Wednesday, May 21, 2014

Cupcakes for the Graduate


When I found out that our nephew Cris was going to walk in the ASU graduation ceremonies, I quickly volunteered to bake cupcakes for his celebration. And when his wife told me that his favorite candy was Reese's Peanut Butter cups I was on it!


Carrie had seen the idea for the chocolate graduation caps somewhere (Sorry...I don't know the original source because a Google search provides a plethora of options). I used a hot skillet to touch the peanut butter cups to just so there was a melted surface, then I stuck them to a chocolate square (I used Ghirardelli). Then I piped a line of yellow frosting for the tassel and topped each with a small M&M for the button. They were a big hit! The cupcakes were yummy too - I found this recipe for chocolate cupcakes with peanut butter frosting - perfect with those mortar board toppers.


I also made red velvet cupcakes and created some toppers with ASU logos printed on cardstock, punched and attached to toothpicks. Note the gold star sprinkles - love! The "CONGRATULATIONS CRIS" banner was cut with my Cricut, and the fringe banner was made from a plastic tablecloth using this tutorial.



Oh man, creating this post has me wishing we had just one cupcake left over...

As guests were leaving the party that night I had some cupcake boxes on hand for take-away's. I loved being able to do that!



It was so much fun to make cupcakes for a family function that included my side of the family. Doug's family lives locally so my baking stints are usually for my in-laws. I loved being able to make these chocolate cupcakes for my nephew, Cris. And the red velvets for my niece, Savannah. And Carrie, of course.
 
Who does the baking in your family?

16 comments:

Robyn said...

yeah, my cupcakes did NOT look like that! Man, Deb! You are rockin' it with the perfectly swirly frosting! I have a few weeks to practice before Andrew's birthday...hopefully I'll get the hang of it. :)

Susi said...

They look wonderful. My daughter is the cupcake maker in our family. I could use one of those chocolate/peanut butter cupcakes....right now!

Fiona@Staring at the Sea said...

Oh, those graduation cap cup cakes are brilliant. Do you know, I hadn't tried a Reese's peanut butter cup until this year! I'm the baker in our house and I'll be baking up a storm on Friday to help out my friend Lunch Lady Jan.

Maria Ontiveros said...

Love that take-away box and the PB cup toppers.
Rinda

Unknown said...

you are so talented.

Audrey said...

Deb, they're SO adorable! The cuteness factor is off the charts. And I love the takeaway boxes! You did a phenomenal job. If I go back to school for another degree, will you come make those for me? haha.... :-)

Becky said...

I just love these cupcakes! However I hate peanut butter! The only one in the family who does so the rest would like to eat these and not just look at them lol!

alexa said...

These look so professional! How do you manage to do your Icing like that? The mortar boards are brilliant. Tell me, Deb, do you ever actually get any sleep?

scrappyjacky said...

Just love the mortar board toppers.

cedarmerefarm said...

WOW! You are one crafty and clever lady. Those cupcakes look amazing. I bet everyone was impressed!

helena said...

my Dad is the baker in our family (Mum decorated the birthday cakes when we still had elaborate cakes). Yours look fabulous and I love the graduation hat decoration

Karen said...

No one in our family produces baked goods like you do! You make the best looking cupcakes ever (and I know they taste as good as they look!)

Beverly said...

Incredible as always! Love the take away box idea. I had so many left over from the Pirate's party I sent 1 dozen home with one of his friends.

Ruth said...

What a wonderful Auntie you are! Red velvet cupcakes? YUMMY!!

Stephanie @ La Dolce Vita said...

These are awesome! great job deb!! (and I think you know that in my house, it's all me.)

Anonymous said...

They look fantastic! I love the idea of the mortar boards and Ghiradelli is the perfect square for them!

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