Monday, January 30, 2012

Box of Chocolates

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"Life was like a box of chocolates...you never know what you' re gonna get"  a famous line by Forrest Gump.  Did you know he said that in 1994?  Not trying to make you feel old - or make myself feel old.  I just can't believe how long it has been.  I think that quote is so true!  No matter what you get you have got to make the best of it and decide to be happy!

I'll tell you what I got.  One of my Christmas presents was the Hello Cupcake cookbook.


I love it!  So many cool ideas of how to decorate cupcakes.  I want to make them all.  I am amazed at how creative the authors are and am hoping some of it will rub off on me!  So you will see many designs from their book - I plan on eventually working my way through the whole thing - can't believe I put that in print :). 



The Box of Chocolates was my first recipe from the book.  It uses sixteen mini cupcakes, although the chocolate box I was using only fit fourteen. 

I frosted ten of the mini cupcakes with chocolate buttercream.  I put chocolate jimmies (my favorite sprinkle in the WHOLE world) and Valentine nonpareils in two separate plates.  Then I rolled the edges of the frosted cupcakes in the sprinkles and set them aside.

I used store bought frosting for the remaining four cupcakes.  I put one cup of the frosting in the microwave for about 15 seconds until it has the texture of light whipped cream.  Then I dipped the cupcakes into the frosting.  I gave them a super smooth, darker look.  To finish them off I decorated them with different Valentine candy. I found the Valentine candy corn at Walmart. Surprisingly my candy store didn't have it - but good old Walmart did!

For the chocolate candy looking pieces that adorn some of the cupcakes I used marshmallows. I cut the marshmallows in half and then dipped them in the microwaved frosting.  I chilled them in the refrigerator for about 10 minutes so the frosting could harden.  Once they were chilled I piped on a candy looking design using the buttercream in a piping bag with no tip.  Then I used a toothpick (that I cut in half) to attach them to the cupcakes.

Arranged them all in my chocolate box and then filled the empty spaces in the box with more candy.  Happy Valentine's Day - just a few weeks early!!
 


This post may be shared with: Flour Me With Love - Mix It Up Monday, Alderberry Hill - Make The Scene Monday, Make Ahead Meals for Busy Moms - Melt in Your Mouth Monday, Clairejustineoxox - Creative Mondays, Skip To My Lou - Made by You Monday, Sweetology - Tea Party Tuesday, Crazy for Crust - Crazy Sweet Tuesday, Uncommon - Uncommonly Yours, Reason To Skip The Housework - Tuesday Timeout, Inside Bru Crew Life - Trick or Treat Tuesday, Mrs Fox's Sweets - Sweet Party, Made Famous By - Famous Linkz Party, Junk In Their Trunk - Link It Up Wednesday, The Kings Court 4 - What's Cooking Wednesday, Hugs and Cookies XO - Wonka Wednesday, Food Corner - Midweek Fiesta, Something Swanky - Sweet Treat Thursday, These Peas Taste Funny - Link It Up Thursday, Talking Dollars and Cents - Sweet Temptations, Happy Hour Projects - Freestyle Friday, Tidy Mom - I'm Lovin' It Friday, Susie QT Pies - Happy Friday Link Up, Dwell On Joy - Dwell On Friday, Toys In The Dryer - Fun Stuff Fridays, Alli-n-Son - Sweet Tooth Friday, Crumbs and Chaos - Seasonal Inspiration, The Country Cook - Weekend Potluck, Mama Mias Heart 2 Heart - Sharing Saturday, Sweet As Sugar Cookies - Sweets for a Saturday, Randee's Organized Chaos - Sleepy Sunday, Country Momma Cooks - Saturday Link & Greet, Well Seasoned Life - Sweet Indulgences Sunday, Bacon Time With The Hungry Hypo - Crafting Cooking From The Heart Contest, Southern Mom Cooks - Valentine Party

57 comments:

  1. This is absolutely adorable! I've seen that book before and thought about picking it up for ideas. I think I will now after seeing what you've made!

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  2. Wow, these look amazing. I have to admit I never heard of this book before but I'm looking it up on Amazon after I sent this!

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  3. They turned out really cute-have fun with the book:@)

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  4. I love that book, and how cute did your "chocolates" turn out!

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  5. This is SUCH a clever idea!! Way cuter and more personalized than an actual box of chocolates. Love it.

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  6. Shut. Up. This is so cute, I love it!! :)

    Adrianne
    www.happyhourprojects.com

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  7. really neat idea! I am going to have to do this someday for sure.

