Cupcake'zine

Interview with Krystina Castella

2009-05-17T15:06:00.000-07:00

	I am very fortunate to have had the opportunity to interview Krystina Castella, the author of Crazy About Cupcakes, which features nearly 300 cupcake varieties to choose from, with bonus chart- and template-filled chapter focusing on flavor combinations and design elements. She also shares some of her great cupcake ideas (such as the fabulous Tiki cupcakes below) on her website: crazyaboutcupcakes.com.
Buy this book on Amazon

(photo used with permission from Krystina Castella)
	About Krystina Castella Krystina is an industrial designer who designs environments, furniture, clothing, stationery, house wares, toys and cupcakes. She is a professor at Art Center College of Design in Pasadena California. Visit her website: crazyaboutcupcakes.com (photo used with permission from Krystina Castella)
CZ: What makes you "crazy about cupcakes"? KC: I particularly love the creative opportunities that cupcakes provide because they are quick and I can make a batch of 24 and make each one different. Cupcakes are friendly! Cupcakes are stylish! Cupcakes are nostalgic! Finally, cupcakes are portable! CZ: Where do you get your inspirations from? KC: Everywhere. Fine art, illustration, sculpture, ingredients, fashion and cultural trends. I collect all of the materials ingredients and images and lay them all out on the table and start designing. I then test them out by baking several ingredients combinations CZ: Of the hundreds of cupcake varieties in your book, which are your personal favorites? KC: For taste-everything with chocolate because I love chocolate. For decorating I love all of tiered cupcakes made with the stacking method I created. I use stacking of cupcakes to create unique flavors like the mini tea party cupcakes and the wedding cakes. CZ: Who taught you how to bake or are you self-taught? KC: Every Sunday I baked with my grandmother and I baked on my own all of the time form when I was about 5 or 6. I am educated as an industrial designer and am a professor in the field. So how does an industrial designer like me get into writing cookbooks? I have always loved playing with materials. I usually start designing products with a box of materials instead of a sketchpad and paper. I built an industrial design company that launched and internationally distributed more than seventy-five new products including furniture, toys, clothing, stationery, house wares and soft goods. Once I learn about manufacturing in one material I move on to learn about the next. I approach cooking and baking and develop new recipes and design food in the same way. CZ: When experimenting with different flavors and creating different recipes, have you ever experienced any disastrous result that you’d like to warn us about? KC: Not really CZ: What’s your non-cupcake favorite dessert? KC: Popsicles- You can check out my other book on icypops.com to see what I do with them. With Pops! Icy treats for everyone I wanted to upscale another kids’ food for adults to enjoy. My obsession with pops goes way back to when I was a kid but it also perfectly meshes my experience as an industrial designer and knowledge of food and mold making to create fun and tasty pops. The transparency and texture of ice is also a fantastic material to experiment with. I consider two features when making pops: the recipe and the shape. Sometimes I think healthy, others fancy and indulgent. Many of my pops are inspired by flavors, forms, patterns and rituals from around the globe. CZ: If you could invite any 5 people in the world to your private cupcake party, who would you invite? KC: My idea of a private cupcake party is not with five people but 1 my husband Brian Boyl. We are avid backpackers and nature people. We spend 10 weeks a year off the grid in the woods and if we could figure out how to bring cupcakes for the long journeys that would be ideal. We have only been able to pack a couple that last a day or two. CZ: What are you working on next? KC: I am playing around with cookies and cakes. I have a couple of books that I have been working on since Pops coming out in 2010. Thank you, Krystina!

Interview with Just Cupcakes!

2009-05-15T08:55:00.000-07:00

I recently had the honor of interviewing Juli Stertern-Gill, the owner of Just Cupcakes!, the creator of couture cupcakes based in Melbourne, Victoria. Her creative artworks are so adorable and have been featured in the Target Australia Catalogue and Country Life Magazine. You can also see more of her beautiful creations on her Flickr photo stream.

Just Cupcakes! in Target Australia Stores Catalogue

(photos used with permission from Just Cupcakes!)

CZ: Who taught you how to bake?

JC: I learned the basics thoroughly in High School and the rest by trial and error. Mum wasn't that great a cook (sorry Mum!), so my learning both to cook and bake was almost a necessity! As a voracious reader, especially of baking books, I would strike on an idea from a recipe and tweak it - sometimes baking it dozens of times, until I had it just as I wanted it.

CZ: How popular are cupcakes in Melbourne?

JC: Cupcakes are not as popular here as they are in New York - or any of the major US cities, but they do have their admirers! There are not too many cupcake-only retail bakeries in Melbourne, but there are enough that you can get a good idea of what our "cupcake-ology" is all about.

CZ: How and when did you become passionate about cupcakes?

JC: I have been baking all my life, for family and friends, and for friends of friends. I would get requests for special occasions, and to cater birthdays, teas and bbqs, and the requests always seemed to have a baking focus! Over time, it became far easier to pre-portion what I was baking - everything was baked in bite sizes, from cookies and tarts to cakes. Over the past 3- 5 years, my focus narrowed and cupcakes are where my energies seemed best focused - and certainly most appreciated!

CZ: Why do think cupcakes have gained such popularity these days?

JC: Cupcakes really are the perfect food - in fact, they could be a food group all on their own! They're single-serve, hand-held, cost-controlled, and best of all, they take us back to our childhood, before we had bills and kids and mortgages. Sitting down to a cupcake and a cup of tea or coffee is a perfect indulgence - and who doesn't smile when they see a cupcake that is waiting patiently for them to eat it?

CZ: How long has Just Cupcakes been around?

JC: Just Cupcakes! is about to enter its third official year of trading, and we are looking forward to many more years of cupcake creativity!

CZ: What is your most and least favorite part about running Just Cupcakes?

