Yesterday I used my 40% off coupon at Michaels to buy a giant cupcake pan. I've been wanting one of these for a long time!
I had also recently purchased some shell molds to make fondant shells so I used both my new purchases to make a giant cupcake fit for a mermaid!
I had so much fun making this last night. I had formed the fondant shells earlier in the week and last night I brushed them with lustre dust which is an edible powder used by cake decorators. It made the flat colored shells just come alive and look so real!
It's a dark chocolate cake with butter cream frosting and I have it sitting on a mixture of brown and white sugar to resemble sand. I had a blast making this!!! I'm joining in on Gollum's Foodie Friday, please stop by her blog to see some other wonderful food creations!
I have been so tempted to buy one of those giant cupcake pans! The potential for themes is endless. And I love how you've tied the seashore theme of your home into your cupcake decorating. What fun!
ReplyDeleteThat is soooooo creative! Thank you
ReplyDeletefor sharing, I have to try that.
Cindy
Oh glory be! This is simply awesome! When I first looked at the photos, I thought you had actually used real shells. After all the work this surely took, are you even going to be able to cut into and eat this feast for the eyes?
ReplyDeleteI can see that when you open your little "some day" shop, you will have to have one side for old linens, painted furniture etc., and one side as a bakery to feature your decorated cakes. :)
Sooo creative!
ReplyDeleteIvy
Cindy those shells look soooo real, how cool!! I have been wanting one of these molds too after seeing a blog and the person bought the mold at Homegoods, I have been looking there ever since and still haven't found it. Now are you going to be able to eat it since it looks so cute?? Maybe you could freeze it and just bring it out every so often to decorate with it, LOL!
ReplyDeleteHugs~Kelly
Cindy! I can't believe those shells are fondant! I thought they were real!!! You did a great job on this, and I love the way you presented it on your cakestand, covered with a cloche. The white and brown sugar is a master stroke, too! Love this idea!
ReplyDeleteHappy Foodie Friday...
XO,
Sheila :-)
Cindy, this is absolutely gorgeous! It should be on the cover of a magazine. I have been thinking about the large cupcake pans, and this cinches it. The photos are pure eye candy--I'm so happy you joined the potluck.
ReplyDeleteHugs,
Gollum
Cindy, absolutely beautiful work! Besides looking delicious it is definitely a work of art..down to the little pearls. The shells are so life like I would have never guessed they were fondant.
ReplyDeleteI've always admired Kathleen's giant cupcake form from Cuisine Kathleen that I may have to put this on my list of things to get!
Super post!
I have just found your blog and ooo its lovely a real 'feast for the eyes'. I love your cup cake its beautiful, I wouldn't want to cut into it LOL!
ReplyDeleteHow clever of you!!! I thought the
ReplyDeleteshells were real....simply gorgeous.I'm on my way Michael's to
get one of those cupcake pans. So
versatile....Thanks, Mimi
That is so unique!! Right down to the tiniest details like the sugary sand and the pearls ~ I really thought the shells were real! Everything looks totally real!
ReplyDeleteKarin
You are getting so good at your cake decorating. This came out great. Love the shells. You can make them out of chocolate too. That way you can eat them and they taste great. You can even still use the luster dust on them.
ReplyDeleteI know you can eat fondant too but most people don't like the taste of fondant.
Love the way you photographed this too. With the real shells around it's hard to tell which is real and which aren't.
Beautiful! Just beautiful.
Hugs,
Joanne
wow....makes me want to run out and get one of those cake pans! your cake looks amazing!!
ReplyDeleteYou are amazing! It is just lovely. Thank you for sharing.
ReplyDeleteSpectacular! I want a 40% off coupon so I can get one. You did a fabulous job of decorating it.
ReplyDeleteRenee
Cindy, that is just so cute and quite pretty, too. Please eat a big ole piece for me, ok? :)
ReplyDeleteOooh, I'll watch out for the coupons and that giant cupcake pan! I think my son would love the "muddy cupcake" idea for his next birthday.
ReplyDeleteGotta write it all down!
