Smith Family Weblog

I made these barnyard cupcakes for Olivia’s birthday. This was the first time I’ve attempted a project like this, and it was definitely a good learning experience. I used a product called gum paste, which I found to be a bit difficult because it dries very quickly and can crack easily. If I do something like this again, I might try marzipan or fondant.

I drew inspiration from a number of sources, including Blue Cupcake in California, and my mom, who was sitting across the table from me during the nearly five hours it took to complete the cupcakes.

I found edible markers at Michael’s—they worked well for the signs and animal eyes.

Ava and I piped the fences with white chocolate.

I made the grass using a special frosting tip, which might just be my new favorite tool.

When I ran out of steam, my mom suggested I add little tufts of grass to “mud” cupcakes. I topped them with two heart-shaped sprinkles to form butterflies.

Doug snapped these close-ups for me. Thanks, Doug!

I think this rooster is my favorite, but it could just be my fondness for it’s helpful and sweet creator…

Thank goodness I had her help–I actually ended up baking two batches of cupcakes.

For the first, I used this recipe, despite the fact it NEVER works for me. I assume at some magical point in time, I will somehow successfully incorporate stiff egg whites into cake batter, resulting in gorgeously puffed white cupcakes.

Until then, the Quik Shop opens at 6 am on Saturday, and they sell cake mixes.