JC: My absolute favorite thing is hearing my customers tell me that my cakes look too good to eat. That means that I have done my job as I see it - take the cupcake and make it extraordinary. I also love the decorating part - from making the flowers (I try to make all my decorations wherever possible) to assembling the final designs. People wonder where I get the patience from, but to me, what I do doesn't require patience - I love doing it too much!

My least favorite part is turning customers away. There are weeks in the year where there will be a run on a certain date. Three weeks ago for instance, I had 5 enquiries in 2 days for one particular day in November... I ended up having to turn 4 of those clients away.

CZ: Why did you decide to focus on just cupcakes, mini cakes, and small cakes as opposed to other kinds of desserts?

JC: I get the most enjoyment from these, and, from a purely business perspective, there are a lot of other folk out there doing those other deserts, so it doesn't make sense to start your business in the middle of an already crowded market. Go to any market, gourmet food store or even cafe, and you will be spoilt for choice on chocolates, pies, tarts, desert sauces etc. That being said, I do have an ancillary range of products that I release at Christmas, as I have had a lot of requests from customers for other goodies, and who am I to refuse what my customers want? It's a small range; toffee-chip cookie bites, decorated sugar cookies, one-bite brownies, butter shortbread nuggets, chocolate pots and pecan tassies. All small, single-serve indulgences, that carry on the theme, but are not everyday product offerings, to keep them special.

CZ: What makes your cupcakes unique?

JC: It's not so much my cupcakes that are unique, it's my entire business approach. Instead of offering a set range of flavours and frostings, I like to "reverse-engineer" the entire process, and start with the important features of my client's event. A recurring theme, a colour scheme, a particular flower or icon like a butterfly, that is integral to their event. Building on those most important things, working with the client, I come up with a design that integrates everything so that their cupcakes are a perfect reflection of the day, rather than being one item that appears within it. Every item of the finished cupcake is custom, from the cake, to the case, to the frosting flavour and type, colours and styles of decoration - nothing is left unconsidered and everything is what best suits the customer's needs.

CZ: What flavors do you offer and which is the most popular?

JC: The only cake I will not bake as a cupcake is my traditional Bourbon fruitcake. Apart from that, your request is my command! I have about 10 recurring flavours, from Mango Royale to White Chocolate and Raspberry, Lemon Supreme to Classic Carrot, but far and away my most popular flavours are Chocolate Fudge, which sits comfortably half-way between a mudcake and a chocolate cake, and my Vanilla Bean. These two flavours are requested for 9 out of 10 bookings.

CZ: Do you do custom cupcake design and how far in advance should people book you for events?

JC: All my cupcakes start their life as custom designs. When I consult with a client, I take along an inspiration album for those times that they just can't picture what can be done with a cupcake... and sometimes they will see a photo and say "That's it! That's what I want!", so I do get design repeats... but whenever possible I like to be original. Bookings are crazy. I am currently holding deposits for 2010, and the end of this year is going quickly. There are peak wedding seasons in Melbourne, and there is some fierce competition for the most popular periods, so I like to advise that once you have settled on a reception centre, start thinking about your cake. In the "off" season, generally a few weeks is standard. I like to keep it that far out as it gives me the best amount of time possible for making decorations and having them thoroughly dry in time. I have been known to sneak in a couple of last minute bookings though!

CZ: What would you say is your signature cupcake or style?

JC: When I first started out, there was quite an emphasis in my mind of having to have a "signature" look, and I pursued swirls and twirls until I went around the bend with it all! And then I discovered my own niche - fondant, in both rolled and poured styles, which no-one else appeared to be doing in Melbourne. It took a l-o-n-g time to get my head around elevating the cupcake from easy, breezy casual-chic butter cream to the high-style, couture chic possible with fondant-based decoration, but I am really happy to have developed the style I have.

(photos used with permission from Just Cupcakes!)

CZ: According to you, what makes a perfect cupcake?

JC: It absolutely must taste as good as it looks. That is paramount. I have eaten so many pretty cupcakes that are dry, stale, shriveled and shrunken, all in the name of research! Sure, these cakes looked amazing, but that all went to waste as soon as I tasted them. And a great cupcake shouldn't have too much frosting. My preference is for a ratio of about 3:1 in cake to frosting. Too much more frosting than that, and all you taste is sugar, which is not good! The flavour of the cake also has to be solid - it can't get "lost" under the frosting.

CZ: Where do you get your recipes from?

JC: Well, I read recipe books regularly, some of them over and over again, until a flavour combination or recipe just "clicks". I'll bake it as per the published recipe to see how it works on a few levels - method (there is no point having a great cupcake that is just too difficult, tricky or messy to bake), appearance (I personally like a little dome on my cakes, and will instantly fail a cake that bakes flat or shrinks back on cooling, or, heaven forbid, separates from the case), texture, and finally, taste.

I'll then tweak it a bit in terms of method, or ingredients, if the taste is superb, in order to get it to a point that works for me. This may involve months of fiddling until it's just right, but at the end of that time, I know that this is my work, and that the recipe will work every time I bake it.

Sometimes though, like in the case of my favourite cake, brown sugar spice cake, a flavour combination comes about from an existing recipe. Once you get a fantastic base recipe, you can customize it in many ways to get all sorts of flavour changes, by substituting one ingredient for another, and adding flavour boosters, like spices.

CZ: How often do you eat cupcakes and what is your favorite kind?

JC: I try a piece of cake from every batch I bake, to check for flavour and texture, so some weeks I may get cupcake every day, some weeks just weekends. I don't eat a whole one though - just a taste, which is about a 12th of an undecorated cupcake. I would hate to get cupcaked out!

My own favourite kind of cake is a genoise base ( a fortified sponge cake, made with melted butter), made with muscovado sugar for flavour "oomph" and a good sprinkle of warm spices like cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger and allspice.

