Tie-Dye Cupcakes

So, I love to bake.  Love it.  When I was a little girl I begged and begged for an Easy Bake Oven.  Every year I circled the JCPenney's Christmas catalog around the coveted plastic oven.  Every year a piece of my heart died.  Every birthday, I begged my mom for the gold, magic box.  What little girl wouldn't want to make little cakes baked by light bulbs?  Magical.  My mom sighed and said, "Why would want to bake with that when we bake with that big oven in there? You can bake anytime you want?" So I did.

I recently posted a picture of tie dye cupcakes that I made for my sweet niece, Analee's 7th birthday party, on Facebook and there were a lot of questions on the process.  So I thought I'd make a little tutorial.

Analee-isn't she sweet?

So here goes...

First, start with your favorite vanilla cake batter.  It really doesn't matter if you use mix or make it from scratch or a combo of the two. I much prefer things made from scratch, but it's really preference and time.  

Separate the batter evenly into six bowls.

Add food coloring according to the rainbow.  I prefer Americolor gel food coloring over any other.  You don't need to use a lot, you don't break your arm stirring the batter (or frosting), and the batter (or frosting) doesn't lose it's consistency because you're stirring it so much.  It's a phenomenal product. In Janesville, the only place that sells this is Hobby Lobby. However, you can find it every where online. 

  

Ok, so after you've mixed the batter (using the rainbow colors-red, orange, yellow, green, blue and purple-if you want to use indigo knock yourself out) pour each color into its own disposable pastry bag.  You can find these at a craft store that sells cake supplies; Hobby Lobby, Michael's, JoAnn's, even WalMart carries them.  Or you can get them online.

You have to snip the tip off the end of each bag.  I have a very small kitchen, so I have to utilize the space wisely.  So, instead of laying the bags down, and consequently having the batter oozing all over the place, I put them in glasses.

They don't have to match.  Obviously.

Prepare your muffin tins either by greasing the tins or by putting liners in.  I start with the purple and work my way to the red, placing a dollop in each cup, and then repeating the process until they're filled.

When they are about 2/3's filled I take the back of a spoon and swirl it around a little bit to get them so they're tie-dyeish. A tooth pick will do the trick too.  

Finished! Let them cool completely before you frost them. 

Ok, so make your favorite frosting.  I made a cream cheese one for these.  But you can make a butter cream too.  If you decide to use store bought, I would suggest to add powdered sugar to it to thicken it up.

Now comes the fun part.  :)

We're going to use the food coloring again, all six colors, but we'll need another disposable pastry bag and a paint brush.  Just a tiny one.  You can even use one of those water color ones from your kids' last year school supply.  Just make sure you wash it really well in soapy water.  Obviously.

Get a small dessert plate and squirt a small amount of food coloring, making sure none of the colors touch. That probably doesn't matter, that's just the OCD in me.

Dab your paint brush in each color and "paint" a stripe down the inside of your bag.  Repeat with each color, wiping off your brush between each application.  I didn't go in the order of the rainbow around the bag.  I didn't want one side to be "muddy" with purple, blue and green touching.  So I alternated light and dark.  But it's tie dye.  You can do whatever you want.

After your bag is striped, add your frosting.  Cut the tip off the end and pipe onto the cupcake.  Now, you can do a swirl, or whatever.  I just dropped it down and made two little "plops." haha I thought it showed the tie dye off more.  But it's certainly personal preference.  

That's it!  Easy peasy.  You can do this with a cake too.  Just divide the cake batter into 6 bowls.  Add the food color.  Put the color in the pan by scoops this time.  And swirl with the back of a spoon.  They come out awesome.  When you stack the layers, just stagger them so the colors don't line up, so when you cut into it, it's all swirly.  Very cool effect.

I just love that food coloring because it keeps the same vibrancy as it has before baking.

I hope I've passed on a little of my passion for baking along to you!  Enjoy!

Oh.  By the way, I did end up getting an Easy Bake Oven.  I bought one for my daughter.  I used it more than she did.  :)

Advice I would give to my 18 year old self

My oldest daughter, Micayla, just went to college. It got me thinking how she has her whole life ahead of her. Her journey is just beginning. I started thinking about all the advice I was given, good and bad, when I was 18. How the things I know now at 40, I wish I knew then at 18. A list started to form in my mind; things that I wish I knew, advice given through the years, and things I'm still learning. Maybe they will get you thinking of some of your life lessons.

1. Don’t worry about what people think about you

There is quote by David Foster Wallace, “You’ll worry less about what people think of you when you realize how seldom they do.” Stop fretting.  Don’t let what other people’s opinion of you sway your decisions, thoughts, ideas or goals.  

