A Whale of a Cupcake

Sometimes you never know where inspiration will come from. For me, it can come from a song, a child’s toy, or from a random item I find at a thrift store. It’s not something I can force or rush; although I do admit that I try. I just have to open myself up to the possibility and it usually just happens.

Last week my coworker Pooja (you remember the fudge I made for her) asked me if I could be interested in making a treat for a little baby shower she was throwing for a new dad on her team. I loved the idea of making something cute and babyish but appropriate for a guy, but I really had no idea what that would be.

So after work last Friday, I headed to the grocery store to pick up some vittles for the weekend and wandered over to the baby department. Slowly I pushed my cart between the narrow isles full of toys, bibs, socks, and loads clothing, looking for anything that might spark my creativity. Just when I was about to give up hope, I found my muse: a little whale! I don’t know why, but whales seem very masculine to me and I knew these would work perfectly.

As for the cupcake flavor? Well, Pooja was very sly and found out that the new dad’s favorite dessert is strawberry shortcake. Since those wouldn’t hold up to being decorated with little whales, I decided I’d make strawberry cupcakes with vanilla buttercream. And just in case you’re curious how I made these: the whales and star fish are made out of gum paste, the “ocean” disk and little wave pedestals are both made out of marbleized blue and white fondant, and the little splashes of water coming out of the blowhole are made from non-edible flower stamens.

I got a little carried away with taking pictures, so here's some more: