We’ve actually been able to take a day off. Sorta. If you count cleaning the house, 4 loads of laundry, moving the massive TV, moving furniture around, ironing pillowcases, and grocery shopping a day off. At least we weren’t running around getting the bake shoppe ready for business, or dealing with cookies.

Last weeks roundup of cookies included our annual job for the American Tibetan Mastiff Association.

Finished with a thin black border.

These were the easy cookies…..

These are the complex ones.

A different side of the Tibetan Mastiff. A profile cookie. I think this one is my favorite.

Not a humongous job, 2 full sheet pans of each dog design and 2 sheets of logos. They’re getting a little (just a little) bit easier since it’s our third year making them. This year we did fewer than last year. You wanna know why??? Because they will be served along side a Charm City cake!! Very exciting!

All done, wrapped in a cello bag, twist tied and finished with white grosgrain ribbon. Dave is now a master twist tie-er and ribbon tie-er.

I’m hoping the Charm City cake will be up on their site or somewhere I can see it.

We designed this little collection for a new client. It’s a custom designed 4pack that goes out to all their new clients. I matched the font and the swirls above and below the copy. They also have a little leaf pattern on their website and I thought that would round out the collection.

I made some new Spring/Summer butterfly cookies which will be on the website in the next couple of weeks. I love the colors, but boy were these time consuming. I think I used every tiny tip we own to complete these.

But aren’t they just so pretty?? I love the colors, very fun and festive. (redundant, I know)

And now for the cupcake portion of this post:

Back from last year, the dynamic Margarita cupcake. A lemon/lime buttermilk cake, stuffed with tangy lime curd, topped with a lemon/lime Swiss meringue buttercream which is spiked (and a big spike) with tequila. You all know Cinco de Mayo is coming up soon, so if you’re in the area, you must have these cupcakes for Cinco!!

Making another return is the Lemon Raspberry cupcake. A lemon buttermilk cake stuffed with raspberry jam, topped with lemon Swiss meringue buttercream. Since I’m unable to obtain any fresh local raspberries these are stuffed with seedless raspberry jam that has been reduced to increase the flavor and make the consistency a little thicker.  I can’t really say what my favorite is, the Margarita and the Lemon Raspberry are both so good.

We’ve also got our standards, chocolate and vanilla with either chocolate or vanilla buttercream. It’s nice that the weather is inching towards the warmer side, I hate when frosting is cold!

And finally, the perennial favorite, Maple with Maple buttercream. Made with syrup from a sugar house right down the road, these are just so yummy. I’m not sure which part I like best, the cake or the frosting. The cake is so good, made with TONS of syrup and not a lick of sugar, they taste like the best pancakes EVER. But the frosting, oh the frosting, made with fresh Cabot unsalted butter, maple syrup and some confectioners sugar. So buttery and mapley. I haven’t had one of these cupcakes in while. Our seasonal sign outside features the maple cupcake and they sell out almost every day. Plus, I can’t eat cupcakes EVERY day. Or I’d be a total cow.

So, my Swap package arrived last week, and it did not disappoint. There was something in there for everyone in our house! I’ll post pics in the next couple of days. I’ve been checking your blogs to see how everyone made out and things are looking pretty amazing. I’ll be shipping my package out today.

I know, so lame. I’m the hostess and I’m over a week late! I always say you should “lead by example” but not this time!!

Meghan, everything was wonderful. Casper and Frankie LOVE the treats and Lily loves any and all treats, but the peanut butter poppers just might be her new favorite. Thanks again, and I swear I’ll have your package out today!!

Off for a busy day of new cookie designs and our second French lesson tonight!!

a bientot!!