Wow, that looks amazing! So beautiful! I hope you made some for yourself:) Love the fondant shells. Your presentation was five stars!
ReplyDeleteSo creative! I love the seashore theme! Have a nice day.
ReplyDeleteBlessings,
sandi
OMG!!!! I could just dive right in it. It's way to beautiful to eat!
ReplyDeleteCindy - I love how that cupcake came out. The shells are amazing! I've wanted one of those molds too. I HAVE to get one!
ReplyDeleteThat's stunning! I might have been able to make the cupcake, but I would have never thought to decorate it so pretty! Great job!
ReplyDelete~Flip Girl
WOW that is so pretty and creative!!!
ReplyDeleteThat's the most beautiful cupcake I've ever seen. How clever with the sugar looking like sand.
ReplyDeleteI am doing the same this month with my Michaels coupon. We have 4 birthdays this month. Your Cupcake came out terrific. I will have to use that idea for my little 4 year old mermaid.
ReplyDeleteWendy
Cindy: This is absolutely GORGEOUS and waaaay too pretty to eat! But I bet I could manage! It looks like a work of art!
ReplyDeleteHave a great weekend!
Lou Cinda :)
Decorator...baker....you really are missing your calling! Martha Stewart - watch out! I always love to check in daily to see what you do next! I can escape for a few minutes from my own boring office job! Love, Esther
ReplyDeleteI didn't even know those existed!
ReplyDeleteMan...I gotta get out more!!
just fantastic!
next think we know, you'll be in bon appetit mag ;)
Cindy You did a great job !! It looks awesome. Ithought those were REAL seashells and sand. Unbelievable. Tina
ReplyDeleteA*M*A*Z*I*N*G!! Yes, I agree, it should be on the cover of a magazine!! I bet it even smells as good as it looks, sigh.....I better be on the look out for the Michaels coupon too.
ReplyDeleteBlessings- LillySue
I wonder if there's anything you CAN'T do Cindy! Wow, that cupcake is great & the shells look so real. just was wondering how it would look if the icing was light blue? Your blog is the first one I check everyday, and you always have something fun & interesting. Sue in FL :)
ReplyDeleteI can't believe how real those shells look! The whole thing is so beautiful and creative, and it looks so pretty sitting in the dish on your table, I think it would be hard to vut it up and eat it. Fantastic Cindy!
ReplyDeleteOh Cindy, this is awesome. I thought you put it on real sand, and the shells were real. I was thinking, how can you eat it now if there is sand all over it. lol!
ReplyDeleteYou did a grerat job. Can you bear to cut it up and eat it?
How absolutely beautiful! You have such talent!
ReplyDeleteThat's totally awesome, Cindy. I just returned from two weeks in Florida and came away with some incredible real shells.... yours look so real. Great job!
ReplyDeleteThis cake rocks! It is so adorable...and when you said chocolate my mouth started watering! :)
ReplyDeleteCindy-
ReplyDeleteI literally gasped when I saw your beautiful cake! Just gorgeous!!!
Don't you just love Luster Dust?
What time are we having cake? :)
This is just lovely...ann
ReplyDeleteThat turned out beautiful. You might have a calling as a professional cake decorator!!
ReplyDeleteThank you.I am soo proud of you I could just KISS YOU.YOU GOT YOUR BABIES A NEW CAGE YIPEEEEEEEEEEEE.
ReplyDeleteI know I'm a fanatic,But I like to think I want to treat them as if we exchanged places,would I be happy,you know?
And if it's not too late.I learned this from my vet.Take the cage with the birds into your bathroom.Turn out the light with an idea where the birds are.Take them out and put into the new cage.
I chased mine around forever,scaring them to death.duh-Why didn't I think of that.Anyway.thats how you do it.Again.I am so proud of you.And the cage is lovely..ann
Oh, WOW..Cindy...
ReplyDeleteThis is the most amazing thing I've ever seen. Just beautiful and I just KNEW the shells were real. They do look SO real. I am so impressed. I love your sand!! Don't you know I am going to Michael's this very afternoon to see if they have this mold.
