Cupcakes!

[landofoz]

Although I don't like cake, I can't resist making cupcakes.  They are the perfect dessert: cute, yummy, and individual serving sized.  There is a book called Hello, Cupcake and it has some of the coolest cupcakes.  I will be making Rachael these Sunflower Cupcakes for her birthday. 

How many cupcakes is enough to feed a group of 50 hungry teachers?  I was planning on bringing 24 each of carrot, chocolate, and then something like lemon bars or brownie pizza.  I would like, above all, to have a generous amount there.

[Dianna]

Are the hungry teachers coming to Rachel's birthday party?

I would shoot for at least one cupcake each of the sunflowers for the teachers. They are so pretty that everyone will want to try them!

Don't forget to post pictures! I would love to see the recipe for the brownie pizza, too...

[Bonnie]

How many cupcakes is enough to feed a group of 50 hungry teachers?

Are you just having cupcakes or will other food be served? At any rate I would guess that less than half of the people would have seconds, so I would say about 60 or 65. However, if they taste as good as they look you might need more. Those sunflowers are too cute.

[Tina]

Plan on 3for each teacher. They may not eat them all. Some may take their spares to-go. And you may end up with leftovers to take home or take to the next girl scout meeting or send to class.
The sunflower cupcakes are a separate  Rachael B-day event from the teacher event aren't they? Or did I read it wrong?

[landofoz]

I am doing a PTA-hosted Teacher Luncheon main meal is DIY sub sandwiches, potato salad, pasta salad, chips, pop, and dessert. Maybe I will take 3 dozen of the sunflower cupcakes -- the carrot ones I had planned on cream cheese frosting and the ever-popular and adorable colored frosting carrot on top. 

I don't know if I can bake up 12 dozen cupcakes and keep my sanity, Tina.   

The sunflower cupcakes are for Rachael's birthday but I will be making them completely separate for the teacher Luncheon as well.  I figured that I could use the practice!  Now that I think about it, I was planning on making some cupcakes with fondant stuff on top.  I am making my sister's wedding cake in November and I need some practice working with it.  Maybe I will make 3 batches of cupcakes to take then. 

Dianna, I will hunt down my brownie pizza recipe and post it when I find it.

[Triss]

I would do 1-2 for each person in attendance if you are the only one making desserts.  If not then 1 per person.  Those cupcakes are adorable!

Is your brownie pizza the one with fresh fruit on the top of it?  I love those!

[landofoz]

Yes, Triss, my brownie pizza has fruit on the top of it.  I'm trying to remember if I made brownies for the crust or if it was sugar cookies.  When I'm done with the ironing, I will look for it.

____
edit:

I can't seem to find my recipe but it was a pampered chef recipe like this one here.  However, I have found ones like this that use cool whip and cream cheese for the pizza sauce and they sound good too -- anyone have experience with these?  And, yes, it does use a sugar cookie crust.  I think that I have used this recipe (brownie crust) before and it was good. 

[Triss]

Here is the Pampered Chef recipe... I use it all of the time and love it!!!

Banana Split Brownie Pizza

1 package (19.5 oz) brownie mix
1 package (8 oz) cream cheese softened
1 can (8 oz) crushed pineapple, drained
2 tbsp sugar
1/2 cup nuts
Strawberries
Banana
Chocolate syrup

Preheat oven to 375° F. Prepare brownie mix according to package directions. Place parchment paper on 15-inch baking stone. Pour brownie mixture on paper and spread into 14-inch circle. Do not bake without parchment paper or batter will run off stone while baking.

Bake 15-20 minutes or until set. Cool completely. Mix cream cheese and sugar until smooth. Spread over brownie crust. Slice banana and strawberries. Chop nuts. Arrange fruits and nuts on top of cream cheese mixture.

Drizzle with chocolate syrup. Chill.

[landofoz]

Could I just make my own brownie batter instead of using a mix?  Do you think that would work?

Thanks for the recipe!

[Triss]

Oh I am sure that would work just as well. 

[landofoz]

Excellent!  I spoke with our school secretary today and she said that although there could be up to near 50 people at the Luncheon to expect closer to 30.  I will take 60 cupcakes and 2 dessert pizzas (one cookie, one brownie) and call that good.  I'm afraid I'd be too exhausted to deliver the cupcakes if I made more than that!  I'm really excited to start baking. 

[Tina]

That sounds good. Are you the only one providing dessert or are there others?
Can I attend?

[landofoz]

Tina, you are more than welcome to attend.  Come on over! 

Yup, I am the only one providing dessert because I forgot to put it on the list that I sent out.  I don't mind though, I love baking! 

A friend of mine went on vacation and I'm feeding/watering her cats while she is away.  She said she'd leave out her cupcake pan for me, but I guess she forgot.  Oh well    I guess I will have to go out and buy myself a brand new one.  'Cause I certainly am not cooking up that many cupcakes with my 1 cupcake pan that seats 12 cupcakes.  I'd be in there all day!! 

[landofoz]

TAAA-DAAA!  It only took 2 hours (only seems like 30 minutes) and I did take my time and try to do it right.  Normally I just rush through stuff. 

[Dianna]

You did a fantastic job, Sarah Loo!

The ladybugs add a certain pizzazz to them, too...

[sunsoaker]

Those look too good to eat!!  Great Job!

[barleychown]

Awesome job!    I too love the ladybugs.

[Tina]

Wow, those look better than the book. Great job, Sarah.

[Bonnie]

They sure look yummy. Let us know what the guests had to say about them.

[Tonya]

Sarah- You have done a fantastic job on those!!! You could earn quite a pretty penny doing up cakes and such- you are quite talented! Makes me want to go eat some sugar to kill my sweet tooth that those pics gave me. I think I need a snack.......

[landofoz]

Thanks guys!  I'm so glad that you like them!!  I added in some bumblebees (yellow m&m's) for a little variety and even put a little dot of pointed frosting on the tail for a stinger.  The ladybugs are soo adorable though.

All I have left to do this morning is shower, pick fresh tomatoes for the sandwiches at the luncheon, and finish up the fruit pizza.  I am doing my best not to stress out.  You should see my lists.  I have them everywhere.  I list for items bringing, for items ready to go, a timeline for this morning, another for while at school, menu, serving set up, names of parents with items bringing and phone numbers, etc. My hair falls out like crazy when I get stressed and I could do without being 25 and mostly bald!!

[Triss]

Sarah,  Those cupcakes are stunning!!!  You really could make a great living with your talent!  I hope that everything goes well at the luncheon!

[landofoz]

Everyone loved the cupcakes -- although I did come home with 5 or 6 of them.  I had several teachers go and get their cameras and take pictures of them.  A few even said they were taking them home to show their kids!  Although I like to be complimented, it makes me blush horribly bad (think of a bright red balloon instead of a head) and my face was burning hot the whole time I was there.  I was floored when I saw people putting down their food, or leaving the line, to go and get their cameras!

[Triss]

That is a great compliment Sarah!  Glad they went over so well!

[Dianna]

I am so happy everything went well, Sarah Loo!

How many did you end up making in total? Coming home with only five or six is good! I am sure Adam and the girls enjoyed them...