Last Thursday, I revisited an old favorite pastime: Cupcake Decorating!
On this particular occasion, it was for the club, Circle of Friends, with which I’ve been involved for the last two years.
With only a day to decorate forty cupcakes, there wasn’t enough time to make fondant critters. I had to think of something quicker. So, after perusing the candy aisle at the grocery store, I came up with:
(Note to vegans: The Teddy Grahams are vegan. The Lifesaver gummies, however, are not. I didn’t even think about the fact that they might contain gelatin until after I’d gotten them home.)
But the cupcakes, themselves, are vegan (from VCTOTW), as is the Pillsbury icing. I thought I was so clever to put Teddy Grahams into lifesaver candies… but it turns out other people have had the same idea! Oh well; great minds think alike, I guess.
(The brown “sand” is maple sugar.)
Please excuse the messy edges. The nails were newly-painted.
Nail polish tip: Don’t worry about staying in the lines when you polish your nails, and don’t bother taking off the polish that gets on your skin. It’ll come off naturally by the next day (especially if you take a shower) and your nails will look perfect. Promise..
Leslie says
LOL I love Desperate Housewives! You look beautiful, by the way. The cupcakes too :).
Elizabeth says
Super cute cupcakes! 🙂 You did a great job. And I love the quote – that’s the only show I keep up with haha!
Kittie says
Oh my gosh! Those are sooo cute. I love Teddy Grahams!
adrienmelaine says
You’re the most amazing treat maker! I’m known to bring good/healthy treats to parties.. You’ll never see me with the bag of chips and salsa- though I will eat them! haha
abby says
those kids are so lucky! i would’ve fought over that last cupcake too ;). and desperate housewives is the best show ever. the first season was, anyway. it kinda went downhill after that. but i should go back and watch the old ones!
Katie says
How adorable! You are so creative when it comes to decorations (or anything, really). I usually come empty handed to parties, but when I have something at MY house, I go ALL out. I usually make enough food for 10x the people that are coming. 🙂
Valerie says
Amazing. I would’ve slapped some icing on them and called it a day. You’re so sweet to be involved with such a great group!
Devyn says
Desperate Housewives quote?! My favorite 🙂
Ilana says
I love your nails! Blue nail polish is probably my favorite thing ever. It always cheers me up!
How sweet are your cupcakes!?! I don’t know where I’ve seen bears floating on gummys before (probably on Martha Stewart come to think of it) but it always makes me go “EEEE!” because of how cute it is.
I love to cook/bake for parties. Everyone brings their own alcohol, I bring my own cookies. Booya.
Devyn says
Oh also Circle of Friends sounds like Best Buddies. I am the chapter president of my High School’s Best Buddies club 🙂
Great club choice 🙂
Kate says
I second the cupcake model idea. You outshine that cute cupcake, which is pretty hard to do ;).
Inspired says
Thanks for the nail tip. Does it really work, even if you get polish ALL over your nail beds (i.e. not just a little bit?) I’m going to try, because I am the worst at staying in the lines!
Jess says
Looooooove the cupcakes!
Justine says
Those cupcakes are too cute! I love bring dishes to parties, even though I am always nervous as to how people will like it. I have found that if you bring something sweet, most everyone will like it. 🙂
idreamoftahini says
WOW -your cucakes are so cute. I really want to learn to make cupcakes. I bought books to learn how to make vegan cupcakes, but as of yet I haven’t tried to make any. I checked out your past link of cupcakes. LOVE the watermelon one!!!!!!
Aimee says
Both you and the cupcake are so pretty! Oh and the nails too. I wish I were half as talented!
nic - the auspicious squirrel says
Oh, those cupcakes are absolutely adorable! You are so creative, love the life saver inner-tubes (even if they aren’t vegan) and the sand… so so cute!
Stefanie says
Cute cupcakes and I am liking your nails too. You are a very creative. 🙂
katebynumbers says
Those cupcakes are adorable!! They make me want to make my own!
Last year, a group of friends and I had theme night potlucks once a weeks. We had things like Italian night, breakfast-for-dinner, Mexican, French, dessert, Japanese, we made our own pizzas, etc. it was super fun and I got to experiment with a whole slew of new recipes, all of which everyone loved! The majority of my friends who were involved moved away at the beginning of this year, so we haven’t kept it up, but it was a wicked good time.
Mary says
I love when you post your cupcake pictures. It’s been a while. Slacker! Don’t you know your adoring fans are waiting impatiently to see your next creation, missy? 😉
Christina says
Hahaha I love Desperate Housewives! And now I want Teddy Grahams!
C @ Slide into Hippiedom says
I love to cook and bake, so I almost always bring a dish to parties and whatnot. Also, my bf and I are almost always the only vegans there (no veg either), so bringing something is almost a necessity.
The best part is when I bring foods and people go, “This is vegan?” Cupcakes and cookies go over very well. Interesting and healthy entrees make people realize how accessible veganism really is. Last night we had pasta with bean balls and everyone really enjoyed them.
Danielle says
You should totally open a cupcake shop. If people are fighting over your treats then you know you’ve got something good!
And while you’re at it, you should also become a cupcake model. You’re too pretty!!
keribop says
Those cupcakes are absolutely adorable! Very summer-esq. 🙂
cookeatburn says
I love your nails Katie! I would like to think my dishes are well received – luckily when I have a bad cooking day it is just Chris and me that have to suffer ;).
itsbliss says
Those cupcakes looks amazing! It takes a lot to make healthy recipes that taste incredible, but you have no problem with it! 🙂
runnerforever says
Aw, what adorable cupcakes!
