Honey, I baked! Baby gender reveal cupcakes!
So, what do you think little Iowa Baby Eats is? A boy? A girl? A HUMAN, as my smarty-pants brother predicted? (Oh, brothers.)
Well, it’s…
a…
BOY!
A truck loving, football throwing, snuggly baby boy! AHH! I get more and more excited each and every day, and Ben and I cannot wait to hold our little guy in our arms! (PS: could you not just die over baby shoes??)
Seriously, thank you again from the bottom of our hearts for the sweet congratulatory messages that you continue to send. We really appreciate it! :)
Now, this wouldn’t be a proper IGE post without a some instructions, so here’s how you make these super-cute gender reveal cupcakes, in case you ever need ’em. First bake up a batch of cupcakes. Homemade, boxed – whatever.
Once they’re cool, insert a sharp knife into the center on the diagonal then turn the cupcake as you cut to slice out a little cone. Cut off the “cone” so you’re left with a flat, cupcake “lid”.
Next mix up the frosting! I used store-bought then dyed it blue with gel food coloring. This stuff works great as you only need a tiny drop to get really bright colors. I got mine at Michaels.
Mix the frosting up then scoop it into a piping or ziloc bag and snip off the corner.
Pipe the frosting into the holes then pop the lids on top. (Note: I didn’t cut the “cones” off the lids in the second row of cupcakes which is why they’re riding a little high!)
Next, using another container of frosting, frost all the tops.
Unwrap, bite, and share the good news!
Now that we know we’re having a boy, nursery preparations can get underway. I think Ben and I are heading out to shop for furniture this weekend, as apparently some pieces can take up to 4 months to get in. I’m also seeing a blue, green, yellow and white argyle theme in my head…we shall see though. :)
Anyways, that’s the latest news on the home front! Oh also, re: bump pics, I don’t think I’ll be posting the standard side shots on the blog (they’re a little more private for me – that said, I LOVE other bloggers’ bump shots and stalk them like crazy) but I’ll definitely take some candids when we’re in Charleston in a few weeks. By then I’ll be big enough to properly fill out some maternity clothes too. Right now I’m in the awkward, too small for maternity, but too big for regular clothes phase, hence the reason why I’ve been wearing my black fleece 99% of the time!
Oh also, I wanted to mention that I am finally coming out with the Weekly Update e-newsletter that I’ve been working on for, oh, EVER! You can click here to signup > or click on the link in the grey bar at the top of the site to signup. Emails will be sent out weekly on Saturday mornings and include a wrap up of the week’s recipes and going-ons, in case you missed anything.
Ok I think that’s it from me! Have a wonderful weekend everyone, and in the meantime, please enjoy my favorite finds from around the web in this week’s Friday Favorites!
Click on the light blue links to be taken to the original source.Â
Favorite treat: Pineapple Sorbet. I have been eating pineapple like a CRAZY PERSON lately – it’s so sweet and inexpensive right now. This sorbet looks absolutely mouthwatering. Psst: Here’s how I cut a pineapple!Â
Favorite learn: Minimalist Baker Food Photography E-Course. My friend Dana, the blogger behind the Minimalist Baker, recently came (just wrote “cake”) out with a food photography e-course and I was absolutely blown away by the content, helpful tips, and videos she’s included in it. She also recently lowered the price from $99 to $19.99 to make it more affordable.
Whether you are a novice photographer who wants to learn more about their camera or editing software like Photoshop, or a more seasoned photographer who wants some creative ideas on how to stage and style their food shots, I cannot recommend this course enough! (Full disclosure: Dana let me review the course for free but I’d pay full price for it in a heartbeat.)
Favorite kicks: Suede Fringe Moccasins. I cannot get over how comfy these moccasins look. I am praying that they get more 6-1/2s in stock soon because I’m dying for a pair.
Favorite St. Patty’s Day: Corned Beef Poutine with Guinness Gravy. Guinness Gravy, people. Need I say more? If I can’t partake in a cold one this weekend, I would sure love to celebrate St. Patty’s Day with these gravy and cheese-laced fries, oh my!
Favorite tip: Clean your Microwave with Lemon. I hate cleaning microwaves or other surfaces that I eat off of with harsh cleaners (not that I eat off the microwave plate, but I don’t like spraying it with chemicals then heating up my food in there.) Anyways, I followed this tutorial on how to clean your microwave with lemons and water and it worked perfectly. Not a speck of grease or grime left anywhere.
Favorite fashion: Noonday Collection Acai Ombre Necklace. Not only is this necklace absolutely gorgeous, and perfect for the spring and summer, but it’s also handcrafted out of sustainable seeds by artisans in Ecuador, providing them with economic opportunity and sustainable income. Can’t wait to order this stunning piece.
Favorite indulge: Creamy Chicken & Spinach Lasagna. I know I just shared 15 light and fresh spring recipes, but this creamy chicken & spinach lasagna is calling my NAME! I’ll keep the recipe for an unseasonably cold night in the next couple of weeks.
Favorite fitness: Tuff Butt April. Totally doing this. Printed and hung on the fridge.
