Looking Ahead

THINGS I WANT TO LEARN/ACCOMPLISH IN THE NEXT 6 MONTHS:

1. Learn how to make the notoriously delicious and much raved about SMBC
SMBC, for those of you who don't know, is Swiss Meringue Buttercream which, apparently, is the frosting of the gods. OK, OK, enough of your rantings and ravings about how amazingly awesome SMBC is. I have to see what all the fuss is about. Last night I tried my hand at Alicia’s Maple SMBC only to come up with what can be described as the mutated lovechild of marshmallow fluff and Elmer’s Glue. As Erica gently put it: “Ooh..no bueno!!” I've spotted a tutorial on Cassie's page and Erica has offered phone support for the next attempt. Any comments or tips on how YOU make your favorite SMBC would be lovely.

2. Take a cake decorating class
No more YouTube and book learnin’ here, I’ve got to go in and put the icing tip to the cake, so to speak. There are definitely some techniques that you just can’t learn from watching a video.

3. Take a fondant class
Akin to the one above, I think it’d be really neat to take a class that taught the inner workings of fondant and how to use it properly.

4. Make separate blog pages
I have started to notice that there are some items I’ve blogged about that I would like to group together on my page. I’ve seen other bloggers do it and I’m trying to figure out the best way to go about it. Off the top of my head I know I want a separate page to list my flavors and pricing as well as a page to showcase some of my favorite specialty cupcakes (like the Jungle Cupcakes and Baby Cupcakes).

5. Use fun decorative cupcake liners
I love how Kim’s liners stick out in this photo. I feel like I always purchase fun printed liners only to find that the cupcake batter saturates the paper and the designs aren’t apparent after the cupcakes are baked. Are there special liners you have to buy? Kim suggested buying liners from a quality kitchen store. Perhaps I’ll do that.

6. Make cupcakes from each of my pretty cupcake books
Throughout this cupcake saga I have accumulated a few cupcake books (OK, well, 3... but still!!) and I have as of yet to actually MAKE a cupcake from one of these books. For the most part I haven't done anything from them because they either a) require ingredients I don't keep around often, or b) have so many steps that I get tired just reading it. I'd like to get off my lazy cupcake bum, though, and finally choose a cupcake from each book to make.

I'll try to keep these six things in mind for the next six months and I'm thinking maybe I'll assign one per month and knock 'em out that way. I'll post as I go so you can keep track!

Upcoming Cupcakes

OK. I feel like I've been making a bunch of promises on upcoming cupcakes but barely following through. I would like to remedy this situation. I need to be more accountable and doggone I'm going to do what I do best: make a list! MY FAVORITE!! Here we go:

To the best of my knowledge, here are my most recent promised cupcakes followed by their current statuses:

RED VELVET
Status: COMPLETE! Just need to take photos. Stay posted!
Update: Here they are!!

GINGERBREAD
Status: Still looking for a good recipe Update: COMPLETE!
--I tried (and subsequently scratched) one recipe. Not gingerbread-y enough. My Executive Cupcake Analyst, a gingerbread purist and self-proclaimed expert on all things gingerbread, found that the molasses taste was barely noticeable (a mere aftertaste, he said) and he wanted something more pronounced.

APPLE PIE
Status: Not satisfied
--I liked the spice cake recipe that I used for this one but the filling came out less like apple pie and more like applesauce. I don't know how I feel about that.

MOCHA/COFFEE
Status: Back burner
--I could sit here and pretend that this has nothing to do with the fact that my interest in anything coffee is approximately 0% but, well, what's the use in pretending? Neither my husband nor I like coffee and therefore this one totally fell into the "save for another day" bin.

BLACK BOTTOM
Status: Untried but found a recipe! Update: COMPLETE!
--I found this recipe on How to Eat a Cupcake's site and it looks really promising. I can't wait to make these! My Cupcake Testing Specialist has hinted on more than one occasion that these need to be made. Of course, I've hinted on more than one occasion that she needs to keep supporting my pecan pie addiction but I have as yet to see another one of her glorious deep-dish pecan pies on my doorstep when I get home from work...

These are some cupcakes that have been mentioned at one point or another and have definitely piqued my interest but I just haven't gotten around to making them yet:

1. COCONUT CUPCAKE
2. S'MORE CUPCAKE
3. BEER CUPCAKE