I love a good cupcake.
And I love a cute personalized cupcake. Not necessarily with names on them, but just a personal detail for the recipient... something that lets them know the treats were made especially for them.
I made these for my boys.
I am kidding.
Maybe.
I have always loved those little rings that the big chain bakery's put on cupcakes but never wanted my kids to choke as they were sucking the frosting off.
Yes, I have bought cupcakes from a store for my kids. And sometimes I buy Betty Crockers Classic White frosting and eat it out of the container with a spoon.
Shame spiral.
Anywho, I went nuts and made a ton of these little rings. They are CHOCOLATE! Just some candy melts I put into a disposable pastry bag and piped out. (well, I melted the chocolate before I piped them, but I am sure you figured that out)
For the part that slips on your finger I piped out a circle then "glued" it to the base using more chocolate.
Little hearts and circles embellished with glitter or candy pearls.
Red glitter.
Pink hearts.
Now, if you love white cake and want the best white cake recipe... you should really try this one. I know it says its a white wedding cake, but who wouldn't love a little 'wedding' cake in their Valentine cupcake?
Its the day of LOVE right???
And my favorite buttercream recipe of all time. Yes it has shortening in it. I would prefer pure lard but apparently that is not recommended.
Just sayin.
A whole plethora of ring embellished cupcakes for the kids.
My only advice is, share them with someone you love.
This is one of my loves.
Who would you share a cupcake with this Valentines Day?
Too cute!!! I love the edible rings! The choking thing always scares me too.
The last picture is exceptionally sweet! Happy Valentine's Day!
Posted by: Londa | Feb 11, 2011 at 08:11 AM
Now that is an awesome idea! And you're little girl is beautiful! But you knew that already :)
Posted by: Laura | Feb 11, 2011 at 08:13 AM
Your little blue-eyed lovely is so sweet. And, again, your cupcakes are beautiful!
Posted by: Brenda @ a farmgirl's dabbles | Feb 11, 2011 at 08:15 AM
ahh! SOO cute! I love them Amanda! I wish I didn't have a dozen cupcakes leftover from hubby's birthday already in the kitchen- I want to make some! Maybe I'll just make the rings :)
Posted by: Elizabeth | Feb 11, 2011 at 08:17 AM
LOVE the last photo! So adorable! The cupcakes are pretty cute too!
Posted by: Maria | Feb 11, 2011 at 08:22 AM
Oh she's such a cutie! Love the little rings, and all the cupcakes are a feast for the eyes. Can you adopt me? I want cupcakes like that too :-)
Posted by: Sylvie @ Gourmande in the Kitchen | Feb 11, 2011 at 08:28 AM
What a great post, and what a little sweetie pie!!
Posted by: Julie @ Willow Bird Baking | Feb 11, 2011 at 08:29 AM
Oh, these are so sweet!
{And I love that you also eat frosting out of the jar. Shame spiral x 2.}
Posted by: bridget {bake at 350} | Feb 11, 2011 at 08:32 AM
Super cute & creative! I never would have thought to do that.
Posted by: Renee | Feb 11, 2011 at 08:32 AM
First of all that photo of your little girl is gorgeous!!! Amanda, she is sooooo sweet. As are these genius cupcakes!! The rings are such an amazing idea. My favorite ones are at the top with the dragees. xo
Posted by: marla {family fresh cooking} | Feb 11, 2011 at 08:33 AM
Love them!
Posted by: Renee | Feb 11, 2011 at 08:34 AM
I just discovered your site yesterday, and I'm already drooling and plotting! You have some amazing things! Love your pictures, and your ideas. I can't wait to make some of these for myself (not that they'll look like yours without lots and lots of practice). But hey, that's how your learn, right? :)
Posted by: Ani | Feb 11, 2011 at 08:43 AM
Such a cute idea! That picture of your girl is so precious.
Posted by: Jessica @ How Sweet | Feb 11, 2011 at 08:47 AM
Now how cute would a proposal to "Be a Valentine" be with these cupcakes adorned with the chocolate rings and some with crystallized bling. (-: I would love to share a cupcake with my celebrity crush, Idris Elba. Great post! Keep them coming.
