2008 Holiday Contest! Voting is Open

Over the last few weeks, we've gotten some amazing suggestions for yummy holiday cupcakes.

Now, all we need is your votes! Let us know which holiday cupcake is your favorite!

Voting will be open from today through Sunday, December 7 at noon EST. Voting is in the right hand column of this blog. Good luck to our competitors!

Peppermint Bark Cupcakes
submitted by Theresa

A moist vanilla cupcake, stuffed with crushed peppermints and white chocolate chips. On top, a swirl of vanilla buttercream, mixed with rice krispies and decorated with a red and white peppermint.



Egg Nog Cupcakes
submitted by Ashley

A sweet eggnog cupcake is frosted with a dollop of real whipped cream, flavored with egg nog, rum and a dash of nutmeg.



Santa's White Christmas
submitted by Elizabeth

A square of melted vanilla caramel forms the heart of these cupcakes. They are finished off with vanilla buttercream, a sprinkle of crushed walnuts and a drizzle of caramel.



Gingerbread Cupcakes
submitted by Lena

Ginger and spice and everything nice make up these desserts. The cupcakes are accented with a hint of crunch from some crushed gingerbread men. Topped with cream cheese frosting and red-sugar-coated gingerbread men.



Peppermint Mocha Cupcakes
submitted by Kristin

Dense mocha cupcakes, studded with chocolate chips and a hint of peppermint flavor, covered with rich chocolate buttercream, crushed peppermints and a sprinkle of green sugar.

Small Postponement on Holiday Contest

Never fear! The contest is still on and the winning entries will soon be up for voting.

Unfortunately, I had to go out of town unexpectedly last week and did not have the opportunity to finish baking the top five entries. Today I finalized two of them, and will have everything up and ready for your vote by next week. I will extend the voting deadline and prize claim deadline by one week, accordingly.

I know my readers are excited to see what delicious concoctions we have in store for you, so I promise not to keep you waiting too much longer! Check back this time next week for your chance to vote for a winner!

K & D's November 8 Wedding

Back in September, I was contacted by K, a November bride who had no desire to go the route of the traditional wedding cake. She expressed to me that she wanted to do some miniature desserts, and she had in mind a "harvest" theme for flavors.

After some brainstorming, we settled on a selection of miniature pies, miniature bundt cakes and some cookies. I met with K and her fiance D for a tasting and the menu was set. K and D would be delighting their guests with miniature apple, pumpkin, sweet potato and chocolate bourbon pecan pies, miniature pumpkin spice and banana rum bundt cakes with a vanilla glaze and chocolate chunk, apple toffee and oatmeal cranberry cookies.

In addition, K requested champagne cupcakes for herself and her groom. I was happy to comply.

On November 8, I delivered 80 mini pies, 20 mini cakes and over 6 dozen cookies to K & D's reception venue. Just last night, I received the following email from the new "Mrs.":

Thank you a million times for all of the desserts for our wedding this weekend! They looked AMAZING and everyone couldn't stop talking about how great they tasted. And we loooooved our cupcakes - it was the only thing I really got to sit down and eat that night! Thanks again for helping us so much!.... K

K & D, it was such a pleasure working with you. Congratulations on your marriage and best wishes for the future. Thank you for the opportunity to be a part of your special day!

The dessert buffet at the reception.

Peanut Butter Cup-Cakes

First, I want to thank everyone for their participation in entries for the holiday contest. The top 5 picks will be posted in a few weeks.

In the meantime, check these out.

Moist peanut butter cake, stuffed with a miniature peanut butter cup, topped with a swirl of chocolate marshmallow frosting and another peanut butter cup. Perfect for the PB lover! ($2.25/cupcake; one dozen minimum order).

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!