Mario and Luigi Cupcakes

I have always wanted to do Mario-themed cupcakes after seeing the ones on hello naomi (she makes brilliant and super cute cupcakes). It was quite perfect for the long weekend. My brother came home and we played Mario Party 8 on the Wii. I never made it to the star. Fail. I have really bad luck in that game.

So here we have Mario and Luigi!

Mario is an Italian plumber who lives in the Mushroom Kingdom and Luigi is his younger brother.

Here is the star my character never reached. *Sniff Sniff*

However, I did get a bonus star in the end... for landing on the most green spaces that would send me flying back to start.

Boo-ha-ha! My brother was playing as Boo and he won.

I say boo-urns to that!

I made this set for Bev's godson, I hope he had a fantastic 12th birthday party!

Cheesecupcakes

Another birthday celebration! The birthday guys (yes this was a double birthday) love cheesecake, so we simply had to make cheesecupcakes! We always try to make decorations that are edible, but we're not sure that fondant would go well with cheesecake. Plus these men like really simple desserts.

Egg shells and graham crackers.


Cheesecake batter and graham cracker base.

Cheesecupcakes
Adapted from Kraft's What's Cooking
(Makes about 12 cupcakes)

2 packages (250 g each) of softened Cream Cheese
1/2 cup of sugar
2 eggs
1 cup of graham cracker crumbs
1/4 cup of melted butter

1. Preheat the oven to 180°C (350°F) and have cupcake liners ready in the tray.
2. Combine the graham crumbs and butter. Divide the base evenly between the 12 cupcakes. Press firmly onto the bottom of cupcake liners.
   
3. Beat the cream cheese and sugar on medium speed until well blended.
   
4. Add eggs, one at a time, beating on low speed after each addition just until blended.
5. Fill cupcake liners evenly with batter.
6. Bake for 20 minutes or until centres are almost set.
   
7. Cool and refrigerate for 3 hours or overnight.

Cheesecupcakes with chocolate ganache topping.

For decorations, we handmade these Boo and Toad toppers. Why Boo and Toad? Because when they play Mario Party, those are the characters they choose! On Google Images, we searched for "Boo from Mario" and "Toad from Mario" and found these two images. Printed them out on card stock (you can use any thick paper really) and attached them to toothpicks.

Boo and Toad, half of the cheesecupcakes had yummy chocolate ganache.


Boo!

Chocolate Ganache
(Makes about 1/2 cups)

1/4 cup of heavy cream
1/4 cup of semi-sweet chocolate chips

1. Heat the heavy cream over a double boiler until the edges begin to bubble.
2. With the chocolates in a heat proof container, pour the heated cream in. Let it sit for a minute and then whisk the chocolate and heavy cream together. It should be smooth and shiny!
   
3. Apply generously to dessert!