My shining stars

Fortune Cookie Cupcakes

I am a very lucky person.  I happen to love going to work. Who wouldn't be happy to work with kids?  This summer, I spent my time working in performing arts, and when it was my turn to put on a play, I gave my cast a lil' extra motivation.  I gave them my cupcake books and told them I would make whatever they wanted for their after-party(as long as I had not made it yet, which is clearly indicated with my notes and dates).   They chose Fortune Cookie Cupcakes and Hidden Treasure cupcakes, both from the Cake Doctor.  The Fortune Cookie Cupcakes were yummy and fun.  To replicate the idea, make a regular yellow-cake mix with almond extract.  The twist is the fortunes-you cut thin strips of parchment paper and write out fortunes with a ballpoint pen.  And they were still legible after baking.  I had to give 3 separate speeches about not eating the fortunes, but it was worth it. 

This recipe calls for powdered sugar cake stenciling-and I realized at the last minute I had only Christmas cake stencils and HUGE cookie cutters, so I improvised with a large star cookie cutter as the stencil.  I used stars for my shining star performers.....except the sugar stars kind of dissolved, so I learned that cake stenciling can only be done right before serving.  All in all, super fun to make & serve.  

Today was the last day of our summer program, and if everything works out, I will be leaving my kids to go do student teaching and get certified as a classroom teacher.  One of my munchkins asked me who will make them cupcakes once I'm gone :o( I guess I'll have to pop in from time to time with large quantities of baked goods, because I don't know who will make cupcakes with them and that makes me really sad!