Triple Pink Cupcakes
Pink Power! For Mini Whipped’s third birthday, we pulled out all the stops to create a pink paradise for her special day.
Clearly, nature has beat out nurture in creating my 3-year-old’s desire for all things pink. None of the main caretakers in her life are “pink lovers” and yet, Mini Whipped is drawn to all things rose-colored like a Goth is to black.
When she started choosing everything pink and wanted to wear pink clothes every day, I tried to encourage some variety. I would suggest other options offering enticing rewards, “But don’t you want this dolphin to swim around on your blue shirt all day long?!” I rarely convinced the strong-minded tot. Then one day, I heard her saying to her grandmother with heartfelt emotion, “Grammy, it just makes me SO happy to wear pink.” After that, I gave up my quest to make her a more well-rounded rainbow and gave in full fledged to the pink power.
Someone gave us colored pellets that turn the bath water blue, yellow or pink. The first time she got in the pink bath she hovered to a new elevation of excitement. She splished and splashed singing about her love for the pink water and even carefully leaned down to touch her cheek to the water professing, “I love you pink tub tub.” At that point, I became a proponent of pink love. If something so simple could bring such joy, I figured I better embrace it. Warnings of losing the priveledge of a pink bath have proved to be my strongest disciplinary force yet.
As we planned for Mini Whipped’s third birthday celebration, we decided to do everything we could to create a pink paradise for her. Her Daddy wore his pink shirt to work, Mommy searched her closet for the only pink she could find (in the underwear drawer), her babysitter wore all pink and we bought pink balloons. The birthday girl was thrilled with the idea of red velvet (dark pink) cupcakes with pink frosting and pink sprinkles. She requested a special pancake and sausage dinner and Mommy even surprised her with pink pancake batter. They didn’t look very appetizing to us but the guest of honor claimed they were the best tasting pancakes she had ever had.
Parenting involves constant learning. My daughter loves many of the things that I do: swimming, baking, reading and eating. As she continues to develop and grow into herself, I have realized she is going to find pleasure in some things that I don’t. If those things are healthy, I have learned that I must respect them and help her be her own individual.
There are many things a parent will do to give their child happiness on her birthday like go to two stores to find enough pink food coloring, wear pink underwear and even choke down pepto-bismal colored pancakes while smiling. Happy third birthday my little pink princess. May you continue to find as much easy joy in simple pleasures.
Triple Pink Cupcakes
(red velvet cake with pink cream cheese frosting and sprinkles)
Makes about 18 cupcakes.
2 1/4 cups flour
1 1/2 cups sugar
1 t baking soda
1 t salt
1/4 cup cocoa powder
1 1/3 cups vegetable oil
1 cup buttermilk, room temperature
2 large eggs
2 Tablespoons red food coloring
1 t white distilled vinegar
1 t vanilla
Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Put paper cupcake cupcakes in a cupcake pan. Sift flour, sugar, baking soda, salt and cocoa. In another bowl whisk oil, buttermilk, eggs, food coloring, vinegar and vanilla together until combined. Mix wet and dry ingredients together in a stand mixer with paddle attachment just until combined. Fill cupcake cups 2/3 full and bake for 18-20 minutes or until toothpick comes out clean. Cool on a rack completely before frosting.
Pink Cream Cheese Frosting
8 oz. cream cheese, room temperature
1 stick unsalted butter
2 cups sifted powdered sugar
1/2 teaspoon red food coloring
Pink sprinkles (optional)
Mix softened butter and cream cheese together until fluffy. Add powdered sugar little by little. Mix in food coloring to desired color. Put frosting in refrigerator until stiff enough to frost the cakes. Be sure cupcakes are cool before frosting. To make a piping bag, cut just a small tip off the corner of a plastic ziplock bag. Fill with frosting and squeeze out in a circular, pinwheel onto the cupcakes started on the outside and circling inward. Decorate with sprinkles.
Your post just made my day. Hugs to you and the girls! xoxo Joy
I identify very well with your daughter, as I found simple pleasure in the color pink very early on in life as well! I love these cupcakes so much, she’s lucky to have such a wonderful person to make them for her :)
Happy birthday to Mini Whipped! That last picture tugged at my heartstrings, as did all your reflections on parenting€”what a sweet little girl you have, and how lucky she is to have you as a mother.
What a special way to celebrate a special birthday. Your daughter looks thoroughly joyful! :)
So, so, sweet! Happy birthday to your pink princess!
AWWW jmy favorite part was the “I love you pink tub tub.” How adorable is that?! Her little face looks thoroughly ecstatic in that picture!
You are the best. I’m getting a little teary over here. Next year: pink polka dot cupcakes. We’re doing it.
What a fun post! Thanks for sharing it.
Oh goodness, will you just look at that monster grin! Pink pancakes… you’re a better woman than I am.
Happy Birthday Mini Whipped!
Happy Birthday to Mini Whipped – Have a very Pink-A-Licious Day!! MM-
LOVE this post! What a WONDERFUL mom you are! Can’t believe she is 3 already! Happy Birthday Mini Whipped!!! OXOXOX
Love the bright pink. I wish I could have those for my birthday. Hope your daughter had a lovely day.
what a cute idea. she looks so excited!!!
I love it!! But then again, I love pink :) Not sure how I’ll handle a child who’s into all black or something. Actually, I know… I’ll end up making lots of chocolate stuff b/c it looks black. Hmmm, not a bad idea!
I just loved this post!!! I got all teary-eyed reading it. Missing you all very much. XO
What a truly beautiful post. Happy Birthday to your little girl!
What a sweet, pink monkey. Just read Pinkalicious to Penelope– found it at the library. Mini Whipped would love it.
OOOuwh very good happy birthday
klima servisi to you :)
I am fixing to be a great grandmother for the first time. They say it is a girl. I had 2 sons and 3 grandsons. Everything I have bought is PINK or has PINK on it. I told them they could dress her any way they wanted to but when she came to my house she better have on PINK!!!!
I am making many things in the food line for the shower and it will all have PINK on it. I really don’t know when I became so in love with PINK, but I have lots of clothes and things on my house that are PINK. I worked at school for over 24 years and I was well know for what my favorite color was.
I could eat PINK pancakes with no trouble at all. (-: I actually found this site looking up PINK cupcakes for the shower.
Will you look at that smile on her precious face :) The muffins are very pretty as well!
Beautiful cupcakes! Wish I can bake like that one day.
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My daughter and yours are kindred spirits.
I’m thinking of making these to bring to coffee hour at church on Sunday. I want to do mini-cupcakes, what do you think? Should be fine, just cut back on baking time, right?
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