First Birthday Party!

Today's cakes are a family affair.

A and his cousin, A, are both turning 1 year old this month. We had a joint party for them, which meant: two cakes!

For Cousin A, a 6" pink polka dot smash cake. Vanilla cake with buttercream filling, covered in pastel pink fondant, accented with darker pink fondant dots and white beading at the bottom.



I added a variety of vanilla and chocolate cupcakes with pink buttercream and chocolate frosting on the tiers beneath the cake.



For A, something similar in light blue with darker blue squares in the same flavors.





A is a very happy birthday boy. :)



(smash cakes - $15 each; cupcakes, $1.75 each/minimum order one dozen; custom cupcake stands available, email jennifer@redvelvetarmadillobakeshop.com for your quote).

Order Your Team Cupcakes Now!

Check these out! Cupcakes for all your favorite teams! Chocolate butterscotch chip cupcakes with creamy vanilla frosting and team logos or helmet art in in fondant and colored sugar. Order for the next big game day! (Prices and details below. More teams available - email jennifer@redvelvetarmadillobakeshop.com for more details).






New Orleans: A shimmering gold fondant fleur-de-lis set on vanilla frosting dipped in black sugar ($2.30/cupcake, one dozen minimum order)


Dallas: The familiar star logo on a gray background ($2.25/cupcake, one dozen minimum order)


Minnesota - vibrant purple frosting with fondant decor ($2.25/cupcake, minimum order of one dozen)


New York - The blue NY logo with a bright red sugar rim ($2.30/cupcake, one dozen minimum order)


Indy - A blue horseshoe on a white fondant disk with a blue sugar rim ($2.30/cupcake, one dozen minimum order)


St. Louis - Dark blue frosting with a golden ram horn in fondant ($2.25/cupcake, minimum order one dozen)


Tennesee- Blue frosting, white T, red stars ($2.30/cupcake, minimum order one dozen)


Miami - Aqua frosting, orange sugar and the big D. Go Fins! ($2.30/cupcake, minimum order one dozen)


KC - A white fondant arrowhead on red frosting with a black sugar rim ($2.25/cupcake, one dozen minimum order)


Chicago - blue frosting, orange logo ($2.25/cupcake, one dozen minimum order)


Cinncinnati - Black sugar embellished tiger stripes on an orange fondant disk with a black sugar rim ($2.30/cupcake, one dozen minimum order)


Jacksonville: Black sugar coated jaguar stripes with metallic gold edging on teal frosting ($2.30/cupcake, one dozen minimum order)



And don't forget, we're still accepting entries in our 2008 Holiday Contest - email your flavor ideas to jennifer@redvelvetarmadillobakeshop.com for the chance to win some great prizes. Click here to see the rules and entering details.

Pistachio & Chocolate Cupcakes

Since I had a ton of leftover pistachios, I had to find a way to use them up. Inspiration struck and we found a winner. Strangely, these are DH's favorite so far.

1 box white cake mix

4 eggs

1 cup water

1/2 cup sugar

1/2 cup oil

1 package instant pistachio pudding mix

1/2 cup shelled pistachios

chocolate frosting (I was lazy and used storebought triple fudge chip)

Preheat oven to 350 and spray cupcake pan with nonstick spray.

With an electric mixer, mix cake mix, eggs, water, sugar, oil and pudding mix on low for one minute. Scrape sides of bowl and mix at medium speed for two minutes. Fill cupcake spaces halfway and bake for 20-24 minutes or until cake is done.

Cool for ten minutes in pan and then completely on wire rack or serving platter.

When cool, decorate with chocolate frosting and pistachios.