If you haven’t heard the amazing story about how UK spies hacked into a terrorist-run magazine and replaced instructions for how to make a bomb with cupcake recipes, please check out the story now.
Incredible.
I was so inspired by this story, I thought it would be nice to make some World Peace cupcakes of my own. Since it’s approximately 5,897 degrees Fahrenheit here in Florida, I’ve been daydreaming about Orange Creamsicles, with their crisp, tart orange shells and smooth, creamy vanilla centers. Things that are Orange Creamsicle flavored are glorious. I’m fairly certain that Orange Creamsicles could solve all the world’s problems. My favorite local bakery, Blue Bird Bake Shop, made an Orange Creamsicle cupcake several weeks ago that was so good I nearly cried. Naturally, I had to try to make Orange Creamsicle cupcakes on my own. For peace. Yes, I’m trying to lose 15 pounds by July 22nd, but this is world peace we’re talking about, people!
I used my favorite vanilla cupcake recipe from Joy of Baking and added 1 tsp of orange extract and a tbsp of orange zest. I added orange zest in the buttercream icing as well. I also added orange gel food coloring to the cakes. I left the icing white.
Orange Creamy Dream of World Peace Cupcakes
Aren’t they beautiful? Don’t they make you want to give to charity and feed the hungry?
Then I got to thinking…
Lately I’ve been wanting to participate in another online cooking contest, a la Rachel Wilkerson’s Project Tasteless, but I haven’t seen anything going on contest-wise on any of the blogs I frequent.
Bummer.
But then I figured, why not just have my own contest?! Thus, the Make Cupcakes, Not War Bake-Off idea was born!
Here’s how it will go:
- Bake up a batch of the cupcakes YOU think could inspire world peace. Any delicious cupcake is fine. I trust you.
- Tell me what’s so special about your cupcakes. How could they inspire world peace? What’s the story behind them?
- Post your entry on your blog (if you have one). I want to see photos, a recipe, and the story about your cupcakes. If you don’t have a blog you can email your entry to me at jaclynworksitout@gmail.com.
- Email me telling me at jaclynworksitout@gmail.com to let me know you entered the contest. Provide a link for your blog post if you’re bloggin’.
- If you’re a Twitterer, tweet about the contest and promote your entry with hashtag #makecupcakesnotwar
The contest starts today, Monday, June 6th and ends on Sunday, June 12th at 11:59 EST. I’ll announce ONE winner and ONE runner-up by Wednesday, June 15th. The bakers with the best stories, cupcake concepts, and apparent deliciousness of the recipes will be named the winners.
“But what are the prizes, asshole?”
That’s right, the prize! The most peaceful of all bakers will win…
The winner will receive a copy of Cupcakes Galore, by Gail Wagman! There are tons of amazing recipes and beautiful pictures in this book.
The runner-up will win this adorable set of cupcake-themed cards from XO Greetings:
Too freaking cute. Check out the adorable Etsy shop. I want every single one of those cards.
So, get to baking! It’s for peace!
Jaclyn
This is a great idea! I’d love to donate a set of two handmade cupcake-themed note cards for the second place winner!
Awesome! I’ll add an amendment about there being a second place winner!
I love that story…I hadn’t seen it before so thanks for sharing it! I don’t know if I’ll have time to bake this week but I might try to bust out a batch for the contest…
Do it, Melissa, do it! Girl, you can even use a boxed mix, as long as you come up with a clever story.