Sweet Decadenze

I’ve taken half-day leave from work again, to attend Joycelyn Shu’s cupcake workshop held at Shermay’s.  This Level II workshop is of course a continuation from Level I workshop I attended 2 Fridays back.

I had initially thought that attendance in Level I is a prerequisite to admittance into Level II, but I obviously thought wrong.  There were some attendees during this afternoon’s workshop who have not been able to attend Level I due to limited seats available.  I was most puzzled when an acquaintance mentioned that she signed up for Level I but was unable to sign up for Level II.  Back then, I was still asking the hubby how such a thing could happen, for I was sure only Level I attendees could attend Level II, and there should be the same number of seats for both levels.  Now I know why…

So anyway, we made more ’sophiscated’ cupcakes this afternoon, so to speak.  The flavours involved are a little more ‘adult’ and not so ‘fun’ like Level I (borrowing Joycelyn’s words).  Indeed they are.

Looking from left to right, here’s the four flavours (of 24 mini cupcakes) we learnt to bake and frost today…

• Chai Spice Cupcakes with Vanilla Bean and White Chocolate Frosting
• Earl Gray Tea Cupcakes with Orange Blossom and White Chocolate Frosting
• Lemon Cupcakes with Lemon Curd Filling and Golden Meringue Topping
• Lavender Cupcakes with Lavender and White Chocolate Frosting

The photos aren’t exactly great because instead of my DSLR, I brought my really small and portable Canon Ixus 60 and I realised I’ve forgotten how to change some of the settings.  If not for the fact that I was in a hurry (I was running late for a department dinner downtown), I’m sure I would figure it eventually.  Alas, time was a luxury I could not afford then.

I enjoyed this workshop slightly more than Level I; the flavours used today are more suited to my palatte (I’m a tea fan, and I am a lemon person!) than the former.  An additional bonus (for me, that is) is how I’m only supposed to carbon-copy Joycelyn’s frosting template - which is fabulously creative, by the way - instead of coming up with creative designs myself.  I am not a creative person at all, hence that explains why I didn’t enjoy Level I as much.

Here’s a closeup of two of my most favourite flavours… Earl Gray and Lemon Cupcakes!

Really enjoyed attending the two workshops conducted by Joycelyn; she’s neither a baker nor a teacher by training, but I think she has really done well in the way she conducts these workshops!