Black Friday Cupcakes

On Black Friday, basically everyone has to work. It makes sense. And we always have a potluck lunch. The store provides meat and potatoes, and we bring all the sides and desserts. I had no idea what to make. So I went to my default-- cupcakes :) But I didn't want to make a heavy, chocolate, or pumpkin cupcake, since we'd probably have lots of those flavors. Plus, Doug's been bugging me to make him a vanilla cupcake. So I did a white cupcake with a pretty swirl vanilla frosting. I've gotten a little better at frosting them.

Then I decided I wanted to make them look a little fancier.

I thought they turned out really good. And I love the cherry-- it almost makes them look a little more Christmas-y with the gingerbread boy liners. Hopefully they'll taste good too!

Chocolate Oranges

Last weekend, Marcus and I had a chocolate orange. Those are so good! I love Christmas time :) Well, I know it's not really Christmas time yet, but come on, I work retail. Christmas starts in October. Anyway, I was inspired for this month's Third Sunday (on the Second Sunday) dinner's cupcakes. The frosting didn't quite turn out how I planned, so I improvised. And I must say, I think I like this better.

They're orange chocolate cupcakes with orange chocolate frosting, topped with... wait for it... orange zest and chocolate pieces. Go figure ;)

YUM!