Contents
INTRODUCTION
What Happens When You Think Outside the Wrapper
CHAPTER 1
CHAPTER 2
CHAPTER 3
Fun, Flirty and Fabulous
In the Bag
Breakfast at Tiffany’s
Flower Party
Playing Dress-Up
Favorite T-Shirt
Flip-Flop Cakelet
Makeup Kit
Tiers of Joy
CHAPTER 4
Good Enough to Eat
Cup o’ Joe
Sushi Bar
An Apple a Day
Not-So-Baby Cake(let)
High Tea
At the Market
CHAPTER 5
Oh Baby!
You’re the Onesie
Now I Know My ABCs
Xylophone Toy
Baby Bottle
CHAPTER 6
Macho Macho Man
Play Ball!
Corner Office Briefcase
High Roller
Fore!
Cask Me Anything
Have a Cigar
CHAPTER 7
Holidays
‘Tis the Season
Party Time!
What’s Love Got to Do with It?
I ♥ U
How Does Your Garden Grow?
Trick or Treat!
Boo!
Pomp and Circumstance
CHAPTER 8
Offbeat and Edgy
The Joke’s on You!
Those Were the Days
British Punk
APPENDIX A
Substitute Toppings
APPENDIX B
Presentation Tips
APPENDIX C
Resources
APPENDIX D
Templates
Foreword
by Norman R. Davis
Cupcake Envy features wonderful photography and clear, step-by-step instructions for constructing thirty-five amazing cakelets. Amy Eilert covers all the bases with mini cakes for young and old— perfect for a variety of occasions. Amy shows how to do it all—baking, shaping, icing, and decorating—in this fun and approachable guide. Amy conveys her know-how in such a simple, easy-to-understand manner that even novice cake decorators will enjoy this book and experience the satisfaction of creating fabulous single-serving cakes for friends and family.
Amy’s insight and helpful tips will be of use to every cake artist. It’s so easy to make these mini cakes your very own by applying your creativity to Amy’s groundwork. Whether you are just starting to decorate or have years of experience, Amy’s instructions will inspire you to bring these delightful mini cakes to life!
—Norman R. Davis,
CMSA ([email protected]), ICES Hall of Fame
inductee and author of Wedding Cake Ensembles
Introduction
What Happens When You Think
Outside the Wrapper
It was a Thursday afternoon and I was on my way to my son’s preschool to help with the Jingle Bell Holiday Festival. My job was to bring the cupcakes. As I walked into the assembly room, I was overwhelmed by what I saw. There was Suzanne, scrap-booker extraordinaire, setting up an elaborate origami snowflake project. Near the teacher was Dana, handing out handmade snowman costumes for each child to wear during the sing-along portion of the festival.
It was obvious that the parent volunteers had spent countless hours on their contributions. And then there I was, like a deer in headlights, clinging to a container of store-bought cupcakes covered in florescent icing that was sure to stain every child’s teeth (as well as Dana’s hand-made costumes). I felt defeated.
This was my life story when it came to desserts. I always wanted to create something special for Office parties, holiday dinners, and neighborhood barbeques, but would inevitably succumb to confusion and intimidation and hit the grocery store bakery department instead.
Clearly, things had to change, so I rolled up my sleeves and faced my fears head on by putting myself in charge of desserts for my oldest son’s kindergarten class. I was determined to make sweet, memorable treats that the kids, teachers, and parents would enjoy.
This time, I didn’t waste hours worrying that my ideas might not work, or wait until the last minute before deciding it was too late to start. After putting my boys to bed, I spent a little time each night trying out different ideas using sprinkles and candies and whatever else I’d found in the baking aisle. I soon realized that decorating was the fun part—and the part that made the biggest impression.
I had decided to focus on cupcakes,