If you’re like me and you love to cook, you’re always finding a recipe you really want to make but can’t eat much of. I think all food writers and bloggers are in the same boat unless they’ve got heaps of kids who have heaps of friends.
Sadly, there are no kids at this house and Charlie the dog shouldn’t eat a lot of people food but that doesn’t stop me from making food to give to friends and neighbours. The problem I’ve had is how to present the food that doesn’t look all smashed when it’s covered in foil or lose a good plate or dish.
I ordered some boxes from PackQueen in Victoria and I couldn’t be happier. My cupcakes looked beautiful when I brought them to Rob today – no more gifts that look like a dog’s breakfast after the journey.
Rob mentioned he liked sharing his treats with the others at his dining table. The nursing home has several dining rooms with no more than 16 in each one. There are ten in Rob’s dining room so I always make sure that there’s enough for everyone. I say he mentioned it because he never asks – it’s always a big hint and I know what I’m supposed to do.
“Are there any mangoes left?” always means, “Could you cut up some mango and bring it over?”
“Will you be making cake or cupcakes soon?” is pretty obvious, isn’t it? Thankfully, they’re only 7 minutes away by car.
Now that I have my nifty pink boxes, I’ll be able to bring cupcakes to the oldies anytime they’re in the mood. The boxes cost $2.75 but for me it’s worth it to have the cupcakes arrive looking as good as when they left home.
PackQueen has boxes for everything and I would have bought more different styles but you have to buy a minimum of 50 on the cupcake boxes and that’s prohibitive for most households. Plus, where do you put the 49 other boxes while you’re waiting for the next time you need to give some away. The company sells at wholesale prices so I shouldn’t complain. Delivery was quick and their staff couldn’t have been more pleasant.
I made these vanilla cupcakes and frosted them with white icing and sprinkled white sanding sugar to look like snow. Then I piped a little Christmas tree in green icing and shook some coloured sprinkles on top of the tree. I didn’t have any stars but I had some white butterflies that sort of looked like stars. The olds didn’t mind a bit. When we left, Rob had icing on his face – good sign.
These cupcakes are light and spongy and made the ancient ones happy. If you want to make someone happy, cupcakes usually do the trick.
The recipe calls for cake flour which is not available in Australia – at least where I live. Thankfully it’s easy to fix by measuring out one cup of plain/all-purpose flour and then removing 2 tablespoons and put that back in the flour bin. Add 2 tablespoons of corn flour/cornstarch and sift the flour about five times to make sure the corn flour/cornstarch is well combined.
I found the best vanilla cupcake recipe a few years ago at Glorious Treats who said that when she tried these, she was sure she heard angels singing. If that’s not convincing enough, come over and I’ll give you a cupcake. When you make your own, get one of these cupcake boxes so your hard work won’t get squooshed.
- 1¼ cups cake flour
- 1¼ teaspoons baking powder
- ½ teaspoon baking soda
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 2 eggs
- ¾ cup sugar
- 1½ teaspoons pure vanilla extract
- ½ cup oil (vegetable or canola oil)
- ½ cup buttermilk (or ½ cup milk plus ½ teaspoon white vinegar or lemon juice- add acid to the milk then set aside for 5 minutes before using)
- Pre-heat oven to 180°C/350°F.
- In a medium-sized bowl, whisk together the cake flour, baking powder, baking soda and salt until fully combined.
- In your mixer bowl add eggs and beat 10-20 seconds. Add sugar and continue to beat on medium speed about 30 seconds. Add vanilla and oil, beat to combine.
- Reduce mixer speed to low and slowly add about half of the flour mixture. Add half of the milk, then the rest of the flour and the rest of the milk. Beat until just combined. Scrap down the side of the bowl. The batter will be thin.
- Pour batter into a muffin pan prepared with paper liners. Fill liners about ⅔ full.
- Bake for 12-14 minutes.
- Cool in pan 1-2 minutes, then remove cupcakes from pan and leave to cool on a wire rack.
Are you ready for Christmas? It’s so bright outside at night because the Griswalds have moved in across the canal. ALL those lights blink too. I should have taken a photo of our outdoor lights last week. We were so proud of ourselves that we’d gotten our lights up before the Christmas boat parade that goes by the house.
Last night we were outside having a quiet chat and I looked up and burst out laughing. “What’s funny?” John asked.
“8′ long Merry Christmas is upside down.”
“Crap,” and he laughed too.
All fixed now. There are cruise boats that go up and down the canals looking at lights. Imagine the laughter.
These cupcakes are absolutely beautiful:))
Clark Griswald is my spirit animal.
