Bake Sale Beauties

I grew up baking with my older sister who taught me how to correctly measure dry and wet ingredients and roll out sugar cookie dough to minimize waste. I watched  in amazement at Christmastime when she created enchanting gingerbread houses. Baking was and still is something sisters of all ages can do together. Today, my 2 daughters bake and I like to think I’m passing on what was taught to me. Did you know baking with your kids not only creates memories, yummy treats and yes some chaotic messes but also teaches math, reading, the importance of following directions, science and patience?

And I admit, it brings out the competitor in me.

Recently when my daughter's school held annual its Arts Night they added a tasty spin onto the event – a bake sale competition.

I am a competitive person and I like to win. My oldest daughter and I entered this contest the past 2 years without placing.  Every year I think we are going to win a prize. We haven’t but this hasn’t stopped us. The drive to win has me scouring what I consider to be one of the best websites of all time - Pinterest and pinning away all year what I think could bring home the first place prize for us (ok, really just me).

 Angry Bird cupcakes and cake pops won the past 2 years. I thought the theme was a bit overdone and wouldn’t win (we did, after all, bake and decorate Princess and The Frog cupcakes  last year which I thought were wonderful (see photo) but the first grade class does the voting. Enough said. The most intricate design won’t necessarily win; what should win probably won’t. So therefore I had to think like a first grader. That might not be much of a stretch for me, especially some days. My husband might argue it wouldn’t be a stretch the majority of days. I tune my brain into pop culture and what else, the Disney Channel and the Cartoon Network. Think Phineas & Ferb, Hello Kitty, Sponge Bob. I have what I consider to be a brilliant idea, one that fits in with box office summer movie magic: Despicable Me  Minnion Cupcakes. I scour Pinterest and easily find the recipe. Yes, it’s gonna be a home run ! Then, no…these delicious and delectable treats require Twinkies. Hostess doesn’t make them anymore.So, I go to the second best website known to mankind: EBay. I find Twinkie baking pans (Hostess actually makes their own pan and bake set…who knew?) which ranges from $49.99 to a little over $12.00. This just goes to prove you can buy just about anything on EBay.

 I enter a bid and find out the next day I didn’t win. I was a little relieved because I am quite certain my husband would not be happy about spending money on a Twinkie  baking pan. I keep looking on the web but find nothing spectacular. Then with 1 day to go, I find it: a High Heeled Cupcake. This appeals to me on so many levels. It’s pink, it’s a shoe, it’s original and most important, it is doable. I decide this is The One Cupcake that will bring us fame and glory (at least in my own mind which is good enough).

These High Heeled cupcakes may look difficult but all you need is graham crackers, white chocolate chips, sprinkle, Pirouette cookies, frosting and a cupcake. This website explains the step-by-step-process. http://www.mommymoment.ca/2013/04/high-heel-cupcakes.html    If I can do it, so can you. How cute would this be for Mother’s Day or a little girl’s birthday party?

We baked, assembled, decorated and individually wrapped them for the Bake Sale Competition along with Angry Bird Cupcakes, Star Wars cupcakes and Peep Cupcakes. I figured if I was baking 50 cupcakes I might as well decorate a few different kinds to increase our chances of a winner. In actuality it is desperation to win a ribbon.

 I am happy to say we actually won First Place! The look on my daughter’s face when I told her was priceless. And that was the best prize of all for me.