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.
My guess is Yellow! How adorable!
The yellow one?
I think the red and blue straws are the shortest!
my guess is the black one!
by the way…my daughter loves the green polish ;)
Such cute little sundaes! I’ll guess that green is the shortest ;)
So cute! I am guessing pink is shortest!
I say the black one is the shortest. I thought I was all “baked-out” due to the holidays, but these cupcakes make me want to start up again!
I think you’re trying to trick us ;p
Black?
Pink! :D
I believe…the black straw is the shortest. :)
I say Yellow! hope I win – can’t wait to make some of these cuties!
I think the shortest straw is the pink one. What a cute idea! I am definitely going to have to make these.
black!
Yellow!
I think it’s yellow. Super cute straws!
The red and blue one…maybe?
Thanks for the giveaway opportunity. I love the cupshakes!
I’m guessing PINK! I loooooove these straws!!!
Black! And I love them!
My guess is the pink one.
I am going to say the pretty pink straws are the shortest.
The pink one
pink~!
I’ll go for green, my son’s fave color. You’re too much…so fun!!!
going with the green!
I’m picking pink!
I am guessing that it is the red and blue one!
So cute!!!
I think yellow is the shortest.
i think it’s the PINK… :)
Red, white and blue!
I say the black and white is the shortest.
Love, love, love those sweet cupcakes! I’d love to have the straws to duplicate your project. I think the shortest ones are the red and blue striped. Wish me luck :)
The PiNk one :)
I’m guess the black and white one. Very cute straws by the way!
tooooo cuttteee!! love them!!
and my guess is pink..mainly because it’s my fav color. :o)
I think the shortest color is the green and white striped ones/
Pink!
yellow is the shortest!
I think Pink!
Green!
My vote is for the yellow-striped straws. Especially since they go with your fabulous nail polish :)
I guess green!!
Me!! me!!! I want some!!! ;)
Ok, those cupcakes are adorable!!!!
My guess is the red and blue one.
I am guessing the red and blue straw. I love the cupcakes. What a great idea.
There’s something about those pink ones! Might they be the shortest!? :)
Oops, I forgot to guess the straw…..I think the yellow is the shortest straw.
Green is the shortest…
I think it’s the yellow one.
I think it’s yellow!
yellow is my guess
These are the cutest cupcakes ever!!! I love them and can’t wait to make some!
I’ll say the Green ones :o)
I think the pink one. A left over from decorating the cupcakes.
yellow! also my favorite color :)
I’m going to have to go with the yellow striped straw as the shortest…they’re too cute!
I’m guessing yellow! (Unless this is a trick question and the picture actually shows us that the green really is the shortest) ;)
I think the black one is!
I’m going with the pink!
Pink!?
I think PINK is the shortest!! Love me some Bakerella first thing in the morning!! <3 <3
Aren’t those the sweetest pink straws! I love your blog. The inspiration is endless. You are just so imaginative and I never know what you will come up with next!
The black and white one
The yellow one!!!
I think the black and white is the shortest!
Definitely Pink!
Yellow? Yellow!
the blue and red one!
My guess would be the green one!
I choose the black one. Love them all!!!
Hi
I think it’s the red, white, and blue one. Thanks for the opportunity!
Michelle
Very cute milkcakes!!! I think the pink and white straw is the shortest.
I’m guessing the green one! How fun! I love your creativity!
green. And, stripe paper straws make me smile, too!
I think it’s the BLACK one!!
:)
yellow
Um, I believe it’s the pink! :)
black!!
Yellow!! Yellow is definitely the shortest! Would look fab in the rainbow bday i’m styling right now! A litle bit o’ yellow sunshine to top off our drinks!
pink!
I will say its the pink one, ’cause that is my favorite color (and my granddaughters!).
Sandy P
the yellow one.
I pick the black one!!
I vote black and white.
I think it is the black one!
I guess the black one!
I’m gonna guess pink…… so cute! Love the nail polish.
Green! :)
I’m guessing green.
Love those straws.
I am in love with your blog and your book was my to me from gift for Christmas. You are so talented. The cupcakes remind me of the old fountain shop on the corner.
Peace-
Nina
I think the yellow one!! They are super cute!
Yellow!!!
the pink one
the black one!
The pink one!
Black & white is my guess :)
Black!
The yellow one!
yellow one
Green!
I am going to go with PINK!!!!
Black it is! :)
I think the green and white ones are the shortest.
I gotta go with yellow. How fun! :)
I think the black straw is the shortest!
Black and white-nice nails!
I would say the black straw is the shortest. Oh and i LOVE your nail polish!
I think it is the black one. :)
green…?
I LOVE These!!!
thanks for sharing them
I think the pink one is shortest.
