Not A Dying Trend....

So when I first thought of doing this as a business, I was cautioned that it is a hot trend but to be prepared if it dies out. Well, Knock on wood but so far....so good. It's been a little over a year since I started this venture and it only seems to be growing. Working with another local baker and putting our talents together and offering something unique is definitely top on my list of things to accomplish for the following year.  I've had ups and downs this past year and I am thankful for them all because how else am I suppose to learn. I have begun working with fondant and gum paste and expanding my creativity when it comes to decorating. I don't want to go all crazy with the fondant BUT, it's good to be able to do those cute little things when needed. I also started working with making my own cupcake pick toppers as well. A cute fun way to put that extra zing on the cupcake without taking away from the flavors.   I've experienced with different types of packaging and I think I've got it nailed to what works best.  I have a cupcake tasting party coming up and I think that will be just FUN for us all.  I've had some dry cupcakes, some out of this world cupcakes and some I won't make again because it just wasn't worth the hassle but all in all, it's been such a successful year. My customers on facebook keep growing and I have no one to thank but all my fans on facebook who keep spreading the word!  So, be on the look out Glens Falls....I'm not going anywhere!

Obsessions

Yeah, I love to bake. We all know that. There is just something so satisfying to me by combining ingredients and making something taste and look beautiful.  It's an obsession. Well........I have more. LOTS more. My poor husband. 

 I am obsessed with books, need them all. Hardback, paperback, or on the Kindle. Not my kindle, I dont' have one yet, but my 10 year old daughter's kindle. Obsessed with Katherine Heigel and any movie she's been in. Also obsessed with anything musical or contains dance, for example So you think you can dance and Glee...do not hate..appreciate.  Obsessed with taking pictures of anything and everything, I love post-its...YES, I just said post-its. OMG, lets not forget....PINK FLOYD.....Love'them...singing this as I write it.....MOST of all ( well for now anyways) I love jars and containers. THEREFORE, I have bought some containers, and saved all my glass jars, and I shall fill them. With what you ask? WHY..with baking stuff of course...duh!!!!

I'd like to give a shout out ( do people still say that?) to Angelia because without this fantastic label mechanism, it wouldn't look as good :)  In the midst of baking, labeling has been done. Mission Accomplished.    Time to go watch a Katherine Heigel Movie :)

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!