Seasons Come and Seasons Go

As I am writing at my desk today, the air has turned cold and the snow is slowly falling outside. Rochelle, my assistant baker, and I just finished prepping for tomorrows Thanksgiving Cupcake deliveries. It is hard to believe that the holiday season and snow is upon us. While just last Saturday, November 20th, we finished our last wedding for the season, and now three days later we are prepping for Thanksgiving cupcakes tomorrow and Christmas Cupcake Gift Boxes that begin on Monday. Pink cupcake boxes are ready to be filled with fresh baked cupcakes and are stacked literally to the ceiling! I am an organizer by nature and like to use all of the vertical space my cupcake kitchen provides. Tomorrow we will be baking the last of the fall flavors, Caramel Apple Cupcake. This is an apple spice cupcake with butter cream frosting and a caramel drizzle. As well as, Gingerbread Cupcake with Pumpkin Cream Cheese Frosting. The Gingerbread Poppycock cake, as on my Great Aunt Ruth's Recipe card states, must be at least a 100 years old. The cake is a rich spice cake with molasses and coconut and pairs perfectly with my Pumpkin Cream Cheese Frosting. These flavors are all the tastes of the holiday packaged perfectly into one little cupcake. From my kitchen to yours, have a very Happy Thanksgiving!

Bridget Coffey

September Cupcakes

Hello Cupcake lover! As you are reading my blog, I hope you doing great and enjoying the cool fall weather and break from the summer heat. September in our house means back to school, so naturally I am thinking "back to school cupcakes!" Below is our new flavor and some ideas to help you out as you get into your new fall routine.

September flavor of the month: PB&J. This is a white cupcake filled with strawberry or grape jelly and topped with peanut butter cream frosting. If you grew up eating those yummy sandwiches on white bread, then this cupcake will not only be nostalgic for you, but provide you with your "comfort food" fix in the cool weather.

Need a classroom treat? We deliver cupcakes to all the Cadillac Area Public Schools for no additional charge. Cupcakes are $1.25, so you only order the amount you need (don't forget a few extra for the Principal and other support staff : )

Planning a party for home, but wanting the "cake" to still be the center display for your celebration? Megan's Cupcakes has the perfect solution. A mini three tiered stand finished with ribbon color of your choice, two flavor choices for a 6 inch celebration cake, and 24 cupcakes, all delivered to your location. This creation will serve up to 30 people with maybe a few extra slices of cake for left overs. The cost is $50 and my only request is that you call me after the party, so I can re-cycle the cupcake stand.

Cupcake Wars Summer

Let's just say that the heat has been really hot in my cupcake kitchen this summer! I actually did install an air conditioner that keeps my butter cream at the ultimate temperature, but business couldn't be hotter and more busier than it has been this summer. Between cupcakes, a new puppy, and the kids home from school, I have been very thankful for a husband with a flexible schedule, grand parents, and a few summer camps to help out. It is also nice that with the early sunrise, I can have a days work done in the kitchen by noon, and then can be off to enjoy the Michigan summer with family and friends. At the beginning of the summer, like all the other foodies and bakers out there, I started watching the new show "Cupcake Wars" on The Food Network. Just because I like to keep life fun and be a bit daring, I told my husband I wanted to apply to be on the show. We tried to get some insider information on applying, but were unsuccessful. I put the project on the back burner waiting for the perfect time to apply. Well, what do you know, 2 1/2 weeks ago I got a call from a casting producer from The Food Network. They found me on-line, had checked out my website and my facebook page and wanted me to apply for the show! For many of you this is old news, but here is where I stand in the process. Step 1- phone interview (they called me and said you sound great on the phone, we want you to apply). Step 2- Complete 29 question application and submit via email. Did that. Step 3- Upload audition video to youtube under Megan's Cupcakes audition video for Cupcake Wars. Had so much fun completing this. Step 4- my producer contact sends video and application to the actual producers of the show who are the decision makers. They are casting right now for their 2nd season of the show. If I don't get a call by the end of next week, then they passed me up. To be realistic, if I REALLY had to fly to L.A. to shoot an episode for 4 days sometime in September with the kids starting school and weddings on the weekends, I might just loose my mind. So assuming I won't get a phone call next week won't be so bad. It's exciting just to have been found and I'm so glad I made the video! Sometimes you can't keep life fun and exciting or experience success unless you are willing to take risks. So call or don't call. I won't be disappointed either way!

