009_Soda Pop

008_SODA POP!
The IronCupcake:Earth challenge for April is SODA POP! Some call it soda, some call it pop and other call it fizzies or fizzy drinks. Whatever it is, whether it is in a can, a bottle or homemade, people are drinking it all around the world. We took a vote and a resounding YES bubbled up for this sweet concoction. What can you do to make it into a cupcake? That is your challenge. SODA POP is the challenge for April 2009.

FINAL POSTING DAY is the 24th of every month: FRIDAY, April 24 at 12 noon. All times are CENTRAL time.

TAKE NOTE:
• Photograph your baking experience and then post about it on your blog.
• Posting your recipe on your blog is optional.
• Cupcake Pops are allowed, provided they also LOOK like cupcakes.
• New creations only, please. No previously submitted cupcakes.
• In your post, please be sure mention that you are competing to win the following prizes, be sure to include reference and an active link to our prize providers and sponsors:

Our April ETSY PRIZE-PACK is from artists:

• A creation by FRUITFLYPIE, http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=16748
• a pair of cupcake earrings from LOTS OF SPRINKLES at http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=6057281.
• a sweet surprise from Sweet Cuppin' Cakes Cupcakery, http://www.acupcakery.com/
  
• PLUS, IronCupcake:Earth can not forget our good friend, CAKESPY, http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=5243382, who is now going to be doing a piece for our winner each month until further notice - sweet!

Last and certainly not least, don’t forget our corporate prize providers: HEAD CHEFS by FIESTA PRODUCTS, http://www.fiestaproducts.com, HELLO CUPCAKE by Karen Tack and Alan Richardson, http://blog.hellocupcakebook.com, JESSIE STEELE APRONS http://www.jessiesteele.com; TASTE OF HOME books, http://www.tasteofhome.com; a t-shirt from UPWITHCUPCAKES.COM http://www.upwithcupcakes.com/. Iron Cupcake:Earth is sponsored in part by 1-800-Flowers, http://www.1800flowers.com .

• Please verify that all links are active.
• Post your favorite shot (two if you are showing a cross-section) of your cupcake to the Iron Cupcake flickr group, along with a brief summary of your post. Please include a link to your blog in the description and your blog name in the tags. No photos or summaries will be accepted via email.
• You can enter more than one cupcake, but each counts individually as separate entries. Each cupcake must be submitted to flickr and via email separately as well. NEW CREATIONS ONLY, no previously submitted cupcakes please.
  
• E-Mail your recipe(s), along with your first and last name and blog link to IronCupcakeEarth@wi.rr.com . In your subject line, please include IC:IngredientName. Your cupcake recipe must be emailed in order to be eligible for voting and the prize. Please note: you must do BOTH the email submission and the flickr submission.
• Voting will begin no later than Wednesday, April 29 at 8 p.m. at NO ONE PUTS CUPCAKE IN A CORNER, http://www.ironcupcakemilwaukee.com and will be open through Monday, May 4 at 12 noon. Send your readers to that address to vote.
• Winner will be posted the night of May 4, before 11:59 a.m.
• Please refer your readers to the IronCupcake:Earth cuphub at http://www.ironcupcakeearth,com to become a part of the excitement.

GOING FORWARD: New ingredients will always be announced on the 1st of the month (or earlier). The submission time closes at 12 noon central on the 24th of the month, regardless of the day of the week. It had been suggested that I standardize these dates, so there you go. ☺
Also, please be aware of the revised voting procedures, posted on the Iron Cupcake site.

ONE LAST THING: Any entry that is missing either its flickr post OR a complete email submission will not be included. So…please be sure to submit to both flickr and via email to be eligible for the vote. TIP: The 00X_received tag will be added to your flickr photo(s) when your submission is processed.

By participating in IRON CUPCAKE:EARTH you agree to have your recipe considered for use in a future Iron Cupcake:Earth cookbook – credited with your name and blog address (optional) attached. Actual prizes may vary, at the discretion of the artists/manufacturers.