CZ: What’s the best thing about eating cupcakes?

JC: Cupcakes make everyone happy. It doesn't matter how old or young you are, they are happiness generators - and what is not to love about that? If you take too big a bite, and get frosting on the end of your nose, you giggle, wipe it off with a serviette, and go back in for another bite, because cupcakes are too great to eat to be worrying about anything else but the enjoyment of eating them. How many other foods make you giggle when you get them all over yourself?

CZ: Out of the many cupcakes you’ve designed, which are your favorites?

JC: There are so many, and they change every week! I love the classic elegance of my white dogwood wedding cupcakes, but I also love my whimsically-styled cakes with ruffled blossoms and butterflies. And I’m also really loving the Chinese New Year cupcakes I got to do this year, red on red with gold accents… it’s too much like having to choose your favourite child! Too hard, too hard!!

(photos used with permission from Just Cupcakes!)

CZ: You mentioned in your website that you use the freshest ingredients and even make your own vanilla bean syrup. Can you elaborate on that a little bit?

JC: I don't like to buy ingredients in huge quantities at a time, even though there is money to be saved by doing so. Because I batch-bake, rather than process bake, for example if I buy a 15 kilo bag of chocolate, and then don't have any orders for chocolate cupcakes for 3 months, that chocolate is going to be stale, and will not be up to standard, and will not produce a cake that I would be happy to eat, let alone sell.

I made the decision very early on to only buy the best ingredients that I could, and for them to be as fresh as possible - which means buying as close as possible to when I bake. Yes, it costs more, but I believe that the proof is in the cupcake. Would you prefer to eat a cupcake made with eggs 2 days inside their "best before date" - or eggs that are 2 days old?

Making my own vanilla bean syrup simply follows that rule. I know exactly what is, and more importantly, what isn't, in my syrup. I don't mash up the vanilla pods into a mush and then filter alcohol and distilled water through it the way that commercial brands do. I split the beans, and then allow them to steep in my syrup base. I go through about 3 litres of my vanilla syrup a year, so I am constantly putting up new batches! The finished product is dark, like molasses, thick, and heavy with suspended vanilla beans. It also smells totally amazing! The freshness and quality of the ingredients I use is reflected in the finished product. I don't use stale ingredients in my own baking, so there is no way I will use them in a product that I expect others to pay money for.

CZ: If you could invite any 5 people in the world to your private cupcake party, who would you invite?

JC: First up, my husband. He supports everything I do, and to not have him there wouldn't be natural! Next up would be my Dad. I would love for him to see what I have done. (I think he would be proud). The final three seats would go to (in no particular order) Humphrey Bogart (straight from the set of Key Largo), Kirk Douglas (still in his riding gear from The Man From Snowy River) and Audrey Hepburn (at any age, this lady is 100% class). Imagine the stories they could tell while giggling and wiping frosting from the ends of their noses...

CZ: Who do you look up to within the industry and why?

JC: Definitely Kylie Lambert, of Le Cupcake, in Sydney. What this woman can do with a humble cupcake keeps me on my toes every day! Kylie has also been a much-appreciated supporter of my work, and we have a great mutual-admiration society going on!

The uber talented Peggy Porschen - to spend even a day in her kitchen would be priceless.

Allysa Torey and Jennifer Appel - the two women who started it all with Magnolia Bakery in Bleeker St, NYC. Even though they have parted ways both with each other, and with Magnolia, their heritage and influence lives on.

Martha Stewart - this is a woman who has it all worked out. One day, I hope to be able to work it out a la Martha!

Delia Smith and Julia Childs, who between them re-educated the world that proper old-school, step by step baking is far better than just chucking stuff together from a box mix.

CZ: What’s next for Just Cupcakes?

JC: Head down and bum up, as my Dad used to say! This year is all about building my business; working on it as well as in it, and continuing to feel very blessed that I am able to get out of bed every day and be exquisitely happy doing what I do. I have a few irons in the fire; there have been some approaches for workshops that I am considering - it's a bit up in the air, but we are working on things, and we'll see what happens in the next couple of months. All in all, the next 12 months are shaping up very well indeed! (Which I am very grateful for!)

CZ: Do you have any tips or advice that you would like to share with our readers?

JC: When I first started out, it was really hard to get a read on what my friends and family thought of my plans, as they were too busy laughing! So I doubted myself a lot. Don't do that. Keep your focus, keep true to your dreams and plans, and keep plugging away. Even if baking cupcakes is only something you do for friends or workmates, keep at it, keep practicing, keep dreaming and most important of all, keep baking! (That, and get yourself an oven thermometer and digital timer - you will wonder how you ever managed without them!)

Just Cupcakes! in Country Life Magazine Dec 2008 Edition

(photos used with permission from Just Cupcakes!)

Thank you, Juli!

Baby Shower Cupcakes

2009-04-22T15:07:00.001-07:00

A baby shower is a celebration of cuteness! Throw in these cute little things into the menu and you are sure to make everyone go ooh and aww...

