Ms. Toody Goo Shoes

Ms. Toody Goo Shoes

I want to go everywhere I haven't been, and back to everywhere I have been.

Wednesday, July 2, 2014

Stars and Stripes Cupcakes


Stars and Stripes Cupcakes --- Ms. Toody Goo Shoes

Is there anything...
ANYTHING...
that doesn't already exist on Pinterest?

I mean, really, are there still new ideas to be born,
or has everything already been thought of? 
 
Stars and Stripes Cupcakes --- Ms. Toody Goo Shoes

The other morning, I was laying in bed pretending to be asleep,
so I wouldn't have to get up and walk the dog.

But really, I was wide awake...
thinking about cupcakes.

 Stars and Stripes Cupcakes --- Ms. Toody Goo Shoes

I had this novel idea,
or so I thought at the time.
I wanted to make patriotic cupcakes
and lay them out in a flag design. 

Stars and Stripes Cupcakes --- Ms. Toody Goo Shoes


I'd seen lots of variations of that idea on Pinterest, 
but I thought I came up with a unique way
of decorating them with red, white and blue fondant. 

I was figuring out what the steps should be,
while I was in bed,
and working it all out in my head.
When I heard Mr. Goo Shoes come in
from walking Sadie,
I "woke up"... and got busy.

Since this post is all about decorating the cupcakes,
I took the easy way out 
and made red velvet cupcakes from a mix.
(I do have a killer recipe for red velvet cake,
which I'll share another time).

If you haven't worked with fondant,
see my post on Fondant For Beginners

And now, without further ado...

Stars and Stripes Cupcakes --- Ms. Toody Goo Shoes

STARS AND STRIPES CUPCAKES

MATERIALS:
24 cupcakes of your choice
1 can white frosting
Butter knife
1  package red fondant
1  package white fondant
1  package blue fondant
Smooth surface to roll fondant
Rolling pin
Confectioners' sugar for work surface
Fondant or pizza cutter
2 1/2 inch round fondant, cookie or biscuit cutter.
3/4 inch star-shaped fondant cutter.
Small cup of water
4 Q-tips

STEPS FOR DECORATING CUPCAKES:

1). Bake cupcakes of your choice. 

2). On a dry smooth surface, sprinkle confectioners' sugar to keep the fondant from sticking. Rub confectioners' sugar on rolling pin, as well.

3). While cupcakes cool completely, roll out the red fondant to 1/8" thickness to make the stripes. Flatten into an oblong shape at least 6 inches long (a 6-inch strip will be long enough to trim two circles - see photo below). Using a fondant or pizza cutter, trim edges to form rectangle; then cut strips about 6/8" wide. Make as many strips as you can. Use your fingers to dust off any excess confectioners' sugar. Set aside.

Stars and Stripes Cupcakes --- Ms. Toody Goo Shoes

4). Clean surface and dry thoroughly. Sprinkle more confectioners' sugar on surface and rolling pin. Roll out white fondant as large as possible. It should be about 1/8" thick. 

5). Lay three red stripes on top of white fondant. Leave white space in between equal to the width of the red stripes. Cut out circles; then add next three red strips.

Stars and Stripes Cupcakes --- Ms. Toody Goo Shoes

6). Using the round cutter, cut out 18 circles.  Cut as many as possible without re-rolling, since there will be red streaks on the white fondant, and re-rolling will cause red streaks to appear in the white fondant. Set circles aside. 

Stars and Stripes Cupcakes --- Ms. Toody Goo Shoes

7). In the remaining spaces of the white fondant, cut out 36 white stars, and set aside. 

Stars and Stripes Cupcakes --- Ms. Toody Goo Shoes

8). Clean surface and dry thoroughly. Sprinkle more confectioners' sugar on surface and rolling pin. Roll out blue fondant to 1/8" thickness, large enough to cut out six circles with round cutter. Use your fingers to dust off any excess confectioners' sugar. Set aside.

Stars and Stripes Cupcakes --- Ms. Toody Goo Shoes

9). To attach stripes to white circles, use q-tips to dab water on the back of red stripes, and place on white circles. Press gently to adhere. If the red stripes "bleed" onto white fondant, use a clean, wet q-tip to clean it off. 

Stars and Stripes Cupcakes --- Ms. Toody Goo Shoes

10). Attach stars to blue circles, using the q-tip technique, above.

Stars and Stripes Cupcakes --- Ms. Toody Goo Shoes

11). Using a butter knife, spread a thin coating of icing on cupcakes. 

Stars and Stripes Cupcakes --- Ms. Toody Goo Shoes

12). Carefully place circles on top of cupcakes. Press gently to adhere. Arrange into flag pattern on a tray.


Stars and Stripes Cupcakes --- Ms. Toody Goo Shoes


So, about my idea...
I'm not sure why I even decided to search  
"Stars and Stripes Cupcakes" on Pinterest
when I started writing this post,
but I was shocked when I saw a few versions with
almost the exact same design that I created
while laying in bed. 

Stars and Stripes Cupcakes --- Ms. Toody Goo Shoes

In the olden days,
"BP," (Before Pinterest),
you could come up with an idea,
and be none the wiser that 12 other people 
already had the same one. 