STHU! Johnny Cupcakes in Chicago THIS weekend!

Shut the hell up! JC is coming my way. I am SOOOOO heading to Chicago on Saturday - yes, THIS SATURDAY! Local cupcakers (Ashley :-0 ), who is with me??!!!

Hogging all the (cup)cake!

It seems that one cakey winery is taking our friends at Cupcake Vineyards to task over implying that wine can be as good as a cupcake. Sounds to me like they think they can keep all the "cake" to themselves. Um, I don't think so. Isn't there room for LOTS of cake? Heck, yeah!
If you have never tried the wines from the Cupcake Vineyards, be sure to visit our next IronCupcake:Milwaukee challenge on April 13th!!

Having Their Cake and Drinking it Too:
'Layer Cake' Wine Sues 'Cupcake' Label
By Joe Eskenazi in Law & Order/SFWeekly.com
Monday, Mar. 30 2009 @ 6:30AM

Look, even this kid can tell the difference between a layer cake and a cupcake!
I am not a legal scholar. But I can tell you this: Never have I ever been so blitzed on the fruit of the vine that I couldn't tell a layer cake from a cupcake. But, again, I am no legal scholar -- because just such a distinction is the genesis of a 56-page copyright infringement lawsuit filed last week in San Francisco Superior Court.

One True Vine of St. Helena (which puts out the Layer Cake label) has taken umbrage with The Wine Group of Delaware, which produces a line called "Cupcake." Now, wine connoisseurs are always portrayed as a smart and discerning lot. And perhaps they are. But you won't get that from the contentions put forward in this lawsuit. In essence, One True Vine claims that oblivious oenophiles won't be able to tell Layer Cake (mid-range price, picture of "a partially sliced and decadent-looking chocolate cake" on the label) from Cupcake (low price, no picture on label, picture of a cupcake on cases).

But One True Vine's complaint doesn't stop there. The company is pissed that the Cupcake folks would dare compare their wines -- to cake. To wit, Cupcake's 2008 Sauvignon Blanc is pitched as "reminiscent of your grandmother's lemon chiffon cake." Another wine is compared to a "chocolate cherry cake" -- and One True Vine seems miffed the Cupcake folks even deign to suggest you drink their wines with cake.

Personally, I've never sipped any wine and thought "ah, cake" -- though Manischewitz Loganberry does taste an awful lot like Smucker's syrup. As for objecting to the notion of even suggesting that Cupcake wines would go well with cake -- Christ, what doesn't go well with cake?

I've read through the entire 56-page suit, and it looks an awful lot like the good folks at One True Vine want to establish a monopoly on all cake-related wine text and imagery. And yet, One True Vine was established in 2003. We wonder what the folks at Cakebread Cellars (est. 1973) think about that?

Giggling Like a Little School Girl...

LACupcakeChallenge: Winners to be Announced on Tuesday

Looks like yesterdays Los Angeles Cupcake Challenge was a huge success. With more than 30 cupcakes to be consumed, you can be sure that there were some dentists called this morning! There is a gallery of all the sweetness posted on the LATimes website, and congratulations to our friend Julie of Blue Cupcake for her beautiful submissions, visit her site to see more.

Congrats to my favorite Spy!

Gourmet + CakeSpy = BFF, originally uploaded by cakespy.

Gourmet magazine has listed our favorite, cakespy.com, as one of THEIR fave food blogs. Bigger and bigger, soon enough, there will be a cuppie in every kitchen and a spy in every bakery. Congrats Jessie...luv ya!

Can't Fight the Craving!

Crave Cupcakes, originally uploaded by Fields of Cake.

