Christmas Ordering Options

Goodness, it has been quite a while since I've updated. I honestly think I have baked something every single day since the blog was last updated, so I'm not sure why it has been such a long time!

Anyway, as promised a couple of posts ago, I have an update on Christmas ordering options for ya. Christmas is a short TWO WEEKS AND TWO DAYS away, so you better get to ordering!

First, for all you parents out there, you need gifts for your children's teachers, correct? You probably need something for your coworkers, too. And your next door neighbors. They brought you cookies, and you need to return the favor. Whatever will you do?

Well, I have the perfect solution-- Cupcakes in a jar.

They're cute, convenient, practical, AND they come in a mason jar. Who doesn't love mason jars? Especially when they're decorated with burlap and twine...which I can do if you're interested. Cupcakes in a jar are $3 a piece. This price includes the jar and cupcake, a personalized message (the words on these labels can be changed to whatever your heart desires), a plastic fork, and ribbon tied around the rim. There is a minimum order of SIX cupcakes in a jar. They come in any flavor you would like, but I do request that you order all six in the same flavor. If you order more than one dozen, you are welcome to get more than one flavor.

If you're not digging the Country Christmas theme, you can simply order cupcakes in boxes. They can be boxed individually, in groups of 4, or as a dozen. The prices for cupcakes ordered in this way are the same as the everyday cupcake prices PLUS 50 cents for each individual box and PLUS $1 for each 4-box. Prices for cupcakes can be found at www.kristens-cupcakery.com. Ribbon and a personalized message is included in the cost of these gifts. If ordering individually packaged cupcakes, there is a minimum order of SIX cupcakes. Also, unless you order more than one dozen, I do request that these six cupcakes be the same flavor. After one dozen, you are welcome to order an additional flavor.

If you have any questions, comments, or concerns, please e-mail me at kristenmcg@bellsouth.net.

Price Summary

WITHOUT Fondant Decorations

Individually packaged cupcakes:
$1.75 each for vanilla, $2.25 each for other flavors

Boxes of 4 cupcakes:
$6 for vanilla, $8 for other flavors 

WITH Fondant Decorations

Individually packaged cupcakes:
$2 each for vanilla, $2.50 each for other flavors

Boxes of 4 cupcakes:
$7 for vanilla, $9 for other flavors

Cupcakes in a jar: $3 each

It's the season of giving (and eating), so don't forget to place your orders ASAP :)

Christmas Preview

It really and truly is beginning to look at a lot like Christmas.

As much as I love fall, and as sad as I am to see the colorful leaves go, I am SO excited for the Christmas season. Thanksgiving is my favorite holiday because, though I love Christmas, it is right in the middle of the most joyful time of the year. The Christmas season is just getting started. Thanksgiving is like a kick-off party. Not to mention the fact that Thanksgiving is full of delicious food.

Now onto a controversial topic-- Black Friday. My mom, brother, and I have gone black Friday shopping together for the last five years or so. It has consistently been one of my FAVORITE memories. I just love everything it entails. Our Black Fridays begin around 4am when we wake up. We shop for a couple of hours, take a break to eat Chick Fil A for breakfast, and then continue to be the crazy people we are in the hustle and bustle of the Christmas shoppers. Post Chick Fil A and about an hour of more shopping, a Starbucks break is usually incredibly necessary. Especially since the minute we get home from shopping, the Christmas decorating begins. The hilarious thing about Black Friday is that we feel like we've shopped our LIFE away, yet it's only somewhere around 10am when we get home. This leaves plenty of time to put up the decorations :) My mom usually tries to convince me to wait until Saturday to decorate, but she never wins that argument. Tradition is tradition, ya know? And as far as I'm concerned, the sooner the decorations are up, the better. Anyway, the reason why I called this a controversial topic is because ALL OF THE STORES ARE OPENING ON THANKSGIVING NIGHT THIS YEAR. And I don't mean 11:59 or even 11:00. I mean 8:00. PM. On Thanksgiving. Some families haven't even eaten dinner at that time. Not only does this mess up our Black Friday tradition, but I'm sure it really puts a damper on the evenings of the workers who have to come in to the store the second they wake up from their afternoon nap (because we ALL take naps on Thanksgiving afternoon. Don't lie). To summarize, I don't like the change and would really appreciate it if the stores would return to opening at 4am. Please and thank you.

Anyway, now that you've heard my Black Friday rant, I can move on to showing you pictures of Christmas goodies! These were all made for an Open House at church tonight. Keep in mind that any of them can be ordered if your heart desires :)

If you haven't already done so, don't forget to check out www.kristens-cupcakery.com for prices, flavors, pictures, and more. There's my plug. Now for Christmas.

Recent Creations

What a beautiful Wednesday! 

