A Trial Run for the Birthday Cupcake…

If you know me, you know I love to bake and I like to think that I’m pretty good at it! It’s no surprise, really, considering how good of a baker my mother was. I used to love calling her up to get her opinion about different recipes as she always knew just what to add or what technique to use to make a recipe better.

When I was little I would watch her make wedding cakes over the weekend. It was always so intense. Especially if the cake was in the oven or if she was stacking layers on tiers. I loved watching her create roses out of icing and actually decorating the cake itself the most. As much as I loved watching her bake I didn’t realize at the time how much I was picking up from her.

So last night as I baked and decorated a giant cupcake for the first time, as a trial run for Madison’s birthday, I couldn’t help but think about how my mother would have gone about getting it done. I miss her and her advice dearly and I know that she would have been just as in love with my cutie patootie as I am (and probably would have baked / decorated Maddie’s first birthday cake, no doubt)!

Giant Cupcake for Cake Smash

My icing technique could definitely use some work but it’s pretty good for my first go at it, and I’ve got a feeling my mother would have been so proud…and would have told me to clean those edges up :)!

But hey, it’s going to be smashed anyway!!!


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33 Comments

  1. Anonymous
    February 13, 2013 / 8:04 am

    I wish I can bake too. So I can make cakes for my loved ones…

    • February 14, 2013 / 5:42 am

      Oh Cherry, it's so not as hard as it looks!

  2. February 13, 2013 / 8:17 am

    You did a great job!

  3. February 13, 2013 / 8:38 am

    It looks delicious! 🙂

    • February 14, 2013 / 5:43 am

      Thank you, Tasnim! I really appreciate it!

  4. February 13, 2013 / 11:47 am

    Looks better than my first go for my stepdaughters bday. I want to try again for Emma's first. I may have to be up all night the night before perfecting the icing. Was this the giant cupcake cake pan or just a bigger cupcake?

    • February 14, 2013 / 5:44 am

      Hey Jennifer! I used a giant cupcake pan I bought online from Walmart for about $13! I can honestly say that I rushed through this b/c I was tired but will definitely put in more effort and have more patience the night before her birthday! Good luck to you with Emma's first cake / birthday!!!

  5. February 13, 2013 / 12:53 pm

    It looks great and I am sure your mother would have been proud!

  6. February 13, 2013 / 2:26 pm

    You make decorating look so easy!! I took a decorating class series and there is no way mine would ever look that good! Props to you! 🙂

    • February 14, 2013 / 5:52 am

      You're far too kind, Melissa, so thank you SO much!

    • February 13, 2013 / 3:33 pm

      I really may steal this idea for Emma's cake this year :)!

    • February 14, 2013 / 5:54 am

      Thanks!!! I actually used a giant cupcake pan I bought from Walmart ($13). You know you can borrow it come June!

      Maddie won't be able to appreciate the awesomeness of a giant cupcake at this age, but Emma-girl sure would!

  7. February 13, 2013 / 3:37 pm

    That is so sweet! I love that cupcake. Looks yummy whens the party?? haha

    • February 14, 2013 / 5:56 am

      Thanks, Rudy! I SO can't wait to celebrate and help her dig into the cupcake!

  8. February 13, 2013 / 4:13 pm

    Definitely would make your mother proud. 😉 I always loved watching in rapt attention my grandmother creating masterpieces in the kitchen – and my mom decorating cakes for friends and family members like nobody's business. It's cool that you are continuing your mom's genius. 🙂

    Hot Chocolate Dragon

    • February 14, 2013 / 5:58 am

      Ah, how I love that you called it "genius", my mom's creations certainly were just that!!! Thanks so much!!!

  9. February 13, 2013 / 4:36 pm

    Love the cupcake. Adorable!

    xx
    Amanda

  10. February 13, 2013 / 5:16 pm

    Looks yummy! But if it's a trial run, who's going to eat it? 😉

    • February 14, 2013 / 6:03 am

      Oh my goodness, Gwen! Mario, the hubs, asked me that very thing today! Neither one of us really wants for some reason (although I did taste it and it's quite yummy) and Maddie definitely can't have cake until the big day. So I'm embarrassed to say that it'll probably have to go to waste.

      My hubs has a no food wasting policy (that he never enforces, ha) so he's not too happy about this :)!!!

  11. February 13, 2013 / 7:03 pm

    Your mother would be so proud, for sure. This looks incredible, Nicole!

    • February 14, 2013 / 6:03 am

      Aww yay, thanks so much, Ashley :)!!!

  12. February 13, 2013 / 7:21 pm

    super cute 🙂 I always make my own cakes too! so much cheaper too and more memorable that you took to tie to make it//

    • February 14, 2013 / 6:05 am

      Exactly, Christina! This trial alone has been incredibly memorable and has brought back memories for me as well! It's so exciting and will make her birthday even more special!

  13. February 13, 2013 / 8:42 pm

    That looks so good! I think you did great! (: And your little one is so cute!!! (:
    Cute blog you have here! (: Found you from the GFC blog hop! I blog over here: http://www.alyssadawsonblog.com/

  14. February 14, 2013 / 4:21 am

    Good Job Mrs. Nicole!! That definitely looks like a cupcake I would love to take a bite out of!! I would suggest you flick your wrists a little more when swirling the icing on top and go slow so the icing can take on the form of the tip as it comes out! 🙂 JK (but my advice might actually work!!)

    • February 14, 2013 / 6:08 am

      Ha! Thanks, Mionna! I will definitely take your advice into consideration as I do plan to take my time and be more patient during the true go at it. I have to admit that it was late, I was feeling lazy and I just wanted to make sure I didn't need to truly practice (i.e. try multiple times)!!!

  15. February 14, 2013 / 4:56 am

    WOW that looks yummy. My granddaughter has a awesome Mom. You are definitely carrying on your Mom's tradition. Could you mail me a piece of that cupcake?, it looks that good. Love you guys!!!!~~~~

    • February 14, 2013 / 6:09 am

      Awwww, I think I tell your son at least once / week how much I LOVE you (for real, ask him)!!! Comments like this is why!!!

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