First Sale!

Woo Hoo!! I am celebrating my first official sale as the Pint Sized Baker! I made these special cake pops and truffles for a super special little girl who turned 8! 

40 cupcake style cake pops in 5 different colors. 9 truffles (8 plus 1 to grow on) with birthday candles to blow out!

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I also attended my third Wilton Cake Decorating class today. We made "pom-pom" flowers. I wasn't too impressed with my design... I think my frosting consistency was off... Anyway, I did not like it. Next week is my final. I hope something magical happens between now and then.
I did LOVE the results of my new AmeriColor food coloring. It's the first time I got real red icing.
                            :) Very Happy

Brownie Pops...Mmmmmm!

Been a busy week for me! My daughter celebrated her birthday, and of course there were cake pops! My pregnant friend was visiting over the holiday weekend (hence the baby cakes). We had a snow day on Tuesday (after 2 days of 70 degree weather) and a 2-hour delay for school on Wednesday. Then there was Birthday goodies at school for my daughter. 
    So, I asked her if she would like some special cupcakes or cake pops for her class... BIG FAT "NO!! I don't like cake!" Yes, it's true. My daughter does not like cake. She will eat all the candy and frosting off of my cupcakes and leave a disgustingly licked cupcake behind. She won't even try a cake pop because it has cake inside... what a nut! 
    What does she want? Brownies! OK, we can do brownies. But, I can't just do regular 'ol brownies... I found some cute brownie molds and baked up 16 Brownie Pops! I dipped them in chocolate and rolled that in sprinkles! The kids loved it :) My daughter picked it out and said she loved it... but then she did not want to eat it... OMG! Go figure. 
    I think I may have found a new  product to make... Brownie Pops. I did some online research, so I think I have some homework to test... 

Wilton Cake Decorating Class

I attended my second Wilton Cake Decorating class this past Saturday. We frosted and decorated our cakes and learned a few new techniques. I brought in a picture from one of my daughter's coloring books of a lotus flower and learned how to transfer the image over to the frosted cake. Turns out, it's pretty easy! I decorated it with pink, yellow and green frosting and added colorful pastel dots to the side. 

I also made some baby cupcakes as promised. I made mini cupcakes and decorated them with baby faces and made two babies using full size cupcakes and  mini cupcakes for heads. Both babies have a pacifier and are snuggling their teddy bear. I think that these babies would be a cute alternative for a baby shower or a celebration of a new family member! Please see more pictures at my Facebook page Pint Sized Baker! Enjoy

Farmer's Market

So... I figure one way to get my "Pint Sized Baker" name out in Jefferson County, West Virginia is to join up with the local Farmer's Market. I figure I could bake my goodies and sell them on Saturday mornings and drum up business that way, so I contacted the local Farmer's Market Office. I talked to a very nice woman who gave me some information and phone numbers and told me that I had to bake in a commercial kitchen. Ok.... Where are they? So, I have been on a hunt for a commercial kitchen to rent for a few hours on Thursday and Friday. It's just me, myself, and I and I don't have much money to be paying it all to a kitchen... I called my Church - No dice. I called the Lion's Club - waiting for reply. I called the fire station - see our website, website not "live".  
I'll keep looking.... 

New Cake Pop Flavors

Earlier this week, I asked a few people to taste test the cherry flavored cake pops. The votes came back as an overwhelming YES to cherry! Next I tried lemon frosting with yellow cake, and again, I got  big YES! So now I know that chocolate is scrumptious, cherry is divine, and  lemon is delectable. Next taste test - carrot cake and cream cheese frosting. Anybody want to volunteer their taste buds? Let me know!
I also mentioned making "baby shower" cupcakes and pops. I have, and now I need some advice. I referred to my book "Cake Pops" by Bakerella and made some baby faces. I used her technique of drawing on the face with food coloring pens. I may have a bad set of pens or maybe I'm just not very good at drawing on chocolate, but I think my faces need some improvement. Let me know what you think....  

A Day of Firsts!

It's all coming together and I can't be more excited! And, yes... a bit scared at the same time. I got my First business cards with all my Pint Sized information. I got my First business license for Pint Sized Baker LLC. I got my First T-shirt with my Pint Sized Baker cupcakes. AND... I got my First BIG order!!! Yippy!!! More details on that to come, but let me say that it is a whopper of an order. Next thing I know, I've gotten a call for a second order. I am very excited to be working again. 
I am still working on my baby shower ideas because my good friend is coming for a visit this weekend and she is expecting her first baby. I want to make something special for her to take back home. Also, my daughter's teacher is expecting a baby, so I need to perfect a few baby cupcakes and pops. Please share any ideas that you might have. I look forward to reading your suggestions. 

Valentine's Day!

Happy Valentine's Day! I hope that everyone had a good weekend and splurged on something chocolate. I splurged on Chocolate Fondue at Hillsborough Wines with my hubby and close friend. We had a good time!

Today I made some Rose Cake Pops to take to my daughters school. I was really pleased with the way they turned out, and of course, they were deee-lish!!! The kids loved them, but I think that the faculty loved them more! As a last minute idea, I also made three Rose Cupcakes; one for my daughter and two for her teachers. There are pictures on the web site and more pictures on Facebook.

For the coming week, I plan to work on some baby shower themed treats! Watch for new pictures.   :)

The Day After...

Thank you to all of my friends and family that responded positively to my website! I really, really hope that this a great beginning to a wonderful adventure!
Today, I went to my first "official" Wilton cake decorating class. I thought I would enroll and see of I could learn any new techniques or correct any bad habits that I may have taught myself. I really didn't learn anything new... today. It's a 4 week beginner course, so I'm sure that it will pick up in the following weeks. There are a total of 3 courses (each 4 sessions). At least it will get me out of the house for a few hours.
For this weekend, I have to make some Valentine cupcakes and cake pops for my daughter's school party. I made some test cake pops and used Betty Crocker cherry frosting with butter cake and I did not like the result. I thought the kids would like the pink insides, but I thought the flavor was off. So... I need taste testers! Anybody interested?? Let me know!

Going Live!!

Oh no... My website went Live and I was not quite ready. I'll be updating/ uploading pictures all day today to get the site in order. I hope that you like my web page. Please leave me a comment on what I can do to improve the site, as well as any suggestion for fun cupcake designs! I look forward to reading your comments!

Wish me luck! I'm gonna need it! :)

Farmer's Market Update

I called the Farmer's Market rep back after picking up my information booklet. I had some questions about the requirements listed... First question - Do I really have to have a ONE MILLION DOLLAR insurance policy??? For the Farmer's Market? Really?? That's a big hurdle! More phone calls and research... Asked more about the kitchens. Still at a dead end there. Sigh... I wonder if this Farmer's Market thing is worth all the work. I don't think I'll make much money after I pay for insurance and kitchen rental. 
Chin up! Keep working! Don't give up too soon. The Farmer's Market starts in 2 months... I have plenty of time to find out more.

Dr. Seuss Cupcakes

My daughter's school is celebrating 100 days since preschool started. I had no idea that there was such a celebration, but hey, any excuse to make cupcakes... They had a Dr. Seuss theme and all the kiddos were dressed in Sneetches shirts. Just too cute! 
I made three different cupcake designs; the fish bowl, Things 1 and 2, and Cat in the Hat Hats. All were a hit, but I think the cotton candy on Thing 1 and 2 really caught the kids eyes. They gobbled up the goodies AND saved room for cake pops! This was my first attempt at cake pops and they turned out darn good! I must say, I was quite impressed with myself. :)
Also, kudos to me for scoring a Birthday party event. I'm on my way, baby!