Posted by: Pampered Sweet Tooth | Feb 11, 2011 at 08:50 AM
LOVE LOVE LOVE these....cupcakes with edible bling!! Best. Invention. Ever. :)
And what a gorgeous little girl. I want to hug her and have tea parties.
Posted by: Cookbook Queen | Feb 11, 2011 at 09:12 AM
forget the cupcakes.............I WANT THAT LITTLE CUTIE and the END!! I miss that age.....so cute! so adorable!!
Great job as always Amanda!!
Posted by: TidyMom | Feb 11, 2011 at 09:30 AM
*LOVE*!!!!
Posted by: Denise | Feb 11, 2011 at 09:56 AM
Lovely cupcakes and perfect for Valentine's Day!!
Posted by: Tracy | Feb 11, 2011 at 10:08 AM
Absolutely adorable!! Your children are so lucky to have such a creative mom!!! I think we will be seeing lots of homemade chocolate rings on cupcakes in the near future!!!
Posted by: Nancy@acommunaltable | Feb 11, 2011 at 10:12 AM
these are crazy! you are way too talented and you make my heart go pitter patter. will you marry me? your daughter could be just as adorable as you!
Posted by: susan | Feb 11, 2011 at 10:17 AM
Your cupcakes are lovely, but your little girl is like an angel :)
Posted by: HeatherChristo | Feb 11, 2011 at 10:43 AM
Amanda,
Cute cupcakes! And very creative topper!
Your daughter is adorable - those blue eyes are killer.
PS: I'm glad to see the hair's growing back :).
Posted by: Jenn | Feb 11, 2011 at 10:57 AM
They are super cute and the perfect ring to top cupcakes, who needs plastic! Chocolate rings are sure to become all the rage now that you've created them :) Very sparkly!
Posted by: Diane {createdbydiane.blogspot.com} | Feb 11, 2011 at 10:59 AM
My kids would.love the rings, not to mention the cuppies :-) perfect.
Posted by: SweetSugarBelle | Feb 11, 2011 at 11:41 AM
So cute! What a great and fun way to decorate cupcakes. Have a good weekend.
Posted by: Erika Beth, the Messy Chef | Feb 11, 2011 at 11:47 AM
Super cute Amanda! I love your sweet bling! xo
Posted by: Marian (Sweetopia) | Feb 11, 2011 at 12:08 PM
Look at that sweet picture of your daughter. So precious!
And lovely, beautiful cupcakes. Thanks for the link back :)
Posted by: Kristen | Feb 11, 2011 at 12:12 PM
Amanda...I just want you to know that although your updates and recipes and pictures are always fun, interesting and beautiful, I absolutely LOVE the way you write. ("Shame Spiral", "Just Sayin") You make me smile and you make me laugh. Love your humor and I just wanted you to know that! Keep up the good work!
Posted by: Mimi | Feb 11, 2011 at 12:45 PM
I would share mine with one of my sisters.. or both.. better make that a big cup cake!
Posted by: Bridgette | Feb 11, 2011 at 02:05 PM
I love cupcakes and wish I had the knack for decorating them like you do! The ring idea...genius! I would share my cupcakes with my own little cupcake at home...and probably my hubby too! :) Would you mind sharing how you got your frosting like that? I'm sure it's a special tip or something...they just look so pretty with that smooth spiral! Anyway...I love checking your blog and seeing what you come up with...thanks for all the yummy ideas :)
P.S. I know you said you like rainbows...you'll have to check out my blog for my daughters 1st birthday party...I made rainbow cupcakes and I was pretty proud of how they turned out...I think it's maybe 2 posts down when you scroll down...they aren't fancy but they sure were fun and had the *wow* factor when you bit into them :) Anyway...that's as creative as I get when I bake...I just layer colored batter and see what I get :)
Posted by: Ali | Feb 11, 2011 at 02:40 PM
These are absolutely adorable! I love your idea to make little rings for the tops of the cupcakes. I love making cupcake decorations with piped chocolate... So fun!
Posted by: Jen @ My Kitchen Addiction | Feb 11, 2011 at 02:53 PM
Love!! Xx
Posted by: MamaBear | Feb 11, 2011 at 03:25 PM
Such pretty cupcakes (indluding the docrations, definitely.)