Great Job!
xo bj
You are sooooo talented! You know, there will be a run on those pans now at Michaels!
ReplyDeleteHugs, Patti
I love your giant cupcake!!! I saw it on Flickr & asked if it was real or fake!!lol It's gorgeous!
ReplyDeleteSherry
Oh My Goodness! I could eat my monitor! Cindy that is just gorgeous. You are soooo creative. ♥
ReplyDeleteOh now that is too cute! Even an old bird like me is lured into that sweet confection.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the ideas on how to pretend we are at the beach, that is really cool.
this totally rocks or should that be this is eshellent!! i have to send my sister here she likes to decorate cakes too.
ReplyDelete%*_*% rosey
Oh my that is just gorgeous, and to think you can eat it too. I love the cake stand also, it is totally gorgeous, all of it. Hugs, Marty
ReplyDeleteI was in there yesterday and saw this. But I didn't know what it was! Your idea came out wonderfully, Cindy. But then, they always do!
ReplyDeleteBrenda
Absolutely brilliant! I first thought it was faux, thinking no one would waste a beautiful big mouth-watering cupcake by setting it in SAND :) Then I read you used white and brown sugar to simulate sand and the shells are edible shells~~brilliant!
ReplyDeleteHi Cindy! The huge cupcake looks great! If you have a large Anchor Hocking Glass Measuring cup, you can also make one using that. They are oven safe, and the different sizes will give you all sorts of cupcakes! Yours looks delicious and the shell candies you made divine! Totally yummy! Now, you just need a cup of hot tea to go with it! ;) Or, maybe a POT of tea to go with it! ;) ~CC Catherine from "Catherine de th`e Cups"
ReplyDeleteOh, wow!! Yummy and beautiful. Love the seaside theme.
ReplyDeleteThanks for your visit in my blog, I´m so happy for that. I tryed talk to you, but my computer doesnt help me. Will be a pleasure receive you again...kisses
ReplyDeletesorry for my bad english
I've never seen anything so beautiful!!
ReplyDeleteIt looks to beautiful to eat....almost. I bet it will be wonderful. Have a wonderful weekend.
ReplyDelete~Sue~
You make beautiful cakes! I have no such talent. Have you ever considered selling these? If I were in CA, I would love to hire you!
ReplyDeleteI have never seen anything like that!! How do you know how long to bake it ? I would think it would have to be different than regular cake pans. Also, when you cut into it....do you cut it into layers and frost it between layers?
ReplyDeleteYou deserve an award of some sort for that creation!
Wow...just gorgeous all the way around...and the shells look so real. Your blog is a delight to the senses!
ReplyDeleteThis is so unique! You are just so clever and I bet it's really tasty too! Nancy
ReplyDeleteBravo, Cindy! That is just amazing!
ReplyDeleteHugs,
Stephanie
Angelic Accents
This is just adorable. I might have to check into one of these myself. Love it. Debbie
ReplyDeleteWow, just beautiful. I hope you're sharing that cupcake!
ReplyDeleteIt looks wonderful! Be sure to post a picture after you cut a slice.
ReplyDeleteCheers!
Rita
Your giant cupcake looks great.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful Cindy! And I noticed you used your "contraband pearls".... hehehehe... The sand came out cool too. Really pretty... wish it was my birthday cake.
ReplyDelete~Really Rainey~
Oh my word that is just too cute! That would look really neat in my beachy bedroom that I am working on finishing! I wouldn't be able to eat it because it looks sooo pretty! lol
ReplyDeleteGreat job Cindy!!!
You have combined two of my favorite things ~shells and sugar~ so very beautifully! It is so gorgeous, how can you bring yourself to eat it, and it looks so delicious how can you not eat it? I love the way you decorate your home and that you can translate your talents to this medium is amazing. Great display, too! We got to enjoy the photos, I hope you enjoy the cupcake!
ReplyDeleteBeautiful job! I love the tips you gave for making the shells look more realistic. Your photos are fantastic!