My girl Carrie has done it, yet again! CHECK THESE OUT! WOW!!!
Introducing the CRAVE CUPCAKE: Milk Chocolate Cupcake filled with malted milk chocolate buttercream and a Whopper malted milk ball, topped with malted milk chocolate buttercream, a whopper and a chocolate dipped potato chip...when you crave salty and sweet, and don't we always crave cupcake??

Cupcakes 101

Traditional and Unusual Cupcake Tools

The beauty of cooking is that there is always room for a little creativity in nearly every recipe we decide to undertake. Our kitchens are a place to experiment and have fun with the food we wish to make for our guests and there isn't a better place to implement our imagination than with some delicious desserts. Cupcakes have become so popular over the past few years that theyíre even popping up at weddings instead of the traditional cake. If you have a sweet tooth, consider adding a few traditional bakeware accessories to your cookware sets as well as some fun decorative items that will make your cupcake batch look the very best!

When it comes to preparing cupcakes, it's important to invest in a reliable baking pan that you can easily line with colorful cupcake paper. Liners are especially important for gluten-free baking as this will protect your recipes against any wheat product exposure. Consider splurging on novelty pans shaped in a floral or holiday design to add an extra hint of charm to your baked goodies. Cupcakes wouldn't be the same without a heavy-duty hand or stand mixer on hand to blend all of the essential ingredients together for that perfect batch. While cupcakes can be one of the smallest treats in the dessert category, their size certainly doesn't reflect the amount of flavor that can be packed into each one.

Try using a unique method for your cupcake baking and decorating by creating an infused cake batter or creamy icing topping just as you would create fresh herb gravy for dinner with a mortal and pestle kit. Buttercream Icing doesn't have to be limited to the top of your cake — use a pastry decorating bag equipped with a filling tip that controls the amount of icing you wish to add. If you're looking to use several different decorating tips, it's best to use a coupler which is a device made up of a base and ring that allows you to switch from one detailing tip to the next. A great way to add another impressive decoration to your cupcakes is by using fondant and gum paste for specially designed figures and floral arrangements or with your favorite candy to add an extra splash of color and style.

North Carolina Cupcakes to Cure Cancer

From the Ashville Citizen-Times:

HENDERSONVILLE - A special benefit to fund pediatric cancer research, and in honor of the memory of Garett Sheehan, will be presented 11 a.m.-2 p.m. Saturday in the center court of Blue Ridge Mall in Hendersonville.

This will be hosted by Elegant Arrangements, a Relay for Life of Henderson County team.

The Pampered Chef is sponsoring a “decorate your own cupcake” area where children can design their own special cupcake.

Relay for Life of Henderson County will have a booth with information about the upcoming event and the work being done by the American Cancer Society’s funding of pediatric cancer research.Art For Life, will present several activities for children and provide information on pediatric cancer. Art for Life is a charity organization that provides art supplies and instructive encouragements to children with cancer.

Live Deliciously!

Cupcake Wine Display, originally uploaded by lollicakes#1.

Yes, these are our partners for IronCupcake:Milwaukee's April challenge!!! Did you miss the announcement? Check it out here!

Biodegradable Cupcakes?

from Marketwatch.com

CORN, SOY BECOME CUPCAKE WRAPPERS
WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind., Mar 25, 2009 (UPI via COMTEX) -- Purdue University students have created award-winning new uses for corn and soybeans, including cupcake liners and cork products.

Three teams of students were awarded top honors this week in the university's annual Student Soybean and Corn Innovation Contests.

"These contests are about more than just creating new products," said Professor Bernie Tao. "The future success of our country depends on our graduates' abilities to innovate and market more sustainable products. That's something that can be hard to teach in a classroom."

Purdue's TerraMat and Melt-A-Way Cupcake Liners teams tied for top honors in the soybean portion of the competition, earning $17,500 each.

TerraMat, a cork product made of both soybeans and corn, was created by Jacob Smoker, a junior from Wanatah, Ind., and Mohamad Abiad, a doctoral student from Beirut, Lebanon.

