September 12th, 2011

Previous ResultsChallenge 25: Celebration

Happy Birthday IronCupcake:Leeds! We were 2 this month, so chose the theme “Celebration” which got everyone’s creativity working overtime!

Its been 2 years since I first gathered a handful (7 to be exact) of people (friends) at Mojo’s to join in with a baking competition which I had stumbled across on the internet. I didn’t really know what I was doing, and, to be honest, it was just an excuse to bake, eat cake and have a vodka with my mates. Somehow, through the power of Twitter and word of mouth, it grew too big for Mojo’s and The Adelphi welcomed us to their top floor. Now, with the help of a swanky new website, we’re selling out each month, having people-traffic jams trying to get from one side of the room to another, and showcasing the talent of around 17 bakers a month!

Big Thank-you’s go to…..

First and foremost, my Mum and Dad for helping me each month (when they’re not in a hot country somewhere enjoying their retirement). I also want to thank Jo for being my right hand man, Paul for making my fabulous website, Em for taking pics when my Dad’s working on his tan, The Adelphi for being awesome, having great staff, and providing goodies for the judges this month, Anji for providing some great goodies from her stall for the winner, David at the Sunshine Bakery for spreading the word of the comp at every possible opportunity and for the top prize this month, all of the sponsors of the past 12 months, each of my regular bakers, the new bakers tonight, and all the judges who have come and enjoyed some fantastic cupcakes! I do this as a hobby, I don’t make any money, I am just having a ball and hope there will be another 2 years to come! (Although I think I deserve a month off next year!)

In the goodie bag this month there was a Meal for 2 at the Sunshine Bakery and a signed copy of TheBoyWhoBakes (Edd Kimber) first recipe book and some goodies from Anji’s stall. There were also prizes for 2nd and 3rd place, plus a special LoveMarzipan treat for all the bakers and a special one off raffle for the judges!

1st Place – Faye’s Starry Celebration

What a cake! What a photo! A fabulous entry from Faye which was a deliciously simple vanilla sponge and frosting, with a star shaped cookie and sparkler. Very effective and a worthy winner, congratulations!

2nd Place – Robert’s Black Forest Gateau Cupcakes

We went back to celebrating in the 80′s with Robert’s cupcakes. These were a chocolate sponge with a cherry center, chocolate frosting, a swirl of fresh cream topped with a chocolate covered cherry and some starry sprinkles.

3rd Place – Rachel’s Champagne & Strawberry Cupcakes

Rachel’s entries were strawberry cupcakes filled with strawberry puree, topped with champagne buttercream, a fresh strawberry and chocolate pieces.

The remaining entries

Chris’s Celebration of Life

These cute little cakes were lemongrass and white chocolate sponge with vanilla icing and starry decorations

Sarah’s ‘Nearly New’ Cucpakes

Sarah made chocolate and vanilla swirled sponge, with vanilla icing, topped with a cookie number 2 covered in 100′s and 1000′s.

Amy’s Champagne & Strawberry

Amy’s cupcakes were champagne flavoured, with a strawberry buttercream, a giant number 2, and balloons!

Jemma’s Cupcakes

Jemma’s cupcakes (I didn’t catch the name) were a chocolate ‘Celebrations’ flavoured sponge, bursting maltersers, and a candle

Laura’s Starry Eyed Surprise

Last month’s winner Laura baked a chocolate sponge with white chocolate center, a nutella frosting, white chocolate stars and a star shaped sparkler.

Shanti – Raspberry Pavlova

Shanti entered her pavlova cupcakes which were a vanilla sponge with raspberry and vanilla buttercream which had a pearly sheen to it, topped with a meringue and fresh raspberry

Stacey’s Champagne & Strawberry Celebration Cupcakes

Stacey’s entries were vanilla sponge with a cream cheese frosting topped with strawberries and chocolate

Emma’s Celebrate Decadence

Emma’s cupcakes were vanilla sponge filled with pink champagne jelly, strawberry and meringue frosting and pink champange and strawberry jelly on top

Lindsey’s Mr & Mrs Chocolate -Beetroot

Lindsey created these fabulous Mr & Mrs cupcakes, which were chocolate and beetroot sponge topped with sugarpaste outfits

Charlotte’s Celebrations

Charlotte’s entries were a brownie sponge with a ‘Celebrations’ sticking out of chocolate frosting

Larraine’s Sticky Toffee

My mum baked a sticky toffee sponge, topped with caramel buttercream, and chocolate 2′s with a champagne candle

Michelle’s Chocolate Surprise

Michelle’s cupcakes were a chocolate sponge with dark chocolate chunks filled with a white chocolate surprise, chocolate frosting, gold candles and stars and an edible glittery no.2.

Amy’s Ice Cream Celebration Cupcakes

Amy’s cute entries were neapolitan flavoured sponge baked in the cone, with a vanilla frosting, strawberry sauce and sprinkles and a flake. Proper party food!

Zoe’s Strawberry Fizz

My entries were a chocolate sponge filled with a strawberry coulis, topped with pink champagne buttercream, glitter and a fresh strawberry

Next Month

Next month we’re going Vegan for our friends who do not eat meat and dairy.