Sunday, January 11, 2009

Cupcake of the Month: Winter White Snowflake Cupcakes

I need food and shelter and oxygen, it's true. But I also, need cupcakes often, at least every month. They're not all for me. Although they could be, if I wasn't careful. Somehow, there's an occasion to bake a cupcake at least 12 times a year, evenly spaced into perfect calendar pages. This year, I'm going to take the time to make them memorable and as fun to look at as they are too eat. That sounds like a lovely resolution for 2009, so watch for a new cupcake of the month right here at Prudence Pennywise. Oh, I know it's January and we're pinching our inches as well as our pennies, but that's precisely why I love a good cupcake: portion control and share-ability.
You could use your own white cake recipe (I love Joy of Cooking's), or simply bake up a box from a mix. Promise not to tell. (Especially if you swap the oil for butter and and switch the water for buttermilk.) Next, frost the cupcakes with a smooth cream cheese frosting. I like to use about 4 tablespoons butter, 4 ounces cream cheese, and about 2 cups powdered sugar, with a little drizzle of vanilla and lemon juice. And to top it off, you need a sprinkling of coarse sugar and a purdy little snowflake. You could use melted white chocolate, of even easier discs of vanilla candy melt. (I use Wilton white candy melts, found at most craft stores.) Melt the discs CAREFULLy in the microwave in a little squeeze bottle or plastic bag. Line a cookie sheet with waxed paper and pipe some pretty white simple snowflakes. Put them in the fridge for a minutes to set. Perched on your all white cupcake, they'll be a snow white beauty that's not only good to look at but good enough to eat. Best of all, you'll save a bundle over bakery prices since you'll be making your own sugary magic at home. Coming Next:
Green Chile, Sour Cream and Cheddar Cornbread Mini Muffins

42 comments:

Marie Rayner said...

Delcious looking cupcakes Erin! I love your cupcake of the month idea!

Nickki said...

They look fabulous! I so want cupcakes for breakfast now lol ;)

Shelby said...

These are so pretty!!

Cindy said...

Cupcake of the month? I am so here to check them out! These look YUMMY! Maybe you could start a new thing alnong the lines of fruit od the month?!? LOL I'll be trying these!

LizNoVeggieGirl said...

Lovely, lovely, lovely!!

Di said...

I definitely don't make cupcakes often enough. But I'll have a chance to later this month, to take to school for Brianna's birthday. Those look really yummy.

Tracy said...

Yum, and so cute! I almost made cupcakes this week ... but didn't.

Chef Jeena said...

What pretty little cupcakes I love the snowflakes. :-)

Dr. Mom said...

That looks great! Perfect for this time of year.

Chrissy said...

Your cupcakes are darling...I love the cupcake of the month idea! I will definitely try this recipe out. Thanks!

Sophie said...

The snowflakes are so sweet and delicate, the perfect topping to these classic and yummy cupcakes.

Catherine said...

These cupcakes are so darling. I can't wait to give these a try. I love the snowflakes on top. I doubt mine will turn out as cute as yours, but I was pleasantly surprised when I read how simple the snowflakes are to make. They look adorable and I love the idea of making January more fun, I think these cupcakes will do the trick. Oh yes and I can't wait for that cornbread recipe. They're on my dinner menu for this next week, so I'll be looking forward to that post!

CB said...

Cupcake of the month! Adorable idea. Love the snowflakes on top. Looking forward to your next monthly installment. You can check out my cupcake blog if you need some inspiration. I heart cupcakes ♥♥♥
/Clara

Audrey said...

Could I trade the snowstorm of the week for the cupcake of the month? I like snow, but I like your snowflakes better!

Aimee said...

I love your blog! You always inspire me to cook when I'm in a rut and have no imagination for a menu! Thank you!

pam said...

Cupcake of the month sounds great to me! I love your cake stand, with the ribbon!

Mary Ann said...