Cute and Contented Cupcakes	Baby Booties Cupcakes
(from Wilton)	(from Wilton)

Rattle Cupcakes	Blooming Bright Cupcake
(from Wilton)	(from Wilton)

Flower Cupcakes	Noah's Ark Cupcakes
(from Martha Stewart)	(from Martha Stewart)

Sweet Tweets Cupcakes	Butterfly Cupcakes
(from FamilyFun)	(from FamilyFun)

Baby Rattle Cupcakes	Flower Cupcakes
(from Betty Crocker's )	(from Betty Crocker's )

Baby Booties Cupcakes	Chirping Chick Cupcake
(from Betty Crocker's )	(from Betty Crocker's )

Butterfly Cupcakes	Little Peeper Cupcakes
(from Wilton)	(from Wilton)

Party Bug Cupcakes	Quick Chick Cupcakes
(from Wilton)	(from Wilton)

Animal Cupcakes

2009-04-22T14:20:00.001-07:00

These animal cupcakes are perfect for pet lovers, for animals-themed birthday party, or for any day when you crave for a cute face to eat, :D See Halloween cupcakes and Spring cupcakes for more bug/animal cupcakes

Cupcake Critters	Bee Happy Cupcakes
(from Wilton)	(from Wilton)

Bear Cupcakes	Piggy Cupcake
(from Wilton)	(from Wilton)

Monkey Cupcakes	Lion and Lamb Cupcakes
(from Martha Stewart)	(from Martha Stewart)

Lion and Lamb Cupcakes	Butterfly Cupcakes
(from FamilyFun)	(from FamilyFun)

Cupcake Pet Parade	Bug Cupcakes
(from Betty Crocker's )	(from Betty Crocker's )

Teddy Bear Cupcakes	Beary Fun Cupcake Cones
(from Betty Crocker's )	(from Betty Crocker's )

Frisky Feline Cupcakes	Monkey Cupcakes
(from Wilton)	(from Wilton)

Butterfly Cupcakes	Pupcakes
(from Wilton)	(from Wilton)

Party Bug Cupcakes	Quick Chick Cupcakes
(from Wilton)	(from Wilton)

Little Peeper Cupcakes	Fish Cupcakes
(from Wilton)	(from Wilton)

Cupcakes By Themes

2009-04-22T08:40:00.001-07:00

Need some cupcakes inspirations? Browse cupcake ideas easily by choosing from the themes below:

	ANIMALS CUPCAKES
	ANY OCCASSION CUPCAKES
	BABY SHOWER CUPCAKES
	BACK TO SCHOOL CUPCAKES
	BIRTHDAY CUPCAKES
	CHRISTMAS CUPCAKES
	EASTER CUPCAKES
	FALL CUPCAKES
	FOURTH OF JULY CUPCAKES
	HALLOWEEN CUPCAKES
	SPRING CUPCAKES
	ST. PATRICK'S DAY CUPCAKES
	SUMMER CUPCAKES
	THANKSGIVING CUPCAKES
	VALENTINE'S DAY CUPCAKES
	WINTER CUPCAKES

Gorgeous Spring Cupcakes by Hello Naomi

2009-04-20T17:40:00.000-07:00

How cute are these Enchanted Garden cupcakes created by Hello Naomi, a cupcake artist from Australia? Hello Naomi has been very good at posting her artistic creations on her Flickr account, and has been a true inspiration for many cupcake lovers around the world.



More beautiful Spring Cupcakes by Hello Naomi:



Wait... there's more...

Pretty Flower Cupcakes	Flower Cupcakes

Cute Flower Cupcakes	Alice In Wonderland Cupcakes

Pink Orange Bee Cupcakes	Rainbow and Cloud Cupcakes

Caterpillar Cupcakes	Chick Cupcakes

... and the cuteness never ends...

Creative Spring Cupcakes from Wilton's

2009-04-20T10:25:00.001-07:00

Welcome Spring with these adorable Spring cupcakes courtesy of Wilton's. Find the decorating instructions and more Spring cupcakes ideas at here at wilton.com

Little Peeper Cupcakes	A Blooming Treat Cupcake

Quick Chick Cupcake	Bonnet Season Cupcakes

Flower Flyer Cupcakes	Falling Into Spring Cupcakes

Sweet Tooth Bunny Cupcakes	Bee Happy Cupcakes

Basket Inspectors Cupcakes	Caterpillar Cupcakes

Martha Stewart's Fabulous Spring Cupcakes

2009-04-20T07:56:00.001-07:00

From Easter to Spring treats, check out these fabulous, delectable cupcakes from Martha Stewart::

Spring Cupcakes with Sugared Flowers	Flower Cupcakes

Rich Chocolate Cake with Ganache Frosting and Truffle Egg Nest	Spring Chick Cupcakes

Chrisanthemum Cupcake	Nesting Baby-Bluebird Cupcake

Polka Dot Cupcakes	Bug Cupcakes

Hummingbird Cupcake	ButterflyCupcakes

Lollipop Cupcakes	Strawberry Cupcakes

Maypole Cupcakes	Vanilla Letter Cupcakes

Toadstool Cupcakes	St. Patrick's Day Cupcakes

Spring Cupcakes Ideas from Betty Crocker's

2009-04-20T07:27:00.000-07:00

Nothing says Spring like these adorable cupcakes by Betty Crocker's.

Mr. Sun Cupcake	Spring Polka Dot Cupcakes

Bug Cupcake	Spring Cupcake Basket

Bunny Cupcakes	Chirping Chick Cupcake

Lemon Creme Cupcakes	Strawberry and Creme Cupcakes

Pillsbury Spring Cupcakes

2009-04-20T07:15:00.001-07:00

How cute are these? Pillsbury used assorted candy pieces from gummy candy rings, gum drops, gummy worms, jelly beans, and more to create these lovely desserts for Spring. Find the cupcake recipe and decorating details here at Pillsburybaking.com

Spring Cupcakes Ideas from FamilyFun

2009-04-20T07:10:00.001-07:00

The FamilyFun website has some great ideas for Spring cupcakes, from easter bunnies to flower power. Check these out:

Flower Bouquet in a Cone	Easter Bunny Cupcakes

Kite Cupcake	Flower Power Cupcake

Sweet Tweets	Flower Basket Cupcake

Rose Basket Cupcake	St Patrick's Day Rainbow Cupcake

Easter Cupcakes

2009-03-05T07:40:00.000-08:00

Cupcake decorating is another fun way to celebrate Easter. Try these delicious and great-looking sweet treats that evey child and adult will enjoy!