ReplyDeleteThat is incredible! I have to get one of those pans now. I never would have guessed that this is a real cupcake. The shells look so real. I thought it was crafted from something else.
ReplyDeleteIncredible!
Sooo beautiful! Love the shell theme!
ReplyDeleteMonica.
That looks like one of those fancy creations you would see on the Food Network! I think you ought to send them a picture or something.
ReplyDeleteWe are big beach lovers at our house and my daughter loves to cook and I can't wait to show this to her.
You are so incredibly creative. Love it!
Cindy, that is so cool! I wish I were talented like you are, with cake decorating and such.
ReplyDeleteThat is just AMAZING Cindy, wish I could cook like that!
ReplyDeleteAlicia
The cake is gorgeous. I love the way the little shells turned out. And the sand!
ReplyDeleteThis is too pretty to eat ! Looks yummy !
ReplyDeleteOMG! That is so beautul!
ReplyDeleteI love what you did with this! I ahve the mold and you ahve inspired a new theme:)
ReplyDeleteVery pretty..
I used a coupon yesterday here in canada and FINALLY splurde on the beehive to amke for Mother's Day:) And for my grandchildren..You ahve a beautiful blog by the way..I visit many many times.
You are extremely creative.. and share so much of your good ideas.
You are tireless:) and I am always happy when I read that you have been featured somewhere.You deserve it.
most fantastic one i have ever seen! so love the beach scene, its gorgeous!
ReplyDeleteHi Cindy :)
ReplyDeleteI can't get over how real those shells look! The giant cupcake is beautiful and sounds delicious :)
Oh and your new sofa and birdcage... PERFECTION!
hugs,
rue
You made my birthday cake. With a nick like seanymph you just know Im into mermaids. I love this!
ReplyDeleteHow beautiful. I was debating about that pan and I do believe you cinched the deal! Of course I am not going to be able to make a giant cupcake anywhere near as fabulous as yours but what fun trying.
ReplyDeleteThis looks great!! Almost, too good to eat. I really, really, really love it!!!
ReplyDeleteCindy~ It's adorable..love the shells they look so real!! It's too pretty to eat~but sounds delicious!:D And how creative putting it in the bowl under the cloche..& adding the brown & white sugar~looks just like sand!
ReplyDeleteHave a beautiful weekend!
Cat
Cindy I love that huge cupcake.It looks to good to eat.Your home is so beautiful.I love how you decorate with thrift store and flea market finds.Your blog is very inspiring.I love what you did with that bird cage.Your birdies have a new beautiful home.Have a wonderful weekend.Jen
ReplyDeleteYummy!!!!
ReplyDeleteLooks delicious! And really....too pretty to eat!
ReplyDeleteGreat use of the giant cupcake pan! Your creation is gorgeous.
ReplyDeleteHow fun- I thought they were real shells!! I also love the idea of mixing the sugars for the sand, Great Job!!
ReplyDeleteHave a Happy Day!
~Rachel
Wow, Cindy, that is amazing! SO beautiful! How much do you want to bet that Michael's sells out of those cake tins really soon? ;)
ReplyDeletexoxo,
Mary
I went to Hobby Lobby today with my 40% off coupon and got my Giant Cupcake pan! Thanks for inspiring me!
ReplyDeleteHugs, Patti
Absolutely beautiful! I have been looking at this pan for a long time, I am going to have to get it now! The shells are so clever and I really enjoy working with "lustre dust" too! I used in on a fairy cake that I made for my daughter (I actually posted pics this past Foodie Friday) and also on an engagement cake. It really adds a special touch! Can't wait to get my pan!
ReplyDeleteBlessings to you!
Karyn
That is absolutely fabulous! I love the Giant Cupcake pan! I want one so badly, LOL! You did a fabulous job with the shells and pearls, oh my goodness! It's just beautiful! :)
ReplyDeleteI totally thought they were real sea shells! you captured them so well, I am sure any mermaid would love it :)
ReplyDeleteLove the cupcake and the shells. What a great cake.
