Burgers, Buttercream and Birthday Baking

I've been wanting to try this idea I found a while back on Bakerella's site for tiny tiny realistic looking hamburger cupcakes.  So...when the BF's 32nd birthday rolled around last week I thought it was about time I gave it a go!  What could be more perfect for a man's birthday than little burger cakes. 

Before I show you my little burger I need to explain something.  This little burger has seen better days.  He was much cuter four days ago on Saturday when he was nice and fresh.  I had meant to take a picture of him when he was freshly assembled but someone...not saying who...went to a party on Friday night...had a few tasty beverages....shook her booty....alot....and....left her camera at the party.  So originally there were more than a dozen of these bad boys but they had to be fed to the guests of the birthday boy.  I did save this one to take a photo of but by the time this morning rolled around and I took the picture his icing was all melting together and the bun parts were a little shiny and sticky...but you'll get the main idea.

I also tried to make little sugar cookie fries like Bakarella did but in the hustle and bustle of cleaning up for the party and trying to multi-task I burnt them!  Oh well maybe next time.

I also made this pink ruffle cake for the party that someone went to on Friday and forgot her camera at (still not saying who).  It has vanilla and chocolate layers and is frosted with a strawberry-marshmallow buttercream icing that I got from my Hello, Cupcake! book.  The icing was only half homemade and was super delicious.  It was supposed to be just a plain butter cream but I added in the strawberry!

Almost Homemade Vanilla Buttercream
1 container (16oz) Marshmallow Fluff
3 sticks (3/4 pound or 1 1/2 cups) unsalted butter, softened and cut into 1" pieces
1 tsp vanilla extract
1/2 cup confectioner's sugar (plus additional sugar if needed)
* I also added about 3 tbsp of strawberry jam and a little red food colouring to make it extra pink.  In hindsight I would've used a little less food colouring and kept it a bit more natural.

Spoon the marshmallow fluff into a large bowl.  Beat with an electric mixer on low.  Gradually add the butter pieces, beating well after each addition, until smooth.  Add the vanilla extract and the 1/2 cup confectioner's sugar.  Scrape the bowl well to incorporate.  Add more confectioner's sugar, if necessary to adjust the texture.

Enjoy!