These cupcakes are so cute. I love that you can have your cupcake and share some too.
The cake stand is adorable too, all dolled up with that cute ribbon!

Darius T. Williams said...

Great looking cupcakes!

Patsyk said...

Such fun cupcakes! I really love that you explained how to make the snowflakes... I need step-by-step instructions on things like that.

Love the cake stand! where did you find it?

Chrissy said...

I just made your sourcream banana pancakes for brunch this morning...so yummy! I also made your oreo fudge for friends for New Years, everyone loved it and I can't believe how easy it was!

I can't wait to try out your cupcakes! I found your blog through my friend, tatertotsandjello. And I'm so glad! Keep cooking and sharing!

Jen @ tatertotsandjello.com said...

Those cupcakes are adorable! You are so amazing and creative!!!!

I adore cupcakes and can't wait to see what other ones you've dreamed up!

Thanks!

Jen

gigi said...

These are really cute cupcakes! I like the portion control part of this, great idea!

Jada said...

Thank you for the cute idea and something to give my VT sisters this month that is winter but not too Christmas related! Also, AWESOME cake stand, where did you get that? I LOVE IT!

The Blonde Duck said...

PRUDY! I just had a brilliant idea! You could make a cupcake of the month calender and sell them! Holy crap. Get started right away for 2010!

Marjie said...

These are so pretty! I love the candy snowflakes. Do you let the kids make these as an art project?

MK and Co. said...

Oh Prudy, these are so pretty. I love the snowflake on top. I know my kids will love these! Can't wait to give these a try!

Maria said...

Lovely cupcakes!! Perfect for winter!

Katherine Roberts Aucoin said...

They look so inviting and pretty. Almost to pretty to eat. I say almost, because I can resist a cupcake!

Allie said...

Sounds so fun! I love your cake stand, I've been on the hunt for one so I can personalize it with ribbon to match everything!

Sara said...

Man I wish I had a reason to make cupcakes once a month...wait, you don't need an excuse!!! Maybe I will make them today. Yours look just delicious!

Aggie said...

I will take a cupcake from you once a month!! These look so pretty and I totally agree that they are perfectly portion control!

Anonymous said...

Those look good! So pretty and delicate.

Anonymous said...

I love the snowflakes! I always forget about my little squeeze bottle. Maybe I should take it down from the top shelf!

~Cat

vanillasugarblog said...

Yes, I agree cupcakes must be made at least once a month, maybe twice during the holidays.
Very pretty!

Nancy/n.o.e said...

Prudy, I gave my mother "muffins of the month" for Christmas, but I don't know if I'll post them as a series. hmmm, it's an idea, though! Love these pretty cupcakes - the snowflakes are so wintry.
Nancy

Anonymous said...

These are whimsical and beautiful.. and I bet they taste orgasmic... = )

Emily said...

I love this blog. Really, I do. A friend told me about it last summer and I have checked it religiously since then, even having surprising withdrawals when your family was away in Europe. I have a weird obsession in that I have always loved to read recipes, but usually just ended up making the same old thing for dinner and I rarely tried anything new. Not anymore. I love reading your blog AND your recipes have made us have happy bellies here at my house many times. I have told nearly all my living relatives and friends that this is the place to get great recipes and now we all swap favorites. Many, many thanks to you!

Theresa said...

Pretty cupcakes with the snowflakes on top. I now want a cupcake with my coffee!

Deborah said...

oooh, I love the idea of a cupcake a month! and these are beautiful!

Clumbsy Cookie said...

Those are the only snowflakes I would eat gladly! I'm not a snow person, but I'm all up for cupcakes. Love the idea of the cupcake of the month!

sprinkles said...

These are sooo beautiful!! I have included them in our 50 colorful cupcake feature at Party Cupcake Ideas.
http://partycupcakeideas.com/50-colorful-cupcakes/

Antoinettewimg said...

Cupcake of the month sounds great to me! I love your cake stand, with the ribbon!