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  8. I've always wanted to make one of these! They are so cute!

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  9. Being happy is a decision! I love that you said that! Do you have to type and link each blog when you put it at the end of the post?? Just wondering how you did it.

    Hugs,
    Heather
    @ www.made-famous-by.com

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  10. That's amazing! I love that idea so much. Very cute. :)

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  11. Gorgeous looking box of cupcakes! Love the Valentine candy corn :)

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  12. These look wonderful! I'd LOVE for you to pop over and link this up in my new Valentine Linky!!! http://southernmomcooks.com/holiday-recipe-link-up-valentines-day/

    Have a great day! Kelli

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  13. This is FABULOUS! I love the idea....this would make a fantastic gift my my kids teachers....love it!!!

    Stopping by from Mrs Fox's Sweet Party.

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  14. I love your "box of chocolates"...I want to eat them! I'm your newest follower. :0)

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  15. super cute!! so glad i stopped by from Something Swanky link party!

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  16. Susan! Another gorgeous post! This is so cute! Wish I was this creative :)

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  17. Great idea, The cupcakes look yummy!

    Mrs. Delightful recently posted: My Memories Giveaway @ourdelightfulhome.blogspot.com

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  18. Oh my goodness! I don't think I would dare eat it. It's SO cute!! I can't wait to see the rest of the cupcakes you do. Thanks for sharing with us at Link It Up Thursday.

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  19. These look amazing!! Beautiful!!
    gatheredinthekitchen.com

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  20. Oh my.. LOVE these! I would have never thought they were mini cupcakes! You are so clever! I know that our readers would go crazy over this and we would love for you to share this at our link party! Such cuteness!

    http://www.uncommondesignsonline.com/2012/01/uncommonly-yours-link-party-13-and.html

    Take care, Trish @ Uncommon

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  21. Such an adorable idea! I just gave you a pin and thanks for linking up in my Valentine day linky!

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  22. This is basically the cutest thing ever. Kudos!

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  23. I love this! My husband isn't a candy eater, but loves cake! This will be perfect. Thanks for sharing!

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  24. What a great idea! We are hosting our first Kitchen Fun and Crafty link party next Friday and would love for you to share this! Feel free to stop by and grab a party button! http://kitchenfunwithmy3sons.blogspot.com/

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  25. Susan! Thanks for sharing at Dwell on Fridays! Have a great weekend :)

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  26. How creative. They look delicious. Come visit. We have some great recipes this week.

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  27. These look amazing! You did such a great job!

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  28. This is absolutely adorable! What a great idea for Valentine's Day! Happy to be your newest follower!

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  29. I love this! Fabulous job! Thanks for sharing at Mrs Foxs Sweet Party :)

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  30. Adorable just love this idea in mini cupcake!! Thanks for sharing this on the #chocolatelove blog hop :)

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  31. Awesome idea! :) Thanks for posting this on the #chocolatelove bloghop!

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  32. They look so beautiful! (I don't care whether they are chocolates or mini cupcakes: must be delicious anyway!!!)
    A perfect Valentine's post :-)

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  33. Looks yummy, thanks for linking up at Bacon Time.

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  34. How fun!! It looks delicious. Thank you for sharing at Sharing Saturday!! We look forward to you joining us next week!

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  35. Love it! I have the cupcake book too, I actually met the author at an event in NYC! So very cool. I think this is the cutest creative valentine cupcakes set I've seen. Very very cool!

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  36. Gorgeous! Very clever! If I'm a good girlfriend, I should probably make these for my man for Valentine's Day... :)

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  37. that is the cutest most clever idea i have ever seen!

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  38. Thanks for linking up at my hop,I have linked up my valentine cake ,have a lovely week :)

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  39. This is so cute :) Thanks so much for sharing at Mix it up Monday!

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  40. I'd love it if you'd come by Themed Baker's Sunday and share your treat! This week's theme is Valentines Day.
    See you there!
    Cupcake Apothecary
    http://cupcakeapothecary.blogspot.com

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  41. Congrats! You box of chocolate are featured today at Mrs Foxs Sweet Party :)

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  42. Oh..what a fantastic idea!! They look so pretty & yum. Loved it!!
    Ongoing-''Valentine's Day Event''(till Feb 20th)

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  43. Wow!!First I thought it is a box of chocolate as the name suggests.Fantastic idea...I am catching up after a holiday & saw this post now.Thanks for sharing with my blog event.& I am going to link with your event now...

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Thank you for commenting. I love reading every one of them!