It's been quite some time since I've waxed on about my life as a baker, and being that I can't get cupcakes out of my head this evening, I thought I would share some recent ideas. Some events upcoming, and just generally muse on about my passion/profession.
So, I have been generating a list of cupcake flavors that I would like to try. Things that I find interesting or very tasty. Or just things that I think would sell nicely, as they are in fashion in the food world.
Some things I'm going to try soon include a tea infused line consisting of earl grey, chai, and green tea flavored cupcakes. Not sure on icing combinations to go with these yet, but after I'm able to test run the batters, I'm sure some sort of bright idea will surface. These are my current goal for new yummies.
Next is a line of dessert inspired cupcakes. Bananas Foster, Tiramisu, and Creme Brulee are on the short list, though I do need one more to round out both this category and the tea set. The creme brulee cake may have to wait until I can convince my boss to let me have a small blow torch. :-D
I also want to get a few more staple flavors implemented, like coconut and lemon. We have chocolate, vanilla, red velvet, and strawberry currently on the menu almost every day in some sort of combination or variation. I really think having those flavors in addition will help us cover all bases. Also, we absolutely must come up with a coffee flavored cake. Either in the batter or the icing. Espresso, cappuccino, hell I don't know. Something.
Other fun thing that's going on right now and will hopefully be prototyped by this week's end is the Mango Cupcake that I've been brainstorming on for a week or so. Honey and cardamom in the batter, with a sweet mango puree for either a filling or to incorporate into buttercream, and dried mango slices on top. I am so jazzed to try this one out. Hopefully a little hint of India, and again, hopefully by the end of the week.
Valentine's Day is coming up, and we're trying to convince the boss man that it is IMPERATIVE that we have examples of our v-day fair well before the day comes, so that customers will have us in mind while buying useless goodies to woo their love interests. Ideas include wafer paper and chocolate transfer accents, "talking heart" mini cakes, and possibly roses. Also, we're preparing to unveil our first filled cupcake for the year. Excited? You should be.
In personal business news, I'm preparing for my second cake order here in Indy, another wedding, coming up on February 20th. It's a sizable order, which should yield a reasonable profit, and hopefully not kill me in the process. I go tomorrow to meet with the bride about details. Wish me lots of luck, as she says she has pictures and "sparkle sprinkles" questions. O boy.
