Day Dreamin....

There is this building on Warren Street, right after the Iron Clad building. I have deemed it "My Cupcakery". I want it it the worst way. It's perfect size, not too big and excellent location. It's Smack dab in the middle of Going into Glens Falls, Hudson Falls and Queensbury!  I drive by it twice a day on Mondays and Tuesdays, and I am completely infatuated with it. I have even written down the names of the real estate agents who are selling the building.  BUT,  it's just  a dream for now. Money wise, it's not an option.  But hey, I can day dream right?! :)

One day, I will be a cute little cupcakery with a store front, but for now, I am greatly appreciative of the business I am getting! Between friends, family, word of mouth, my facebook page and my website I am steadily busy with at least 2 orders a week, and I will take it.

I'm also glad that I started my facebook contest for Tuesdays. I know it's tough to buy something and not know how it's going to taste so this is allowing people to try before they buy! :)

So, until I have that store front, I will happily bake in my rent-free commercial kitchen and produce yummy cupcakes!

Another Step Closer

WOW! Another step closer to my dream!!! I landed a commercial kitchen this past week! To have a bakery business in New York, you need to cook with and use commercial equipment. i know that my house is not equipped for that so I had to seek outside sources. I received LOTS of suggestions but the one that landed me the kitchen came from my brilliant husband. An email or two later and Major Dean said YES! To those out there who are unsure where to go for help when starting your own business, I got a lot of help from Kate Baker at The Adirondack Chamber of Commerce! She has helped me from day one and still is there when I have questions.
Here a few links to sites that have been a big help! Oh, and of course a picture of a cupcake :)
Adirondack Chamber of Commerce-from business plans to advice!
Warren County Clerk-To register and get my DBA
Small Business Association-Tons of resources to help any business out
Obtaining a Tax ID
I am getting Limited Liability insurance through my husbands work, Target, but you can check out your insurance agency to see if they offer it!!!

Have a great weekend everyone! Thanks for all your support!! Love you all!

For my brilliant husband Greg, the best cupcake he's had so far!

Here comes the bride...

Congrats to Melanie and Mark Collier on your wedding!!! I am honored to have done your cupcakes for you!



Melanie & Mark's Cupcake Tower



This wedding is the first wedding I have done since I started I Want Cupcakes.  It was a fun learning experience.  I am finding out time management when baking in larger quantities. Also a first for me, I worked with fondant.

Fondant...YOU are not so intimidating to me anymore!  Since Melanie was doing a fall themed wedding, she wanted flowers in certain colors on the top of her cupcakes. We searched and searched for the perfect PRE-MADE flowers...and found none! That's when I suggested to make them. Inside, i was a little worried. But, I did not want her to worry and I wanted her to have exactly what she wanted.

Thank GOD for the Internet. Because I was able to go on YouTube, look up "how to work with fondant" and found some great tutorials. And It worked. I learned techniques on coloring fondant, shaping, etc.

Hand Made Fondant Flowers

 I am proud of the work I did for my first time and I know the bride was  a happy bride with the cupcakes. And not only did they look beautiful, they tasted fantastic as well!



  



 





Trial & Error

This past week has been a week of trial and error. It all started with making Ice cream cone cupcakes for labor day.  Oh, they came out so cute! They were soooo delicious and the kids loved them. HOWEVER, I had some issues with them.  First, they came out of the oven spilling over the sides! Okay, I filled them too much! Got it. Second batch came out perfect. So, I frosted and decorated them. Took some pictures. The one to the right is how excellent they looked BEFORE I went to bed.
Then, I woke up came down stairs. Fixed myself a cup of coffee, starting to think of what I was going to do that morning. I happened to glance over at the cupcakes and they were all tipped over. I was thinking what in the world??? Who would do that? Someone knocked over all my cupcakes and now it's going to be a mess.  I walked over and to my surprise saw that, the cone had softened and bent over to the right, like it was to heavy or something.  Now, I didn't look up a recipe to see if these needed to be baked differently and I guess I should have because I don't know what I did wrong. So, If anyone has any tips on ice cream cone cupcakes it would be MUCH appreciated :) Also, I was suppose to take these to my sister's which I ended up staying home for the day. How in the world are you suppose to transport these? Has anyone made these before? So needless to say, I have learned a few things and need some feedback if anyone has any!  I will leave you with a couple after pictures of my poor ice cream cone cupcakes! 

 The next morning!

Couldn't even stay up :(

How a Chocolate PB Cupcake is made!

This seems to already be a favorite of my customers! So, I figured, I would show you how they are made.

Mixing the chocolate for the batch!

About 12 minutes and they come out perfect!

I sift the sugar needed for the frosting

Mmmmm, Chocolate Frosting!

Time to fill the pastry bag and frost. I use a large star tip for these.

Time to fill!

This is how I fill them

Peanut Butter FILLED :)

When I am done I box them and they are ready to go.

So this cupcake takes about 3 hours total. Not only am I doing the mix, I am also doing the  filling,  two frostings, and decorating .  Time consuming?...A little. Well worth it?...YOU BET!  They are chocolaty, peanut buttery and you will need a glass of milk with these!

Anyone Can Bake a Cupcake!

Yes. Baking cupcakes can be easy. IF you do it from a box and top it off with canned icing. And there is absolutely nothing wrong with that. In fact, that's how I started my whole cupcake venture.
 What that did for me was taught me how to follow direction, and use proper measurements. To nail down accurate baking & cooling times and so much more.  What that also did was inspire me to think out side of the "box". Yes, pun intended (hahaha). If I just added this, or altered that, what would it taste like? And so begun my journey of experimenting with my own mixes, frostings and fillings.

That is what sets me apart from all the rest! I know once you try one of my homemade goodies, you'll agree! I pride myself in only making the best for you!

Join me tomorrow; I will take you on the journey of one of my creations! :)

And, let me leave you with a little something to make your tastebuds tingle for some sweetness....

My Sincere Thanks....

Let me start of this first entry by thanking all of my family and friends for their continued support. If it were not for them, I may not be doing this now. A special thanks to my  husband, who shares his time with me...with my other "love"....cupcakes. I would also like to thank Angelia for designing my website (which will be up and running within the week) and my business cards! Not only has she been a taste tester, she's given me great advice and a beautiful looking website! I cannot forget my mom and my sister who have been my number one fans from day one!

Everyone thinks working at home; you see your family more. ( I am also working full time at The Post Star in media services) Truth is, instead of hanging out or watching TV. I am in the kitchen while Greg (my husband)  is tending to the children .  My kids however, do make an appearance from time to time because they know...they will each get one to try! They love when mommy bakes :)


The purpose of me having a blog is to post my ideas, tips and yeah...maybe even some frustrations, lol. Also I will be running monthly specials in the near feature which you can only find on my blog. I will be picking a cupcake of the month and selling it at a discounted price. 


Remember, any and all feedback is welcome. Please feel free to share any ideas, stories or even your frustrations on baking with me!


Thank you all for joining me on this cupcake journey!!!