The cupcake liners are designed to become part of the cupcake during the baking process, eliminating the necessity of removing a paper liner and also reducing paper waste. The product was created by students Erin Rosswurm, Victoria Horton, Marci Colglazier and Professor Lisa Mauer.

In the corn-only portion of the contest, students created biodegradable toilet paper and won a cash prize of $10,000.

Other products in this year's competition included a decomposable flowerpot, car wax, paint balls, biodegradable cigarette filters and biodegradable shotgun cartridge casings.

ICM:LATIN AMERICAN with ENGINEERS WITHOUT BORDERS

IronCupcake:Milwaukee was shaking their mariachis on Monday night with our LATIN AMERICAN challenge. We were lucky enough to partner with the awesome collegiate group, ENGINEERS WITHOUT BORDERS. Ben Bocher, a former student at Marquette University was kind enough to spend a couple minutes telling our Iron Cupcakers all about the humanitarian efforts made by our local engineers every year. Developing clean water resources, constructing bridges and bringing basic necessities to struggling countries in Latin American and across the world. I would like to personally thank DAN ZITOMER and CHRIS FOLEY for helping to bring EWB and IRON CUPCAKE:Milwaukee together.

New baker, Rebecca, created a tempting bite called the Guatemalan Chili-Spiked Chocolate Cupcake with a Mariachi Mango Filling. A little sweet, a little spicy and a lot delicious! Welcome Rebecca, I hope you had a good time!



Brendan grew reminiscent of his time in Costa Rica and created a delicious interpretation of the Gallo Pinto. A sweet coconut and black bean rice dish.



As always, Susie really brought her creative game. Her Taste the Passion cupcake was drenched in passion fruit syrup and drizzled with rich dark chocolate. As you can see the mini piñatas could not resist!



Katie made a cuppy patterned after one of my personal favorite latin desserts. Her Flan Cupcake integrated the flavors of dulce de leche and the classic custard.



Another new baker was Emily and how can you not fall in love with a cupcaker who brings her own Mayan Temple along for display! Her El Castillo cupcake was a banana cake with dulce de leche and chocolate espresso on top. Keep 'em coming, Emily!



Jeff leaped out of the box this month with his Jerk Pork and Chicken cupcake. A savory creation with super spicy pork and chicken mixed into a classic vanilla cake. It was topped with a drizzle of jerk sauce. In spite of my "jerk" joking, as usual Jeff really embraced the idea of Iron Cupcake and pushed our brains to embrace the different.




Last, but certainly not least, our winner for the LATIN AMERICAN challenge. Not only did she take home the popular vote, she also was the "Partner's Pick" made by Ben from EWB. Ashley's light and luscious Horchata cupcake. Our other winners of the Partner's Pick were Katie and Jeff. Congrats to all. As far as Ashley's creation goes...the frosting was so delicate and dreamy, I could have eaten a bowl of it all by itself! Ashley (below) has been a faithful Iron Cupcaker since last summer and we celebrate her win!



Our next challenge is APRIL 13th with partners CUPCAKE VINEYARDS. Read all about!

ICM:Wine 2.0 - So Good, we are doing it again!

IronCupcake:Milwaukee is so excited to announce it's partnership with CUPCAKE VINEYARDS for our April challenge. Our first wine challenge last summer was such a hit, we are doing it again. Since this is our 2nd wine challenge, we ask that you do not repeat your previous cupcakes - new creations only. As always, bakers should pre-register at IronCupcakeMilwaukee@wi.rr.com. In addition to happy hour prices and and delicious cupcakes, there will be a tasting all of the delicious varietals that Cupcake Vineyards offers.

Cupcake Wines—Live Deliciously! Decadent wines, classic in presentation, but rich enough to create a moment of luxury and pure pleasure...like when your Mom let you have a cupcake!