Oh, well. 
They're still cute, even if I wasn't the first 
one to think of doing this.

Stars and Stripes Cupcakes --- Ms. Toody Goo Shoes

I only wish that Junior Goo Shoes
was home to eat them,
but he left for camp on Saturday. 
Mr. Goo Shoes and I cannot...
CAN NOT...
eat them all.


If you want some, c'mon over,
and I'll pack some up for you.

What do you have planned for July 4th?

We have dinner reservations with some friends 
at one of our favorite restaurants,
which is located on the Hudson River. 
Afterwards, we can watch the fireworks from there.
However, the weather forecast is a bit "iffy" right now...
Tropical Storm Arthur is making his way up the east coast,
and could bring us lots of rain on Thursday or Friday. 
We'll keep our fingers crossed that he fizzles out.

Have a wonderful and safe July 4th!!!

Stars and Stripes Cupcakes --- Ms. Toody Goo Shoes


27 comments:

  1. They are adorable. Sometimes I refuse to go search Pinterest because I don't want to see the other twelve that had the same idea. "There is nothing new under the sun." Ecclesiastes. :) Have a Happy 4th. You are a rock star with that fondant.

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    2. Thanks, Katie! I think I will stop checking Pinterest for things like this! I hope you had a great weekend!

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  2. I love your cupcakes - great job!!! I have never worked with fondant and you are making me interested in trying it sometime - the colours are so vibrant! I know what you mean about trying to come up with new and fresh ideas - Pinterest certainly is a wonderful resource and place to go for inspiration!

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  3. Hahaha - I also sometimes won't even look at Pinterest when an idea strikes me. It's like freaking Battlestar Galactica - "This has all happened before. It will all happen again."
    These are adorable though. Save me some!!! ;) Pinned!

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    1. Exactly, Claire! I'm not looking any more! Thanks for pinning!

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  4. You have become the fondant queen ever since you took that class on your cruise! Those cupcakes are so cute all placed together. I bet you hated to eat one and mess up the flag! I laughed at your "BP, before pinterest". I guess we can both say we remember those days. I hope the tropical storm doesn't ruin your 4th of July plans either. I think it will miss us down in GA, but it is headed towards the NC coast.

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  5. So cute! I hope Arthur doesn't rain on your parade.

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  6. These came out so cute! I hope the rain holds off for your 4th.

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  7. These are so cute!!! I'm impressed!
    Mary Alice

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  8. OMG! These are so awesome! Thank you for sharing, Amy. Hope you have a great holiday!

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  9. How creative and amazing! Happy 4 July!

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  10. Beautiful! So professional looking! Just yesterday I was discussing how we all seem to be thinking of designs and posts that apparently exist out there already yet we knew nothing about them-- these ideas come in bed, the shower, the bus, etc. I like what you said though about doing it anyway, because it'd be a shame not to! We create for US and our audiences appreciate our originality (because when the design popped into your head, it was still authentically yours). Have a Happy 4th! Having friends here from out of town & so excited about it!
    Thanks for sharing this amazing project!

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  11. fantastic how you created these; what a great result and I'm sure they were a BIG hit!

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  12. These are really gorgeous cupcakes for July 4!!! So very pretty!!!

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  13. You are so creative in the culinary arts! Your stars and stripes flag of cupcakes is colourful and cute - too cute to ruin, ahem, NOT!! Trust me, if I lived on the same continent as you, let alone the same country, I'd be there in a flash! Now, would you REALLY be willing to part with these patriotic pretties?!!

    Happy 4th, my friend!

    xx
    Poppy

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  14. Pretty cupcakes! What a great idea for the 4th of July! I would love to try one right now, they look yummy!

    Happy 4th of July!

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  15. I hope your 4th stays dry! Arthur is supposed to hit us tomorrow, we didn't have plans anyway. But staying home and eating tons o' cupcakes sounds good to me!

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  16. Thanks for coming and linking up at #The Weekend Social. Please be sure to come back next week starting Thursdays at 9PM EST on Kitchen Dreaming.com ! I hope to see you there! pinned
    Dina@KitchenDreaming.com

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  17. Oh, cupcakes are so beautiful .... I do not dare to damage their teeth :-)
    Best wishes!

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  18. So very cute!!! I have never worked with fondant before...it seems so intimidating. Your great instructions may give me courage to try this for Labor Day (as 4th of July is almost over and I am working tonight). I hope Arthur does not ruin your dinner and fireworks plans!

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  19. Absolutely great! I'm German, but these cupcakes make me think of celebrating the 4th of July, too!

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  20. These are AWESOME! Your fondant skills are amazing! I know the 4th of July is over now, but these will be perfect for Labor Day too...I hope you are going to link them up with us. :) Pinning them now!

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  21. Adorable, tasty looking, and the perfect self-contained patriotic dessert! Thanks for sharing, Pinning for Labor Day!

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  22. They look fabulous. Thanks for sharing at Home Sweet Home.
    Sherry

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  23. These are so adorable and perfect for the 4th!

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  24. Too Starspangley, no matter whose idea it was....Adorable...and probably delicious too....Great job, thanks, Sandi

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