Tiny Hello Kitty Cupcakes:  The perfect Valentine’s Day Treat!

http://blog.hellokitty.com/sanrio_yummies

Ingredients:

1 Large egg
7 Tablespoons of self-rising flour
3 Tablespoons of butter at room temperature
3 Tablespoons and 1 teaspoon of granulated sugar
Pink Sprinkles and Blue sprinkles
White frosting

Tools:

Cookie sheet
Oven
Small paper candy cups
Wooden spoon
Mixing bowl
Measuring spoons
Wire cooling rack
Pot-holders

 1:  “Let’s get started!”

     The first step is to get out all of the ingredients out on the kitchen counter.  It makes it organized and a lot less messy!  Isn’t Hello Kitty so cute in her little chef hat?  She even has a little wooden spoon similar to my own.  =]  Also, preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.

 2.  “Mixing time!”

     Mix the flour and sugar in the mixing bowl first.  Then add the egg and butter.  Mix it up until it’s all smooth and creamy.

3.  “Spooning the batter…”

     Make sure the oven is preheated to 350 degrees F, and place the tiny baking cups on a baking sheet.  Mine is covered in foil to keep it clean.

     Now, carefully spoon the batter into the small cups using the teaspoon, filling it about half way.  Be careful not to fill it up too much or it will get too big in the oven.  Another tip is to spray the teaspoon with cooking spray before you start filling the cups, it makes it a little easier.  My most important tip is to take your time!  Just imagine how pretty they will be when they are all done.

4.  “Time to rise, my little cuppycakes!”

     Carefully put the cookie sheet in the oven and bake the cupcakes for about 10 minutes, or until the bottom of the cupcake turns brown.

While your cupcakes bake, you can clean up your area and get ready to decorate!

5.  “Almost done!…”

     Get your cupcakes out of the oven using pot-holders.  Then carefully put the small cupcakes on the wire-rack to cool.

6.  “Time for sprinkles!”

     When your cupcakes are cool it’s time to frost them!  Open the frosting and stir it up really nice with a spoon or knife.  Then use a small spoon to gather a bit of frosting.  Use the back of the spoon in small “swirly” motions.  Lift slowly and make a little “Q” shape at the top.  It might take some practice but it’s really simple!  While the frosting is sticky add sprinkles.

7.  “Party Time!”

     After frosting your cute little cupcakes, let the frosting set.  Then invite your friends over for the greatest Valentine’s Day party ever!  I put two little toy Hello Kitty’s on two of my cupcakes.  You can put little party favors or rings on them, just make sure your friends know what’s edible!

Here is a larger picture if you’d like to send it to someone special!

     Recently I went on a summer trip with my boyfriend to the wonderful small town of Leavenworth!  All the shops and architecture are all based on a Bavarian village.  You can go to a European village without having to get on an airplane and leave the United States!

     Our four hour drive was tiresome, but we kept following the road deeper and deeper into the Cascade Mountains and when we finally reached Leavenworth, it was all worth while.  The small town with it’s beautiful little shops all nestled in the mountains.  The view was so pretty!  Here is a picture I took as we stepped out of our car.  It was more breathtaking in real life, trust me.

     In town, there is a big candy shop and a toy shop that any Hello Kitty fan would love!  There is a shop full of porcelain dolls and also my personal favorite, Die Musik Box.  It’s full of jewelry boxes from the most simple to the most extravagant and expensive!  There was a music box that looked like a minaiture theater complete with a tiny ballerina that danced if you put a quarter in it.  The tag said it cost a few thousand dollars….  Yikes!  But my boyfriend put a quarter in and we got to see it in action for 25 cents!  That store was so beautiful I got teary eyed inside because there isn’t anything like that where I live.  The owner will play any music box for you, all you have to do is ask!  Below is a picture of the Jewelry box store.

      Below is a picture of the cute and tiny fairy music box my boyfriend bought me.

Most people prefer to walk around on the sidewalks and go to each shop.  But of course if you want the full experience you should definitely travel in a horse drawn carriage!

      My boyfriend and I held hands as we walked down the streets.  It was so beautiful and romantic!  There were baskets and baskets of flowers all up and down the street.  The hot weather made the scent waft in the air, it was like a fairy tale.  I just remember how happy the people were around me and the positive energy that radiated around us.

The colors of the flowers were so vibrant!  It was amazing.  Neon pinks, deep reds, tiger-lily orange…

     Here is a picture of one of the hotels you can stay in while visiting Leavenworth.

      For lunch we stopped at McDonalds.  During our shopping experience we got plenty of drinks because there was a lot of walking!  Leavenworth was the best place that my boyfriend ever took me.  I really didn’t expect how beautiful it would be until I got there.  It really touched my heart.  It was the most romantic trip ever!  And the best isn’t over yet…  When Christmas get here the entire town will be covered in Christmas lights and there will be festivities and music for everyone.  I can’t wait to come back.

     Here is a link for those of you who want to learn more and see more pictures!  Enjoy!  Thank you for reading my blog.  =]

Leavenworth, Washington

SanrioTown Travel the World event - http://blog.hellokitty.com/traveltheworld