This does not surprise me. You would hang your lights right side up, I’m sure.
Those cupcakes look beautiful in that box. Hmm, this post gave me the idea for the project that I am doing. Thank you, Maureen and I hope you are enjoying the holiday season.
Maureen, love these cupcakes. . and I totally need those boxes from PackQueen!! I just made cupcakes yesterday and had the same problem. . how was I going to transport them to drop them off at my daughter’s school. . anyway, love love love!! thanks for the reco!!
Yup, cupcakes always make me happy, too. Good trick to remember. 😉 These look great. And those boxes are a terrific idea! We’re always giving away goodies — we should investigate a local source. It must be fun to sail by all the houses with their holiday lights lit! Anyway, thoroughly enjoyable read — thanks.
love cupcakes for a little Christmas treat! And how clever are those boxes you ordered! I never thought of ordering such sweet boxes to distribute my food. Lovely post as usual, Maureen.
A nice box to transport in and colourful cupcake papers always makes baked good look even better. Great design for Christmas.
Oh, these are adorable Maureen – love the box.
Gorgeous cupcakes, Maureen. And I bet the recipients feel very special to receive them in those lovely boxes!
The oldies thought they had been given a ‘proper’ gift. I laughed so hard.
Dear Maureen, The boxes are perfect for giving gifts this season.
You are right about cooking and eating all those goodies.
The cupcakes do look pretty and delish. xo Catherine
Sometimes the best ideas are the most obvious. These look amazing, Maureen. Can’t remember the last time I had a load of green buttercream.
How I wish you had taken a photo of that errant sign…but I’ll be happy enough with these delightful presents. LOVE the boxes; what a great idea!
I should have. I would have had trouble because I was laughing so hard I had tears in my eyes. John was so proud of himself that he’d helped me with the lights. He doesn’t enjoy the Christmas hub bub. Today he put the lights on the tree – I nearly fell over. The first time in 20 years. 🙂
lol…nothing like a good Chrissy laugh :)) And what a great tip about the flour, thanks Maureen.
The cakes look very sweet & tempting, how very kind you are…
cheers xx
You are such an incredible daughter-in-law, Maureen. XO Seriously, you inspire me constantly with your care and thoughtfulness towards the ancient ones.
There isn’t anyone else and John makes crap cupcakes. 🙂
No one puts up lights in our street. It’s a very unfriendly street and everyone lives in a fortress with a high fence out the front and to be let in you need a security code. We live in one of the few remaining original homes that hasn’t been bulldozed and where we have a swinging gate where anyone can enter. I have my lights up and I love them. I love your cupcakes! You decorated them beautifully. That’s a good tip about cake flour. You must be loved by everyone at the nursing home and not just Rob xx
Dear Maureen,
Your lights looks spectacular and we have the same problem of cooking a dish too decadent to finish in roast pork belly.
The boxes are so stylish! Of course, with my skills in icing anything, the boxes would be a waste. (sigh)
I am sure everyone loves you at the nursing home… and not just there!
😉
Your cupcakes look delicious! Love the boxes!!
And your story about your Christmas lights made me smile. Christmas Vacation is one of my favorite movies!
Your cupcakes are so cute!
Thanks for sharing PackQueen with us. The boxes are perfect for gifting.
They are. We might have to go together and get different styles and swap.
What a perfect idea for transporting your cupcakes, Maureen. These little ones look so festive… and the icing is so beautifully piped, what a master you are at it! Whoa to those Christmas lights, they really are the Griswalds… LOL… though I do love the lights at this time of the year.
Such a clever idea! And transporting cakes and cupcakes can be tricky, especially with pretty decorations on top!
What festive looking cupcakes Maureen, I bet Rob and his posse really appreciated them. What a cute way to ‘ask’ for something; my dear MIL used to do that at the dinner table, she would say “would anyone like the potatoes?”, hoping someone would just pass them to her.
I think it’s the age, don’t you? They were taught not to ask for things. Rob called a while ago to tell me that they really loved the cupcakes and they wouldn’t mind vanilla or the chocolate again. LOL
Your cupcakes look delightful! I definitely think those cake boxes are an investment worth making. I’m so glad Rob liked them, it sounds like this recipe was a big hit!
There are Christmas lights up everywhere here it’s quite bonkers really. The folks must just hang out waiting for you to arrive with your treats Maureen – I love the look of these cupcakes but I fear butter icing is one skill I will never master.
