Birthday Cupcakes

February is full of birthdays and I have been busy making baked treats for friends and coworkers. I have made more peanut butter cookies, a white cake with strawberry cheese cake filling and whipped white icing, loaded carrot cake with cream cheese icing and the birthday cupcakes featured in today's blog. I am particularly proud of the cupcakes because they were so pretty!

The cake is vanilla and the icing is creamy bittersweet chocolate. They were good and decorative and I had fun using the new icing gun Derrick gave me for Christmas! I LOVE that thing! It rocks! If you don't have one and LOVE baking, or filling anything (it is perfect for deviled eggs, whipped quiches, etc.) you NEED this. It's my new favorite gadget.

I topped the iced cupcakes off with decorative chocolate curls I bought at World Market (which look a lot like the curls on the cover of the Southern Lady magazine you sent Aunt Andi). The finished product was loved by all especially with the skinny Wilton Sparkler candles I got at Kroger (which I forgot to take a picture of).

Speaking of Aunt Andi- the mailbox had a surprise from her yesterday. My Aunt Andi is THE most thoughtful lady I know. Not only does she have impeccable shoe taste, great decorative sense and a keen creative nature...she has the biggest heart! The package included a heart shaped bunt cake/tart pan, a copy of Southern Lady magazine with delicious tiramisu featured on the cover, an adorable Vera Bradley jewelry box and a new dessert cook book. Does she know me or what? Thank you Aunt Andi! I love you very much!!