Arty Cupcakes by Celeste from Travelling in Mary Janes
jeroxie / contemporary, dessert & sweet / 38 Comments
Celeste and I met at the first Nuffnang end of the year party last year. It is so easy to pick out a fellow Singaporean with the undeniable Singlish! I knew that she is really clever with her hands. She made some really cute cupcake and meringue earrings, she can knit, she can sew. She is able to do all those craft stuff that I can only dream of. And then I found out that she loves food (typical Singaporean, yah) and she loves to cook! YAY!
I was quite intrigued that she is so multi-talented and so asked if she will like to do a guest post for me. I was very interested how she would be able to connect her passion for craft and food into one blog post. It was definitely a challenge that she accepted and embraced.
Enjoy this post because I sure did!
——————————————————————————————————————–
Hi all, it’s Celeste from Travelling in Mary Janes or more simply known as Berrytravels.
I am a Music Teacher by day, a Jewellery Maker by night and a wannabe Chef every meal time. To me, all three of them are closely linked and I cannot imagine life without any of them. So when Penny asked me to do a guest post on her amazing blog about crafts (and food), I very happily said yes.
Have you ever been to a restaurant and been blown away by their plating, their presentation and the skill that’s apparent on the plate? Have you ever been to a cake shop and marvel at the beautiful sculpted sugar flowers and whistle at the realism of them all? That is art. In every chef or baker, there is an artist. I’m rambling on, but what I’m trying to point out here is just how closely linked food and art or crafts can be. They go hand in hand, and you only need a different eye, a different perspective to see just what good friends they can be.
Source: via Teenytinyturkey
Today’s post was inspired by Vegan Yum Yum where she showed us how to make beautiful knitting inspired decorations for her cupcakes with Marzipan. I cannot claim credit for the idea. What I did was expand upon it, and this is the result of my very poor attempt at sugar crafting. (I don’t like marzipan.)
For the cupcakes I made Red Velvet Cupcakes from the widely popular recipe found in the Hummingbird Bakery Cookbook. You can find the recipe here and here with slight variations to the recipes.
For the sugar sculptures, I started by drawing them out to get an idea of the 3D model, then sculpted them free hand. They don’t look awesome, I’m warning you now. I also used various food colourings to obtain the colours I wanted. For the actual moulding paste, I used the flower moulding paste from Cake Art.
Disclaimer: This is my first attempt at sugar art. Ever.
I’m trying not to do the usual verbal vomit I tend to do on my own blog, so I’m going to let my photos do the talking. Enjoy!
Oye, the cupcakes are done! And the sugar sculptures done! (rather shoddily, but I tried my best.)
I have to point out tho, that adding liquid food colouring to sugar paste is such a bad idea. You can do it, as has been proven by my little creations above, but it makes it all rather sticky and hard to work with. If you are not using marzipan, then the best way to get the colours you want onto sugar paste is to airbrush it on.
I also added 1 tsp of Vanilla extract instead of the 1/2 tsp that they recommended, as I found the chocolate flavour of the cupcakes a little too strong for my liking while the vanilla fragrance sorely lacking on my first attempt. But this is personal preference and completely optional.
And now for the end result:
What do you think? Perfect for the craft circle’s night out?
I cannot tell you exactly how to mould the paste into the model that you want, but what I can say is: Practice makes perfect. Keep on at it and you will get there. Also, toothpicks, skewers, and even sewing pins are your best friends so use those wisely.
As for how they tasted? Absolutely delicious. The cupcakes were beautifully red on the inside, moist and not too sickeningly sweet. I definitely see myself making these again. No photos of that as the cupcakes were eaten before I could dig the camera out. Sorry!
Thanks for having me on the blog, it was lovely being able to spend some time in the shoes of Penny. I hope I didn’t bore you half to death, and I hope to see you over at my blog sometime soon too!
I’m off to eat some of the leftover cream cheese frosting.. yum!
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May 09, 2010 @ 21:56:23
@jeroxie wow very creative!
May 10, 2010 @ 00:16:40
Thanks again Penny for having me on the blog!
In case people can't figure it out due to my bad sculpting skills…
The white blob that looks like a submarine is actually a sewing machine. The others are various things like buttons, spool of thread, artist palette and ball of yarn.
That sewing machine is the worst… Haha!
.-= Celeste´s last blog ..Dreaming of Cupcakes. =-.
