Jose Gaspar's Sweet Tooth

So remember when I was talking about Gasparilla? of course you do, it was like four days ago! Well I baked this past weekend for the Gasparilla Kid’s parade with my most favorite baking partner, the lovely and talented Alyssa! She was spending the night because she was joining me in the parade, the next day.

I had a ton of pirate baking supplies…I am also obsessed with all things pirate. Living in a pirate crazed town my whole life, I wonder why I love pirates so much!?Anywho,  when I see something that is my two obsessions in one, I gotta get it!

I thought it would be a nice idea to have themed cupcakes for the Gasparilla Kid’s Parade, because cupcakes makes any party better. And I REALLY wanted to make pirate cupcakes…. so off we went. 

We baked up some yellow cuppies and some chocolate cuppies… b/c my rule is, cupcakes should be simple. I have nothing against the “gourmet” cupcake. I really don’t, I love the four flavor in one cupcakes. But for such occasions when pirates, kids, and beads are involved, simple flavors are better. So after all the little darlings were cooled I went for the simple swirl icing design in milk chocolate and vanilla.  I stuck with a red and black color scheme and tried to match the liners as best I could, I under shot the amount of liners I brought to my mom’s house (where we were baking this time), so the liners “kinda” matched. No worries…

I try to stick to a 2-3 items were cupcake rule…most of the time two. I now have a very symmetrical mind in my old age! Any who, for a good pirate cupcake I have found the following is a great place to start: 

-Gold Foil Covered Chocolate Coins: You can find these at a candy shop or a local Fresh Market

-Pirate Flags: You can find these at a local craft store OR make your own with a nice printer and toothpicks, if you have the time. I was lucky and received mine as a birthday present!

-Pirate themed rings: I used Pirate Hats this year and last, that I found at my local cupcake decor place OR you can use the jeweled rings that are found at Party Store… you know those “party favors” bags? These party favors are a cupcaker’s jackpot!

-Pirate men!: Small plastic toys work great! I think i found my guys at a party store also… mine were a bit TOO big but I made them work. 

-Cocktail swords: I found these clear, day-glow (great word) cocktail swords a while ago at a local grocery store.  You know those swords that are used for cheese and such? Pirate themed in a hidden place! Who knew?! Cupcakers should always be on the look out for small decorative items that will serve well later… yes I’m promoting compulsive buying… I think of it as a way to always be prepared

Of course if you have the time and are feeling uber creative, buy some color fondant and create your own pirate themed mini sculptures. I had an eight year old brimming with excitement and a parade to get ready for…so pre-bought it was for moi!

The cupcakes came out lovely and we had loads of fun, per usual.  Alyssa had a blast making cupcakes for everyone, of course each one she made was decorated with a specific person in mind… she’s a sweet hearted girl.

Everyone seemed to enjoy them at the parade, and the feedback was positive! I loved seeing the kids (and big kids) wearing the pirate flags in their hair, or wearing the plastic pirate rings.  That’s why I love being a cupcaker (it’s a new word I’m trying out, let me know whatcha think). It’s not because of how cute the cupcakes turn out (thats a perk) and it’s not for an excuse to buy cute cupcake decorations (another perk) it’s the reactions I see on people’s faces when they see and taste the cupcakes… it makes it all worth while. Cupcakes make everyone feel like a kid again… and we could all use a touch of the whimsy ever now and again