Our cup(cake) runneth over...

Do you all remember our cupcake issue last year? When we were putting that magazine together, Sharon thought it’d be a laugh to have a World Cup Bake Off – the Patchwork Promenade versus the Crafters’ Boulevard – in a fight to the death. She promised the full story and photos on the website, and we’ve finally put together some of the highlights to share with you.

		Gabe Baxter, queen of the subeditors, graciously volunteered her services as referee of this epic battle. It was a tough job, but someone had to do it. With just one day’s notice of the forthcoming contest, the girls on Crafter’s Boulevard leapt into action and set a high standard in Round One.
		Sylvia Kennedy took out the title of Most Girly Cupcake with her scrumptious chocolate, cherry and coconut creations.
		Marilyn Stanley made the Best-dressed Cupcakes. You can find out more about her many talents – though not, sadly, her recipe for these floral delights – in the next issue of Handmade.
		Rhonda Thornley’s pretty pink cupcakes nearly didn’t make it to the office, thanks to a greedy hubby who scoffed three as they were cooling, fresh from the oven!
		After one false start – leaping onto the field a week early thanks to misinformation from the organiser – Carol Willis was awarded the Cupcake Wearing the Best Hat prize for her second attempt.
		Last but not least, you’d think that Sharon, after coming up with the idea for the bake off and thus having more time to prepare than anyone else, would absolutely dazzle us with her efforts, right? Well … in her own words, “the burnt bums of my orange, poppy seed and Cointreau cupcakes were a total disappointment for the crowd.” They may be the Cupcakes Most In Need Of Therapy, but at least they looked good. Right, Shaz?
		A couple of days later, Round Two kicked off. With more time to prepare, and having seen the great standard of previous entries, the girls of Patchwork Promenade stepped up to the plate. Liz Newton blew us all away with these choc-orange bombs. With Jaffas, melted Lindt orange-flavoured chocolate and Grand Marnier icing, these babies really packed a punch!
		Claire Stewart went all-out for scrappers’ corner with these cute cupcakes. They tasted as good as they looked!
		Kim Taranto wore her heart on her, um, cupcake, with these sensational chocolate creations.
		Marilyn’s floral extravaganza from Round One was going to be hard to beat, but Robyn Ahern was determined to take out the Best-dressed Cupcake award.
		Finally, this was Sharon’s second attempt at fame and glory. That’s right, as Organiser-in-chief she thought she’d cheat and take another crack at cupcake baking. This time around she gave it everything, mixing up a batch of double, double choc-chip, Cherry Ripe muffins and then – you guessed it – burning their bums again! She overcame the dryness by pouring a generous splash of Benedictine over the top, but took out the Cupcake Most In Need Of Therapy gong once more. So now you know the secret of how the girls around the office keep going day after day to bring you your favourite magazines – sugar-induced hyperactivity!