A favorite sweet treat for everyone is the cupcake. Perhaps it's individuality is the key to the success of these tiny little cakes. You get the whole cake and eat it, too! No more waiting for the cake to be cut, just the right size slice to appear or getting the one with the most icing. And, the 'icing' on these li'l beauties is the ease of preparation especially for someone who feels they do not belong in the kitchen.

December 15 is...

http://wearpinkwednesdays.com/happy-national-cupcake-day/

"There's nothing a Cupcake and Coffee can't solve."

~ Marie Williams Johnstone

The li'l cake we all know and love as the cupcake made quite a mark in history. Cakes, back in the day, did not involve measuring as we are accustomed. The ingredients used in baking at that time were primarily weighed. A prime example is the recipe for grandma's pound cake: one pound of butter, one pound of sugar, one pound of eggs and one pound of flour. Back to the cupcakes, for many years, they were known as one-two-three-four cakes because of their recipe: one cup of butter, two cups of sugar, three cups of flour, four eggs, plus one cup of milk and one spoon full of baking soda. This recipe is still traditional to this day.

The cupcake's mark in history: With the evolution of the cupcake came the shift in the art of baking from weighing to measuring.

There are no ordinary moments when in the kitchen knee deep in cupcake baking and decorating. Since we are in the midst of the holiday season with Christmas in the not so distant future why not bake a huge batch of Gingerbread Cupcakes!

Gingerbread Cupcakes with Maple Buttercream and Candied Pears (Recipe)

"When you share a cupcake, you share love."
~ Unknown Author

Christmastime is family time and a time for sharing. Friends and family are coming and going on a steady basis so having a tray of cupcakes on hand is almost as big a necessity as the Christmas cookies. (Click each image for outside links.)

Some creative ideas...

http://vintageconnections.blogspot.com/2011/12/simple-cute-holiday-desserts.html

Santa Going Down the Chimney

Use a basic chocolate cupcake base, a strawberry smooshed into white icing and a dollop of white icing as the snowball tip on Santa's red hat.

http://www.createdby-diane.com/2010/12/pretty-in-pink-candy-cane-cupcakes.html

Candy Cane Crunch Cupcakes

Now you know what to do with those broken candy cane pieces that always end up at the bottom of the bag!

Orange Cupcakes with Vanilla Frosting

Festive creations that say 'Happy Holidays'!

Festive Sugared Marshmallow Cupcakes

'Tis the season for holiday treats! And these festive cupcakes are no exception. Bake with your kids and see what creations will be the toppers for the holidays.