Dan Woolf: Photographer Extraordinaire

I love photo shoots. Back in the day, when I was a teeny-bopper I used to dabble in modeling.  I even met with a few modeling agencies (that never ended up making me famous - oh well).

My cupcakes are now my supermodels, and I am happy with that!

I was introduced to this really "rad" photographer (as he would phrase it) Dan Woolf recently.

I brought about 40 cupcakes over to his house in trade for a fun cupcake photo shoot.

I loved his whole family.  His wife welcomed me with the most delicious chocolate chip cookies (I want the recipe!).  His kids were the sweetest.  His entire family has this magnetic persona that made me instantly comfortable. 

We had a great time taking photos of my cupcakes, and even I had a chance to be a supermodel for the night with my recently dyed *bright red* hair. 

I've always thought of my cupcakes as the "Lady Gaga" of the cupcake world.
(You know, kind of fearless, vibrant, energetic, unusual).

But Dan told me that I am kind of like the "Imogen Heap" of cupcakes.  I love that singer and her heavenly voice much more than Gaga.  (To me Imogen Heap is alluring, creative, addicting, a bright color in the midst of many greys).

One of my friends complimented me on one of Dan's photos, and she described it best: 
"Love the soul and the passion shown through your eyes.  The photographer did a great job!"

He brings *life* to the people...or the cupcakes...behind the lens. Even more life than what was already there.

This is my typical Amanda smile/persona.

I twirl my hair when I am nervous.

I really enjoy the nerd glasses once in awhile.

And the REAL SUPERMODELS...
The cupcakes:

My Fauxstess Cupcakes. ♥ Filled with Love.

Tattoo Cupcakes Inspired by Dan's tattoo.

(this is his tattoo, dedicated to his mom). ♥

My Dr. Seuss-esque Strawberry Margarita Cupcakes

Salted Caramel Beauties.

Chocolate Cherry Red Velvet  Divines.

Adorable and Beautiful Cupcake Kaleidoscopes.

Just a taste of Dan's adorable household & a specialty he has-taking captivating pictures of kids & people. ♥

 

Click here to join Dan in his fun photography adventures:  Dan Woolf Photography Blog 

Out of This World Cupcakes!

"Out of This World" Milky Way Cupcakes

Inspired by a recipe I found at a tempting blog site (this place makes me hungry every time I visit): Inside Bru Crew Life .

My friend was feeling down.
There was snow on the ground.
The temperatures outside were freezing!
I wanted to bake her something special, and I knew she loved chocolate.
But she needed something extra special.

Perhaps... a chocolate cupcake, topped with buttercream frosting mixed with melted Milky Way bars. Ohmy...Not to mention a chocolate ganache surprise inside of the cupcake.
Swirly whirly creamy buttery sweet frosting sparkles and beams under the light.
A Milky Way Candy Bar is the supermodel in this gorgeous cupcake creation.
I tweaked the recipe a bit to make it my own, added some sparkles..and woah.
It was one of the most amazing things I have eaten in my life!

If you want the original recipe..click on the link:  Inside Bru Crew Life .


Here are some tweaks that make this an Amanda Cupcake original.

For the Cupcakes:
*I added a teaspoon of Almond Extract to the chocolate cake batter.
*I melted about 15 caramel squares and added them to the chocolate cake batter.
*I melted a 4 oz chocolate baking square and added to the chocolate cake batter.

My entire kitchen smelled warm like chocolate caramel. Yum.

For the Frosting:
*I added butter flavoring extract. I do that with all of my frosting, it brings down the sweetness and enhances all of the rich flavoring in the buttercream frosting.
*I added my own decorative touch with different sized decorating tips!
*And of course...edible disco sparkles!!!!!!!!!!!

Gold sparkles coordinate very beautifully with caramel.

The Milky Way Supermodels:
I used whole milky way bars, and tore the candy bars apart at different angles.
This gave them an artistic gourmet cupcake look when I placed the Milky Way bars on top of the frosting swirls! 

The Chocolate Filling:
Unites all of the flavors and pleasurably surprises the tastebuds.
The cupcake wouldn't be the same without it!

The result:  Out of This World Cupcakes ♥

For my troubled friends who need a little pick-me-up:

Stressed is Desserts spelled backwards.