S'mores Cupcake

Happy summer to you!! One of the best parts of being a baker in Northern Michigan is being able to be inspired by the experience of the changing seasons. I feel very blessed this summer to have had plenty of rain, warmth, and sunshine! My flowers are in full bloom, the kids have been swimming in the lake, and yesterday my Dad helped me install an air conditioning unit in my cupcake kitchen to help battle the war against melting butter cream! I'd call that a nice problem to have. As Independence Day approaches this July, I am reminded of my childhood as I watch my kids celebrate having all their senses stimulated. From the sound of fireworks, to the sting of a mosquito, seeing the raising of the American flag, to the smell of a camp fire, and finally the taste of a toasted marshmallow. It is through all of this, that I am so excited to be bringing back my kid's favorite cupcake, the S'MORES CUPCAKE. This is a graham cracker cake filled with marshmallow cream, topped with fudge frosting, and finished with a toasted mini marshmallow. Right before we close the cupcake box, a creme brulee torch does the perfect job and each mini marshmallow is carefully toasted to perfection! They taste just like summer! Check out my website or give me a call @ 248-765-6957 to order yours today. Happy 4th of July! Bridget Coffey, Chief Cupcake

Guiness Beer Cupcakes

Recently, one of my male customers asked if I had a flavor that tasted like beer. My answer was no, but believe me I took that request as a challenge to uncover the perfect cupcake flavor for Father's Day. This week I will be baking a Guiness Chocolate Cupcake with Bailey's Butter Cream Frosting. The Guiness Beer in the cupcakes provides distinct chocolate and coffee notes with a dark earthy flavor that pairs perfectly with chocolate. The Butter Cream frosting with a hint of Bailey's Irish Cream reminds me of the white head that Guiness is famous for. Your Dad is sure to love them!

Happy Father's Day to you: )

Spring Cupcakes

Hello fellow cupcake lovers! I can't believe I have not written on my cupcake blog since January! My life is all about living, breathing, and yes EATING cupcakes! My kids even ask after two years of my cupcake only catering business, "are those cupcakes for us?" And yes, I do from time to time indulge myself and have a cupcake: ) The Lemon Cupcake with Lemon Butter Cream continues to be my favorite, but I love to research and explore new recipes all the time! Spring time is once again upon us and it seems although Thanksgiving, Christmas, Valentines Day, and even St. Patrick's Day kept me busy baking, I think last weekend marked the first of the Spring celebrating here in Northern Michigan. I have my calendar packed full of baptisms, baby showers, bridal showers, first communions, weddings, graduations, and birthdays. I also deliver cupcakes as gifts and include a card ( I take orders over the phone, deliver them, and the customer just mails me their check), business meetings, fundraiser diners, and anytime where 2 or more people gather! Happy Spring Cupcakes everyone! Bridget Coffey, Chief Cupcake (cell # 248-765-6957)

Bridal Expo

Please join me at the 2010 Spring Bridal Expo at the Grand Traverse Resort & Spa on Sunday, January 31, 2010. The expo will be held between 10am and 4:30pm.

There are over $3000 worth of door prizes and one lucky winner will win the Elite Giveaway! A wedding package worth over $15,000! And you will get to sample Megan's Cupcakes! It doesn't get any better than this!!

This will be my second Bridal Show this year. I can truly say they are a lot of fun! As I have mentioned before, I planned my Christmas themed wedding, many years ago, so these Bridal Shows give me a chance to step up and use a totally different decor and my favorite cupcake flavor for sampling. Let's face it, party planning is fun and being able to meet with brides face to face and talk about their special day is really a pleasure!

If you are free this Sunday, please join me, I'd love to meet you!

