Preparing for the Big Day

Quinn turned 5 on New Year's Eve day. 

We're having the birthday party next weekend but we still needed to have a celebration actually ON his birthday.  We were going to have his favorite dinner (smoked sausage and potatoes) and follow it up with dark chocolate cupcakes and a little present opening.

We tried a new recipe and let me tell you - perfect little cupcakes, flat on the top for better decorating and such a dark chocolate yumminess.  Also tried a new meringue frosting instead of the usual buttercream.  OMG.  Richness personified!

Quinn was excited about decorating the cupcakes.  And tasting the frosting, of course.  I have to apologize for the fuzziness of some of the pictures - the lens got smeared with frosting - imagine that!

The artist's pallette:

The final product:

You know how it is - the frosting is thick, it is mostly butter, super sweet, rich and ridiculously yummy.

Next:  The Festivities