Rum and Eggnog Cupcakes: The Recipe

Mmmm mmmm good.

These tasty little holiday treats were actually born from my in-the-making Christmas Bella Bash (consider this a sneak peak). Although I probably won't be throwing my own Christmas party this year (shocking, I know), I wanted to make my Bella Bash photo shoot realistic so I brainstormed some festive goodies I would have served were I to have played hostess. Well, lets just say the photo shoot is days away, and the cupcakes are ready right now. Thank goodness it was my mom's birthday tonight, because it definitely saved me from eating them all (and I didn't have to bake her a birthday cake- yay!)

Why rum and eggnog cupcakes? Rum cake is a family birthday staple in my household, and well, eggnog is eggnog, it doesn't need any explanation because it's just that good. The rum cake all started with my dad, who likes a little bit more rum than cake, but got us all hooked after requesting this moist and delicious treat for every one of his birthdays. My mom makes the best rum cake, and for those who have tasted Tortuga Rum Cake from the Caribbean, well, her's puts it to shame. She just uses boxed cake mix, putting a little spin on it by adding vanilla pudding powder and substituting rum for some of the water in the directions. She uses a rum/sugar glaze for the actual bundt cake, but for cupcakes, we'll stick with the eggnog buttercream.

To make the rum cupcake batter:

• 1 package yellow cake mix
• 1 package instant vanilla pudding mix
• 4 eggs
• 1/2 cup water
• 1/2 cup vegetable oil
• 1/2 cup dark rum
• 
  

Follow instructions on cake box and spoon into cupcake cups.

To make the eggnog buttercream icing:

1 C. room temp. butter

6-8 C. powdered sugar

2 t. vanilla

1/2 C. eggnog

1-2 t. nutmeg

(for an extra punch, add a few drops of rum flavoured extract. If you find your buttercream too thin, add more icing sugar, or a little meringue powder to stiffin it).

Cream the butter for 30 seconds until smooth. Add the rest of the ingredients. Mix until combined. Use a pastry bag and round tip to pipe onto cupcakes, and sprinkle with a bit more nutmeg.

Because of the eggnog in the icing, the buttercream will expire so make sure to use it up quick (like that will be a problem). Also, the cupcakes are best served chilled, straight out of the fridge. The icing will get fairly soft if left at room temp because of the amount of liquid and butter in it ;)

Enjoy!

Real Wedding: Sarah + Sean

The new Mr. & Mrs!

Photo: Luxe Photography

Photo: Luxe Photography

Photo: Luxe Photography

Flowers: All Tyme Florists

Sarah and her father

Photo: Luxe Photography

Photo: Luxe Photography

I love this jumping shot!

Photo: Luxe Photography

Photo: Luxe Photography

Flowers: All Tyme Florists

Photo: Luxe Photography

Cupcakes: Hello Bella Events

Photo: Luxe Photography

Photo: Luxe Photography

Flowers: All Tyme Florists

Candy Buffet: Hello Bella Events

Photo: Luxe Photography

Wine Labels: Hello Bella Events

Photo: Luxe Photography

Photo: Luxe Photography

DJ: Frost Entertainment

Photo: Luxe Photography

Flowers: All Tyme Florists

Photo: Luxe Photography

Photo: Luxe Photography

This beautiful September reception was so much fun to plan. Everything pulled together wonderfully, including gorgeous weather, a stunning bride and groom, and plenty of tearful moments with close family and friends (some who flew in from Australia!). It wasn't an easy road to get there, however. Sarah and Sean planned to be married in Mexico this last May, and to have a big reception when they got back. Well, a few weeks before their departure to Cabo, travel came to a BIG halt because of the prevalent swine flu. Fast forward to September, where the happy couple finally made their trip to say their vows, and came home a Mr & Mrs! You might remember Sarah from the Vegas themed bridal shower, but for a little refresher, check the post out here.

The after-marriage reception felt very much like a traditional wedding reception- well, except for the fact that the head table was replaced with a treats table, complete with a candy buffet, a cupcake tower and an assortment of wine favors. A video of their Mexican wedding played in the background, and a magician entertained kids and adults alike with his amazing card tricks and incredible magic. Morgan Creek was a beautiful location ( and not just because I hosted my own wedding there), and the food impeccable as always! I still have fantasies about that chocolate fountain (the best chocolate you will ever ever ever taste).

The cupcake tower was a joint effort, with the father of the groom building the massive cupcake tower, and myself and Sarah baking the cupcakes. I iced all 200 of them that day at the venue, and with heart racing, was able to get them finished off just in time. The flavours were delicious: purple vanilla, pink cotton candy, blue raspberry, and orange creamsicle buttercream icing on an assortment of chocolate, french vanilla and lemon cupcakes. Sarah wanted a couples cutting cake to resemble a supersized cupcake, so I used fondant and buttercream to create the look. And the flowers. Oh, the flowers! Sarah brought a picture out of a magazine for Cathy of All Tyme Florists to recreate, and boy did she deliver. I think the bouquets actually looked better than the ones in the bridal mag. The stunning colours of the flowers and the cupcakes complimented the pared down and neutral decor of the room. With subtle touches of the beach to reference their ocean-side wedding, everything really really worked to create that romantic feel Sarah and Sean were looking for.