Bridget Coffey
Chief Cupcake
248-765-6957

Wedding Cupcake flavors

January is a busy time for wedding plans. As I continue to talk to brides this month regarding their upcoming summer weddings, after talking flowers and decor, the foremost topic is cupcake flavors. When choosing cupcake flavors there are several things to keep in mind that will help narrow down your selection.

1. What is YOUR favorite cake flavor?
2. What season is your wedding?
3. What kinds of food /theme are you serving at the reception?
4. Is your wedding reception outdoor/indoor and is it air conditioned?

17 years ago (wow, I can't believe I just typed that) I was planning my wedding. My husband had little input on the wedding planning, but he did have an opinion on cake flavors. Unfortunately, no one had thought of serving wedding cupcakes, but we wanted something different. He chose a cheese cake wedding cake and that is what we served. So, if you have a flavor that is your absolute favorite, then by all means serve it. After all, it is your special day.

It is also important to consider season and the theme of your wedding. For example, one of my brides chose Tiramisu Cupcakes to go along with her Italian themed dinner, and another bride chose Caramel Apple Cupcakes to go along with her lime green apple decor themed September wedding. My recent Christmas bride (her wedding was on December 26th) chose holiday themed cupcakes; Red Velvet, Rum Cupcake with Pineapple Butter Cream, and a Coconut Cupcake. I also am working with an August bride who would like to encorporate peaches into her flavor. I suggested a Yellow Cinnamon Swirl Cupcake with Peach Butter Cream Frosting. Kind of like a peach cobbler. Summer brides love the Lemon Cupcake with Lemon Butter Cream and Strawberry Cupcake with Strawberry Butter Cream. I've even made a Triple Berry Cupcake and a Blueberrilicious Cupcake. The options are endless. The only other thing to consider is to be careful choosing a flavor if your wedding reception is out doors. Heat and humidity can tend to melt butter cream that is flavored with fruit purees. Fortunately, in northern Michigan, at least not last summer, we really did not have this problem.

After considering all these options and you are still not sure what to serve, but would like to choose several flavors, let me suggest this. Choose one neutral flavor (like the White Cupcake with Butter Cream Frosting, one chocolate flavor (like the Chocolate Chocolate Chip with Fudge Frosting), one fruit flavor (like the Strawberry Cupcake with Strawberry Butter Cream Frosting), and one spice flavor (like Carrot Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting).

Serving cupcakes may not be traditional, but they are nostalgic. There is no way to go wrong as cupcakes make people smile. I know your guests will love Megan's Cupcakes.

Happy Planning!

Bridget Coffey
Chief Cupcake
248-765-6957 (cell)
meganscupcakes@gmail.com
www.meganscupcakes.com

King Cupcakes, in honor of the Mardi Gras Season

Megan's Cupcakes is starting a new cupcake tradition this year with King Cupcakes in honor of the Mardi Gras season.

The Mardi Gras season begins on January 6 and continues until Fat Tuesday, the day before Ash Wednesday. This year Fat Tuesday, is on Tuesday, February 16th. During this time of year, one of the most beloved traditions in New Orleans is that of the King Cake.
On the Christian calendar, the twelfth day after Christmas is known as "Epiphany", "Twelfth Night", or "Kings Day." It is the day the gift-bearing Magi visited the baby Jesus, and is celebrated with its own unique rituals. This traditional celebration beginning in the 1870’s is celebrated with a “King Cake” in honor of the three kings.

Megan’s Cupcakes is continuing this Mardi Gras Celebration right here in Cadillac, MI with the King Cupcake. Our version is a yellow cinnamon swirl cupcake topped with butter cream frosting. Each cupcake is decorated with the traditional Mardi Gras colors: purple represents justice, green represents faith and gold represents power.

A small baby, symbolizing the baby Jesus, is baked into only one cupcake in each dozen we bake. Like the biblical story, the "search for the baby" adds excitement, as each person waits to see in whose cupcake the baby will be discovered. While custom holds that the person who finds the baby in their cake will be rewarded with good luck, that person is also traditionally responsible for bringing the King Cake to the next party or gathering.

Order a dozen King Cupcakes at your next gathering. I will deliver and include a note in the box explaining the tradition.

Bridget Coffey, Chief Cupcake
248-765-6957