Sunday, January 9, 2011

Paper Straws

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I bought the sweetest pink striped paper straws the other day and I couldn’t wait any longer to play with them.

Every time I see striped straws used, they make me smile. They just make me happy.

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And even happier in these pseudo milkshake cupcakes. Milkcakes anyone? Cupshakes maybe?

Strawberry cake for the shake (I just used a mix I had on hand)
Chocolate ganache for syrup (recipe on this post)
Buttercream frosting for the whipped cream (recipe on this post)
Gumballs for the cherries
And sprinkles for the sprinkles : )

You could also just use syrup for the syrup and whipped cream for the whipped cream, but this way, they won’t melt.

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I used these clear silicone baking cups so they would kinda represent frosted glass and also allow you to see the cake color. I found them at Crate and Barrel a while ago. They were perfect for this project.

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Place the cups on a baking sheet and fill the cups about halfway with cake batter. You don’t want them to bake too full because you want to have a little space left for the ganache.

I love ganache by the way… By the spoonful… By the bowlful. Who’s with me?

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These cups are great, because they are sturdy and hold the weight of the ganache filled right up to the rim. This way, when you add the frosting, you can still see a layer of “chocolate syrup” underneath. Makes them look prettier.

IMG_5393

See. Just let the ganache sit for a bit before you fill the cups and spoon a little right on the top of each cupcake. Let it set a few minutes more. It will harden a bit and make adding the frosting easier.

For the frosting, I used a Wilton 2D tip and towered it on top of the cupcake. Add sprinkles after piping each cupcake so they will stick right away.

Lastly cut a paper straw in half and insert it into the cupcake and top it all off with a big red gumball.

Perty.

IMG_5369

Speaking of sprinkles. I’d like to give a big hip hip hooray to Mr. Sprinkles. He’s back in full color… different label, but full of color. If you’ve followed the site for a while, you may remember when they switched to only making all natural colors. Mr. Sprinkles just didn’t look right in drab colors. But he’s back. Now if I can only get them to make the original colors. They were/are my favorite sprinkles to use for my cupcake pops. Pastel and perfectly delicate. Check out this old post if you want to see what I’m talking about.

In the meantime, I still heart you Mr. Sprinkles. You helped make these cupcakes super cute.

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Kiss. Kiss. Cake for two.

Okay, so I didn’t just buy myself these pink straws.

I also bought a bunch of other colors, too. Yellow and green and black and red/blue striped straws.

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Want to win some?

Ok. Let’s play a guessing game for fun.

Enter for a chance to win some happy striped paper straws.

1. Leave a comment below on this post. Just take a look at the photo below and try to guess which straw is the shortest. One of them is. I have a picture to prove it that I’ll show when I announce the winner.

2. I’ll pick one winner at random. The winner gets a bunch of straws in the color they guessed. And if the color they guessed also happens to be the shortest straw, then they’ll get a bunch of straws in all the colors. (Red/blue, green, pink, yellow, and black.) Fun. Fun.

3. Deadline to enter is Monday, January 10th at 7 pm ET. The winner will be announced sometime Monday evening on this post. SORRY, TIME’S UP. WINNER ANNOUNCED BELOW.

Good Luck.

P.S. I bought the paper straws from Bake it Pretty if you need some of your very own. Plus, they also have polka dot straws. Too cute.

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Okay, I picked a winner.

Let’s see who it is…

winner-straws

YAY, Merry!

You just won some paper straws. You’re guaranteed the pink ones. Merry, I promise they’ll make you happy.

Now, let’s see which color straw was the shortest.

Drumroll, please.

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Green was the shortest.

I’m so sorry Merry, you didn’t pick the right color but, I’m also nice… I want you to have all the colors anyway.

Come on, you guys knew I was going to do that… right?

Congratulations Merry.

3101
Stephanie said...

The black straw!!

January 10, 2011 03:08 PM
3102
Kristy said...

I am going to say the black one.

January 10, 2011 03:09 PM
3103
Meri D. said...

PINK!! These are darling!!!

January 10, 2011 03:09 PM
3104
jules said...

GREEN!

January 10, 2011 03:09 PM
3105
Nikki said...

Green??!! Those are so cute!

January 10, 2011 03:09 PM
3106
Trish said...

Black and white!

January 10, 2011 03:09 PM
3107
The Newlywed Chefs said...

Pink is the shortest!

January 10, 2011 03:10 PM
3108
meg said...

I think the Black is the shortest..although I like the green the best!

January 10, 2011 03:10 PM
3109
Adelina P said...

definitely the black one!!

January 10, 2011 03:10 PM
3110
Wendy said...

I *LOVE* the red/blue straws. And the “cupshake” idea is beyond adorable!

January 10, 2011 03:10 PM
3111
Lydia said...

Red, white and blue!! And am I allowed to win? I’m a tween. But can my mom win??? And do you win all of the straws, or just one color?