Jenn (Jenn's Menu and Lifestyle Blog) says
Those cupcakes are adorable! I’ve seen them before but cuteness BEARS repeating. hehehe 😀
Jenn
vegangal says
adorable cupcakes and adorable vegan girl too and also adorable nails. the theme of this post should be ADORABLE! xoxoxo
Little Bookworm says
Those cupcakes look amazing! I love your nail vanish as well. 🙂
Emily says
Haha! I was just re-watching that episode of Desperate on Lifetime!
Chocolate-Covered Katie says
Emily,
I think we were watching at the same time 🙂
ohkansascity says
My best party dishes are either cupcakes (wooo… cupcakes!) or my vegan mexican dip. It’s guac, salsa and follow your heart cheese, then a tofu soy sour cream mixture with taco seasoning mixed in, then more cheese on top. Pop in oven for 10 minutes and you’re in HEAVEN.
Kelly says
Just found your blog. You are beautiful! Hope you check out my blog too :).
Emily says
Those cupcakes are adorable! Love them, Katie. You are so creative.
lisasfoods says
Yes, I’ve made food for parties and potlucks lots of times. I usually make a vegetarian chili, or a big fruit salad. I’m more into cooking than baking, so I stick to healthy main dishes and sides.
kelsey@snackingsquirrel.com says
two things i must add to my life list:
1. get katie to paint my nails
2. beg katie to make me a batch of muffins which i will pretend im sharing with a group or party.. then secretly devour them all to myself!! <3 <3
can i just tell you how adorable the 'side swimming' teddy bear is. haha
the fact that you are a part of 'The Circle of friends' makes me an even bigger fan of yours. im so glad to know generous selfless beautiful people such as you!
Marie says
Now aren’t those the cutest li’l cupcakes! You always have that adorable way about you and it clearly rubs off on your kitchen creations.
And as for your famous hug-a-fat campaign, does frosting count as a fat?? 🙂
Jessica says
Your cupcakes are so cute, you are so creative! And I love Desperate Housewives 🙂
Krystina says
So cute! I love chocolate Teddy Graham’s 🙂
caronae says
I love them! Chocolate bears in life saver rings on the beach. I’d say it’s definitely one of the most creative decorations I’ve seen. 🙂
I love decorating cupcakes too, actually. And all baked goods. I usually bring cupcakes or cookies to parties or events. Then I can eat the batter while I’m baking 🙂
Rachael says
I tend to be the from-scratch cook or baker for get-togethers. Lots of pies, tarts, tamales, homemade pasta, etc.. I’m essentially Grandma in 28 year old form, and I blame living on a mini-farm for perpetuating a wholesome, pioneer, I-bake-bread-everyday-image. It amuses me – I’m from NYC, and I didn’t cook a darned thing until I was at least 18. Let alone milk a goat.
Heather Eats Almond Butter says
Oh my gosh Katie, those are the cutest cupcakes I’ve ever seen. You are so darn creative – I love it, and I’m sure the cupcakes tasted great as well.
My go-to party dish is my homemade pimiento cheese. I serve it with Stacy’s pita chips, and if I show up without it, people get mad…which I take as a compliment. 🙂
danielle_veg says
What a fun cupcake presentation, Katie! You really went the extra mile. 🙂
I never go to a gathering empty-handed. Though it would be smart to use a go-to recipe, I usually take the opportunity to experiment with a new dish. The results are usually pretty good, though I err on the side of too healthy (according to my husband)! I rarely bring home leftovers, though!
Katherine: What About Summer? says
“I get that a lot”
that is depressing.
I am so glad that bear-shaped items can still be vegan. no matter how many animal products one cuts out of their diet, bear consumption remains. honey too! but not gummy bears I guess
BroccoliHut says
Love the idea of using Teddy Grahams for decoration! (Tasty decoration, I might add).
I usually bring guacamole or one of the sweet dips (don’t remember the name) from Eat Drink & Be Vegan. They usually go over well:)
Marianne says
Well, I’ve never seen teddy grahams in gummi lifesavers, therefore I will believe you invented it.
I make dishes for gatherings all the time. And either everyone is just being nice to me, or they all really like them. Not to toot my own horn or anything 😉
Kate says
Hey Katie!
Is it ok if I hug my favorite deep fried food? I know “deep fried” isn’t healthy, but it’s mushrooms, so it’s not like it’s cheese sticks or anything ;). If not, I understand and I’ll be happy to hug something else!
Michal says
Girl your cup cakes are so so so cute! 🙂
Courtney says
I’m so glad someone else uses that nail polish trick! I always paint them the night before and they look great the next day after a shower! Not as great as your cupcakes, but that’s because those are out of this world cute 🙂 Also, Circle of Friends sounds really cool. I am going to look for something like that in my area!
Chocolate-Covered Katie says
Courtney,
Yya, I’m so glad someone else uses the trick! People ALWAYS ask how I can make my nailpolish so perfectly “in the lines” and the truth is: I can’t! 🙂
Anne @ Food Loving Polar Bear says
I adore your cupcakes, so cute!
natalie ditullio says
oh my gosh! these are so adorable. What a cute idea!