#347 Gingerbread Cupcakes with Lemony Cream Cheese Frosting

Lynzie took these with her to class tonight. They're always bringing treats in to share and feel sad for the kale eating vegan. She doesn't need your pity, she loves kale...and gets to eat delicious treats all the time too! She said everybody enjoyed them. I topped them with cute lil gingerbread trees, recipe from Vegan Cookies Invade Your Cookie Jar. The cupcake and frosting are out of Vegan Cupcakes Take Over The World.

#321 Circus Confetti Cupcakes

I made these cupcakes for my friend Sarah's early 30th birthday celebration in Solvang. She loves confetti cake...who doesn't? It's so fun and colorful! I found these cool, striped, paper cups at TJ Maxx awhile back. They're in between mini and regular sized. I'd never worked with baking cups like them before, I liked that I didn't need to use a muffin tin and they retained their color nicely. My local bake shop started carrying this cool line of toppers and tags and I'm obsessed!! Remember the dancing kitty ones I used for Moxie's birthday cakes? These elephants were perfect for the big top tent-esque liners. The cupcake and frosting recipes came from Vegan Cupcakes take over the World. I usually make the oil version of vanilla cupcakes but this time I did the margarine variation. A lot richer in flavor and color. They were more dense, but in a good buttery way, less spongy. The birthday girl liked them, that's all that matters!

#289 Donut Cupcakes

Make a wish!

Aren't they cool looking?

I have been busy baking lately...tis the season! This time it was for our friend Jim's birthday.  He is obsessed with donuts (he loves them so much he has a tattoo of one!) so I topped his cupcakes with a mini donut.  They turned out great and turned many a head :)  I made Cookies and Cream cupcakes from Vegan Cupcakes Take Over The World, and the Baked Sprinkle Doughnuts from Chloe's Kitchen.















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#277 Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Mini Cupcakes

With cinnamon cream cheese icing. Both recipes are from Vegan Cupcakes take over the World. These went to a bridal shower where I heard they were a huge hit! I'm so excited for Fall and all the yummy pumpkin treats it brings.

#201 Coconut Key Lime Cupcakes

Not really a meal but...

#186 4th of July BBQ

We had a 4th of July BBQ/Housewarming Potluck today.  I made some delicious, but highly intoxicating Red (strawberries), White (white raspberries and fuji apple) and Blue(berry) Sangria.  I know of at least one partygoer that did not go to work today because of it! hahaha!  Ryan grilled veggie dogs and burgers.  My burger had Vegenaise, ketchup, lettuce, tomato, and Sam and Karol's famous pink pickled onions.  YUM!  I made Lynzie's potato salad (she's in Cancun or I would have INSISTED she bring it herself ;)  it was good, but I always think it tastes better when someone else makes it.  Nicole brought the coleslaw.  I really like it because it is light and refreshing, not drowning in mayo (we had the potato salad for that!).  Giorgia, born and raised in Italy, made the pasta salad so you know it was amazing.

Lynzie's parents gave us the coolest fruit basket I've ever seen.  The basket is metal and totally my style, I love it!  I sliced up the watermelon and pineapple that were inside and topped them with strawberries from the Farmer's Market.  All of the fruit was perfect, there wasn't any thing left on the platter when the party was over.

For dessert I made Pineapple Right Side Up Cupcakes from Vegan Cupcakes Take Over The World.  I can't believe this is the first time I am mentioning this cookbook.  I use it so much, the pages are falling out!  If you are looking to impress non-vegans with baked goods, this is the book!  Seriously.

After all the eating and drinking, we went out front and watched the CV fireworks.  It was a great day! I really liked that we didn't have to deal with parking or crowds and we still got to enjoy a fantastic fireworks show.  The only thing missing was Lynzie <3