I think the black and white one, love the nail polish too!!
Green!?!
At least, next to the black ones they look shorter…
Pink!
I say the black one is the shortest!
I think the Yellow!
I think it’s the green one
I think the pink one is the shortest…you just have the best ideas!
Hmm…. PINK!! :D
Black & White straw is the shortest!!
Yellow! And how cute are these! Thanks!
The black one.
I’m going with Pink
My guess is Pink!!
I’m guessing red & blue!!
I say black! Such cute cupcakes too!
Black, I pick the black one but I just love the pink strws!
Cheers!
Michelle
I think the pink!
I think that black is the shortest since you tried to make it look like the tallest…….
I hear you about Mr. Sprinkles and the colours going yucky when they went all natural. It may be good for the environment and our insides but it doesn’t look very appealing and it’s not like we’re chugging sprinkles all the time anyhow, so how much can a few not environmentally friendly sprinkle hurt anyhow??? They did the same with Smarties up here in Canada….they are simply no fun anymore and not nice to use in baking either. Gone are the gorgeous pure colours replaced by faded imitations. I loved their blue (it even disappeared entirely) and the pinks, purples and reds. They were the only ones that had more than 5 colours unlike M & Ms, so a lot more choices to play with. After a while making drab candies maybe they will come back to their senses too like Mr. Sprinkles!!! By the way are you going to do another giveaway of the new Mr. Sprinkles????
I think it’s the black and white! Whichever it is, they are all SUPER cute!!
I think it’s the pink one! They are all fabulous!
I Hope the blue/red ones
Yellow might not be the shortest but I love the color!
Okay—it’s the green!
I think the black and white one!
I think the black straw is the shortest.
red white and blue is the shortest!
These cupcakes look great!
btw, great nailpolish, where’s it from?
green! i love them all but yes, the green one is calling my name. :)
I guess green!
Hi,
I love this! You just gave my the theme for my baby girl’s 3rd birthday party in August! My 4 year old says pink and I say green… thanks so much for sharing this idea!
The YELLOW one!! :)
My guess is pink :)
I think the pink straw is the shortest one.
i think it’s the brown one
Black one!
yellow one is shortest
I think pink.
the pink one is the shortest one!
Green….which is cool because my last name is Green.
The red,blue, and white!
I think it’s the red and blue…
The black one!!
My guess is BLACK is the shortest.
pink is the shortest!
Y-E-L-L-O-W
I guess yellow!
I guess the multi one!
The black & white straw is definitely the shortest!
I’m guessing black
not sure about the shortest straw, and not that you need my help, but not being a gumball person, when I first saw the cupshakes, I thought that was a chocolate covered (dried) cherry on top, which would be wonderful, non?
Getting email notifications of your posts is always the hightlight of my day. Thank you!
Gotta be black.
The black and white one.
The black and white one.
I think yellow is the shortest…thanks for another wonderful idea!
Gotta go with the green! Love that nail polish!
I think the black one is the shortest.
Black!!!
I’m going to guess yellow. I totally need the pink ones for my daughters princess party.
I think the black one is the shortest! These straws are awesome :)
Those cupcakes look ADORABLE! I’m guessing that the pink straw is the shortest (it’s also my favourite).
I guess the pink one!
The black and white one, which reminds me of licorice twirlers!
I’m thinking PINK!
I’m thinking pink!
Pink
I’d say the black and white one looks the shortest. :)
My guess is the pink one!
oh green!
I’m guessing red and blue since I think they are the cutest ;)
also, LOVE the nail polish!!! Where can I get it?
I’m going with the black one.
I bet the pink one is the shortest!
i’ll go with the red/blue/white one
i love paper straws. i used gray/white cut into smaller pieces inbetween yarn pom poms i made as christmas garland this past year.
Black!
It looks like the pink one to me.
I think it is Black :)
I think they are all the same length.
red/blue
I think the black striped straw is the shortest.
Green?!
I think it’s the pink one…only because pink is the color you used on the cupcakes, and maybe the picture is of one of the leftover pieces:) They are all so cute!
How about the yellow one.
I think the green one is the shortest! These are sooo cute! :)
I think it’s the green one.
Hmmmm, red and blue is my guess!
I’m guessing yellow!
Ummm, I’m feeling the yellow!
I’m guessing that green is the shortest! (Also I really like green)
I think black and white!
Pink is the shortest.
These cupshakes are one of your cutest creations I have seen! I also thought of you this pas weekend when I attended a girl’s 17th birthday party & one of her friends brought her the cutest box of pink piggy cupcake pops! They were all the rave & you became a hot topic that night! You’re the best – I’m already dreaming of 20 ways to use these straws! Love love!
I pick PINK!!