Straight A's!

Hello everyone,

This past weekend has been hectic, but a lot of fun. I had the pleasure of putting together an order of school inspired cupcakes. A student wanted to show their appreciation to an awesome professor and thought custom order cupcakes would do the trick.
I used some white fondant and dyed it using gel colors. Then I took a few minutes rolling it and testing out different shapes before I got a little apple that i was happy with.

next I made a few little books with a personalized code on top.

Here's what came of my little adventure into three D fondant molds (without Nikita's coaching skills)





Then, this Friday was my last day at work at a local retirement home. In order to show my appreciation for some of the amazing residents I have met there, I decided to bring in a few little treats for everyone.



Next up is a 25th anniversary/ 50th birthday celebration! Stay tuned for the next baking adventure!


Jen

Champagne Birthday

Hello cupcake lovers!

This past weekend has been a bit of a whirlwind. I turned 25 of the 25th which was quite exciting. I was completely spoiled by my family and friends and feel so lucky to have people like that around me.
Now enough with the cheesiness. Let me tell you about the wonderful gift I got from Nikita!

As spring approaches Nikita and I have been discussing some new flavors to add to our menu. We're really excited about a few that we've come up with. One we hadn't tried yet was an Oreo cupcake or a Rolo cupcake. I am a sucker for a rolo. The chocolate and caramel together makes a perfect combination or sweet and smooth.
Nikita was nice enough to test out a recipe and they were DELICIOUS!
I wish the picture would do it justice but here, take a look!


This incredibly light, fluffy and moist cupcake was filled with a rolo chocolate and topped with a caramel butter cream. It was worth turning 25 for, believe me. In fact, I may turn 25 again next year just to do it again (just kidding).

We will be doing a photo shoot pretty soon to show off some of our newer flavors and to let all of you see the INSIDE of our cupcakes (finally).

A PINK TIE AFFAIR!

Hello Everyone!

So after a jam packed weekend such as this one Nikita and I exhausted, but so incredibly happy to have been a part of the Pink Tie Affair Charity Gala benefiting the Weekend to End Women's cancers.

The event's organizer, Rebecca B asked us to make some cupcakes that fit the pink tie theme. We were honored that she asked us and jumped at the opportunity to support such a significantly important cause.
Here is what we came up with when we put our heads together (i.e. Nikita was creative and I said "yes, sounds great!")



We had assembled as many as we could before heading to the venue but due to size of our carrying cases we could only add the toppers to a few cupcakes (in the photo above). The staff at the Bellagio did a great job putting them together and each table got 10 or 11 cupcakes. One with a breast cancer ribbon made of fondant, and the rest equally divided between the little toppers that said "Believe, Love, Courage and We Remember".



Both Nikita and I feel that supporting a cause such as research to end any kind of cancers is so important. Cancer affects all of us and it's so important to work together to raise awareness, education and support research so that cancer may be conquered in our lifetime.
Dolce Amore Cupcakes is so proud to have been among the many supporters of the Pink Tie Affair Gala on Friday night. We just had to take a picture of our names on the board :)



Until next time everyone, have a wonderful night and if you're anything like Nikita and I, GOOD LUCK WITH YOUR FINAL ASSIGNMENTS (sigh... I should probably start those soon).

Sincerely,
Jen

March Maddness Begins!

I just got back from a wonderful Caribbean cruise. I feel refreshed and am ready to bake (especially since Mexican vanilla is pure and comparably inexpensive when you buy it there).
Look what I found on a tour of Cozumel!



This month is going to be so exciting (and busy) for Nikita and I... I can't wait.
Tomorrow is Raquel's 4th Birhtday party with a Dora cake and pink cupcakes to celebrate!



Next week we have The Pink Tie Gala in Woodbridge. This event is an amazing fundraiser for research to end Women's Cancers. We are so excited to be apart of this amazing event. I'll be sure to post pictures from the gala when we get home!


I will leave you with this beautiful sunset, somewhere between Florida and Jamaica!



Have a great night everyone!

Red is the New Black!

Happy Early Valentine's Day Everyone!

Last night Nikita and I got together and she had a great idea! Lets make some love themed cupcakes!

We've tried out a new recipe for Red Velvet cupcakes and... well we loved them!
Take a look:



Now I can't make this entry any longer because I am addicted to watching the Grammy's tonight. How fantastic are these preformances?

I think I need to make a Katy Perry cupcake... would that be too much? (just kidding)

Have a very Happy Valentine's Day Everyone!!!

Jen

Rubber Ducky... You're the One!

Hello Everyone!
My goodness it's been a while. Sorry about that. School is off to a crazy start for both Nikita and I. That being said we were able to take some time out of our busy schedule to make some Baby shower cupcakes for our dear friend Miranda who is expecting a baby boy this spring!

Look what Nikita can do with Fondant!

Fully Edible Fondant rubber duck



Fully edible Fondant Polar Bear




How delicious do these animals look... I mean really? (I mean that in a vegetarian and vegan friendly way).

Next up is another Dora birthday cake, but this one will be a 3-D cake.
As we all know Spring; it's just around the corner. I cannot wait to start bringing back the lemon blueberry, raspberry lemon drop and all of our fabulous fresh fruit infused cupcakes.

Let the baking (and warmer weather) begin!

Have a great week
Jen

PS You know the best way to say I love you?

The answer: A Dolce Amore Cupcake for your Valentine!

Ola! It's FREEZING!

Hello!
Sorry for the delay, I know it's been a while. I hope this message finds you well and enjoying what 2011 has offered so far.

This past weekend was a lot of fun. Nikita and I tried our first "cupcake cake", also known as a 'pull apart cake'. The theme was Dora for a super cute little girl's 3rd birthday.
I was nervous at first but thankfully it stayed together and the character looked great thanks to Nikita's free hand outline!

Here it is:


Next up is our friend's baby shower. We've decided to make a little something to celebrate with her. Stay tuned for that photo.

Upcoming events for dolce amore cupcakes include a great charity event called "A Pink Tie Affair". It's a gala dinner raising money for a weekend to end women's cancers. It is such a great cause and I am so excited about being a part of this great cause.
The gala is on March 18th and it's going to be amazing. Tickets are sold out so unfortunately there are no tickets left for this year... however NEXT year is always a possibility!

In other news... it's freezing cold outside. The only thing I can seem to concentrate on is a warm vacation.
What are you doing to beat the cold?
Might I suggest a homemade hot chocolate? with crushed candy cane or cinnamon :)

Have a great night everyone