Nancy is going to a 1st birthday party for her godson on Sunday and she is the official cupcake committee. She needs about three dozen cupcakes and can't decide whether she should make them herself or buy them from Vanilla or Sprinkles.
I decide: Put on your apron, I think you should bake them. Believe me, I love a gourmet vanilla bean cupcake with thick Madagascar Bourbon frosting. I love it with all my heart, I do. But I did the math, and three dozen cupcakes is going to set you back about $120. I suspect that you could make some amazing cupcakes for a quarter of the price and, just think, you can bake in love.
(My decision, of course, has nothing to do with the fact that I myself need to whip up a dessert for a party tonight and it's nice to know that we are all in this together.)
Some delicious cupcake recipes can be found at Chockylit Cupcake Bakeshop. Yum!
Or, how about one of these fabulous recipes from Martha:
Lollipop Cupcakes, Carrot Cupcakes, Swirly Cupcakes, or (well, well) Sprinkles' Strawberry Cupcakes.
Plus--and maybe this is the most important point of all--if you do it yourself, you get to lick the bowl.
Yummy strawberry swirl!
Posted by: Malia | April 18, 2008 at 04:01 PM
I think I know what I will be doing tomorrow. MMM... sugar!
Posted by: Lissa | April 18, 2008 at 10:59 PM
OR ... she could BUY the Sprinkles cupcake mix at Williams-Sonoma and make them herself! There is definitely a difference between Sprinkles and Betty Crocker. And they are puffy ... thus once frosted ... very pretty cupcakes.
Posted by: Lolo | April 19, 2008 at 12:53 PM
I agree with Lolo--the perfect compromise--bake them herself from the Sprinkles cupcake mix found at all Williams-Sonoma stores. I am slightly biased though as I am OBSESSED with Sprinkles. MMM..Red Velvet with thick cream cheese frosting!
Posted by: Lesli | April 20, 2008 at 05:15 PM
I totally agree. Love the lollipop cupcakes!
Posted by: Nicole | April 21, 2008 at 06:52 AM
Does anyone know a good recipe for a first-time cupcake baker? Without a pre-made cupcake mix and preferably with gooey center (not necessarily, though).
Thanks :)
Posted by: Cin | April 24, 2008 at 01:29 PM
I ended up baking my own like you suggested and I am so glad I did. They turned out fabulous, and I must say I outdid myself on the decorating. I never get tired of hearing people say what a fabulous cook I am!!!!! Thanks for the advice.
Posted by: Nancy | April 29, 2008 at 12:01 AM