Blogoversary Giveaway Winners

OK, so I am a day late announcing the winner. My apologies. It was a long weekend! So, how did I choose? No random drawings here, it was the ones that tickled my funny bone that brought home the prize. Much congratulations to Miss Hollywood and her red velvet blood-bath (see above); LaDue and Crew and her melty patriotic wedding cake and to Strawberry and her fruity cupcakes that even her poo-eating puppy wouldn't eat! Each of the winners will be receiving a copy of Taste of Home Cupcakes! Muffins and More. If you would like a copy of your own, they are available at shoptasteofhome.com. Thanks for the laughs ladies and thanks to all of you for 2 happy years of cupcake blogging.

Peeking Out

Peeking Out, originally uploaded by Sharon Wee.

CIA Cupcakes

Decorating cupcakes at the Culinary Institute of America.

Introducing...IronCupcake:Anacortes

winner - Irish Coffee Cupcake, originally uploaded by chilicat57.

Yep...we have another sister in the land of IronCupcake:Local! Introducing our newest chapter in Anacortes, Washington. Their premiere challenge was IRISH OR ANYTHING GREEN. The results sounded delicious...Pistachio; Mint; Guinness Chocolate and even one topped with Irish bacon! While these all sound great, the winner was the Irish Coffee Cupcake by Tiffany. Congratulations to ICA coordinator, Tracey and all of the Anacortes Iron Cupcakers! Check out their post at http://www.alteredrecipes.com/ica_challenge.htm.

Want to get in on the fun? Start your own local chapter of IronCupcake, visit the etsy store for more information!

On an aside...don't forget to check out the 2 year blogoversary giveaway!

2-Year Blogoversary and Giveaway!

This week marks 2 years of sweet cupcake blogging and spicy stories full of goofiness! To mark this milestone, I am giving away 3 copies of the new Taste of Home Cupcakes! Muffins and More cookbook. Try one of the 130+ little treats; everything from classic cakes that bake in a snap to whimsical creations kids will love. Hardcover, 112 pages, color photos. 8-3/8" x 11-1/8". If you just can't wait to see who wins, you can buy one now at shoptasteofhome.com.

How do you win? It is REALLY easy! Just comment below and tell of your biggest baking blunder. Be sure to leave a means of contacting you as well; otherwise I won't be able to get your prize to you! Entries must be submitted by 12 noon on Sunday, March 22nd and winners will be announced on Monday, March 23rd. Good Luck!

Read, Writing and Baking?

The Lost Book is a collaborative adventure in storytelling. It’s taking place on the world wide web and anyone can join in. At its heart is an animated web series. They are hoping that you – all of you! – will join the team. There’s a whole web series to write and they need as many people as possible to take part in writing it.

Currently, The Lost Book is looking for some cupcakes! The main character, Aileen, will visit a café in the next episode – so they need the perfect cupcake for her! Entrants should bake a cupcake inspired by The Lost Book and post a photo to their Flickr group (http://www.flickr.com/groups/thelostbookcupcakes/). The closing date is 31 March 2009. The prize is that the cupcake design will be used in the animation.

Martha, Martha, Martha

Darn that Martha!
As much as I want to hate her, I just can't when she has something as adorable as these on her site. Those who know me, know that I also have a "bird thing" — not as much as I have a "cupcake-thing", but strong none the less. To get ingredients and directions, pay Martha a visit.

Tea for Two!

Cupcake Tea at the Ritz Carlton New York Central Park's Star Lounge!

For only $25 per person, each person receives a pre-set selection of five petite, freshly-baked gourmet cupcakes as well as a choice of Ritz-Carlton blend teas. Talk about a FUN New York City experience! The flavors included are:

• Rich red velvet cake with traditional cream cheese frosting
• Orange "creamsicle" cake with creamy Tahitian vanilla filling and buttercream frosting
• Lemon chiffon cake with vanilla bean buttercream frosting
• Valrhona chocolate cake with whipped Valrhona chocolate ganache frosting
• Tahitian vanilla cake with vanilla bean buttercream frosting

IronCupcake:Milwaukee hits the pages of Milwaukee Magazine!

