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.
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.
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.
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?
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Okay, I picked a winner.
Let’s see who it is…
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.
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.
I am guessing the red, white and blue.
My guess is black!!!!!!
Black is the shortest! P.S. Love the nail color!!
Is the black the shortest?! The cupcakes are way too cute! I want one right now.
Yellow!!
Pink is the shortest! I think it’s pink because that’s the color you used for the cupcakes, so the pink one is probably partly used. (yes, it’s just the way my mind works lol) And I hope it’s pink because I want that color for Valentine’s day baking LOL!
I am going with the Yellow straw.
Pink!
I’m thinking the yellow and white might be the shortest.
The black straw!
My guess is the yellow one. Thanks for the chance to win and thanks for the fun guessing game.
My guess is the green!
I guess Green as the shortest : )
Pretty sure it’s yellow.
Having a girl in February, perfect straw to celebrate!
Love the nails! I am going to guess the red/blue combo is the shortest.
Take care!
I gues the black! Cute nails btw, LOVE that color
Pink!
I think the yellow is the shortest!
Such a cute idea… I LOVE Bake It Pretty!
i will say yellow!
My pick is GREEN :)
I think the Black one is the shortest!! But they are all so stinkin cute!
I am going with my gut…BLACK!! (fingers crossed)
I guess the yellow..hope I am right! I just bought red striped straws last night online….for my nephew’s 2nd birthday. I would love all these other colors!
My guess would be pink
Pink is the shortest! BTW – your nails are awesome!
Black! (p.s- love that polish color!)
Pink! ?
black….i hope!
my guess is the red/white/blue one.
The black.
Yellow! These cupcakes look amazing!
Yellow! Such a happy color!!
black!
I guess Yellow!
Thank you so much for sharing your creativity on your blog, so many wonderful ideas!! It goes to show you never know what doors will open for you when you pursue the things you love to do. Thanks for sharing your art with us :) Hope I will the straws :)
the red and blue one.. they are all super cute!
I guess the black one. LOVE the nail color, btw.
Black straw!
yellooooow
I’ll guess pink! So cute!
the pink one is…
I think the yellow & white one is the shortest!
Black!
P.S I love your nail color!!!
I think the red/blue striped one is shortest.
I guess the yellow straw!
My guess is the Yellow straw!
Guessing games! The red and blue stripe? Nice polish :)
yellow?
I think pink is the shortest! :)
The pink straw is the shortest
Pink!
I guess green!
Shortest is brown – or is that black?
Adorable!
I think black is the shortest.
My guess is green!
I say the Black one! :) But if that’s not right then I pick red and blue, green, pink and yellow! :)
black!
I guess the pink!
Has to be pink!
I pick pink!
I think black is the shortest one.
I guess the red and blue straws. They are all so adorable!
And…. your polish is very cute ;)
I’m guessing green!! Too cute!
Blue and red! (cute nails, BTW)
My guess is black is the shortest!
I going to go with Pink as the shortest!!! Cupcakes are soooooo adorable and look delicious!!
Maria
red/blue? :)
Black is shortest!
I’m guessing the black and white…I was going to say the green (because green is my all time fav. color….but black won out. LOL!)
Thanks for your continued inspiration in the kitchen. Hugs!
I am saying black! (Love these and got green and pink ones for the birthdays that happen round these parts in the next month!)
“dressed in YELLOW she said HELLO come sit next to me, you fine FELLOW…”
tee hee hee
YELLOW!
and I like your nails :)
The yellow is totally the shortest!
I think…yellow!
The Yellow one!!!
Too cute! Love them!
I guess the red, white and blue one is the shortest! Thanks!
Yellow!?!?!
I’ll guess the black one.
Black!
Red & blue!!!
Again, another amazingly cute creation!! You are brilliant!!!
I am guessing pink.
The black and white one is the shortest one. If I got a second guess it would be the green one. :O)
Cupcakes are adorably cute!
This is too funny. I saw a commercial this morning with a cute straw and I was thinking, how come I can never find straws in cute stripes or polka dots? Then I come in to my computer and you have this post! What timing!!
My heart says black and my brain says pink. I guess I’m going with my heart and saying I believe the black one is the short straw. Hope I win!!
I guess the pink
the blue and red is the shortest
The blue and red striped are the shortest. By the way I like the picture of straws in your hand, your nail color is so cool!!! ;-)
I’m going to say pink because I like those the best :)
i think its the yellow!
I think that the black and white straws the shortest! BTW those cupcakes are ADORABLE!!
The pretty green one!
i believe it is the green straw!