January 10, 2011 03:10 PM
3112
Jadey said...

yellow.

January 10, 2011 03:10 PM
3113
Lisa said...

1) I think the red, white and blue one is shortest, and 2) LOVE the nail polish!

January 10, 2011 03:10 PM
3114
Ann said...

Those little things are too cute!

My guess is yellow is shortest. :)

January 10, 2011 03:11 PM
3115
Clytie said...

I’d say black :)

January 10, 2011 03:11 PM
3116
Laura said...

I believe yellow is the shortest….Just in case I don’t win any, I will be ordering some from Bake it Pretty! P.S. I love the nails!

January 10, 2011 03:11 PM
3117
Wendy said...

I’m guessing pink!

January 10, 2011 03:11 PM
3118
Meredith said...

I guess the black one.

January 10, 2011 03:11 PM
3119
Lisa said...

Blue & Red is the shortest I think! :)

These are adorable! Can’t wait to try my hand at making these adorable cupcakes!!!

January 10, 2011 03:11 PM
3120
Amy said...

Yellow!

January 10, 2011 03:11 PM
3121
Dawn said...

I hope it’s the pink and blue striped!

January 10, 2011 03:12 PM
3122
Cameo Harrington said...

I think it’s the BLACK!

January 10, 2011 03:12 PM
3123
Lori S. said...

I’m gonna have to say black & white one.

January 10, 2011 03:13 PM
3124
Janine said...

It’s the pink!

January 10, 2011 03:14 PM
3125
Christina Schmidt said...

How stinkin’ cute!! I’m going to say the yellow one. :)

January 10, 2011 03:14 PM
3126
Mom-N-Mia said...

My guess is the green straw! What fun!

January 10, 2011 03:14 PM
3127
Marie said...

i am going to say Pink :)

January 10, 2011 03:14 PM
3128
Stacey B. said...

Very cute! The black and white one.

January 10, 2011 03:14 PM
3129
Sarah W said...

I think the black and white one is the shortest.

January 10, 2011 03:15 PM
3130
Ashley said...

Yellow (because who can tell, and it’s my favorite color!).

P.S. that nail color is awesome!

January 10, 2011 03:15 PM
3131
Carolyn said...

black!!

January 10, 2011 03:15 PM
3132
Valentina said...

I think the pink straws are the shortest!

January 10, 2011 03:15 PM
3133
Karen Albro said...

Since you are leaning the black one, I will say the red and blue!

January 10, 2011 03:15 PM
3134
Rose Stimson said...

The yellow one! I love your blog and look forward to seeing more :)

January 10, 2011 03:16 PM
3135
Tami McVay said...

I am going to go with the green straws. I would want all the colors and polka dots too! Too cute.

January 10, 2011 03:17 PM
3136
Emily said...

I am thinking that yellow is the shortest!

January 10, 2011 03:17 PM
3137
Alyse B said...

The Blue and red ones are the shortest. They are so cute. I will have to go out and buy all the colors if I don’t win.

January 10, 2011 03:17 PM
3138
Paige said...

Black is def the shortest!!

January 10, 2011 03:18 PM
3139
Carol said...

Green.

January 10, 2011 03:19 PM
3140
Tiffany Defa said...

I think black is the shortest.

January 10, 2011 03:19 PM
3141
Bridget said...

I think it’s the black one:)

January 10, 2011 03:19 PM
3142
Mary L-S said...

I am thinking that the pink and white ones are the shortest!

January 10, 2011 03:19 PM
3143
Ann said...

BTW, thank you for the link to that fantastic site! I make and sell candy and other foods and crafts and am always looking for new cute and creative ways to package things. I am absolutely in love with everything on that site!

January 10, 2011 03:20 PM
3144
carrie lynn said...

I pick the pink one. Very cute. :)

January 10, 2011 03:20 PM
3145
Mary Moon said...

I’m guessing the red, white and blue one. Too cute!

January 10, 2011 03:20 PM
3146
angela said...

black and white is my guess!

January 10, 2011 03:21 PM
3147
LilC said...

PPPPink!

January 10, 2011 03:21 PM
3148
Dee said...

I’m going to guess the red and blue one’s the shortest, just because it’s too cute!

January 10, 2011 03:22 PM
3149
Brandi F said...

I choose the red and blue one.

January 10, 2011 03:22 PM
3150
inez torres said...

the green straw

January 10, 2011 03:23 PM
3151
Mia said...

I think the black straw is the shortest!!

January 10, 2011 03:23 PM
3152
Megan said...

YELLOW :) :)

January 10, 2011 03:23 PM
3153
Danielle said...

I’m guessing the black straws. These are adorable and suddenly I want a bowl full of ganache and a spoon… :)

Consumed: My Culinary Adventure

January 10, 2011 03:23 PM
3154
Tina Abdon said...

Yellow is the shorty!!!!!

January 10, 2011 03:23 PM
3155
jen! said...

the black one!!

