The New Cupcake Girl in Town!

I've had two weeks of Spring Break and it has basically slipped by and I haven't accomplished many of the things I had intended.  I wanted to get a big jump start on some sewing so I can take part in some craft shows in the spring and summer.  I did a couple of things but nothing major. 

One thing that did happen that has got me really excited is that I have taken on a job making cupcakes for a friend of a friend's wedding this summer.  The theme is "vintage" and the colors are grey, pale yellow, ivory and light grey with dusty rose and dusty blue accents.

Here are some inspiration photos I found:

http://flickrhivemind.net/User/hello%20naomi

http://lisamisu.deviantart.com/art/VIntage-cupcakes-105106128

http://cakealicious.com/2010/04/wedding-cupcakes-2/

http://www.flickr.com/photos/53907654@N03/galleries/72157625748954544#photo_4794403976

http://www.thecupcakeblog.com/tag/vintage-wedding-cupcakes/

http://www.thecupcakeblog.com/tag/vintage-wedding-cupcakes-in-peach-ivory-and-pink/

http://www.genii-cupcakes.co.uk/blog/2010/11/18/retro-cupcakes/

http://breealicia.tumblr.com/

www.marthastewart.com

So basically right now I am on operation cupcake.  I am searching for great recipes and practising my decorating techniques.  I don't think my skills are up to par with the cupcakes above but they certainly will help in inpsiring me and achieving the style I am going for.  I am a bit nervous about this, it is a lot of pressure making perfect cupcakes for someone's big day.  I have never done cupcakes in large quantities and have a lot of questions about how to pull this off.  I need supplies and I am not sure where to get them.  For example I need boxes that have little "cupcake holes" to put them in so they don't slide around in transport.  I would absolutely die if all of my hard work got ruined hours before the wedding and I let the bride and groom down.  I know a simple search of the internet will probably answer my questions and I can order the things I need but it is still a bit nerve-wracking.

I am sure that I will spend as much money as I am going to make on this endeavour testing out recipes and practising my piping skills but the experience will be well worth it.  If all goes well I may start a little side business and all this testing will be invaluable in the future.  Plus I will be super popular with my friends and coworkers who will get to me my taste-tasters over the next few months.

Today I tried a vanilla bean cupcake with a vanilla swiss meringue buttercream frosting (recipes from Annie's Eats).  They turned out really well.  I probably overcooked the cupcakes by a minute or two.  They were a slightly brown on the edges but at least I know now to reduce the cooking time by a few minutes if I choose to make these ones for the big event.  I want them to look absolutely perfect.    The frosting was also very good.  Extremely buttery with a silky smooth texture.   I'm not sure which I prefer, this recipe or the marshmallow buttercream I made a few weeks back.  I think either would be fine contenders for the wedding cupcakes. I messed around a bit piping with different tips but I haven't got the exact right tip in my collection.  I am gonna have to head to Micheal's and get a few more appropriate ones to try.

My cupcake! You can even see the little vanilla bean flecks!

Frosting version #1

Frosting version #2

Frosting version#3

The colour is really off in these pictures and the yellow frosting looks kinda ugly.  It really is just a pale yellow not the ugly yellow, pea greenish colour as it appears in the photo. Also the white cake and the frosting doesn't have much of a contrast.  This may look better with a different colour or on a chocolate cupcake.  I'll play around with that a bit too.

P.S.- Also, in a bizarre coincidence I was also approached to do another wedding a few days after I accepted the challenge of doing this one.  I would have totally been on board except that the wedding was just one day before this one and I think under the pressure and time constraints my head my have exploded so I declined.