SUPER BOWL DESSERT IDEAS

With the Super Bowl only days away, it's time to start planning the menu. Here are some fun dessert ideas to get the party going (click on the links below for recipes)...

1. Football Cake Pops, 2. Football Truffles, 3. Football Cookies, 4. Popcorn, 

5. Touchdown Cupcakes, 6. Mini-Football Rice Krispies Treats, 

7. Caramel Rice Krispies Treats Footballs, 8. Football Whoopie Pies

FUN ON A STICK

I was so inspired by hot chocolate on a stick that I had to do a 'fun on a stick' roundup. All of these would be so fun to serve at a party!

1. Cotton Candy

2. S'mores on a Stick + How to Guide

3. Rock Candy

4. Cupcakes on a Stick + How To Guide 

5. Macaroons on a Stick + How To Guide

WEDDING WEDNESDAY: CAKE TOPPERS BY READY GO

I am seriously in love with these simple cake toppers by Ready Go. I mean, really, it couldn't get any cuter than this.

{via Hip Hip Hooray}

ANATOMY OF A CUPCAKE

{image via Allen Hemberger}

HAVE A SWEET WEEKEND

{photo via Vintage Rose Garden}

DESSERT TABLE STYLE

Amy Atlas may be the queen of dessert tables, but she doesn't totally rule the roost. Check out these other beautiful dessert tables that I hope will inspire you to do one yourself. They are definitely enough to put any person with a sweet tooth over the edge...

{photos via Jenna Hayes, Hostess, Green Wedding Shoes, Elizabeth Ann Designs, , Sweet and Saucy}

CUPCAKE IN A JAR

Yum...these rich, moist cupcakes from G Desserts come in six flavors and are the perfect party favor, a great picnic addition and/or a great gift.  Not only do you get a great cupcake, but the jars are adorable too.

{photos via G Desserts}

THREE-TIER WEDDING CUPCAKE

Buttercream lovers rejoice! Combine tradition with a bit of fun by serving individual 3-tiered cupcakes at your wedding or next party.

Three-Tier Cupcakes

Preheat oven to 350˚F

Makes 12 tiered cupcakes (12 of each cupcake size); or makes 15 large, 33 standard, or 108 mini

3 1/4 cups all-purpose flour

2 1/2 cups sugar

1 1/2 teaspoons baking soda

1 teaspoon baking powder

1 1/2 teaspoons salt

2 large eggs plus 1 large yolk

1 1/4 cups warm water

1 1/4 cups buttermilk

1/2 cup plus 2 tablespoons vegetable oil

1 tablespoon pure vanilla extract
Swiss Meringue Buttercream

Pink gel-paste food coloring

Line muffin tins with paper liners. In a mixer bowl, sift flour, sugar, baking soda, baking powder, and salt. Add eggs, yolk, water, buttermilk, vegetable oil, and vanilla; beat together.

Divide batter among liners, filling about 2/3 full. Bake until deep golden brown, about 30 minutes for large, 25 minutes for standard, and 22 minutes for mini. Transfer tins to rack to cool for about 15 minutes. Remove from tins; let cool completely.

To assemble: Divide buttercream in thirds (3 cups for bottom tiers, 2 for middle, and 1 for top); color each in a different pink. Using a dab of buttercream between layers as "glue," stack the cupcakes. Using a U-shaped petal tip (such as Ateco No. 80), pipe petals around outside of each layer, and continue inward.

{via Martha Stewart}

BAKELAB

I want to try Bakelab!  They have gorgeous treats that are oh-so-tempting!  Perhaps I will place an order from their online shop.

{photos via Bakelab}

MING MAKES CUPCAKES

I can't wait to try some of the recipes from Ming Makes Cupcakes.  There are over 32 cupcake recipes with fun flavors ranging from Coffee Chocolate Cupcakes with Baileys Irish Cream Frosting to Sour Cream Fig Cupcakes with Cream Cheese Frosting.  For more photos and recipes click here.

{photos: Ming Makes Cupcakes}

HUMMINGBIRD BAKERY

Although the cupcake trend grew to extreme popularity a few years back in the states, it has only recently started to make it big here in the UK.  Hummingbird Bakery is of the top cupcake destinations in London.  They have three locations in the city, the original being on Portobello Road in Notting Hill.  If you're not in the UK but you'd still like to try their recipes, then pick up a cookbook to make their delicious treats at home.

FANCY FLOURS

I've found a great website that I wanted to share with you called Fancy Flours.  With a gigantic collection of cookie cutters, cupcake and muffin wrappers, decorative pieces, and a extensive How-To Guide, you'll have a lot of fun finding what you need on this site.

Reservable Cupcake Wrapper Set ($7); Large Moose Cookie Cutter ($1.50); Valentine Pattern Cupcake Wrapper Set ($15); Seahorse Cookie Cutter ($12.50); Filigree Black Cupcake Wrapper ($12); West Highlan Dog Cookie Cutter ($6.75); Vesti House Muffin Cups ($9); Sunglasses Cookie Cutter ($16.50);  Lime Green Polka Dot Muffin Cups ($5.50)

ENJOY CUPCAKES

Next time you are on your way through the Santa Ynez Valley, you will have to make a stop off at Enjoy Cupcakes.  With creative flavors such as Chocolate Blackberry Syrah, Tart Ginger Lime Chardonnay and Honey "bear-e" Granola, you can definitely tell that baker, Amber Joy Vander Vliet, was inspired by the local flavors.  Check out these beautiful photographs of Enjoy Cupcakes by Jose Villa.

{Photos: Jose Villa}

CUTE CUPCAKES KITS

Check out these cute cupcake kits.  I can't think of an easier way to make a more adorable cupcake.

{via Oh Happy Day!}