The April issue of Milwaukee Magazine has a supplemental Dining Extra. In it is a feature, Destined for Greatness, hilighting the four most "happening" dining areas in the city. One area, the Third Ward, features a snippet about our friends at Fratellos. But...the best part, is that that snippet features IronCupcake:Milwaukee! We have been hoping for coverage beyond the Milwaukee Magazine website for quite a while now, and this makes us one step closer!!! The April issue will be on newstands soon.

LA Cupcake Challenge 2009

Damn, I wish I were in Los Angeles next week!

Eat:Drink:Play announces its 2009 LA Cupcake Challenge. Dozens of LA’s best bakeries are squaring off and allowing you to pick the winner. Each bakery will display their best traditional and original cupcake for you to taste and judge. Sponsored by Nestle Nesquik, the event will also include coffee and Nesquik flavored milk to be enjoyed with 30-some cupcakes and a cash bar for wine and mixed drinks.

Among 20 competitors are some of my favorites; Blue Cupcake and Hotcakes, with submissions that include Pina Colada, Blackberries and Cream, Orange Creamsicle, Pineapple Goes Coconut, Lavendar, Mexican Hot Chocolate, and Sweet Potato Pie (in addition to traditional submission including Triple Chocolate and Red Velvet).

Date: March 29, 2009
Time: 1:00 PM to 4:00 PM
Location: Renaissance Hollywood Hotel 1755 N. Highland Ave Hollywood, CA 90028
Price: $40.00
Website: drinkeatplay.com
Contact: (310) 902-6955
e-mail: contact@drinkeatplay.com

Pure Bliss!

Now available at the MKECUPCAKEQUEEN CafePress shop.
bacon + cupcake = bliss

Doesn't that pretty much say it all?
Lots of styles and sizes. Get yours now!

A Little Birdy Told Me...

Little Birdy Cupcake Toppers, originally uploaded by Jeniene@ciaobambino.

To check out the cute etsy store by ciaobambino. Adorable cupcake toppers and partyware. You can get 8 of these little tweeties for only 2 bucks...and look at those details. So well done. Could be just the thing for YOUR next batch of sweetness!

Do You Want Fries With That??

Nope, not with these! Believe it or not, these are cupcakes! Created by the talented Smiley's Sweets and mentioned on the Los Angeles Times Daily Dish blog. Check it out.

Zebra Stripes and Happy Kids

From the examiner.com:

I love finding out about new products that are unique, fun, and educational. I recently heard about Zebra Mix, which was founded in Seattle, and was instantly hooked. If you have a budding Betty Crocker (or Wolfgang Puck) at home, then you need to check this out!

Zebra Mix was created by parents who liked that their children enjoyed baking but didn't like the mess it created. They also discovered that there were plenty of opportunities to learn about math and science while baking. Each kit comes with a baking map that lets kids take charge as much as possible. In addition to illustrated directions, there are also quick science and math lessons and word games to keep things interesting.

Each kit has its own theme. The Brownie Bites Kit teaches simple Spanish phrases and a quick science activity. The Chocolate Chip Cookie Kit teaches kids about math, science, practical thinking, and also how to create a scientific formula. The Zebra Cupcake Kit teaches kids about their five senses and they get to use each one in simple activities. So not only are the kids baking a sweet treat, they're learning at the same time!

Another great aspect of Zebra Mix is that the cookies, brownies, and cupcakes are made with natural and organic ingredients. You can be happy that your kids aren't filling up with preservatives and additives. As you might expect, the packaging is also made with recycled products and Zebra Mix also supports sustainable farming.

