Christmas Special: Cupcakes Class

Despite having a long 'To Bake' list, I couldn't resist the temptation of signing up for Joycelyn's Christmas Special: Cupcakes Class 2007 Edition at Shermay's Cooking School. I couldn't stop marvelling at the cute decorations seen at Joycelyn's blog. I guess even if I don't bake them eventually, seeing how the cute decorations are made is satisfying enough.

The 4 luxe cupcake holiday flavours 2007 edition:

• White Chocolate (Valrhona Ivoire), Macadamia, Sundried Cranberry & Madagascan Vanilla Blondie
• Sticky Medjool Date & Guinness Stout Gingerbread with Crystallised Ginger
• Spiced Chocolate & Sour Cream (using Valrhona cocoa, Pure Coffee Extract and a touch of cinnamon)
• Pumpkin with Pecans & Rum-Soaked Raisins

Cupcake Toppings:

My favourite cake/cupcake topping - Rich Cream Cheese & Sour Cream Frosting and the ever-so-versatile Classic Royal Icing. (I have a weakness for cream cheese & sour cream frosting :p)

Decorations & Embellishments:

Absolutely Christmassy handmade and edible decorations in the likes of fondant snowman, penguin, igloo, Santa's hat, holly leaves & berries, wreath, bows, gift boxes; as well as royal icing embellishments of snowflake, christmas tree and star...

Despite the luxe-sounding names, the cupcakes look pretty manageable to bake, kudos to Joycelyn for making the recipes so comprehensive :)

With cupcakes as luxurious as these, who could resist them?

The fondant snowman and penguin make such a cute couple :D I think they would certainly be favourites among the kids.
Santa's hat, presents, bows, hollies... anything Christmassy adds to the joyous mood.
There are so many ways of decorating the cupcakes, all depending on one's imagination and creation; and of course lots of patience. Lovely to look at and nice to eat :p
A swirl of icing tinted with green, touched up with an icing star and silver edible embellishment - there you have, an elegant Christmas Tree!

Even a simple dusting of icing sugar in the shape of a snowflake fetches amazing results. Or dress up a cupcake with dried fruits and nuts to make a Christmas fruit cake.

Each participant brought back 4 cupcakes of the different flavours. I couldn't wait to eat them! Personally, my favourites are the Sticky Medjool Date & Guinness Stout Gingerbread (but without the Crystallised Ginger) and the Spiced Chocolate & Sour Cream. Both are rich, dense, moist and tender, characterized with flavours of the ingredients.

Yup, these 2 flavours would be made for my upcoming Christmas party with a group of close friends, topped with luxurious cream cheese & sour cream frosting and not forgetting the cute couple, snowman and penguin. That is, if I succeed with the recipes. Wish me luck!