So, 2 days later and I'm still on the sugar high of Sunday's events. I really had a blast at CupcakeCamp and can't wait for next year!
I still can't believe that I won on Sunday. It was definitely a dream come true. I've loved to bake since I can remember and I just kept thinking about how I would sit in my room and bake cakes in my easy bake oven and that I had just won for tastiest cupcake in a roomful of cupcake lovers. It is just so amazing to be a part of such a wonderful day and raising money for Cupcakes for Cancer. It was quite inspiring...
Plus, I was lucky enough to be next to two great bakers who were so nice. It made the day even better to be chatting with them during the event. I hope to see them at CupcakeCamp again if there is one next year.
How the Chocolate Salted-Caramel Twinks made it to CupcakeCamp Santa Barbara...
The baking started Saturday afternoon, luckily it didn't take too long since I was baking with the mini pan and it holds 2 dozen for each pan. I was done baking the cakes by about 6pm and they cooled over night.
award-winning cupcakes in the making and didn't even know it...
cooling....maybe we tried one or two:)
4am Sunday morning came very quickly. I was up and scooping out the middles by 4.16am... This didn't take nearly as long as I had budgeted for... which thank goodness. The caramel took 3 times... really probably the first batch would've been okay but I dumped it and there was no going back. The 2nd batch, I'm still trying to figure out what happened, just as it seemed it was turning and starting to carmalize the whole thing just crystalized and looked like snow. Batch 2 dumped. On to batch number 3 and the third was the charm.
everything seems like its going smoothly....
when batch 1 went wrong... sometimes you should just follow your instincts
this is right before batch 2 crystalized and looked like snow
(notice the melting chocolate...I think this is where the lesson learned comes in:)
finally the little fella's are filled
Unfortunately, I had already started to make the chocolate frosting during batch number 2, so when I had to make caramel batch number 3 I should've put the chocolate frosting into the fridge but I didn't. Lesson learned. So by the time I tried to frost the little cupcakes, the frosting was so warm I couldn't get it to form the peaks... Well, I know my husband loves me dearly as he let me have a meltdown and when I said I wanted to give up, he wouldn't let me.
By this time it was now after 9.30am and we still needed to get the little guys packed up and head out for the 1 hour 40 minute drive according to google maps. Thankfully, it wasn't too sunny yet during the drive!
With fingers crossed that the frosting didn't melt on the drive we pulled into the Fess Parker Hotel parking lot. We knew instantly we were in the right place as we saw a few ladies carrying in cupcake containers.
It was too late to turn back now, we were here.
Once inside, we were told amateur bakers were along the right side of the wall and that envelopes with our names were at our station. I don't think I have ever been as excited and nervous as I was walking along the row of tables looking for the envelope with my name.
my very first spot at a cupcake baking event... supercool.
Once there, it was a pretty quick set-up. It was 3 bakers to a table and I was on one end. The tablecloth was absolutely perfect. It wasn't too long before we had all the cakes set up on the display and the little crochet guys around. We were done with plenty of time to spare... You could feel the excitement as all the other bakers started to arrive.
Ammie's Sweet Treats
i loved my display - and i love that this photo
captured it so perfectly.
The apron on the chair was my Grandma Twink's. She was a fabulous baker and cook. I was lucky enough to get her baking gene. That is why they are called chocolate salted-caramel twinks. I have lots of memories of her baking at the holidays and doing crafts. Scott thinks that everything has tasted even better since my mom gave me it a few months ago:)
Once they let the doors open for the event it was a mad-house! There were so many people I couldn't believe it. As people started coming through the line I quickly realized that Nancy who was next to me was going to need to sell out of her fabulously decorated flower cupcakes. Everyone was at our table but only for Nancy's cupcakes (she had 3 different kinds) So, for the first 15 minutes or so I was a little sad as no-one was asking for one of mine. It really was a lesson in that people go for what attracts the eye. Once her flower cupcakes were gone, business started to pick up.
almost time...
the doors are open...
love the flower design and the rootbeer cupcakes were delish
spiced coffee cake was delish and the mocha cupcakes looked yummy too
After awhile things got to be a little less crazy and the bakers I was next to we traded cupcakes to taste. Nancy to the right of me, had these rootbeer cupcakes that looked interesting - they were excellent and my favorite of the day. Sarah to the left of me and a spice coffee cake which was really good too. It had cream cheese cardamom frosting (cardamom is my favorite spice & is in my favorite norwegian christmas cookies)
lots of tasters coming through
the cupcakes awaiting the judges table...
close-up of my cupcakes awaiting...
cupcake lovers unite!
I'm so happy that people chose to taste my cupcake with their donation tickets. I had so much fun handing out my cupcakes. There were 2 little girls that came through, they reminded me of my best friends little girls... I even had a 3-peat customer. I received a lot of kind words about the crochet cupcakes. One little girl tried to eat one!
finally all my cupcakes were all gone...
Scott traded and sat down so I could go around and do some cupcake tasting of my own. There were so many, and so many great decorating ideas.
there were a lot of fun straw decorations...
i loved this sunflower tree
Then came the time for the announcement of the winners of the different competitions. When I heard my name called I look for Scott in the crowd and we both just looked at each other and said - they just called my name! I was SO EXCITED! I really don't remember all that happened, except walking up and getting my gift bag and hug from Stephanie the Mother of the girl who started the event a few years ago. And then looking at the judges table, and the judges clapping and saying it was delicious.
so honored...
Nancy who was to the right, won for most unique flavor for her rootbeer flavored cupcakes. After that, I don't know who won anything else... I hope everyone had as much fun baking the cupcakes and handing them out as I did and congratulations to all the bakers. I heart Baking.
I would really like to thank my babe, who was such a trooper and hung in there with me. And also to Eva and Mychau, without their little crochet cupcake guys the display wouldn't of been the same.
It was a long day, just like this post turned out to be but it was so worth every moment. And it really makes me know that when I finally decided that I wanted to take my baking more seriously a few months ago after years of talking about it... I know I'm on the right adventure and can't wait to see more.