And your daughter is soooooo adorable.
Posted by: Andrea | Feb 11, 2011 at 03:26 PM
Love your site! The first link that says it's for a white cake recipe went to a White Wedding Cake Frosting recipe... is this correct? Is there another website link that has the white weeking cake recipe?
Posted by: Olivia | Feb 11, 2011 at 03:29 PM
For the question about the link going to a white frosting recipe:
Right under the picture of the cake is a link to the cake recipe... I just wanted to make sure thefriendwho introduced me to the recipe got credit!
Thanks!
Posted by: Amanda Rettke | Feb 11, 2011 at 03:39 PM
I LOVE these! It just gave me the best idea for my twin neice and nephews Bday! A light purple frosted Wonder Twins themed cupcake with the WT rings on top! Thank you for the inspiration! Now off to start looking for pics :O)
Oh and Iwould share the valentine cupcakes with my 3 valentines(my hubby and our 2 little men(4 & 20 months)
Posted by: colleen | Feb 11, 2011 at 04:56 PM
How cute are those?! I love them all! Hope you and your family have a wonderful Valentine's Day!! : )
Aimee
Posted by: aimee | Feb 11, 2011 at 05:39 PM
I won't make them for Valentines Day (unless I happen to be in a single girls lonely on Valentines Day sweets mood) but they are PERFECT for a bridal shower/girls night out I am throwing in early April! My friend will love them!!!
This is why I stalk your blog (I mean, one of the reasons)... =o)
Posted by: Joy | Feb 11, 2011 at 06:37 PM
So cute! Your daughter is absolutely adorable. I wish I had seen this post before I used dollarstore rings on some cupcakes that I made for a jewelry party a while ago. Beautiful as always!
Posted by: Jenn {Cookies Cupcakes Cardio} | Feb 11, 2011 at 06:56 PM
I have never seen this idea before, I just love it! Again with the whole creativity thing, you are brimming with it!
And the little one you shared it with? Oh, she's a beauty!
Posted by: Amy's blah, blah, blog | Feb 11, 2011 at 10:05 PM
Oh my gosh, so cute!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Adopt me, please!!!! LOL
And your princess is adorable!
Posted by: Alicia | Feb 11, 2011 at 10:41 PM
i didn't know you could just pipe candy melts like that! and the rings are so pretty! :)
Posted by: kangli | Feb 12, 2011 at 04:49 AM
O.k. stop it...
Your little love is such a cutie PATOOTIE!
I am going nuts over these darling little rings and then you had to throw in one of my favorite words...*plethora* and then, then... that photo of your little love with that expression! I'm dying!
I think I need a baby. (Did I just say that out loud?)
Posted by: Wenderly | Feb 12, 2011 at 07:57 AM
Oh yum.
She is absolutely the cutest!
Happy almost valentines day!
Jess : )
Posted by: Jess | Feb 12, 2011 at 08:33 AM
Mmmmm yummy and beautiful of course!!! I am always looking for a good white cake recipe, so I'm anxious to try this one! I found the recipe with the link you gave....but how long would you bake if you were using this wedding cake batter to make cupcakes? Happy Hearts Day!!
Posted by: amalia | Feb 12, 2011 at 10:14 AM
These would make great bases for chocolate pacifiers for a baby shower too ! Did I mention that I love love love these? :O)
Posted by: colleen | Feb 12, 2011 at 07:51 PM
Sweet! You always have such creative and beautiful ideas. Lovely lovely photos.
Posted by: Nancy @SensitivePantry | Feb 13, 2011 at 07:07 AM
These are so adorable, Amanda, as is your little sweetie! Thanks so much for sharing. I love your blog! xo
Posted by: Sweetapolita (Rosie) | Feb 13, 2011 at 10:47 AM
These are too cute! Love the chocolate rings, great idea!
Posted by: Lauren @ Crave. Indulge. Satisfy. | Feb 13, 2011 at 09:44 PM
LOVE!
Posted by: Lucy Lean | Feb 13, 2011 at 11:04 PM