Grace & Favor – A Life Worth Living

Monday, April 25, 2011

Easter Gift

My friend Tracey over at A Cottage Industry did the cutest Easter gift I've seen in a long time.  I just had to give it a try to give to family and friends on Easter.  The little cupcakes fit with perfection into the egg carton just as Tracey had said. Give these a try I know you'll get rave reviews.  For my cupcakes I made carrot cake with a cream cheese frosting.  See recipe at the bottom of this thread.

Tracey had ordered egg cartons in pretty spring colors, by the time I saw what she had posted I didn't have time to do that so I used regular egg cartons.  At first I was going to try and spray paint them but then decided I was find with the look of the regular carton, in fact I think everyone thought I was bringing them a dozen eggs from our egg lady and they were pleased to find cupcakes instead.

 Since my cartons were ventilated I needed to put the cartons into a bag to keep the cupcakes fresh.  The single bread bags from King Arthur click here worked great, just the right size.  If you are a baker the three sizes of bags that King Arthur carries are wonderful to have on hand.


The tags were something I did on my Cricut, obviously I still haven't had time to figure this machine out but the cards were made with pretty paper from Hobby Lobby and I attached them to the ribbons but using an antique button.

Carrot Cake
2 cups all purpose flour
2 cups white sugar
2 tsp. baking soda
2 tsp. cinnamon
1 tsp. salt
1 1/4 cups cooking oil
3 cups shredded carrots
4 eggs

Sift dry ingredience, add oil and mix well.  Add eggs, one at a time and then add carrots.  Mix well and bake at 350 for 45 minutes for a 9X13 or two round cake pans.  For the mini muffins I adjusted the baking time to 20 minutes.

Cream Cheese Frosting
 1 8oz. package of cream cheese
1 stick softened butter
1 lb. package powdered sugar
2 tsp. vanilla
Cream cheese and butter together.  Gradually add sugar mixing well after each addition.  Add vanilla.

I've joined Marty at Tabletop Tuesday

11 comments:

Cathy said...

What a creative way to package cupcakes. Great job Char!

Donnie said...

That looks like a lovely gift. Who doesn't love carrot cake.

Unknown said...

Well, I know I'd rather get a dozen cupcakes over a dozen eggs any day. Cute!

Paula@SweetPea said...

Aren't your friends the lucky ones? This gift turned out perfectly and I'm sure was much appreciated.

Marty@A Stroll Thru Life said...

They are beautiful and what a creative idea. Love it. Thanks so much for joining TTT. Hugs, Marty

Designs on 47th Street said...

That is one of the cutest ideas EVER Char. I know people enjoyed this gift! You are the best...

Donna

Entertaining Women said...

I love my Cricut, but I certainly don't use it to full advantage. Thank you for the neat gift idea and the recipes...and for stopping by for a visit. Cherry Kay

Sue said...

This was such a cute way to deliver your mini cupcakes, Char! I bet they were very much appreciated and enjoyed. :-)
I'm saving this idea for next year. So where was your friend getting her colored egg cartons?

Rettabug said...

Ms. Char, what a unique & darling delivery system!!! They are just as cute as can be. I am soooo going to copy this down for next year.
Thanks!
Rett

Sherry @ No Minimalist Here said...

Char, This is just the cutest idea! The mini cupcakes are adorable.
Hugs,
Sherry

Marlis said...

presentation is everything and yours is lovely.. I have a silhouette.. so i need to get using it more!