If you want to offer a fun gift to a special kiddo in your life, you can hit the Zebra Mix online store and order special totes. The totes come with aprons, a wooden stirring spoon, a small toy, and the baking kit all inside a reusable tote. You can also buy party packs and make that next birthday party a huge hit. Come to think of, it would take a lot of the work away from you, too! Let the kids bake and decorate the cupcakes for a change!

Rock(er) and Win!

Our friend, Julie, over at RockerJewlz has launched her first give-away! She has glass cupcake beads, confetti and more. Pop on over and see what she's got and all the different ways that you can win! Good Luck!

She Wore Green Velvet...

Who needs red when green is on the menu? Beginning this Friday, Sprinkles will be offering two limited edition, St. Patrick's Day-themed cupcakes. The green velvet cupcake is a dyed green version of Sprinkles' Southern-style chocolate cake topped with cream cheese frosting. The Bailey's Irish chocolate cupcake features Belgian dark chocolate cake topped with cream cheese frosting dosed with Bailey's and topped with a fondant shamrock. $3.25 each; available Friday to St. Patrick's Day.

Cupcakes Aren't Meant to RAGE

This past weekend, I finally took up an invitation that I have managed to miss out on for months. Josh – a faithful IronCupcake:Milwaukee baker and father of the White Trash Cupcake, has been encouraging me to come to the cooking smackdown hosted by he and his friends, RAGE AGAINST THE CUISINE.



Like IronChef or IronCupcake, there is a theme or flavor announced and then the cooking and smackdown begins. The proceedings took place at the Gregg home - such hospitality, don't they look sweet?



My friend Sarah and I arrived for RAGE, BATTLE:FABIO (a la Top Chef) with my three layer Tiramisu in hand. (Mental note, this group is NOT playing around – only homemade ladyfingers going forward).



The array of deliciousness was spectacular. Everything from scratch lasagna (noodles and all), two types of rockin’ raviolis, gnocchi, bruschetta, cannoli, two tiramisus, and for the love of God...the MOST FAN-DAMN-TASTIC stuffed Mussels on Earth! A room full of new friends, some excellent laughs and a very serious attempt at conquering their next challenge, the AXIS OF EVIL.

CreepCake

"This sinister yet sweet lil creepy cupcake kid has large violet blue eyes that softly glow in the dark. Really piercing (love that)! Scalp stitches that go all the way around, deeply blackened eyes, lil sharp fangs, "bruised" up and beautifully sinister.

One might imagine that this cupcake kid is in quite the predicament being his head is a confectionery treat! Yet one look at his expression says otherwise. I believe the confectionery connoisseur of this sinister sweet treat is the one in the predicament!"
From ETSY seller CARNIVALITY, for $34, it could be yours!

Going Green

Cupcaketree.com Appeals to the Green Wedding Movement

NILES, Mich., March 9 /PRNewswire/ -- The Cupcaketree has emerged as a leading product for environmentally conscious brides who desire greener weddings. Concerned with the waste created by more traditional weddings, these brides are using "mindful indulgence" as their guide in choosing more eco-friendly products. One product that appeals to this green wedding movement is the corrugated cardboard cupcake stand manufactured by Cupcaketree.com (http://www.cupcaketree.com) To view the Multimedia News Release, go to: http://www.prnewswire.com/mnr/cupcaketree/37321/ "Our original Cupcaketree already is the cupcake stand of choice," says Cupcaketree.com co-owner Judy Truesdell, who with her daughter Meg Truesdell, started the business in 2001. Sold under the trade name The Cupcaketree, the cupcake stand is completely recyclable, convenient and affordable -- all important eco-friendly features for the green wedding movement, according to Truesdell. The Michigan-based company made a business decision early on to use corrugated cardboard for environmental purposes. "We knew that the corrugated industry insisted on reforestation and recycling in order to be responsible stewards of the environment," says Truesdell. An added benefit is the stand's light weight, which helps keep delivery costs down, according to Truesdell. Along with designing this innovative cupcake stand for wedding cupcakes, the company is one of the first manufacturers of this unique product. Cupcaketrees have been shipped to every state and internationally to 15 countries. Premiering Spring 2009 Cupcaketree.com will introduce the square cupcaketree. "Our brides are always looking for something different and we have had many requests for a square cupcaketree," Truesdell said. "While the round cupcake stands have been extremely popular, the square cupcaketree brings a fresh approach to cupcake stands." They will be offered in two sizes, the large that holds up to 300 cupcakes and the mini that holds up to 100 cupcakes. Although the corporate office of Cupcaketree.com is located in Niles, MI, the actual "trees" are manufactured in Sturgis, MI. The company has had several offers to expand its production offshore, but Truesdell says that local manufacturing in the USA is central to the company philosophy. "Using local sources to manufacture our products is just good business sense," says Truesdell. "Not only does it help stimulate the economy, it helps keep jobs right here in Michigan. For more information about the Cupcaketree for the green wedding movement and the square cupcaketree visit http://www.cupcaketree.com or call toll free 1-866-422-8733 to request a free brochure

