Minion Cupcake Tutorial

In case you want to make these for your next Despicable Me party, here's a brief explanation of how I did it. I think the only thing that needs explaining is the hair and the eyes.
Unwrap about 40 rolls (or whatever number it takes) of Smarties until you get enough white ones for the number of minions you're making. Cut each Twinkie (or if you can't find them, Little Debbie makes "Cloud Cakes," which is basically the same thing) in half. Use a sawing motion, not a straight pushing-down motion or you'll get rough edges. Tint your frosting black and use a #2 tip. Make sure your frosting isn't too thick or it won't pipe well.
Because it was too hard to not mess up the piping to put the hair in after the face was on, I did the hair first. I used a pointy pair of tweezers to poke three holes in the top, with the center hole being poked twice because of the nature of the tweezers. With the hole there, it was easy to slide the brown jimmies into place. I suppose if a toothpick is handier for you, that would work in place of the tweezers.
Next I took the Smarties, one at a time, and piped the frosting onto the back of it, getting close to the edge, but not right on the edge. When you press the candy onto the cake, the frosting will come out from behind the candy and make the black circle around the "eye." Once the eye is in place, dot it with frosting for the pupil, making sure you stop the pressure on the bag before lifting away, as you don't want it to spike out.
Add a line of frosting from the edge of the eye around the side of the cake, then add a little smile. Attach the minion to the frosted cupcake with a toothpick on either side of the cream filling of the Twinkie. Press down gently into the frosting and enjoy your creation!

Cupcake Extravaganza

My stepdad wrote his life story and had the book published, so he gathered his extended family to share the book with them. This involved feeding them as well. When I discussed the menu with my mom, she said she had it all figured out except for the dessert, but thought she'd just buy some pies and cupcakes. Gasp! I told her how gross store-bought cupcakes were, and then, yes, volunteered to make the cupcakes. She told me she'd need 100. After much thought, day and night (I lost three night's worth of good sleep), I knew which cupcakes I wanted to make.

Just getting started

Agnes is always a willing helper

Minions

Here's a quick look

Butterfinger cupcakes. Caramel is in the middle, topped with a peanut butter frosting and chopped Butterfingers.

Lemon cupcakes. Lemon curd is in the middle, topped with a cream-cheese lemon frosting. 

White-chocolate raspberry cupcakes. Raspberry filling is in the middle, topped with a swirl of melted white chocolate and a marion berry jam/cream cheese frosting, and three silver dragees (we'd have preferred using a fresh raspberry instead, but we were "fresh" out).

Banana Split cupcakes- we got the idea for this by watching an episode of DC Cupcakes. They have chopped bananas baked into a vanilla batter. Hot fudge is in the middle, topped with Pastry Pride, chocolate syrup, chopped peanuts and a cherry. 

Let's get them outside for the party.

I had to hire a new taste-tester since my other one moved to Arizona in July of 2012. 

Put the fork down and nobody gets hurt. 

She eats her cupcakes with a spoon?

I couldn't resist posting this picture. 

Here's Walt and my mom, while Cheryl holds the microphone as he tells his experiences with writing his story.

So, which would you choose?

My favorite was the Butterfingers cupcakes because the peanut butter frosting was so divine. Cheryl liked the lemon one best, Amy liked the raspberry one best, and the banana split was my favorite for presentation purposes. The kids thought the minion cupcakes we're awesome. So, I guess they are all winners. I have to make more tomorrow to take to the ERC (Employment Resource Center) on Wednesday. Which ones should I make, because I'm only making one kind, not four.
P.S. My apologies for taking soooo long to update the blog.

Bowling

When Samuel's family was here, we tried to go bowling one night with Laura's family, but the bowling place was too busy. We went again another day, but Laura's family was unable to come that time.

SHOES

Bowler number #5

Bowler #3

Pick a ball, any ball. 

Bowler #4

Bowler #6 (and winner of everyone except her mom)

This explains a lot

She looks a little handicapped here, like she's using a walker. No matter, she's still cute. 

Bowler #2

Mia, twirling her hair, as usual. 

Bowler #1 on the left, #3 on the right.

Winner, winner, chicken dinner

I barely scored three digits. 

Here's my kiddos. Fun times!