Pepper Design Blog

Get Your Fill… Cupcake Fill, That Is!

Cupcakes make the perfect little dessert be it for a wedding or kids party. But how to make them even more delectable and, oh, I don’t know, take it to the next level? How to add something unexpected and delicious – to make your dessert so much more than just a piece of ‘cake’? Fill ‘er up!

Here are a few finger-lickin’ ideas to make even the Hostess Cupcake officianado beam. Whether you’re a chocolate, lemon or chipotle (yes, chipotle) loving baker, these recipes are sure to get your attention (and those of your guests!).

“Why do you fill me up, fill me up, buttercup baby, just to let me down…”

I’m loving the sound of cappuccino cupcakes, and Brown Eyed Baker’s limoncello version must be heavenly!

My favorite way to fill cupcakes is by using a melon baller to remove a small piece from the center of each. Squeeze a small amount of filling (using a plastic zip lock bag with a pastry tip in one corner) in each cupcake hole and frost as usual (refrigerating between these two final steps can help keep your filling out of the frosting).

Ooooo how about these marshmallow, raspberry, mouse & chocolate options? Too many choices…

To really spice it up, try this Chocolate Chipotle del Muertos (with a dash of lime) recipe from Cupquake! Sure to knock at least a few socks off.

Marange smores and mascarpone filling, after the jump! Read more »

{Pretty & Petite} Cupcake Inspiration

I’ve been so inspired by mini cupcake designs lately. They’re the sweet, petite version of their popular counterpart and are perfect for birthdays, showers & weddings. When Amber Vandervliet and her mobile cupcakery (aka Enjoy Cupcakes) was featured on Style Me Pretty, I just about found a little slice of heaven.

And what gorgeous eye candy? Simple cake stands stacked with assorted yummy bites have never looked so pretty or so darn easy to replicate.

Amber runs her business out of an adorable RV and is based in Southern California. Jose Villa captured this little photoshoot and his pictures are divine!

Can’t wait to include in a baby shower some time in the near the future! More delicious designs (in more ways than one…) and one of Amber’s recipes after the jump! Read more »

Frosty the Snowman… Cupcakes!

These are too cute not to make this winter… and they’re really pretty easy! I found this great idea over at Cherrapeno (a very neat blog). The base is a cranberry cupcake, but you could really go with your favorite!

The recipe calls for fondant and homemade icing for the melting snowman, as well as orange food coloring paste for the carrot nose, a tube of black icing for the eyes/buttons and red Smarties or M & M’s for the hat. Check out the entire recipe and step-by-step directions here!