I never thought I'd work in the IT industry - just didn't think about it.

So it's kind of funny and highly coincidental that my 9-5 consists of working very closely in the IT industry and lots of my orders are from clients with close relations to that. 

And for this particular weeknight, the brief was to create 168 beautiful and delicious vanilla and chocolate cupcakes for a launch party.

They look good and smelt so yummy. I think cupcakes are a great idea, especially if a company like this one is going to personalise it with their Company Logo. Stays in the minds of their guests.

Without being told, I could guess the age of this birthday boy! 10.

Patience is a virtue with little squares. And they take so much longer than you can expect.

I don't really know what all the pixelated items are but the axe is cute?

100 red velvet cupcakes with sour cream ganache & chocolate cupcakes with dark chocolate ganache plus a top tier black on white cutting cake. Decorated with the bride and groom's hand folded paper cranes, it looked so good the groom wanted to start without the bride and their guests! 

Loved the feel on this wedding @ Callan Park, Rozelle. It was a beautiful day. Laid back, easy going, low key yet tasteful...

The books are actually a lovely backdrop for the cake set up!

Finally Friday! Albeit a wet one. Not that that deters one from baking...

So whilst Cat is in the US - possibly picking up the pieces from Superstorm Sandy (?!) and enjoying herself immensely (Hawaii, the Big Apple, checking out the US in general so she can tell me what to do and what not in Feb!), I took up the awesome job of making 40 cupcakes for her cousin's 20th Birthday. I would crash the party too but I think I'm too old :-(

In true St Georgian style, she was super prepared and had already made silver stars and blue letters for the cupcake toppers. One less job for me! And they look pretty awesome.

Took my time tonight and still got it all done in a couple of hours. How one loves efficiency and her kitchenaid. And so rare that I take pictures of my WIP (not the photographer in the fams). Have to say though, looking pretty orderly!!!

Happy with the piping. Thought about chocolate overkill on the top (monkey tried to encourage it) but decided to be reasonable. Moderation is an important word. Even the cookie monster preaches cookies are a "sometimes" food.

Then decided to take them to another level anyway...

Then boxed them all up in these awesome 12-cupcake boxes that were conveniently delivered JIT today. And that's me for the week!

Makes 12

Ingredients:
1 T poppyseeds
3/4 C milk
2 1/2 C S.R. flour
3/4 sugar
125 g butter, melted
2 eggs
2 t orange rind, grated
1/4 C orange juice

Method:
1. Preheat oven to 160 degrees and line muffin tray with muffin cases.
2. Combine milk and poppy seeds in a jug.
3. Mix flour and sugar in a large bowl. Add poppy seed mixture as well as remaining milk, butter, eggs, rind and juice. Stir until just combined.
4. Divide among cases and bake for 20-25 minutes or until skewer comes out clean.

Makes 12

Ingredients:
150 g butter, softened
2/3 C sugar
1 1/2 C S.R. flour
2 T cocoa powder
3 eggs
2 t vanilla

Method:
1. Preheat oven to 165 degrees and line muffin tray with patty pans.
2. Beat butter, sugar and vanilla until well combined.
3. Beat in eggs one at a time.
4. Beat in flour and cocoa and combined well.
5. Divide spoonfuls of mixture into patty pans.
6. Bake for 15-18 minutes until they are risen and firm to touch.