Chick Cupcakes	Spring Cupcakes
(from Hello Naomi)	(from Hello Naomi)

Easter Bunny Cupcakes	Flower Basket Cupcake
(from FamilyFun)	(from FamilyFun)

Spring Cupcake Basket	Bunny Cupcakes
(from Betty Crocker's )	(from Betty Crocker's )

Rich Chocolate Cake with Ganache Frosting and Truffle Egg Nest	Spring Chick Cupcakes
(from Martha Stewart)	(from Martha Stewart)

Lollipop Cupcakes	Nesting Baby-Bluebird Cupcake
(from Martha Stewart)	(from Martha Stewart)

Quick Chick Cupcake	Bonnet Season Cupcakes
(from Wilton)	(from Wilton)

Flower Flyer Cupcakes	Falling Into Spring Cupcakes
(from Wilton)	(from Wilton)

Basket Inspectors Cupcakes	Sweet Tooth Bunny Cupcakes
(from Wilton)	(from Wilton)

Little Peeper Cupcakes	A Blooming Treat Cupcake
(from Wilton)	(from Wilton)

Spring Cupcakes	Sweet Tweets Cupcakes
(from Pillsbury)	(from FamilyFun)

St. Patrick's Day Cupcakes

2009-03-01T06:30:00.000-08:00

Share the luck of the Irish with these adorable St. Patrick's Day cupcakes.

St. Patrick's Day Cupcakes	St Patrick's Day Rainbow Cupcake
(from Martha Stewart)	(from FamilyFun)

A Piece of the Rock Cupcakes	Shamrock Cupcakes
(from Wilton)	(from Wilton)

St. Patrick's Day Cupcakes
(from bonappetit)

Betty Crocker's Valentine's Day Cupcakes Ideas

2009-02-01T11:28:00.000-08:00

Romantic Valentine's Day treats to show the ones you love how much you care. Courtesy of Betty Crocker's.

Chocolate Cupcakes with White Truffle Frosting	From The Heart Cupcakes

Heart Brownie Cupcakes	Strawberry and Creme Cupcakes

Valentine's Day Cupcakes

2009-02-01T08:14:00.000-08:00

These almost-too-pretty-to-eat cupcakes are perfect for celebrating Valentine's day or just showing someone how much you love them on any day.

X's and O's Cupcakes	Mini Heart Shaped Cake
(from Martha Stewart)	(from Martha Stewart)

Sprinkles Strawberry Cupcakes	Cupcakes with Cream Cheese Frosting
(from Martha Stewart)	(from Martha Stewart)

I Choo-Choose You Cupcakes	Cupid Cupcakes
(from FamilyFun)	(from FamilyFun)

Chocolate Cupcakes with White Truffle Frosting	From The Heart Cupcakes
(from Betty Crocker's )	(from Betty Crocker's )

Heart Brownie Cupcakes	Strawberry and Creme Cupcakes
(from Betty Crocker's )	(from Betty Crocker's )

A Single Rose Cupcakes	Going Buggy Over You Cupcake
(from Wilton)	(from Wilton)

Compact Carriage Cupcakes	Treats That Talk Cupcakes
(from Wilton)	(from Wilton)

Sparkling Romance Cupcakes	Heart Joy Cupcakes
(from Wilton)	(from Wilton)

An Arrow For Your Beau Cupcakes	Heartbeat Treats Cupcakes
(from Wilton)	(from Wilton)

A Budding Romance Cupcakes	Bearing His Soul Cupcakes
(from Wilton)	(from Wilton)

Valentine's Day Cupcake Ideas from Wilton

2009-02-01T08:09:00.000-08:00

Capture the hearts of the ones you love with these irresistably sweet treats. Find the complete decorating instructions and more cupcake ideas here at wilton.com

A Single Rose Cupcakes	Going Buggy Over You Cupcake

Compact Carriage Cupcakes	Treats That Talk Cupcakes

Sparkling Romance Cupcakes	Heart Joy Cupcakes

An Arrow For Your Beau Cupcakes	Heartbeat Treats Cupcakes

A Budding Romance Cupcakes	Bearing His Soul Cupcakes

Unique Cupcakes by Hello Naomi

2009-01-21T07:13:00.000-08:00

These unique characters-themed and games-themed-cupcakes are created by Hello Naomi, an extremely talented cupcake artist from Australia. Very cool and clever!

Super Mario Cupcakes	Thomas the Tank Engine Cupcakes

Pacman Cupcakes	Lego Cupcakes

Robot Cupcakes	Love Hina Anime Cupcakes

Winter Cupcakes

2008-12-20T07:50:00.001-08:00

These beautiful cupcakes are sure to bring warm smiles even on the coldest winter day. (Also check out these too-cute Christmas cupcakes and these too-pretty-too-eat Valentine's Day cupcakes)

Polar Bear Cupcakes	Groundhog Day Cupcakes
(from FamilyFun)	(from FamilyFun)

Ornament Cupcakes	Snowman Cupcakes
(from FamilyFun)	(from FamilyFun)

Snowman Cupcakes	Reindeer Cupcakes
(from Betty Crocker's )	(from Betty Crocker's )

Christmas Tree Cupcakes	Snowball Cupcakes
(from Martha Stewart)	(from Martha Stewart)

Holly Cupcakes	Snowman Cupcakes
(from Martha Stewart)	(from Martha Stewart)

Gingerbread Cupcakes	Cupcakes with Cream Cheese Frosting
(from Martha Stewart)	(from Martha Stewart)

Rudolph Cupcakes	Santa Claus Cupcakes
(from FamilyFun)	(from FamilyFun)

Best Dressed Snowman Cupcakes	Big Bright Bow! Cupcake
(from Wilton)	(from Wilton)

Elegant Ornament Cupcakes	Smile From Santa Cupcakes
(from Wilton)	(from Wilton)

Star of The Sleigh! Cupcakes	Claus for Celebration! Cupcakes
(from Wilton)	(from Wilton)

Cupcake Kid	Holiday Tree Cupcakes
(from Wilton)	(from Wilton)

Grinning Gingerbread Cupcakes	A Warm Smile Cupcakes
(from Wilton)	(from Wilton)

Christmas Cupcakes

2008-12-20T07:34:00.000-08:00

Lift up the holiday spirits with these too-cute Christmas cupcakes, from happy snowmen and reindeers, Santa smiles, to Christmas ornaments and holiday bows.

