BUNS & BABES!
I was thrilled that today, my last lesson, was ending with actual cupcake decorating! It was the pinnacle of the course for me. In the midst of my excitement though, there was a slight hint of concern as the teacher detailed exactly what we were about to embark on. She explained that we were making babies which sounded fine, but then we were going to make some bums, of all things!!! Bums??? Gasp!!….I have always taught my kids to say “bottoms”, not “bums”. So for our purposes today, I’ll refer to them as “buns” from now on.
How was I going to make a bun on a cake and expect anyone to bite into it? It was not going to happen! However, I just couldn’t resist taking a photo of my teacher’s masterpieces to show everyone.
Although somewhat scandalous, the “bun cakes”, complete with butterfly tattoo and pocket bling, produced a good chuckle when I showed my family!
Thankfully, the teacher soon finished her “bun” presentation and introduced us to the innocent babes:
I thought it sensible to steer right away from the “buns” and stick with the “babes”. I used the left-over “bun” icing for other simple decorations. It was all in good fun and an enjoyable lesson to end the course. A bit sad that it’s finished, but I’m hoping that it’s not over – my aspiration is that this marks just the beginning of a lifelong cupcake journey. After all, it seems that cupcakes are a sweet analogy for life, and I’m enjoying the challenge of discovering the connections!
The preparation for this lesson had begun at home the day before. Although the teacher suggested we use a packet mix, remembering I’m in search of the perfect cupcake recipe, I made mine from scratch. Out of the many recipes I could have chosen, I decided to use a friend’s recipe and got my kids to taste test the finished product. They gave a thumbs-up for taste, but I was disappointed with the final look. I had definitely made better cupcakes than these before, but it was too late to start again at that point. The tops were a bit crackly and they just didn’t rise enough for my liking, but they would have to do. Oh well….the search for the perfect cupcake recipe continues. Nevertheless, my focus today would have to be on getting my babies perfect!
After the teacher’s demonstration, I couldn’t wait to get started. The first step was to colour the icing:
Butter cream, which is simply a mixture of butter with icing sugar, was used like glue to put the first layer of icing on:
I was off to a good start:
Then with a light brush of water, the bits and pieces were stuck on:
Already looking cute:
A dusting of pink for the rosy cheeks, and a delicate brush of black food colouring for the eyes and my babies were done:
The happy baby boy is my favourite:
I was also delighted with how my decorating with the left-over icing turned out:
Making the perfect cupcakes for a special occasion can be a scary, yet wonderful experience.
It’s no secret now that I love cupcakes. I love the process of making them. I love that my kids love them. And of course, I love eating them. Cupcakes are wonderful…..but making them for all to scrutinise can be a very scary thing!
I recall whenever I’ve wanted to fashion exquisite cupcakes for my children’s birthdays, I’ve been slightly nervous that I’d botch them up. Fearful that all their tiny friends would take one bite and screw up their noses…..YUCK! But once the moment arrived to actually serve the tasty delights, what a wonderful feeling to see my child’s face light up and the other little cherubs approvingly scoff them down….DELICIOUS! Hooray, they approved – truly a wonderful feeling and a huge relief!
Being judged by little ones is one thing – even scarier though, is endeavouring to create cupcakes for adult approval. They can be worse critics than those petite munchkins. Once, I was invited to a high tea and was too apprehensive to make my own cupcakes, so bought (yes bought!) something to take instead. One of my dearest friends makes beautiful friands – all different flavours and all deliciously perfect. It’s her mum’s secret recipe that she once utilised in a successful home business, selling them to cafes far and wide around Sydney. She doesn’t do it anymore, but it was a convenient option for me to purchase them from her at the time. Suffice to say, I couldn’t choose what flavour I liked best, so I bought an assortment and proudly took them along to the high tea. The only thing I could boast about was how clever my friend is. If I’d made my own cupcakes, they’d have to assess how clever I was (or wasn’t) and I wasn’t willing to take the risk!
Nowadays, I love baking and having a go at different recipes. It’s exhilarating when people give a glowing assessment of my hard work and praise me for it. It results in a sigh of relief, as though I’ve just passed an important test. It’s also okay if some people don’t really like what I’ve made – everyone is entitled to their own taste. I would never let that dampen my enthusiasm for baking though.
One of my many favourite Bible verses poetically says that I, like a cupcake perhaps, was “fearfully and wonderfully made” by God:
“For You created my inmost being; You knit me together in my mother’s womb. I praise You because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; Your works are wonderful, I know that full well” (Psalm 139:13-14).
Was God scared when He made me? Probably not, but I reckon He “fearfully” created me with much thought, planning and precision. Did he worry that His creation would be scrutinised and judged? I guess He knew I would be. It’s an unfortunate human trait that we all too often appraise, criticise, evaluate, or “pick on” each other. I don’t think this is what my Creator intended. Rather, He made all humans to be loved, nurtured, respected, and valued, despite our many imperfections.
As for my baking, I’ll continue with my cupcakes being “fearfully and wonderfully” made. But more importantly, when it comes to my cupcake comparison for life, I’ll always be sure to remember that every person has been FEARFULLY AND WONDERFULLY MADE. I am committed to treating myself and others with the love and respect intended for us!
