Crowning Cupcakes For Your Next Celebration

Crowning Cupcakes For Your Next Celebration

One of the biggest (and tastiest) traditions of a celebration is the cake. Our princesses have seen some fantastic cakes at all the parties you have invited us to! But there's a new trend in town to add some sugar to your occasion: CUPCAKES! They're fast and easy, eliminating all the clean up that comes with a normal cake. The fairies here at the Tiara Parties castle have spent countless hours in the kitchen trying to come up with the best recipe to share with you and we've finally got it:

THE BEST CLASSIC CUPCAKE RECIPE

Prep: 10 Minutes
Total Time: 30 Minutes
Serving Size: 18

INGREDIENTS

*2 cups all-purpose flour
*1 1/2 cups sugar (can use 1-1/4 cup for a less sweeter taste ,or 3/4 cup Splenda)
*2 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
*1 teaspoon salt
*1/2 cup shortening ( very soft but not melted, Crisco is best)
*3/4 cup milk ( or half and half cream)
*1 tablespoon vanilla ( or use 1-1/2 teaspoons almond extract)
*2 large eggs

DIRECTIONS

1. Set oven to 350 degrees F.
2. In a large bowl, mix together the flour with sugar, baking powder and salt until combined.
3. Add in the shortening cream or milk, vanilla and eggs; beat on medium speed of an electric mixer scraping the bowl constantly until just blended (the batter will be thick, if desired you may add in a few more tablespoons cream or milk).
4. Pour into paper-lined regular size muffin tins filling under just three-quarters full.
5. Bake for 20-22 minutes or until the cupcakes test done (do not overbake as they will be dry).
6. Immediately remove from pans.
7. Cool completely before frosting.
8. *Note* if desired 1-1/2 tsp almond extract may be used instead of vanilla, for a almond flavor.

Mix in a lot of love, sprinkle on some smiles and top with your favorite frosting!

And for added fun, let your guests decorate their own cupcake! It'll be like they all have their own personal cake!

We can't wait to see what you come up with at YOUR next party!

Pine Cone Bird Feeder in 5 Easy Steps

Materials

* bird seed
* yarn, string, or rope
* peanut butter
* plate
* knife or spoon
* pine cone

Steps:

1. Use the spoon or knife to spread the peanutbutter on the pine cone.
2. Spread the bird seed out on the plate.
3. Roll the peanutbutter-covered pine cone around in the bird seed on the plate.
4. Attach one end of your string/yarn/rope to the pine cone and the other end to the tree.
5. Clean up and enjoy watching the birds feast on your project! Well done!

Movie Review for "Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs"

If you are looking for a great family-night movie, Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs is a terrific choice. It is both funny and touching, following the story of a boy named Flint Lockwood. Flint is adorable with his unruly hair and goofy personality. He lives with his family in Swallow Falls, an island in the Atlantic where the main export is sardines. Flint's goal is to make a machine that will turn water into food so everyone doesn't have to eat sardines all the time.

Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs is an animated coming-of-age story with just the right combination of laugh-out-loud moments and life lessons without getting too mushy. There is also a good message for young girls! Sam, an extremely intelligent girl, pretends to be ditsy to fit in. SPOILER ALERT! In the end, Sam realizes, with Flint's help, that she's perfect just the way she is - smart.

Fun fact: There are no right angles, straight lines, or perfect circles in the movie. The visual effects, colors, and details are incredible, so it's sure to keep your visual interest, too. This movie truly does have something for everybody. If you haven't seen it, you should!