They do stick their heads out of the room either to pat the dog or see what’s in the box. I never go empty-handed. 🙂
Well look at these little beauties!!! 😀 They’re almost too pretty to eat.
xo
our neighborhood is so good about doing lights and one house even has a radio station set to his light display so it goes on and off with the beats of the music. so cool. I love your cupcakes. they look scrumptious
These are such pretty cupcakes, love the Christmas tree toppers!
G’day Your cupcakes are absolutely gorgeous Maureen! Wish I could taste one now!
Piping is on my list to master a tad better in time!
Happy pre Christmas to you and your family…it won’t be long now!
Pinned and shared! Cheers! Joanne
I used to buy boxes (and it was such an ordeal having to drive 30 minutes to get them during a 30 minute window the supplier sold to retail!) but then my friend thoughtfully gave me cupcake carriers!! They are SO cool, double decker 🙂 So nowadays I transport them to the venue in that, then unpack them and leave the problem of storage to the receiver. Though usually they don’t last that long anyway!
Love the cupcake recipe, especially because they don’t require creamed butter because I ALWAYS forget to leave the butter out, then I try to soften it by microwaving and always overdo it so it half melts.
Oh and also, will you be making any Whoopie Pies again soon…..?? I’m only a few thousand KM’s from you….
Thanks for the cake flour tip. I have always wondered what it is. Love the photo of the Griswald’s house. The cupcakes are just beautiful and look even better in the fancy box. I agree, it’s worth the money.
Maureen, these cupcakes are just beautiful ! The box is a great idea for sharing it and it makes a lovely gift !
How cute and clever!! These are adorable with the little tree! I have the cupcake carrier, but I like to buy the boxes as for gifts they are perfect – and look pretty. If I could, I’d light up my whole house! But alas, I have no ladder and I’m not good with extension cords and such, so just a pretty wreath with lights and a bit of sparkle in my bushes!
Maureen, you got me 🙂 This is the cutest cupcake recipe I have seen all christmas 😀
Professional in the beautiful box as well!
Do you do deliveries by the way? 😛
Cheers
Choc Chip Uru
So… pretty and so festive. I love the cupcake box idea. Much better than throwing them on a plate!
I love a good vanilla cupcake and with these festive decorations no wonder they went down a treat!
Wow…such gorgeous cupcakes! I love boxes like these not only because they help to keep the cupcakes intact but also because they look so pretty together in a box. I have the same problem at home with sweet recipes. Not many to finish them.
Oh, your cupcakes are so pretty!! And I love how the boxes make them look extra special and professional!
Presentation is the difference I believe. =)
I feel the same way btw, I want to make things but we are only two and the parents in law are diabetic so I can’t just come up with the popular sweet stuff.
I love your little vanilla cupcakes, I wished somebody would give me those for Christmas =)
These cupcakes are such a cute idea!
Maureen, they look great as do the boxes.
OOh – love those boxes for cupcakes! Thanks for this cupcake recipe Maureen – those Christmas trees are simply gorgeous! By the way – any chance y’all will move to Atlanta to be close to your daughter in law and son? Cos, if y’all do – I will make sure to show up to take any foods off your hands that you cannot eat 😉
My life is composed of scads scads and scads of recipes I would like to make that I can’t eat. Sigh. Giving food as gifts
is always a wonderful idea. You found some champion boxes and made some lovely cupcakes. Why a joyous way to spread the miracle to Xmas. Smiles——
Cute cupcakes and I love the pink box.
Maureen, gorgeous cupcakes! I could definitely use some of those handy dandy cupcake boxes. I love that you take treats to the nursing home.
these are so adorable! may i ask where u got the boxes from?
The link is in the post. PackQueen.com.au and they’re in Melbourne but sell wholesale over the net.
Those cups cakes look like they came from an upscale bakery Maureen, I bet Rob is very popular. I’,m not ready for Christmas, out running around like a madman. Happy Holidays!
Am I ready for Christmas? Oh heavens no! But I would like one of these lovely cupcakes 🙂
What spectacular cupcakes, Maureen!!! I’d be very happy with a delivery!!! Had to giggle about the Griswalds 🙂
I have two kids here that would go crazy fro these adorable and festive cupcakes! 🙂
Love these cupcakes! Make for wonderful Christmas gifts. The boxes are pretty convenient, too. 😉
Those cupcakes are so perfect, I just love them, what a great idea with the little tree. They are hard to transport but the boxes are fantastic for that.
Oh what pretty cupcakes! And in decorated in my favorite color …. green! I even have a green, white, silver and gold only tree. Everyone thought I was nuts, and now everyone loves it!
Merry Christmas!