Holiday Contest!

We are really starting to get into my favorite time of year. I love Halloween and Thanksgiving, but even more than that, I love the wintertime! Christmas, New Year's, Jack Frost nipping at your nose (well, not here, of course), chestnuts roasting on an open fire and all that jazz. It's the perfect time for family, friends, and... you guessed it... baking!

But now, my faithful readers, I need your help. I am looking for a new specialty cupcake for the winter holidays and you get to choose what kind! I want you to invent a flavor that embodies the holidays for you. If your flavor wins, you'll be featured on Red Velvet Armadillo Bakeshop and this blog with your flavor. You'll also win six cupcakes in your winning flavor.* Ready? Here's how it works:

1. Send me an email (Put HOLIDAY CONTEST in the subject line) at jennifer@redvelvetarmadillobakeshop.com with the name of your holiday flavor (example: Holly Jolly Cupcake) and the key ingredients that make it special (example: mint leaves and crushed peppermints) by midnight EST on Friday, October 31, 2008. That gives you 31 days to come up with some really creative ideas!

2. We at Red Velvet Armadillo Bakeshop will narrow the choices down to 5. I will create and decorate the 5 choices and post pictures and descriptions here and on Red Velvet Armadillo Bakeshop no later than Sunday, November 16.

3. Readers, it's up to you again. Come back and vote for your favorite! Voting will be open from Monday, November 17 through midnight EST on Saturday, November 29, 2008. The winner will be announced on Sunday, November 30, 2008.

4. The winner will receive 6 cupcakes in the selected flavor (For local pickup only. Delivery and shipping is not available). The winner will have his/her picture posted on Red Velvet Armadillo Bakeshop and on this blog, as well as the story of their inspiration. In addition, the winning flavor will be added to the holiday rotation of specialty cupcakes at Red Velvet Armadillo Bakeshop.

* Contest open to everyone, but prize of 6 cupcakes can only be collected in the Greater Jacksonville (Florida) area at a mutually convenient location. Shipping and delivery is not available. By participating in this contest, entrants agree to have their likeness, concept and name creation used by Red Velvet Armadillo Bakeshop and the Red Velvet Armadillo blog without further compensation than detailed here. Winner must redeem their prize cupcakes no later than Saturday, December 20, 2008. Arrangements to redeem prize must be made 5 days in advance of desired pickup date.

So get cracking! I can't wait to see some of your ideas!!!

Football Cookies & Cream Cupcakes

Another football party, another batch of cupcakes. I was going to change it up and make a football shaped cake, but somehow, that plan fell through. I think it's for the best - these were just as good!

TOUCHDOWN!
These cupcakes are Cookies & Cream flavored. The footballs have chocolate frosting and the yard lines have vanilla buttercream. $2.00/cupcake.



For the non-sports fan, enjoy Cookies & Cream in a more traditional way. Vanilla cake filled with pieces of Oreo cookie, topped with a swirl of buttercream and a sprinkle of Oreos. $1.75/cupcake.

Grilled Chicken and Cheddar Jalepeno Cornbread

Tonight, we opted for a simple, down-home BBQ foods, with a twist. It was quick and easy and absolutely delicious.

First up, I marinated chicken breast in a combination of duck sauce and worcestshire sauce. I left it to sit in the fridge for a few hours, and DH grilled it up.

I whipped up a quick homemade cole slaw: 1 bag of preshredded cole slaw mix, 1/2 cup mayo, 1/2 tsp sugar, 2 tbsp milk, 2 tbsp cider vinegar and 1 tbsp celery seed (or celery salt). Mix together and let sit in the fridge for a few hours.

Finally, I took a box of jiffy corn muffin mix and made it according to directions (1 egg and 1/3 cup milk). I then added some minced jalepanos and about 1/3 cup shredded cheddar. I divided the batter into a mini muffin pan and baked at 400 for 12 minutes.

Spaghetti & Meatball Cupcakes

My mom commissioned these for a small party she was throwing. Since she was preparing a bunch of Italian dishes, I thought these Spaghetti & Meatball cupcakes, inspired by Hello, Cupcake, would be perfect.

These sugar-free cupcakes (cake only) are part of a "pull apart cake." This particular arrangement includes 21 cupcakes. The vanilla cake is sweetened with Splenda instead of sugar. Vanilla frosting, sugar-free strawberry preserves and dark and milk chocolate hazelnut truffles create the look of "spaghetti & meatballs." Sprinkles of shredded coconut make realistic parmesan cheese. ($52.50 for 21 cupcakes)








For those with dietary requirements, sprinkles are the only sugar on the below dessert. Splenda vanilla cupcake with sugar-free strawberry glaze is the perfect sugarless dessert. ($1.75/cupcake).

Football Cupcakes

For sale at Red Velvet Armadillo Bakeshop! Hey, I'm a Dolphins fan, but I made these Steelers cupcakes for a dear friend to surprise her husband.

The cupcakes are chocolate, frosted with buttercream, topped with a fondant logo and edged in black sugar. Perfect for game day. ($2.25 per cupcake, minimum order 1 dozen).




Next up: It's great to be a Miami Hurricane!

For our first Miami party, I put together this great dessert. Sweet vanilla cupcakes with orange and green tinted buttercream, and the split U logo crafted out of green and orange chocolate. Touchdown!
($2.00/cupcake; mininum order 1 dozen)