Ornament Cupcakes	Snowman Cupcakes
(from FamilyFun)	(from FamilyFun)

Snowman Cupcakes	Reindeer Cupcakes
(from Betty Crocker's )	(from Betty Crocker's )

Christmas Tree Cupcakes	Snowball Cupcakes
(from Martha Stewart)	(from Martha Stewart)

Holly Cupcakes	Snowman Cupcakes
(from Martha Stewart)	(from Martha Stewart)

Gingerbread Cupcakes
(from Martha Stewart)

Rudolph Cupcakes	Santa Claus Cupcakes
(from FamilyFun)	(from FamilyFun)

Best Dressed Snowman Cupcakes	Big Bright Bow! Cupcake
(from Wilton)	(from Wilton)

Elegant Ornament Cupcakes	Smile From Santa Cupcakes
(from Wilton)	(from Wilton)

Star of The Sleigh! Cupcakes	Claus for Celebration! Cupcakes
(from Wilton)	(from Wilton)

Cupcake Kid	Holiday Tree Cupcakes
(from Wilton)	(from Wilton)

Grinning Gingerbread Cupcakes	A Warm Smile Cupcakes
(from Wilton)	(from Wilton)

Winter Cupcakes Ideas from Betty Crocker's

2008-12-02T11:27:00.000-08:00

Winter cupcakes ideas from Christmas treats to Valentine's Day sweets. Courtesy of Betty Crocker's.

Snowman Cupcakes	Reindeer Cupcakes

Chocolate Cupcakes with White Truffle Frosting	From The Heart Cupcakes

Heart Brownie Cupcakes	Strawberry and Creme Cupcakes

Winter Cupcakes by Martha Stewart

2008-12-02T11:05:00.000-08:00

Create these delectable desserts that will warm your hearts during the Winter season. Martha Stewart shows you how.

Christmas Tree Cupcakes	Snowman Cupcakes

Gingerbread Cupcakes	Holly Cupcakes

X's and O's Cupcakes	Snowball Cupcakes

Mini Heart Shaped Cake	Brownie Heart Cupcakes

Cupcakes with Cream Cheese Frosting	Sprinkles Strawberry Cupcakes

Winter Cupcake Ideas from FamilyFun

2008-12-02T08:10:00.000-08:00

Invite some warm smiles with these winterrific cupcake ideas from the FamilyFun website.

I Choo-Choose You Cupcakes	Polar Bear Cupcakes

Santa Claus Cupcakes	Ornament Cupcakes

Rudolph Cupcakes	Snowman Cupcakes

Cupid Cupcakes	Groundhog Day Cupcakes

Wilton's Winter Cupcakes

2008-12-01T10:48:00.000-08:00

From cute snowmen to holiday bows, Wilton has some creative cupcake decorating ideas to bring some holiday smiles. Find the decorating instructions and more winter cupcake ideas here at wilton.com

Best Dressed Snowman Cupcakes	Big Bright Bow! Cupcake

Elegant Ornament Cupcakes	Smile From Santa Cupcakes

Star of The Sleigh! Cupcakes	Claus for Celebration! Cupcakes

Cupcake Kid	Holiday Tree Cupcakes

Grinning Gingerbread Cupcakes	A Warm Smile Cupcakes

Thanksgiving Cupcakes

2008-11-11T06:49:00.000-08:00

Looking for a dessert idea for your Thanksgiving dinner? Try these fabulously delicious sweet treats, from adorable turkey cupcakes to a mini dinner on a cupcake!

Turkey Cupcakes	Tepee Cupcake
(from FamilyFun)	(from FamilyFun)

Turkey Cupcakes	Tiny Turkey Dinner Cupcake
(from FamilyFun)	(from FamilyFun)

Turkey Cupcakes	Pumpkin Patch Cupcakes
(from Martha Stewart)	(from Martha Stewart)

Turkey Cupcakes	Spiced Pumpkin Cupcakes
(from Betty Crocker's )	(from Betty Crocker's )

Halloween Cupcakes

2008-10-20T06:21:00.000-07:00

Even the most wicked day of the year deserves a sweet ending. Decorating cupcakes can be a fun activity for Halloween and they make a devilishly delicious dessert for everyone.

Silly Spider Cupcakes	Scary Snare Cupcakes
(from Wilton)	(from Wilton)

Witch Cupcakes	Such A Sweet Face Cupcakes
(from Wilton)	(from Wilton)

Tombstone Cupcakes	Ghost Cupcakes
(from Martha Stewart)	(from Martha Stewart)

Creepcake Cupcakes	Wicked Witch Cupcakes
(from Martha Stewart)	(from Martha Stewart)

Hairy Daddy LongLegs Cupcakes	Ghost and Spider Cupcakes
(from FamilyFun)	(from FamilyFun)

Skeletons Cupcakes	Skull Cupcakes
(from FamilyFun)	(from FamilyFun)

Scary Spiderweb Cupcakes	Creepy Crawlers Cupcakes
(from Betty Crocker's)	(from Betty Crocker's)

Spooky Kooky Cupcakes	Witch Cupcakes
(from Betty Crocker's)	(from Betty Crocker's)

Scarecrow and Spider Cupcakes	Spooky Banana Fudge Cupcakes
(from Betty Crocker's)	(from Betty Crocker's)

Yummy Mummy Cupcakes	The Eyes Have It! Cupcake
(from Wilton)	(from Wilton)

Ghostly Graveyard Greetings Cupcakes	Smirking Spider Cupcakes
(from Wilton)	(from Wilton)

Jack of Many Trades Cupcakes	Webbed Feat Cupcakes
(from Wilton)	(from Wilton)

Creepy Crawly Cupcake	Sweet Monster Cupcakes
(from FamilyFun)	(from FamilyFun)

Pumpkin Patch Cupcakes	Brain Cupcakes
(from Martha Stewart)	(from Martha Stewart)

Martha Stewart's Spooky Treats

2008-10-10T06:27:00.000-07:00

Don't these spooky Halloween treats by Martha Stewart look wickedly delicious?

