There are so many terrific things about this story, the people, the friendship, the cupcakes. First of all we have seen some amazing cupcake photos on our Facebook Fan Group page Hello, Cupcake! but one that had always stood out in my mind was the photo of sailor cupcakes that had been based on the groom cupcake design in Hello, Cupcake! I had written a note telling the designer of the sailor how impressed we were. While we were on book tour in Arizona a woman named Chris shows up at our Sur La Table cooking class accompanied by her daughter Lauren. Through some mix up they were not signed up for the class which already had a waiting list. We hoped for a change of heart (or size of kitchen) from the store but they couldn't make room. We were very sad they had made the trip to take the class and could not get in.That's when Chris pulls out her photo binder with all of these amazing cupcake projects, including the sailors we had seen on the group page. Suddenly a light bulb went on and Karen and I screamed "You're that Chris, the one with the amazing cupcakes!". Prep for the class came to a screeching halt as we poured over Chris' wonderful binder full of inspired cupcake creations. The sailors were just the beginning. Chris is very modest about them but her cupcake designs are just amazing. We finally had to part after lots of oohing, cheering, and hugging. After Chris and daughter Lauren left she sent me the following e-mail and photos. This is why we love what we do.

Enjoy the photos and Chris' note below:



Sailor cupcakes by Chris Roe


Hi Alan,

It was a pleasure to meet you and Karen. Although I couldn't join the class, I appreciate you and Karen taking time out of your prep time to talk to me and my daughter Lauren. I hope you enjoyed your time in AZ?

I love creating...haven't done as much  since my kids were little and I made their birthday cakes. I got the decorating bug when I got to decorate cakes and such when I worked at Baskin-Robbins as a teen. When I picked up the Hello, Cupcake book at the bookstore, it sparked me to decorate. I was laid off from my job last year and have been looking for work with no luck. I was inspired to get back to what I loved to do. I love coming up with ideas. Now when I go to shopping, I look at everything  much differently. It's how can I make that work for a cupcake design!!!

My son Michael was my inspiration for the sailors. He was home on a 5 day leave for his birthday which also was his 1 year anniversary in the Navy. When I saw your "groom", I figured it would be easy to turn him into a sailor. My son challenged me and said I needed to put his National Defense Ribbon on the sailor. Took some thought but the Peach Rings did the trick.  (I am also thinking about making his camo's and his "peanut butters" (brown shirt and black pants) It was a big hit at our BBQ.

Today is my hubby's birthday and I am working on a camping theme. We love to camp and fish so I have a few ideas. Of course I will post my creation on the FB site.

Once again it was such a treat to meet you and Karen.

Chris Roe


That's Michael Patrick McLaughlin in his graduation picture sworn in 03/2009
and a row of Chris' sailor cupcakes with the ingredients she used to create them.


Michael with new ribbons and stripes- aircraft mechanic 03/2010
Incredible how Chris got all the uniform detail, including crafting Michael's ribbons, using candy and cookies.


Thanks for sending this Chris. Best wishes to Michael and give him our thanks for his service.

All the best and of course...
keep on cupcaking,
Alan and Karen

PS Send those camping cupcake photos, can't wait to see them.

Here I am baking cookies and having a blast with my friend Dorie
Greenspan. We are working on photos for her new web site cookiebarnyc.com
which is soon to come so stay tuned. As for now I couldn't be
happier with the taste tests, lucky me!

Happy cupcaking!
Alan

> I couldn't believe it when my neighbor Kristen showed me these
> cracked egg cupcakes her husband Tom had whipped up for their
> family. Alyssa, their adorable daughter, thought they were real! You
> guys crack me up.
>
> Please keep sending us your photos when you make projects from the
> books, we love seeing what you do with them.
>
> Happy cupcaking!
> Alan

Try this out.

This how we fed 200 broccoli cupcakes to the crowd at Iron Cupcake
Milwaukee: The Candy Challenge!

This is what dinner looks like after we devour 200 broccoli cupcakes!
Go Iron Cupcake! Go Sarah! That fish looks fantastic!

Happy cupcaking
Alan and Karen

Watch how we made broccoli cupcakes for 300 for tonight's big Iron
Cupcake Candy Challenge in Milwaukee at the Harley Museum. Can't wait
to eat our veggies.

Happy Cupcaking
Alan and Karen

This is what it looks like to prep broccoli in your hotel room. We use
Tootsie for the stems and add a dollop of green frosting. Dark green
sprinkles give it the finishing touch.

Happy cupcaking
Alan and Karen

I went for pure Nutella for the frosting on these cuppies and added
pearlized Sixlets and Ferrero Rocher for the decorations. How could
that not taste grea! Having a blast here at the Sweets & Snacks Expo.

Yep, that's Alan and Karen hitting the road headed for Chicago, by way
of Lake Michigan we think. They will be at the Sweets & Snacks Expo
all week. They are bringing along some of their koi and duck pals too
and will be teaching cupcaking the Hello, Cupcake! way using candy and
snacks. Watch for their tweets on all the latest and greatest candy at
the Expo @whatsnewcupcake

We just hope those innertubes make it all the way there!

Happy cupcaking!
Alan and Karen