides outside of the U.S. they have the option of taking PayPal cash. Giveaway is open until 11:59 p.m. EST Friday, August 23, 2013. 2 winners will be chosen randomly through Giveaway Tools. The winners will be notified by email by hello@prettymyparty.com. Please make sure that email is on your safe email list and doesn’t end up in your spam folder. The winners will have 48 hours to respond or new winners will be chosen. The winners will be announced on Pretty My Party.

Disclosure: This giveaway is in no way associated with Visa. Pretty My Party and those bloggers and businesses participating in the giveaway receive no compensation to promote Visa or its related products.

Entry-Form