Black? I have no idea! Argh… I will stick with black. :o)
I kind of think it’s the black one, but I’m going to officially guess the yellow one!
I think its the black one!
My guess is black!
My guess is black
How fun! The red/blue/white stripes.
My guess is black. I like to think you’re being tricky the way you’re holding them :D
Black/White
I think the green one is the shortest..
My guess is the green straws are the shortest.
BLACK
Yellow!
black! super cute idea.
I’ll guess the green! Very cute!
Love your nail polish! I’m going with the pink one :)
Yellow is MY guess, but my 2 year old is saying the red, white & blue one! (she seems pretty confident in her answer!) lol
Pink is shortest!
Yellow! Let’s go cheery yellow! Boy would that brighten up these winter days! Summer, sunny and me winning yellow straws!
Yellow!
pink one
pink
the red and blue one is the shortest.
My guess is pink.
BLACK! The black one is def the shortest of the bunch!!!
My guess is black is the short straw.
pink <3
I think the pink straw is the short one. Don’t ask me why, I just do, plus they are the cutest ones!
I love, Love, LOVE these cupcakes! They are so awesome!! And I really like the see-thru silicone cups you used. The visual effect is super! LOVE IT!!!
Go Pink!!!
Perhaps the black straw?
I think the black one is the shortest!
I’m guessing the black (or is it dark brown?) one. By the way, I made some milk men the other day for my kids. Loved them! Thanks for the inspiration!
black, and I dig your polish!
Black and white!
Love them!
My guess is PINK :)
I’m guessing the yellow and white. BTW the cupshakes are incredibly cute!
My guess is the pink ones.
My guess is YELLOW!!
These straws are too cutes.
I think it is the black straw.
I’m gonna go with the pink one
I am gonna have to say black. I bought some bright blue ones and then used CLEANED out starbucks coffee jars filled them with milk and served them with chocolate chocolate cupcakes Very cute!
Hnmmm . . . I say pink, yeah pink has to be the shortest!
The green! And your nail polish is so cute!
Pink is the shortest!
The Pink Ones
My favorite is the green, but I’m thinking black is the shortest!
I think the Pink one is the shortest!
How bout the yellow one? i like the pink though!
Yellow
It’s gotta be green!
The pink one!!
I’m guessing that pink is the shortest.
The zebra straw? Love the manicure, by the way. Welcome back, Mr. Sprinkles!
i think the black and white one is the shortest.
Black is the shortest! But i would love the green ones!!!
My guess is the black one.
i think its the black one!! :)
My guess is green!
I think it’s the red/blue one! It gives the illusion of being the longest…
Red, white and blue!
I’m gonna go with the black one!
I think the red, white and blue straw is the shortest. Plus I’ve been looking for striped straws! Bake it Pretty doesn’t have the pink striped straws though. Boo. =(
red/white/blue
I think the pink is the shortest!!
I guess pink… but I can’t say for sure. You are very tricky!!
Must be YELLOW…poor little fellow :)
I think that the red/blue straw is the shortest!
yellow
PINK!!!
The black one!
the Black one!
Pink! My fav color!
My guess is the red and blue!
These are the cutest cupcakes. I think the black and white straw is the shortest.
I think the black is the shortest! And I LOVE these!!! :)
i think it’s the red and blue.
i think the black
Yellow.
I’m so drooling right now. I am picking the brown one as the shortest *crossing fingers* LOL!
the pink ones?
I’m guessing the red/blue one, mainly because I want those colors for our wedding. AND I also plan on using straws like this for the dessert table etc. =)
I am going to guess the yellow one :)
wishing i had one of those cupcakes about now.
I think the PINK one is the shortest.
I guess green.
i think its the black and white one!
Yellow??
Red White and Blue!!
-Chic Done Cheap
i think black is the shortest!
black and white?
I say PINK!
The black & white
Yellow!
pink is my guess :) Love your nailpolish!
I’m gonna say the pink ones!
Green! And hooray for Mr. Sprinkles! Did you just say cake flavors come in PINK! :D Hello, time to go shopping for me!
Yellow!
Yellow! They are all so cute!
The Black One!!! Those are just too adorable!
yello?
I think the green one is the shortest.
My vote’s for black. So cute!
I think the blue and red one!
I think the Black is the shortest! Cute Cute Cupshakes!!!
LOVE them soo much :)
I think Pink is the shortest…and my favorite :)
Pink is the shortest! :) I LOVE these cupcakes!
I think the pink straw is the shortest.
I’ll guess the yellow one. Thanks for the giveaway.
I really want the pink ones they are so cute! But I think the Red and Blue is the shortest!
im guessing black