Tag Archives: bake

Cupcake Basics 101

cupcake-supplies

Along with back to school time comes birthday parties, school functions and holiday events calling for home baked cupcakes. I’ve already made one batch for the new families picnic at my daughter’s preschool. One thing I’ve learned from my first cupcake experience is that you need the right tools to make cupcake baking and decorating an efficient and fun experience. Of course you can pay $3 a pop for the bakery made cupcakes, but you can also buy the pre-made mixes from LA’s Sprinkles Bakery. They are famous for their red velvet cupcakes and the cupcake mix is sold at Williams Sonoma.

I’ve found that using the correct tip for icing and decorating can save time and frustration. For perfectly swirled frosting that is peaked at the top use a Wilton tip #1M. Wilton has instructions for everything you wanted to know about cupcake decorating here. Another essential for icing cupcakes is an offset spatula. It has a small bend that gives you the correct angle for applying the frosting. It has made my cupcake experiences so much more enjoyable. Once you’ve decorated your fabulous cupcakes you’ll want to transport them safely. A quality cupcake carrier will keep your cupcakes from getting smashed or falling over.

Get 15% off purchases at Williams Sonoma with coupon codes here.

From our friends at TheFind.com.

Kids Central Kitchen baking mixes – review, coupon, and giveaway

Kidscentralkitchen_flapjacksPlaying with kids can be a chore for parents.  Kids play by their own rules and often with toys that are missing pieces which gets very frustrating for me.  If you are looking for something more structured, fun, and educational to do with your young kids, look no further than Kids Central Kitchen.  My kids LOVE to help me cook and love the end result even more.

  • Kids Central Kitchen has 7 different baking mixes including Flap Jacks, Propellar Energy Bars (my favorite), and Brownies. 
  • You provide minimal ingredients, mostly water, milk, oil, and/or yogurt and the rest is in the baking mix. 
  • These baking mixes provide an easy, fun way for older kids to work on basic skills like measuring and reading.
  • Simple yes, full of yummy delicious flavor.. yes!

You'll also find kitchen utensils, bakeware, and baking supplies at Kids Central Kitchen and while you're there check out the Kids Baking Party in a Box!

WEBSITE

COUPON CODE: MOMMY15 – get 15% off your order (expires 12/31/09)

GIVEAWAY: One lucky reader will win a $25 Kids Central Kitchen gift certificate!
Leave a comment below telling me what color the BIG mixing bowl on the Kids Central Kitchen homepage is and your email address will be entered in the giveaway drawing!  GET TWO ENTRIES when you tell me a short story about a funny cooking experience you've had in the comments area below.