Tombstone Cupcakes	Ghost Cupcakes

Creepcake Cupcakes	Wicked Witch Cupcakes

Pumpkin Patch Cupcakes	Brain Cupcakes

Fall Cupcakes Ideas from Betty Crocker's

2008-10-01T11:39:00.000-07:00

Celebrate Fall with these cute cupcakes ideas from Betty Crocker's.

Turkey Cupcakes	Spiced Pumpkin Cupcakes

Scary Spiderweb Cupcakes	Creepy Crawlers Cupcakes

Spooky Kooky Cupcakes	Witch Cupcakes

Scarecrow and Spider Cupcakes	Spooky Banana Fudge Cupcakes

Freakishly Cute Ideas from FamilyFun

2008-10-01T07:53:00.000-07:00

Make the little trick-or-treaters smile with these fabulous Halloween cupcake ideas from the FamilyFun website.

Hairy Daddy LongLegs Cupcakes	Ghost and Spider Cupcakes

Skeletons Cupcakes	Skull Cupcakes

Creepy Crawly Cupcake	Sweet Monster Cupcakes

Halloween Cupcakes Ideas from Wilton

2008-10-01T07:31:00.000-07:00

From creepy creatures to ghoulish looking characters, these Halloween cupcake ideas from Wilton are sure to make trick-or-treating a lot funner! Find the decorating instructions and more halloween cupcake ideas here at wilton.com

Yummy Mummy Cupcakes	The Eyes Have It! Cupcake

Ghostly Graveyard Greetings Cupcakes	Smirking Spider Cupcakes

Silly Spider Cupcakes	Scary Snare Cupcakes

Jack of Many Trades Cupcakes	Webbed Feat Cupcakes

Witch Cupcakes	Such A Sweet Face Cupcakes

Fall Cupcakes

2008-09-25T07:15:00.000-07:00

Celebrate Autumn with these pretty desserts, from apple cupcakes to beautiful Autumn leaves. Also check out these back-to-school cupcakes, Halloween cupcakes, and Thanksgiving cupcakes ideas.

Apple Cupcakes	Apple Cupcakes
(from Martha Stewart)	(from Martha Stewart)

Football Cupcakes	First Down Cupcakes
(from FamilyFun)	(from Wilton)

Apple Cupcakes	Chocolate Mint Leaves Cupcakes
(from Martha Stewart)	(from Martha Stewart)

Welcome Fall Cupcakes by FamilyFun

2008-09-20T07:34:00.000-07:00

From back-to-school, to game day, to Thanksgiving, the FamilyFun website has some great cupcake decorating ideas to welcome Autumn.

Football Cupcakes	Mini Book Cupcakes

Schoolbus Cupcakes	Turkey Cupcakes

Turkey Cupcakes	Tepee Cupcake

Tiny Turkey Dinner Cupcake	Blackboard Cupcakes

Martha Stewart's Taste of Autumn

2008-09-20T06:49:00.000-07:00

These lovely, seasonal desserts from autumn leaves, apple harvest, to Thanksgiving turkey cupcakes are perfect for a fall get together. Courtesy of Martha Stewart

Apple Cupcakes	Turkey Cupcakes

Apple Cupcakes	Chocolate Mint Leaves Cupcakes

Pumpkin Patch Cupcakes	Apple Cupcakes

Summer Cupcakes

2008-08-08T11:11:00.000-07:00

Have fun this summer with these colorful cupcakes! They are almost as much fun to make as they are to eat.

Flower Power Cupcakes	Goin' Fishin' Cupcakes
(from Betty Crocker's )	(from Betty Crocker's )

Ball Game Cupcakes	Beary Fun Cupcake Cones
(from Betty Crocker's )	(from Betty Crocker's )

Mr. Sun Cupcake	Surprise Cupcake Cones
(from Betty Crocker's )	(from Betty Crocker's )

Corn On The Cob Cupcakes	Rose Cupcakes
(from FamilyFun)	(from FamilyFun)

Worms Cupcakes	Butterfly Cupcakes
(from FamilyFun)	(from FamilyFun)

Dogs and Burgers Cupcakes	Baseball Cupcakes
(from FamilyFun)	(from FamilyFun)

Carrot Cake Mini Cupcakes	Shark and Beach Cupcakes
(from Martha Stewart)	(from Martha Stewart)

Corn on the Cob Cupcakes	Ice Cream Cupcakes
(from Martha Stewart)	(from Martha Stewart)

Watermelon Slice Cupcakes	Gone Fishing Cupcakes
(from Wilton)	(from Wilton)

Baseball Cupcakes	Caterpillar Cupcakes
(from Wilton)	(from Wilton)

Shady Characters Cupcakes	Ready for Dunking Cupcakes
(from Wilton)	(from Wilton)

Back-to-school Cupcakes

2008-08-08T07:17:00.000-07:00

Make your child's first day of school extra special with these adorable back-to-school sweet treats.