Just Add Water?

While surfing the web, looking for details on the new endorsement deal that Fabio Viviani of Top Chef, season 5 has made...I found this! Dr. Oetker's Shaker Cupcakes! Dr. Oetker's is the brand of frozen pizza, Ristorante brand, that Fabio is soon endorsing. Come to discover they have a clever cupcake creation as well. Literally, you just add water or milk, shake, pour and bake!

Quick and Easy Puppy Cuppies

Now available, cupcake mix for your pup! Brought to you by Puppy Cakes, in two flavors, banana and carob. All natural ingredients and easily microwavable. The site even sells dogbone cupcakes pans to back with! Each box sells for $5.99 and makes 6 cakes a piece.

ICE_007_COFFEE - We Have a Winner!!!

We have a winner for round 7 of IronCupcake:Earth, the COFFEE challenge. I am pleased to announce that Bliss in a Paper Cup, most perfectly named I might add, brings home the ultra-caffeinated prize. In our winners' words, her cupcake was "Banana cake, filled with caramel coffee custard and a piece of homemade smoked sea salt toffee, topped with coffee liqueur milk chocolate sauce, coffee liqueur latte buttercream and another shard of homemade toffee. I am barely able to describe to you the joy that this cupcake brought my mouth!"

All cupcake votes were listed and fed to the random.org list randomizer and our winner is Carrie from Brunswick, ME who is the author of FIELDS OF CAKE, be sure to check it out.

Carrie will soon be experiencing the fun of a string of goodies landing in her mail box. Included will be:

Our February ETSY PRIZE-PACK from artists:

• DIANAEVANS - http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=5599270
• as well as a pair of cupcake earrings from LOTS OF SPRINKLES at http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=6057281.
• PLUS, IronCupcake:Earth can not forget our good friend, CAKESPY, http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=5243382, who is now going to be doing a piece for our winner each month until further notice - sweet!

As an added bonus for February, SWEET CUPPIN CAKES BAKERY AND CUPCAKERY SUPPLY will be tossing in a variety of cupcaking supplies, http://www.acupcakery.com/index.html.

As well as the awesome prizes from our corporate prize providers: HEAD CHEFS by FIESTA PRODUCTS, http://www.fiestaproducts.com, HELLO CUPCAKE by Karen Tack and Alan Richardson, http://blog.hellocupcakebook.com, JESSIE STEELE APRONS http://www.jessiesteele.com; TASTE OF HOME books, http://www.tasteofhome.com; a t-shirt from UPWITHCUPCAKES.COM http://www.upwithcupcakes.com/. Iron Cupcake:Earth is sponsored in part by 1-800-Flowers, http://www.1800flowers.com .

Cupcakes are a Science

Women's Day has launched their Periodic Table of Cupcakes. An interactive chart of sweetness, if you will. Click on your element and you bounce to a recipe. Worth checking out!