Last chance to order for Halloween!

First, you have one more day to vote for me in the Iron Cupcake: Earth challenge. Please help me out by clicking on this link and voting for Red Velvet Armadillo! Thanks to all my readers and customers for your help!

Next up, tomorrow at noon is your last chance to order cupcakes for Halloween.

Check out these delicious Caramel Apple Cupcakes. Moist and delicious apple cake dipped in creamy vanilla caramel and decorated with halloween non-pareils or chocolate drizzle. ($2.25/cupcake; one dozen minimum order).

For the kids, here's something fun. A Make Your Own Cupcake Party. Red Velvet Armadillo will provide plain cupcakes in the flavor of your choice, different colored frosting and all the necessary cupake decorations. Email me at jennifer@redvevetarmdillobakeshop.com for a quote.

Iron Cupcake: Earth (Cheese)

Ok, readers, I've done it. I've entered the Iron Cupcake: Earth competition. October's ingredient was cheese and wouldn't you know, my cannoli cupcakes include CHEESE!!!

And guess what, folks? I'm going to need your votes! Voting will begin on Sunday, October 26 at 12 noon at NO ONE PUTS CUPCAKE IN A CORNER, http://mkecupcakequeen.blogspot.com and will be open through Thursday, October 30 at 12 noon. I would appreciate your help in voting!

My Baking Story

My husband absolutely loves cannolis, and before he left on a business trip for a few days, I thought I would surprise him with a few homemade ones. I'm not really a fan, and I had a ton of leftover filling. What better way to use it up then as a filling for cupcakes???

I added some chopped dried cherries and toasted pistachios to my classic vanilla cupcake recipe, and baked them up. When they had cooled, I piped my chocolate cherry pistachio cannoli filling into the center using a bismark tip.

I mixed up some chocolate ganache and while it was warm, I dipped each cupcake in the top and topped them all off with some crumbled biscotti. Yum!

The prizes for this month include:

ETSY artist ART ON THE MENU with her awesome little cardboard cupcake.

a pair of cupcake earrings from Lots of Sprinkles.

As an added bonus for October only we have a sassy and sweet T from Bakelove Bakewear

Last and certainly not least, don’t forget our corporate prize providers:

HEAD CHEFS by FIESTA PRODUCTS

HELLO CUPCAKE by Karen Tack and Alan Richardson

JESSIE STEELE APRONS

the CUPCAKE COURIER

TASTE OF HOME books

Iron Cupcake:Earth is sponsored in part by 1-800-Flowers

Marshmallowy Anniversary Cupcakes

My friend L asked me to create some special to surprise her husband for their second anniversary.

I created these scrumptious chocolate marshmallow desserts: chocolate cake, stuffed with marshmallow cream and finished off with a swirl of sweet chocolate marshmallow frosting and a sprinkle of non-pareils. ($2.00/cupcake; one dozen minimum order).

Happy Anniversary, L! Enjoy!

Black Forest Cupcakes

Absolutely fantastic! Rich chocolate cake is stuffed with a cherry compote and topped with sweet whipped cream and chocolate shavings. The perfect flavor combination. ($2.00/cupcake; one dozen minimum order)

Cannoli Cupcakes

My husband was the inspiration for these rich cupcakes. As I was stuffing cannoli shells with homemade filling, I had a brainstorm.

Yellow cupcakes packed with chocolate bits, roasted pistachios and dried cherries, stuffed with creamy cannoli filling, topped with a lovely chocolate ganache and garnished with biscotti crumbles. ($2.00/cupcake, minimum order one dozen).

Holiday Contest - Let's Sweeten The Pot

We've gotten some really great entries for Red Velvet Armadillo Bakeshop's 2008 Holiday Contest, but I want more!!! I know my readers have some fantastic ideas, so I'm going to sweeten the pot a little to encourage you to submit your ideas by October 31.

In addition to 6 free cupcakes and having their holiday cupcake added to RVAB's holiday lineup, the winner will receive a copy of Crazy About Cupcakes.


The runner up will receive a copy of Betty Crocker's Decorating Cakes and Cupcakes.



Here's a rundown of the rules and regulations:

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 a few weeks 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 a copy of Crazy About Cupakes, 6 cupcakes in the selected flavor (For local pickup only. Delivery and shipping is not available for cupcakes, only for book). 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. The runner up will receive a copy of Betty Crocker's Decorating Cakes & Cupcakes (via mail or pickup)

* 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.

Candy Corn and Pumpkin Cupcakes

Adorable cupcakes, ideal for trick or treat!

Vanilla cupcakes, colored orange, stuffed with vanilla buttercream and decorated to look like candy corn or pumpkins. Orange sugar lends a little sparkle to both varieties ($2.25/cupcake, one dozen minimum order)







Bite-size mini cupcakes, decorated with a swirl of buttercream, a dash of orange sugar and a candy corn. Too cute! ($1.25/mini cupcake, one dozen minimum order)



Order soon for your Halloween festivities!

Also, I'd love to hear from you! Comment below and tell me your favorite Halloween candy! I'll use whatever treat comes up the most in my next batch of cupcakes!