May 10, 2010 @ 00:21:19
These cupcakes are truly amazing! Penny, thanks for introducing another talented blogger.
.-= Ellie (Almost Bourdain)´s last blog ..Potato Croquettes (Crocchette di Patate) – Light of Lucia =-.
May 10, 2010 @ 00:52:59
Crafts and cupcakes?! Nice one Celeste! Diggin the buttons variety..in fact,I have many business shirts missing buttons. I need to learn how to sew! Teach me? hehe
.-= Adrian @ Food Rehab´s last blog ..The Hidden Caffeine Fix to the Sexy Noodles: Melbourne’s Hotspots Under $20 in 1 Day =-.
May 10, 2010 @ 01:51:44
Adorable!!! I don't know how you made the ball of yarn. V clever.
.-= Ms Baklover´s last blog ..Delicious Vietnam #1 – "Vietnam on a Plate" =-.
May 10, 2010 @ 02:21:42
OH!!! WOW!!!! I see art pieces there!
.-= lululu´s last blog ..Zebra Cake =-.
May 10, 2010 @ 03:27:36
Aww they're so pretty! I remember being in awe of the knitting cupcakes and these ones are just as pretty and cute. Great guest post!
.-= Lorraine @ Not Quite Nigella´s last blog ..Alice In Wonderland Cupcakes & 10 Tips for Cupcake Decorating from Planet Cake! =-.
May 10, 2010 @ 04:28:16
Those are the cutest cupcakes ever! I love all the little knitting themed toppers!
.-= Violet´s last blog ..Sneaker Sunday- Week 4 =-.
May 10, 2010 @ 06:33:42
It's a shame isn't it – I don't like marzipan either, how can anything made from almonds taste so gross? Yet the decorations are always adorable – especially these! Great guest post!
.-= Sasa´s last blog ..Counting my Blessings and Cookies with Sakura Sugar =-.
May 10, 2010 @ 06:55:52
Oh, too cool! Great work, Celeste and excellent guest post
I couldn't agree more about adding liquid food colouring to sugar paste/fondant. Much easier to work with gel colouring I think, in my super limited experience.
Wish I had some leftover frosting to sup on
.-= Conor @ HoldtheBeef´s last blog ..Subha Aluth Avuruddhak Wewa =-.
May 10, 2010 @ 07:18:24
Aww, they're fantastic, Celeste! It's a great attempt, amazing that it's your first time.
Using gel food colouring is better for fondant and marizpan because you only need to add a small amount and it doesn't end up as sticky.
.-= Agnes´s last blog ..Nobu Melbourne =-.
May 10, 2010 @ 07:22:17
These are so cool. My Mum would love these.
.-= barbara´s last blog ..I Heart You # 18 =-.
May 10, 2010 @ 09:54:56
these are just adorable … my grandmother would approve as she was the tailor in our family
.-= Drick´s last blog ..Hawaiian Sunset Cake =-.
May 10, 2010 @ 10:07:41
Absolutely adorable! Well done.
May 10, 2010 @ 10:38:19
Celeste! These are adorable. Love the buttons and the ball of yarn.
I swear by Wilton Gel colouring for tinting fondant. Super-bright colours without making the icing difficult to work with. Great job for your first go!
.-= Emma @CakeMistress´s last blog ..Planet Cake: Beginners Guide & Cupcake Designs =-.
May 10, 2010 @ 10:49:29
Oh my, this is an awesome post! I wanna make my own craft cupcakes right away too. I'm not sure about it but you made them look so easy indeed! Great job, girl!
Regards, Kristy
.-= kristy´s last blog ..Peppermint Patties For Mother's Day =-.
May 10, 2010 @ 12:09:30
Absolutely adorable! I love your attention to detail!
LL
May 10, 2010 @ 12:58:34
So sweet – and unique. It just makes me happy to look at them
~Cleo
May 10, 2010 @ 13:36:41
You did an amazing job for a first effort. I have no talent for this at all so I am always in awe of people who do. I hope you are having a wonderful day. Blessings…Mary
.-= Mary´s last blog ..Hot-Pepper Jelly =-.
May 10, 2010 @ 15:37:59
Wow Celeste – you have some serious talent
I am impressed!!!
May 10, 2010 @ 19:06:21
WAY CUTE! And you just can't beat red velvet cake!
May 10, 2010 @ 20:40:42
I don't think I could ever have the skill or patience to do these! Great cupcakes and great guest post.