January 10, 2011 03:24 PM
3156
Danielle said...

I guess….BLACK!

January 10, 2011 03:24 PM
3157
josie said...

those are soooo cute
i am thinking the black one is the shortest!

January 10, 2011 03:25 PM
3158
Becky said...

bLaCk!

January 10, 2011 03:25 PM
3159
Tina Abdon said...

Yellow is the shorty!!!

January 10, 2011 03:25 PM
3160
Jill H. said...

I’ll guess that pink is the shortest…

January 10, 2011 03:25 PM
3161
Dee said...

Love Love this idea – - may use it for my son’s Valentine’s Day party for school.

I’m thinking the BLACK is the shortest!

January 10, 2011 03:26 PM
3162
Cammee said...

I’m guessing pink, and I contemplated this for a good 2 minutes. Love the cupcakes!

January 10, 2011 03:27 PM
3163
Clare Webb said...

I bet its that black straw…

PS Love the nail polish.

January 10, 2011 03:27 PM
3164
Sara @ embrylovescookies said...

I’m going with green!

January 10, 2011 03:27 PM
3165
Fiona said...

It’s gotta be the pink one!!

January 10, 2011 03:27 PM
3166
LD said...

They are all absolutely perfect for all kinds of projects I have in mind! Just out of the process of elimination, I am picking the pink one and crossing my fingers!

January 10, 2011 03:28 PM
3167
Whitney said...

Super cute straws :)

The black one!!!

January 10, 2011 03:29 PM
3168
Abbalicious said...

I am going with my fav color–greeeen!

January 10, 2011 03:29 PM
3169
Katie Short said...

Amazingly cute! I want all the colors:)

January 10, 2011 03:30 PM
3170
Tine said...

Oh these are cute! And yes, paper straws are awesome!

January 10, 2011 03:30 PM
3171
Holly H said...

I’m gonna guess the pink one is the shortest.

January 10, 2011 03:30 PM
3172
Stephanie said...

green!

January 10, 2011 03:32 PM
3173
shay said...

Black!

January 10, 2011 03:32 PM
3174
Kimberly said...

Yellow!!! :) Too cute!

January 10, 2011 03:32 PM
3175
Robin said...

My guess is the black and white stripe being the shortest. I finally realized how to post comments on your site. I love the site and have used many recipes that you’ve posted. I also have and love your cake pops book. Thanks!

January 10, 2011 03:33 PM
3176
ELM @ A Family Treehouse said...

GREEN! Green is the short one, no?

January 10, 2011 03:35 PM
3177
Carey said...

I’m going to guess yellow!

January 10, 2011 03:35 PM
3178
k said...

Yellow.

January 10, 2011 03:37 PM
3179
Melissa Loftin said...

My guess is Pink.

January 10, 2011 03:37 PM
3180
Megan said...

I think the the black one might be the shortest. Also, I LOVE your nail polish! it’s so fun!

January 10, 2011 03:38 PM
3181
Tobi Curtis said...

Pink!

January 10, 2011 03:39 PM
3182
Samantha said...

Green!!

January 10, 2011 03:39 PM
3183
Micah said...

I think the red/blue straw is the shortest. And if we’re voting on names, I like Cupshakes! Too cute!!

January 10, 2011 03:39 PM
3184
Ann Stanz said...

My vote is for black and white. Those straws are SO cute. Today I’m making the alien cake pops from your cookbook for my son’s birthday.

January 10, 2011 03:40 PM
3185
Bev Adcock said...

Gotta be green!

January 10, 2011 03:41 PM
3186
Mary @ stylefyles said...

Black!

January 10, 2011 03:41 PM
3187
Morgan Malsack said...

I am gonna go with yellow

January 10, 2011 03:42 PM
3188
Katy P said...

I’m guessing green- not just because it looks short… :)

January 10, 2011 03:42 PM
3189
Mariam said...

I think it is the yellow one! Very cute.

January 10, 2011 03:42 PM
3190
Chelsea Baart said...

I think Pink is the shortest!

January 10, 2011 03:42 PM
3191
Jill said...

THE BLACK and WHITE ONE!!!

January 10, 2011 03:43 PM
3192
Melany said...

pink!

January 10, 2011 03:43 PM
3193
Melissa said...

I will take yellow..

January 10, 2011 03:43 PM
3194
Lydia said...

Red and blue!!! Forgot my Email on my other comment!

January 10, 2011 03:43 PM
3195
Rachael said...

I think the black is the shortest! These are so cute!

January 10, 2011 03:43 PM
3196
Jenn said...

Green.

January 10, 2011 03:43 PM
3197
Lisa B said...

Red and Blue! Love them!

January 10, 2011 03:44 PM
3198
Kerry B. said...

The black and white one is the shortest.

January 10, 2011 03:44 PM
3199
Sarah said...

Green!!

January 10, 2011 03:45 PM
3200
Cathy said...

I think pink!

January 10, 2011 03:45 PM
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