Pretty Celebration Cupcakes

These beauties tasted as good as they look! I actually got to have one. My friend requested these for her birthday. They are a dark chocolate Guiness cuppie filled with a homemade chocolate truffle and topped with dark chocolate ganache. The frosting is Irish Cream buttercream and I topped them with Valhrona chocolate balls.

Shamrocks and a Pot of Gold

So we are getting ready for St. Patrick's Day here in the Smiley household. There is lots to do...make a leprechaun trap, make Guinness cupcakes, irish cream cupcakes, buttercreams, corned beef and cabbage, some hostess gifts and of course, get ready for the leprechaun to visit...

Here is the first installment..gotta start with the cupcakes, right?! These are pistachio irish cream cupcakes with a wee bit of green food coloring and topped with vanilla buttercream (the irish cream buttercream is not going out with this order since little kiddos might eat it). I made fondant shamrocks and a little fondant pot to hold the "gold". The "gold" is buttery, brown sugary coconut cream topped with some gold sugar sparkles. I finished it with some green non pareils and some more gold sugar.

Here are three in a row. Cuz I like these kind of shots. Note that every cupcake is her own unique self. Just like those tricky leprechauns, my cuppies don't ever do exactly what I think they should!