Jolly Cakes

We had a huge Rummage Sale at school so I thought I'd make some fun cupcakes to sell to raise money for the school.  I didn't care what they were priced since all the money was going to the school, but let me just say that people don't go to garage sales to buy desserts.  It should be appropriately labeled "Rummage Sale & Bake Sale" otherwise it's weird to buy food before or after you've rummaged through junk. 

These smiley faces came on a roll.  Tons of them.  I bought them from Amazon.com one day for a couple bucks because I needed to add one more item to qualify for their free super saver shipping.  After having them around the house for years, I finally found a use for them.  I stuck two back to back with a toothpick in between.  Excellent toppers.  

The frosting was just a vanilla buttercream (Martha's recipe, I think).  I added color and sprinkles for fun.

I think they look yummy although I wouldn't know.  Can you imagine if I ate every cupcake design I made?

On display at the school.  

Coconut Yum

Okay, if there was ever a cupcake I wished I could have tried, it was one of these.  I love, LOVE, Martha's recipe for coconut cake.  I have used it so many times.  The secret is not using that pre-sugared coconut found at most grocery stores.  That makes it unreasonably sweet.  

The topping was also the unsweetened version.  I found it in the natural food section at Fred Meyer by Bob's Red Mill.  Good stuff.

I made these last year to sell at a  school Rummage Sale.  I also made the Jolly Cakes for the same sale.

So pretty, lined up like soldiers.  I guess "pretty" and "soldiers" doesn't make much sense, though. 

I moistened the tops of each with a simple syrup so that they would stay moist.  I once made this cake and accidentally let it dry out a bit and practically ruined it.  I will never let that happen again.  

Using my candy thermometer to heat my corn syrup and sugar and water for the 7-minute frosting.  

7-minute frosting really is the most delicious frosting I've ever tasted.  I don't like buttery cream frostings.  This one is so light and fluffy (no butter or cream).  It's almost like eating meringues, except in a very soft form.

My mouth is watering and my stomach is growling when I look at these.  Oh, course, I also haven't eaten in a couple of days.  Flu bug hit the whole family this week.