2. Step outside of your comfort zone

Talk to people.  Don’t be afraid to sit with people you don’t know.  Don’t be afraid to take a class on something that isn’t related to your major.  Don’t be afraid to go outside. Fear has two meanings: Forget Everything And Run or Face Everything And Rise.  You can do it.

3. Be still

Peace is highly under-rated.  We live in a society where it is perfectly acceptable to answer texts and phone calls during dinner.  Watch tv while on the computer.  Do your homework while listening to music.  Instead, unplug.  Unwind. Shut everything off and be still.  For 10 minutes a day.  5 minutes.  Just.  Be still.

4. Set time for devotions

Carve out time out of your day, the same time, no matter what, where you can read your Bible and pray.  Set aside at least a half of an hour where you can discipline yourself to devote your time to the Lord.  

5. Learn from other people’s mistakes

A heroine addiction testimony is awe inspiring.  But a testimony where God saved you from that is just as awe inspiring.  Wisdom is knowing how foolish it is to walk the path of drug addiction.

6. Don’t be afraid to make mistakes

Yes, I know it’s completely contradictory to the point above.  While it is true we can learn from other’s mistakes, we can’t be so afraid to attempt something for fear of failing.  

7. Live without fear

Death is just the moment when our hourglass runs out of sand.  All any of us gets to decide is where the sand falls.  Don’t be afraid to play in the sand. Fear not.

8. Be true to yourself

Changing yourself into who you think someone wants is only hurting yourself.  You’re perfect just the way you are; the way God made you.  

9. Live today

Live for today. Just be right here, right now.  Because present is always enough.  You can’t do anything about yesterday, and tomorrow will come soon enough.  Live right now.

10. Be honest in everything

You’re only as sick as your secrets.  Be honest in your relationships, at work and with the Lord.  

11. Memorize Scripture

The older I get, the harder it is to memorize.  I wish I had committed more Scripture to memory as a child/teen/young person.  The Word is your biggest weapon when you are in the battlefields of your mind or in the trials of everyday life.

“Your word I have hid in my heart, that I may not sin against you.”

12. Say what you mean, mean what you say

People are not mind readers.  No one knows what is going on in your heart and mind but you and the Lord.  Express yourself clearly and follow through with it.

13. Change is inevitable, embrace it.

Nothing stays the same.  Change will happen.  While schedules and routines are important, a phone call, accident or job change can shake everything and turn your life upside down.  Being flexible and willing to embrace the unexpected will bring peace to your heart in an otherwise tumultuous time.

14. Live well below your means

Set yourself up on a budget and make sure you carve out a big chunk for savings.  We live in a “It’s my money and I want it NOW” society.  We deny ourselves nothing.  Tithe.  Save.  Bills. Spend.  In that order. Don’t spend what you don’t have.  Don’t live off credit.  Don’t borrow.  If you want something bad enough, work for it.

15. Be respectful

Respect goes a long way. The Golden Rule applies in every situation.  

16. Be chivalrous

If you’re a boy, duh.  But if you’re a girl, opening doors for people is just nice. Helping an older lady with her jacket on is just courteous.  Giving up your seat to a pregnant woman is the right thing to do.    

17. Never stop learning

They say we learn something new every day.  And while I believe there are gobs of information soaring out at me, I believe it is important to be diligent about it.  My brain is less sticky the older I get.  The more I read, watch, observe, study...surely something will stick.

18. Be the friend you would love to have

When you see someone sitting alone or sad, sit with them. Everyone knows what it's like to be lonely. Be Jesus with skin on.  

19. Follow God's plan for your life

Because you have memorized Scripture, spent time with Him daily and are still each day, His voice will be easier to recognize. Easier to follow. He has a perfect plan for your life. He has known what that is since the time you were conceived. He will never steer you wrong.

20. Marry a mighty man (or woman) of God

Non-negotiable.  Your heart will hurt forever if you and your mate aren’t on the same page with the Lord.  It goes without saying that the Lord should be your foundation in your life.  But He also needs to be your foundation in your relationships.  You shouldn’t even consider dating someone if they don’t have the same relationship with God. 

Bonus tip:

Never judge other people’s kids

It goes without saying that you shouldn’t judge anyone.  But you really shouldn’t judge other’s kids, because you never know how your kids will turn out.  Two kids can be raised exactly the same way, with the same values, same parents, same privileges and disadvantages and turn out completely different.  People make their own choices.

There are many, many more life lessons. I'm sure when I am 80 I will revisit my lessons and add a few more. Please share some that you have learned along the way.