flashback: bake sale

Well, the temperatures are still cool and the heater is still on (*drats*) so I figured I might as well do a flashback post. Back in February, I decided to do a little baking to contribute to a bake sale being held by SARO- the Syracuse Animal Rights Organization. I don't do a lot of high-volume baking, so this was a good learning experience.

First, it was time once and for all to address the frosting issue that I've had. Does the above look familiar to you? This is a cupcake that I baked back in the Fall of 2006. I always have a vision of the picture-perfect cupcake with a perfect dollop of frosting on the top, but even after using my biggest pastry tip, the results always looked a bit more like toothpaste!

Sensing my frustration, Daiku went to the kitchen supply store and found the most ridiculously large pastry tip he could find and brought it back home. At first, I was a little skeptical- the thing was huge! But guess what- I finally got the perfect-looking frosting mound that I'd always dreamed of!

Here are some of the baked goods cooling- I baked several miniature banana bread loaves and several batches of cupcakes. To keep things simple, I stuck to straight-forward and tried-and-tested recipes- vanilla and chocolate cupcakes. Someone left a comment here once asking me about my cooling rack- yes, it's just a kitchen rack that usually stores produce, but I often use it for the purpose of cooling baked goods. I don't have enough surface area in my kitchen for cooling racks otherwise!

Another thing I don't have enough room for- cool cupcake transportation contraptions. But these roasting pans from the supermarket did a great job- the plastic tops were high enough to not disturb the frosting. I finished baking and decorating late at night and ran the finished results over on a cold and snowy night. I wish the snow was a distant memory, but it's not. Afterwards, SARO told me that the goodies were snapped up at the bake sale- success!

Ok, now that I have your attention with some goodies, could I please ask you to visit SARO's webpage? They do a lot of really good work on behalf of animals and it would be great if some of their campaigns could be publicized, especially for those of you with connections to Upstate New York. One issue that is especially pressing right now is an adoption drive for a large number of rescued laboratory rats down in the Philadelphia area. Any of these rats that don't find homes by late June will be euthanized with carbon monoxide.

rats for adoption- please help!

Aren't they adorable? Is the little guy on the right giggling?? They've already overcome one hurdle by getting to leave their lab rat days behind- now they need good homes to go to. If you or anyone you know is looking to adopt a cute new pet, please consider these rats. Thank you!

flashback: bake sale