I'll be honest. My mind is blanking, and I really have nothing of any importance to say right now, so I'm just going to go ahead and get to the point. Here are some of my recent creations-

Fall Pumpkin Spice Cookies

Tennis Cupcakes

Dog Cupcakes (thank you gift for a vet) 

Who doesn't love a good puppy cupcake?

In the next couple of weeks, be looking for a blog post about specials I'm offering for Christmas. From assortments of fudge, peanut clusters, and chocolate covered goodies to decorated cookies to delicious cupcakes, you will have a wide variety of choices! 

Top 5 Fall Recipes

How great is the weather today? It is 54 degrees right now. 54!! Although it would be nice if the sun would come out, the cooler temperatures are absolutely glorious. At least for now. I might get tired of it after a few days.

Anyway, with the weather being as fall-ish as it is,  I thought it would be appropriate to post (in order) my favorite fall recipes. So, here's the countdown, from number 5 to the number 1 BEST fall recipe. Enjoy!

5. Apple Coffee Crumb Cake with Brown Sugar Glaze

4. Pumpkin Doughnuts

3. Pumpkin Cinnamon Rolls with Pumpkin Spice Glaze

2. Chocolate Chip Pumpkin Spice Bars

1. Pumpkin Cream Cheese Bread 

Though it was tough to put these in order, as they're all great, the Pumpkin Cream Cheese Bread ultimately wins my heart. This is a moist pumpkin bread with a cream cheese mixture in the middle. To top it all off, a cinnamon glaze is poured over the top of the loaf. SO GOOD. 

My advice to you- get in the kitchen and get this bad boy in the oven right now.

Happy baking! 

Pumpkin Cinnamon Rolls

As the rain is falling outside, I'm sitting in a warm, cozy Daily Grind with friends drinking my Pumpkin Spice Chai Tea Latte. I think this is what they call a great day. 

Speaking of pumpkin, I have a pumpkin recipe today that you will NOT want to pass up. I made these last Friday morning, and they turned out exactly as I had hoped. Here. You. Go.

Pumpkin Cinnamon Rolls with Pumpkin Spice Glaze

Pumpkin Cinnamon Rolls with Pumpkin Spice Glaze 

Buns: 

2 1/4 teaspoons of dry active yeast

1/4 cup warm water (not hot or boiling) 

3 cups all-purpose flour, divided

1/2 cup pumpkin puree

1/2 cup milk 

1/4 c butter, melted

1 tablespoon granulated sugar 

1 1/4 teaspoon salt

1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg

Cooking spray 

3 tablespoon of granulated sugar

3 tablespoon of brown sugar

2 tablespoon of all-purpose flour

2 teaspoon ground cinnamon

3 tablespoon chilled butter 

Glaze: 

3/4 cup sifted powdered sugar

1.5 tablespoon hot water 

1 tsp vanilla extract

1/4 teaspoon of pumpkin pie spice

Preparation:

To prepare the buns, dissolve yeast in warm water in your stand mixer or large bowl. Let this proof for 5 minutes. If the yeast doesn't get foamy, throw out and start over. Lightly spoon flour into dry measuring cups, and level with a knife. Add 2 cups flour, pumpkin, and next 5 ingredients (pumpkin through nutmeg); beat with your mixer, paddle attached at medium speed until smooth. Then change the paddle for your dough hook and add the additional cup of flour. Knead until smooth and elastic. This dough will be sticky, be forewarned. (If you don't have a stand mixer, you can knead the dough on a flat surface adding the additional flour slowly.) 

Place the dough in a large bowl coated with cooking spray, turning to coat top. Cover and let rise in a warm place free from drafts, for 45 minutes. After the 45 minutes has passed, press a finger into the dough, if it bounces back, it's ready. 

Combine 3 tablespoons granulated sugar, brown sugar, 2 tablespoons flour, and cinnamon in a small bowl. Cut in butter with a pastry blender or use two knives to cut it in. 

Punch dough down and roll it into a 12 x 10-inch rectangle on a floured surface. Sprinkle with brown sugar mixture to cover. Make sure you reach each end, not leaving any surface without the mixture. Roll up the rectangle tightly, starting with a long edge, pressing firmly to eliminate air pockets; pinch seam and ends to seal. Cut roll into 1-inch slices. Place slices in a baking dish that has been coated with cooking spray. At this point you can refrigerate overnight or bake right away.

Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Bake the rolls for 25 minutes or until golden brown. Cool for 15 minutes in a pan on a wire rack.

To prepare the glaze, combine the powdered sugar, 1 tablespoon water, vanilla extract, and pumpkin spice mix in a small bowl, stirring with a whisk until smooth. Drizzle glaze over buns. Serve warm. 

Hope everyone enjoys the rest of this rainy Monday!