Wow, you guys, thanks for all the lovely comments on the pin board. I would bask in them if I didn't know quite how easy it was to do, so go finish (or start) yours now!
Less easy was this weekend's baking challenge. I told Mark he could pick a style of cupcake to make for Daddy's Birthday and this was it - toffee tumbles.
Now don't get all excited, that was the illustration in the book. But make them I did - 3 billion choux pastry marbles later....
People who ice for a living must have hands of steel. Mine were getting cramp round the piping bag and I has a disaster with the toffee that goes over the top.But quite frankly, by that stage in the proceedings I was past caring, so slightly lumpy fudge it was. I think he liked them - enough to justify the effort? I don't know, but I tell you something - Mark is not choosing the cupcakes for his 40th next year!
And while I am here, a very overdue thank you to Karen for the beautiful, bright, teeny tiny swap package from her boys to mine. The fab snakes and fridge magnets were examples, with kits to make our own - we're really looking forward to doing them.
The teeny tiny swap has given us so much joy, both in creating our parcels and appreciating the goodies sent to us. Amanda's plotting round two, don't miss out!
oh geez, your cupcakes look so cute and yummy! i like the way yours look beter than the picture from the book. they look way more managable to eat :) nice picture of them, too!
by the way, what are "happy cakes"?!
Posted by: babybug | 24 September 2006 at 19:08
I can't believe your cupcakes... they're amazing!
I'm glad my husband is happy with a nice apple crumble. Easy peasy.
Posted by: monica | 24 September 2006 at 20:37
I think you deserve a medal for just taking on the task - I am afraid I would have used a bit of gentle persuasion towards something more simple.
Top points for going for it - they look fab
Posted by: karen | 24 September 2006 at 20:40
I would never have taken on those cupcakes - brave woman! Good job, too.
Posted by: Megan | 24 September 2006 at 22:19
Yum, Ali! Those look scrumptious. I think cookies are too much work. Look at you go!!!
Posted by: jojo* | 25 September 2006 at 05:33
Wow, those cupcakes are fantastic, I am so impressed and I think yours look better than the book too. Which book did them come from by the way?
Posted by: Poshyarns | 25 September 2006 at 11:36
oh wow they look amazing and I bet they taste pretty good too. Hope daddy was suitably impressed
Posted by: caroline | 25 September 2006 at 21:14
Gorgeous! I love cupcakes so much we had tons of them as of our wedding cake! I agree on the icing point. Someday remind me to tell you about the wedding cake I made and decorated for a friend that was 5 ft in diameter!!
Posted by: nuttnbunny | 25 September 2006 at 21:30
those look awesome - I'd probably sneak out and look for some bakery that sells something similar just so I wouldn't have to make them myself!
Posted by: Dee | 25 September 2006 at 23:06