In Book 3, we meet Mandy Brighton, owner of Whimsy: Cupcakes, Celebration Cakes, and Specialty Desserts. Her shop features a Cupcake of the Month.
Note: We have not tested any of these recipes! But these are the ones used for inspiration:
JANUARY: Snowflake Snow Cakes
White cake flavoured with sweet champagne or other dessert wine, with white coconut icing. Covered with shredded coconut and sprinkled with silver sugar.
Cake = Champagne Cake http://allrecipes.com/recipe/8166/champagne-cake-i/
Icing = Coconut Frosting http://allrecipes.com/recipe/221110/buttercream-coconut-cake-icing/
FEBRUARY: My Spicy Valentine Cupcakes
Dense, rich chocolate cake with chili powder for some heat; chocolate cream cheese icing with chili (or cinnamon?); decorated with printed candy hearts
Cake = Fabulous Fudge Chocolate Cake http://allrecipes.com/recipe/7269/fabulous-fudge-chocolate-cake/ , add chili powder
Icing = Chocolate Cream Cheese Frosting http://allrecipes.com/recipe/17887/chocolate-cream-cheese-frosting/
MARCH: Lucky Shamrock Cupcakes
Moist butter cake, half with green food colouring; peppermint icing, half white and half coloured green.
Frost white cupcakes with green icing, and frost green cupcakes with white icing. Sprinkle with green shamrock sugar candies.
Cake = Simple Butter Cake, some with green food colouring http://allrecipes.com/recipe/7461/mary-oppenhiemers-butter-cake/
Icing = Peppermint Buttercream Frosting http://allrecipes.com/recipe/245156/peppermint-buttercream-frosting/
Decorations = Gumdrop Shamrocks, adapted from the book, Celebrating Candy. Read more at http://www.bakerella.com/goodie-goodie/#ZGPGGGlSc3RTFbJv.99
APRIL: Orange Blossom Special Cupcakes
Moist yellow cake with a dollop of orange marmalade in the centre; orange cream cheese frosting. Decorate with more orange zest.
Cake = Moist Yellow Cake http://allrecipes.com/recipe/25607/moist-yellow-cake/
Icing = Orange Cream Cheese Frosting http://allrecipes.com/recipe/10082/orange-cream-cheese-frosting/
MAY: Cinco de Mayo Cupcakes with Honey and Cinnamon Frosting
Sweet cinnamon and sugar cupcakes, reminiscent of sopapillas, topped with honey and cinnamon frosting
Sopapilla Cupcakes with Frosting http://allrecipes.com/recipe/237439/sopapilla-cupcakes/
Use Heavenly White Cake instead of cake mix http://allrecipes.com/recipe/7703/heavenly-white-cake/
JUNE: Strawberry Short Cupcakes
Dense pound cake with chopped strawberries in the batter, frosted with traditional vanilla icing, and topped with sliced strawberries
Cake = Cream Cheese Pound Cake http://allrecipes.com/recipe/8384/cream-cheese-pound-cake-iii/
Icing = Snowy Boiled Icing http://allrecipes.com/recipe/7580/snowy-boiled-icing/
JULY: Oh, Canada! Maple Cupcakes
Real maple syrup and fresh ginger flavour the cake. Frost with maple icing and sprinkle with finely chopped pecans
Cake = Maple ginger cupcakes http://allrecipes.com/recipe/7695/maple-ginger-cake/
Frosting = Maple Walnut Frosting http://allrecipes.com/recipe/7626/maple-walnut-frosting/ (substitute pecans for walnuts)
AUGUST: Summer Sunshine Cupcakes
Light, two colour/two texture cake (lemon sponge cake and angel food cake), iced with lemon cream cheese frosting. Sprinkle with lemon zest.
Cake = Daffodil Cake http://allrecipes.com/recipe/7519/daffodil-cake/
Icing = Lemon Cream Cheese Frosting http://allrecipes.com/recipe/7556/lemon-cream-cheese-frosting/
SEPTEMBER: Summer’s End S’Mores Cupcakes
Graham-flavoured cupcakes, marshmallow frosting with chocolate shavings, sprinkled with more chocolate shavings. Brulee the tops with a torch to toast the marshmallow and melt the chocolate.
Cake = S’Mores Cake http://www.tasteofhome.com/recipes/-give-me-s-more–cake
Icing = Marshmallow Frosting http://www.tasteofhome.com/recipes/-give-me-s-more–cake
OCTOBER: Jack-O-Lantern Cupcakes
Pumpkin and spices in the cake, frosted smooth with a simple vanilla icing with orange food colouring. Decorated like jack-o-lanterns with black fondant cutouts
Cake = Fluffy Pumpkin Spiced Cupcakes http://allrecipes.com/recipe/219676/fluffy-pumpkin-spiced-cupcakes/
Icing = Simple Vanilla Frosting http://allrecipes.com/recipe/17489/white-frosting/
Fondant for decorations http://allrecipes.com/recipe/7930/rolled-fondant/
NOVEMBER: Hot Chocolate Cupcakes
Rich chocolate cupcakes with sweet marshmallow-like frosting. Sprinkle with cinnamon
Cake = Devil’s Food Cake http://allrecipes.com/recipe/7349/devils-food-cake-i/
Icing = Seven Minute Frosting http://allrecipes.com/recipe/21144/seven-minute-frosting-ii/
DECEMBER: Holiday Berry Cupcakes
Light white cake, with raspberry filling in the core; frosted with white chocolate icing. Decorated with red and green sugar or sprinkles
Cake = Heavenly White Cake http://allrecipes.com/recipe/7703/heavenly-white-cake/
Icing and filling = http://allrecipes.com/recipe/220710/raspberry-white-chocolate-buttercream-cupcakes/ (use the filling and frosting only; cake is Heavenly White Cake instead of mix)