And last, but certainly not least, Larissa Addison of Luxe Photography took all of these gorgeous photos above, plus so many more incredible shots. I profiled her for my October vendor of the month, and you can check that post out here.

Venue: Morgan Creek Golf & Country Club

Flowers: All Tyme Florists

Magician: Vancouver Magic

DJ/ MC: Frost Entertainment

Candy Buffet, Favor Labels, Cupcakes: Hello Bella Events

Photography: Luxe Photography

Let them eat cake! But only on a pretty stand...

Above: Clara French

Above: Whitney Smith Pottery

Above: Rosanna Inc

Above: Country Living

Above: Found this on a "wanted" etsy listing. Let me know if you know where these are from, because I LOVE THEM!

Above: Spice and Lore

Above: Butter Sugar Flour

DIY Cake stands from Once Wed

Above: The Knot

Above: The Tea Pot Shoppe

Above: Cottage Chic Shop

If there's one thing I can't get enough of (really, we all know it's far more than just one thing) it would be cake stands. I'm not quite sure what it is about them, but if I see one, I buy it. Cake stands are to me as shoes are to a fashionista. I feel like they are my babies, my sacred collection, and I promise you one day they WILL be displayed on some gorgeous shelf in my office. I love single tiered ones, ones that stack in graduated sizes; I love cupcake towers, and I especially love individual glass cupcake stands. There's something about a cake or cupcake stand that completely transforms any baking, candy, or everyday item from mundane to magical. Must be the pedestal!

The collection of pretty stands above range from low to high prices, and for those of you looking for a shabby chic way to present your creations, here's a fab diy project over at Once Wed that uses terra cotta pots! Ingenious idea. Any style, any colour, and size- cake stands WILL improve you event, whether you're using for your wedding cake, or to hold cookies on a dessert table for a baby shower. And by all means, if you happen to see some pretty stands while out and about, feel free to think of me!

Cupcake Flags: etsy Tuesday

Above: TomKatStudio

Above: GoAgainstTheGrain

Above: TheCupcakeGirl

Above: KioKreations

Above: Cupcakesocia

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Above: Cake flag from prettysmitten

Above seller: cupcakesocial

Above seller: inkwinkdesign

Above seller: SevenCupcakes

I didn't forget, don't you worry! I've got 43 minutes until etsy Tuesday becomes "you're late" wednesday, so here's my last minute post full of fun etsy finds! I'm always inspired by the fabulous weddings over at Martha Stewart, and one of my favourite details of this year's wedding features has been cupcake flags. They can be cute and elegant, fun and whimsical, and I can't think of an easier way to dress up your cupcakes! Beyond wedding cupcakes, these flags can be used for all occasions! Think Halloween, birthdays, showers, engagement parties etc. They would also be a great DIY project, or save yourself the hard work head on over to the fabulous sellers at etsy and get them shipped straight to your door.

Oh Sweet Heaven!

You thought a candy buffet was just a candy buffet, didn't you? Wrong! Anyone can toss some candy into a few jars and call it a candy buffet, but just a peak at the work of the talented Amy Atlas of NYC will open your eyes to the true art of the dessert table.

These gorgeous tablscapes of sweetness look almost too pretty to touch, and are comprised of everything from candy (duh!), to cookies, cakes, cupcakes, chocolates and other tempting treats. The key to creating your own work of yummy art is to stick with either one colour combo or a certain theme (such as vintage or retro). Love the custom "Something Borrowed" cookies? Check out the great local company www.thestevestoncookiecompany.com for your very own personalized treats.

For an inexpensive way to make your table look fab, create different levels of interest with cardboard boxes covered in craft paper or wallpaper. Add some ribbon and pretty labels, and a great backdrop to showcase your work of art, and presto! You might have yourself a candy buffet worth drooling over.

If you want to check out some more fabulousness, go to www.amyatlas.com and you're in for a treat!

Prepare to be addicted....to etsy.com

I apologize in advance to all the future addicts out there. What I am about to expose you to is extremely addicting and likely to awaken any dormant obsessive personality traits. If you haven't yet acquainted yourself with www.etsy.com, then you should promptly make your web-savvy way there. Etsy, the online marketplace for all things amazing is the crafty and handmade equivalent to ebay. Not only is Etsy a hot spot for unique design and adorable finds, it's also supporting mostly female small business owners, and who doesn't want to support that?

Etsy is an amazing resource for the bride-to-be or hostess, featuring finds such as handmade garters, cake boxes, ring pillows, monograms, stationary and the like. One of my favorite parts of etsy, however, isn't even a tangible product at all. Graphic designers will often sell electronic designs which are downloadable, printable and sometimes customizeable. You purchase the file, and you print it yourself. My new obsession is with the seller Paper and Cake (www.paperandcake.com), and you just HAVE to check out these printed materials for a bachelorette party! You get all of these files and more, and for only $5! The link to the Etsy store is: http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=27197158. There are even more unbelievable finds to be had, but I do warn you that you may need to set aside a few hours because once you start Etsy-ing, you can't stop!

All photo credit: www.paperandcake.com