ReplyDeleteHugs :)
Irma
OMGosh, This looks absolutely wonderful and delicious. I would love to borrow you to do some of my desserts. What a lovely showpiece for sure. The sea shell are incredibly different, so real.. never seen anything like that before.
ReplyDeleteI recently bought one of those pans (yes, with a coupon as well) and I never would have even thought of such an elegant use. That is exquisite and I'd never want to cut it. I really thought the shells were real until I started reading. You have a marvelous blog, always interesting and a pleasure to read.
ReplyDeleteOMGosh! That cupcake if FABULOUS!!
ReplyDeleteWow! All I can say...Wow!
Back Porch Blessings,
Rebecca
How cute and creative!
ReplyDeleteHello Cindy,
ReplyDeleteYou make beautifull cupcakes!
It's a lotta fun to make these.
Bey, Sylvia
www.Tuinengeltje.nl
Seriously???? That is incredible and beautiful! I hope it tastes as good as it looks.
ReplyDeleteVery Cute! I love that it's pink and white. I didn't know they had a pan for a giant cupcake, that's just fun.
ReplyDeleteCindy, wonderful! These are fondant seashells? I love them! I didn't even know they had large cupcake pans! Wish we had Michaels.
ReplyDeleteWhat a great idea! A perfect gift for the person who has everything too! Could you give a quick tutorial on what is involved in making the fondant shells? I would consider attempting this myself, but would like to know what is involved before I were to buy the cupcake pan and shell mold. thanks for your inspiration!
ReplyDeleteI just love this giant cupcake. My birthday is the end of the month and this will work just fine. ha ha
ReplyDeleteI'm all set. Just bought the cupcake pan at Michael's. Got the last one and used a 50% off coupon. Did you use the recipe on the packaging? I may use a cake mix and homemade frosting. It will be a surprise "I made you a cupcake" and then give this! LOL
ReplyDeleteCheers! Rita
This is on my wish list too! So fun!
ReplyDeleteNow, that is too amazing! Those shells and the sugar sand look so real!
ReplyDeleteYou are so talented. There just HAS to be a way for you to earn a living using your creativity.
~elaine~
you did it again....very good idea withe the shells and the glas it brings me in the vacationmood...
ReplyDeleteCan you help with shouting out for prayers for this young man?
ReplyDeletehttp://connie-livingbeautifully.blogspot.com
He's my son and he is in pretty bad shape at this point. Go to my post for 4/5, yesterday, as I'm keeping it updated. I'm needing all the prayers I can get at this point. Please help do this as I believe in the power of prayer.
Thank YOU!
Connie
Your cake is absolutely BEAUTIFUL - and so creative. The shells fooled me, too. You are goood!
ReplyDeleteoh!! oh!! How beautiful!! I did not know that there was such a thing as a large cupcake pan. I want to weep for joy! I am all over that on the Friday shopping trip. Hobby Lobby you said? Well inquiring minds want to know, what kind of mold did you use for the fondant? You need to post on that information!!! I would love to know how to make fondant sea shells. (seriously!)(please consider blogging on this)
ReplyDeleteBEAUTIFUL!
Wow that is fabulous!!
ReplyDeleteLinda
I LOVE THAT CAKE!!!!!!!!!!!!!
ReplyDeleteYou did a GREAT job on it. Oh I can feel another NEED coming on! :)
A Sea Dream! Wow Cindy I think I am going to get one of those pans as well and the theme....what can I say.....Dreaming of the Magical Sea!Your right perfect for a mermaid! What an Artist!
ReplyDeleteHugs Annabelle...Thanks for sharing.
Wow! Wow! Wow!
ReplyDeleteI am totally LOLing here, Cindy. My 8-year-old son is sitting here beside me and I was looking at your blog. I showed him your edible sea shells and then showed him your cupcake cake. He is such a boy. He said, very matter-of-factly, "A cupcake that isn't cup-sized is just a cake, Mom."
ReplyDeleteThought I'd share. LOL!
Such a beautiful cupcake!! Looks way to good to eat. Now if I could only find a way to make a fabric one...lots less calories!!
ReplyDelete