.-= Joanne @ secondhelping´s last blog ..Cookbook Challenge Week 23 ~ Leaf =-.
May 10, 2010 @ 20:49:25
Wow, these are just awesome! The decorations are so cute, perfect!
May 11, 2010 @ 03:23:26
cute!!!! want!
May 11, 2010 @ 06:02:58
Nice work! Makes me crave red velvet cupcakes now, and I sadly don't have access to any at present. Waaah!
Your decorations are almost too cute to eat!
.-= Gem´s last blog ..suckling pig feast, French-style =-.
May 11, 2010 @ 17:19:17
Those are too cute to compute. Pure food porn! LOL!
.-= Tammy´s last blog ..Tteokbokki Festival in Seoul =-.
May 11, 2010 @ 19:27:31
These are the most crafty cupcakes I've ever seen. Too cute to eat! I bet Penny was a gun at play-do sculptures in school…
.-= Forager´s last blog ..A lobster feast at Golden Globe Seafood Restaurant, Burwood =-.
May 11, 2010 @ 21:34:38
These are so cute! Very creative. I love the ball of yarn.
May 11, 2010 @ 22:13:54
These look amazing
Love the balls of yarn!
.-= tangerine eats´s last blog ..Mother's Day Vegetarian Banquet =-.
May 12, 2010 @ 07:42:40
Celeste – It has been pleasure to have you.
Thank you again so much.
Ellie (Almost Bourdain) – Sharing is caring
Adrian @ Food Rehab – Take a queue number!
Ms Baklover – she is a clever cookie!
lululu – Yes! It sure is
Lorraine @ Not Quite Nigella – I agree. She is one clever girl
Violet – Very very cute. I love them.
Sasa – Thanks!
Conor @ HoldtheBeef – I agree… hmmm… frosting
Agnes – I agree. Really good effort.
barbara – I love it too!
Drick – Thanks. It is better because it is edible
Cookin' Canuck – Thanks so much
Emma @CakeMistress – Great tip!
Kristy – I think you surely can do it
Lori Lynn – Thanks to her!
Cleo Coyle – Yes. It made me smile
Mary – Same here!
Lisa @ bakebikeblog – She sure is
Sommer @ A Spicy Perspective – have to try it myself too
Joanne @ secondhelping – same here!
5 Star Foodie – They are indeed!
Ech0x3 – Me too!
Gem – I feel like having one now
Tammy – Too cute to eat
Forager – I wish I was!
bunkycooks – yeap. that is my favourite too
tangerine eats – cute huh!
May 12, 2010 @ 15:51:59
STUNNING. Love it – Penny, you chose a wonderful guest blogger!
.-= Kitchen Butterfly´s last blog ..Matcharons and Midnight feasts =-.
May 12, 2010 @ 18:01:35
These cupcakes are adorable! Almost too pretty to eat…almost
.-= Roti n Rice´s last blog ..Avocado, Tempeh, and Feta Salad =-.
May 12, 2010 @ 20:52:13
Wow, awesome guest post! When it comes to decorating and things like this, I am all thumbs, so I am completely in awe of this. Also red velvet was our wedding cake, so I have a HUGE soft spot for it. Only get to eat it once a year at our anniversary but that's coming up in June, so maybe I'll try cupcakes this time? So fab!!!
.-= Trix´s last blog ..Rustic, But Not Humble: Caramelized Onion & Emmental Galette =-.
May 14, 2010 @ 03:15:52
Awww, these cupcakes are too adorable to be consumed. Quoting from Lorraine (from NotQuiteNigella), they are worthy to be kept in the art gallery!
.-= Emily´s last blog ..Lamb Meatballs with Tahini-Yoghurt & Harissa Swirl =-.
Jul 02, 2010 @ 22:37:13
Super cute! I think those would be hard to eat. So much work, totally worth it!
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Sep 09, 2010 @ 18:16:02
[…] Arty Cupcakes by Celeste from Travelling in Mary Janes | Addictive … A guest post by Celeste She is an amazing craft person and she can cook! You can do it, as has been proven by my little creations above, but it makes it all rather sticky and hard to work with. If you are not using marzipan, then the best way to get the colours you want onto sugar paste is to airbrush it on. I also added 1 tsp of Vanilla extract instead of the 1/2 tsp that they recommended, as I found the chocolate flavour of the cupcakes a little too strong for my . […]