Some new pictures

Finally managed to get some more photo's up.

I've been busy today updating the website, ordering supplies, working out html scripting for my blog etc. And i'm looking forward to a nice cup of tea which i've been meaning to have the past 4 hours. How time flies....

Cupcakes for a 30th birthday

Fairy Cupcakes

Dinner Party Cupcakes

Where is the summer?

Sorry i've not updated for a while, been a busy bee.

So where is the summer weather? I hope it perks up by the end of the week as we are going camping! Fingers crossed!

Orders have been slow coming in, need to get out there a bit more. I'm going to be at Smart Tots Nursury in Banbury on the 19th Sept selling cupcakes at their open day and also to celebrate Nationa Cupcake Week 14th-19th Sept.

This week i'm going to contact a couple of local cafes to see if they would like to stock my cakes, also want to try and push the parties a bit more.

Party time!

Well last week was busy with the orders which was great and another lot of happy customers.

This week i'm focussing on getting the ball rolling with doing cupcake decorating classes. Insurance etc is all sorted now just need to purchase right equipment. Aprons, bowls, spoons, party bag things and then marketing. Will be providing for kids parties and also adults. Girls night in with wine and nibbles and i bring everything you need to make some yummy cupcakes.

So if you know of anyone wanting something a little different for a party tell them about Jessica's Cupcake parties!!

Busy week

Well this week i have quite a few orders in which is fab, i'm hoping it continues!!

On the cards are golf cupcakes, some ukelele and glider cupcakes, horse and blur cupcakes and some 18th birthday ones! See people always ask me don't you get bored of making the same thing over and over but this goes to show each customer is different and i just love getting a new design through.

Found some new cupcakes boxes which are the same as i use now (sturdy ones) but pink!! Check out http://www.cupcakeboxesuk.com/

Starting to look at what cake decorating courses are available so i can branch out into some elaborate big cakes. If you know of any good courses let me know.

Pic of the day today is of our two gorgeous kitty's Daisy (white one) and Molly

Summer is here!

Apologies for the 2 week absence, had nasty bug that was going around.

Got some vanilla cupcakes to make tonight for a lady at work, pretty girly design. Also going to a networking event tomorrow night so want to take some to that.

Weather has been so fab, everything seems so much better when the sun is out. BBQs are my favourite, with cupcakes for afters!!

Looking at drumming up extra business, credit crunch is hitting hard! Advertising is so expensive though so trying other means for now.

Got some Hollywood style cupcakes to make for a 30th Birthday party which should be fun. Will post pics once they are done.

Right i must get baking.

And remember: A cupcake a day keeps insanity away!

End of a great Bank Holiday Weekend

The weekend has gone too quickly! But it has been a fab one. Had a lovely BBQ at our friends and the weather was fab. And a bit of shopping which is always good.

Baking wise have done peanut butter, oreo cookie and coffee cupcakes. Made a slight change to my peanut butter ones by spreading peanut butter on top of the cake before putting on the frosting, was extra yummy! Have not yet made the red velvet cupcakes, will be doing those this week.

Things have gone quiet so need to fire up the marketing. Am looking into doing a farmers market. Think that would be a good way of getting the local people aware of me.

Think i am also going to have to fork out some money to get advertised in places too. Everything costs money! Need to also try more local deli's to see if they want to stock any cupcakes.

The Weekend has landed

Thank god it's Friday!!! Day job done and now for some serious work! Cupcakes!

Got a few to make as a sample for a local farm shop tomorrow. Hopefully they will put in a regular order. Just trying to work out pricing. As I obviously need to charge less than what I would a normal consumer as they need to sell them on. That's a thought for this evening.

Other things to do this weekend:

• More work on press release
• Costings of new recipes
• Order more business cards
• Sort out business bank account, had the form for a while now...
• Buy some fabrics for taking pics

Going to make some Red Velvet Cupcakes this weekend as would like to add it to the range. Below is the recipe i have got hold of, it's the one from Magnolia Bakery in NYC. Enjoy :-)

Ingredients
-3 ⅓ cups cake flour (not self-rising)
-¾ cup (1 ½ sticks) unsalted butter, softened
-2 ¼ cups sugar
-3 large eggs, at room temperature
-6 tablespoons red food colouring
-3 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa
-1 ½ teaspoons vanilla extract
-1 ½ teaspoons salt
-1 ½ cups buttermilk
-1 ½ teaspoons cider vinegar
-1 ½ teaspoons baking soda

Frosting:

-1 pound (two 8-ounce packages) cream cheese, softened and cut into small pieces
-6 tablespoons unsalted butter, softened and cut into small pieces
-1 ½ teaspoons vanilla extract
-5 cups sifted confectioners’ sugar

Directions
-Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
-Grease and lightly flour three muffin tins. Place cupcake papers in the tins.
-To make the cake: In a small bowl, sift the cake flour and set aside. In a large bowl, on the medium speed of an electric mixer, cream the butter and sugar until very light and fluffy, about 5 minutes. Add the eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition.
-In a small bowl, whisk together the red food colouring, cocoa, and vanilla. Add to the batter and beat well.
-In a measuring cup, stir the salt into the buttermilk. Add to the batter in three parts, alternating with the flour. With each addition, beat until the ingredients are incorporated, but do not overheat.
-In a small bowl, stir together the cider vinegar and baking soda. Add to the batter and mix well. -Using a rubber spatula, scrape down the batter in the bowl, making sure the ingredients are well blended and the batter is smooth.
-Divide the batter among the prepared pans. Bake each tray for 20 minutes, or until a cake tester inserted in the centre of the cake comes out clean. Let the cupcakes cool in the pans for 1 hour. Remove from the pans and cool completely on a wire rack.

Frosting:

-In a large bowl, on the medium speed of an electric mixer, beat the cream cheese and butter until smooth, about 3 minutes.
-Add the vanilla and beat well.
-Gradually add the sugar, 1 cup at a time, beating continuously until smooth and creamy.
-Cover and refrigerate icing for 2 to 3 hours, but no longer, to thicken before using.
-When the cake has cooled, spread the frosting liberally on the cupcakes.
-Makes 36 cupcakes.