Mini Book Cupcakes	Schoolbus Cupcakes
(from FamilyFun)	(from FamilyFun)

Blackboard Cupcakes	Apple Cupcakes
(from FamilyFun)	(from Martha Stewart )

It's a World of Learning Cupcake	Perfect Attendance Cupcakes
(from Michaels)	(from Michaels)

Cheerful Cheerleaders Cupcakes	Party Faces Cupcakes
(from Wilton)	(from Wilton)

Fourth of July Cupcakes

2008-07-02T05:57:00.000-07:00

These red, white, and blue cupcakes make a sweet addition to any Independence Day gathering, don't they?

Our Flag Cupcakes	Star and Stripes Cupcakes
(from Wilton)	(from Wilton)

Fourth of July Cupcakes	Flag Cupcakes
(from Martha Stewart)	(from Martha Stewart)

Lady Liberty Cupcakes	Star and Stripes Cupcakes
(from FamilyFun)	(from Betty Crocker's )

Martha Stewart's Summery Sweets

2008-07-02T05:44:00.000-07:00

These summery sweet treats from Martha Stewart are sure to make a cooler, more cheerful Summer.

Corn on the Cob Cupcakes	Ice Cream Cupcakes

Carrot Cake Mini Cupcakes	Shark and Beach Cupcakes

Starfish Cupcakes	Fourth of July Cupcakes

Huckleberry Cupcakes with Sweet Cream	Flag Cupcakes

Betty Crocker's Summer Cupcake Ideas

2008-06-05T11:59:00.000-07:00

Fun Summer cupcake ideas from Betty Crocker's.

Goin' Fishin' Cupcakes	Flower Power Cupcakes

Ball Game Cupcakes	Beary Fun Cupcake Cones

Surprise Cupcake Cones	Star and Stripes Cupcakes

Pull Apart Turtle Cupcakes	Mr. Sun Cupcake

FamilyFun's Summer Cupcake Ideas

2008-06-05T08:01:00.000-07:00

These adorable cupcake ideas from the FamilyFun website will make a perfect meal ending to your summer barbecue or get-togethers.

Dogs and Burgers Cupcakes	Baseball Cupcakes

Corn On The Cob Cupcakes	Butterfly Cupcakes

Rose Cupcakes	Worms Cupcakes

Refreshing Summer Cupcakes by Wilton

2008-06-02T12:03:00.000-07:00

Planning an outdoor party, get together, or a barbecue for the Summer? Wilton has some cute and refreshing summer cupcake ideas for you. Find the decorating instructions and more Spring cupcakes ideas at here at wilton.com

Watermelon Slice Cupcakes	Gone Fishing Cupcakes

Home Tweet Home Cupcake	Our Flag Cupcakes

Shady Characters Cupcakes	Ready for Dunking Cupcakes

Baseball Cupcakes	Fish Cupcakes

Stars and Stripes Cupcakes	Caterpillar Cupcakes

Contact Me

2008-04-21T08:37:00.000-07:00

Hello and thank you for visiting Cupcake'zine!

Please use the following form to send me an email or inquiry, to tell me about your good or bad experience with this site, to just say hello, or to let me know of any gorgeous cupcake inspirations that are not yet featured on this site.

Have a great day!

SEND ME AN EMAIL:

About Cupcake'zine

2008-04-20T11:16:00.000-07:00

They are sweet, cute, adorable, portable, and always a crowd pleaser. Yes, I am talking about the tiny, delectable desserts called cupcakes that everyone can't seem to get enough of these days. Cupcake'zine is an online magazine featuring the best cupcakes from around the world, and is dedicated to cupcakes lovers out there.

Need some cupcake inspirations? Search no more, the best cupcakes are right here at Cupcake'zine!

CONTACT ME

THE TALE OF CUPCAKE'ZINE

Once upon a time, in a far away land called Cupcakemania, there lived a young princess named Athleen. Princess Athleen had two wonderful parents who loved and adored her, but as the King and Queen of Cupcakemania, they were busy with work and could not be with Princess Athleen all the time. The princess wasn't allowed to leave the castle on her own so she was often seen wandering around her huge castle. The princess was always told to never get too close to the kitchen as it was not a safe place for a child. But she was always curious as the only room she wasn't allowed to enter always smelled so good from the outside.

One day, the princess peeked through a hole in the door and saw people in white attires and aprons and some beautifully decorated cupcakes on the table. She couldn't resist. She opened the door quietly when noone was looking and entered the kitchen. She was about to take a cupcake with strawberry toppings and eat it when her eyes caught something else: a cupcake that had not been frosted yet. She put her strawberry cupcake down, grabbed the plain cupcake, a spatula, and a bowl of frosting, and started frosting the cupcake. When she was done she put a fresh strawberry on top. Suddenly, an old lady chef approached her. The princess was scared as she knew she was in trouble. But instead of being mad, the lady said "Well done, Princess!" and gave her another plain cupcake to frost. The princess spent the whole afternoon with the nice old lady frosting cupcakes. At that moment, the princess realized that she had fallen in love with cupcakes.

She begged the nice old lady to tell her all about cupcakes. The nice old lady taught her that cupcakes came in different flavors and that the sky was the limit when it came to decorating cupcakes. The princess grew up as a huge cupcake fan. She could sit in front of her computers for hours looking at the unbelievably many but scattered cupcake pictures from around the world. Princess Athleen decided to compile all of the cupcake pictures that she loved into one website called Cupcake'zine so that she could look at them whenever she wanted. After the website was created, she told her best friend, who was also a cupcake fan, about it. Her best friend told a friend and that friend told another friend. Everybody enjoyed looking at the beautiful cupcake pictures. Princess Athleen was very glad as she found many new friends who shared her interest in cupcakes through the Cupcake'zine website that she created.

One day the princess met a handsome prince named Sir Eat-A-Lot. They fell in love at the first sight, got married, and lived happily ever after with their two beautiful young princesses, who also loved cupcakes.

The end.

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