Favorite follow: Murad Osmann on Instagram. This professional photographer has a series on his Instagram account that show shots of his girlfriend leading him by the hand into beautiful and exotic places they visit around the the world. Too much fun.
Favorite decor: Illusorio Console. I wish this piece came in a darker stain (and lower price range) but I absolutely love the design and rustic feel.
Favorite accent: Mint Fox Bangle. Saucy, yet sweet! I’m loving spring’s pastel color palette too.
Favorite DIY: Jute Wrapped Light. I’m so mad, I just threw away a super yellowed shade (nobody wanted it, trust me, or I would have donated it) that I’m now wishing I would have saved to wrap like this. So cool!
Favorite find: Michael Kors Slim Runway Watch. Obsessed with the old-world, grandfather-feel of these handsome watches.
Favorite fresh: Orange Carrot Ginger Juice. I know I said when it came to juice, the greener the better, but Orange Carrot Ginger Juice is by far my favorite non-green juice. The hint of ginger is pure brilliance with the sweet orange and carrot. I could drink this every single day!
Have a great weekend, everyone! :)
Hannah @ CleanEatingVeggieGirl 03.15.2013
Congrats on the baby boy news!! And seriously, how cute are those tiny baby shoes? Adorable! :)
erin @hooleywithaz 03.15.2013
congratulations on the little boy!! and thank you for the cupcake tutorial, i’ve always wondered about that…
Marie B 03.15.2013
I bought those exact teeny blue shoes for our gender reveal! They are adorable. Congratulations!
nicky 03.15.2013
Yay BOY! They are so fun and full of energy!! LOVE your gender reveal cupcakes….so creative!!! Have fun with nursery decorating….so much fun with the first child!!
Karla 03.15.2013
Congratulations!! Little boys are awesome, I’m a mom of 5 and 2 year old boys and love it!
Love the cupcake idea. Will you make your own baby food?
Jackie Fisher 03.15.2013
Congratulations to you both!!! We are actually expecting our first as well- due May 24th :) It’s also a boy and from your post last Friday with how you said you were feeling- I was guessing it was a boy as well. We also did the gender reveal in a cake- but we had it made and didn’t know until we cut it open with our family visiting on Christmas Even- such a special moment. Even though it seems like time is crawling by- once you get closer to the end, you can’t believe how fast it flew… weird right? :) I’m 30 weeks now and am sort of starting to panic as there is still a lot to do. Enjoy it, roll with any hiccups that come along and congratulations again!!
Iowa Girl Eats 03.17.2013
Thank you, Jackie, and congrats to you too!! I love your gender reveal idea – waiting so both of you can find out with the rest of the family. Think we’ll try that next time (crazy how I’m already thinking about “next time”!)
Kristi 03.15.2013
Congratulations once again! I cannot wait to see pictures of him a few months from now:) any ideas on a name yet?
Ashly 03.15.2013
Your day-dreaming of nursery looks made me think of my friend’s awesome hand-painted argyle wall for her son’s room. It’s incredible. Here is the finished product:
Casey 03.15.2013
That is gorgeous!
Iowa Girl Eats 03.17.2013
Amazing!! Did she do that herself??
Sarah 03.15.2013
Congrats!! Nebraska Furniture Mart (parent company to Homemakers) always has cribs on sale! You can scope out the one you want then order it on nfm.com and get free delivery (if it isn’t offered the day you order wait a few days and it’ll come up)!
Iowa Girl Eats 03.17.2013
Thanks for the tip, Sarah – we’ll definitely check them out!
Clare @ Fitting It All In 03.15.2013
Congratulations again!! Love the cupcakes and so excited for your little boy! (Also your idea for a nursery theme = perfect. do it!)
Alexa 03.15.2013
Congratulations! I had a little boy 4.5 months ago, and it’s been the best 4.5 months of my life. Never did I think I could love a little guy the way I love him, but he is amazing, and you are in for the time of your life!!
Iowa Girl Eats 03.17.2013
Awww, congratulations, Alexa! Can’t wait to hold my baby boy :)
Erin 03.15.2013
Yeah, a boy! Congrats! :)
Eva @ Eva Bakes 03.15.2013
Yay – congrats!!
M Lloyd 03.15.2013
Congratulations!!! boy,oh boy. Boys are fun!!!! You can trust me on this!
Tom H. 03.15.2013
Longest tease ever! Unfortunately I can’t help ya when it comes to advice for raising baby boys…but congrats one million times over none-the-less! Great job on those cupcakes :-)
Rachel @ Baked by Rachel 03.15.2013
Awww congrats!
Lucy 03.15.2013
Boy, ohhhhhh BOY! (I”m sure you haven’t heard that at ALL this past week : )) Seriously, boys are the best and love their mothers even during that lovely adolescent phase. They also give the sweetest kisses imaginable at any age! Congratulations and enjoy the shopping!
Amanda 03.15.2013
I have been looking forward to the news all week! Congrats on your baby boy!!
Kelly 03.15.2013
Congratulations on having a little boy! Love the cupcake idea for the reveal, so cute! :)
Clarice 03.15.2013
I guessed right! Congrats to you and Ben!