What’s New Cupcake? **GIVEAWAY** (Bye Bye Cupcake!)
March 15, 2010 at 9:40 AM | Posted in cupcakes, giveaway | 175 CommentsTags: Alan Richardson, Hello Cupcake, Karen Tack, What's New Cupcake

Most “normal” people have count downs to their birthdays or anniversaries or other special occasions. Me? I’m far from normal. I hate bananas. I write haikus. I’m allergic to lobster. I like acronyms. I have a count down for What’s New Cupcake by Karen Tack and Alan Richardson. Also check out their blog (here).
T minus 16 days and counting! No foolin’!
Get it? Because it comes out on April 1st. I crack myself up. Har har har….
Since I’m in a generous mood, what about a **GIVEAWAY** to make the time go by faster?
So… here’s the 411. I’m planning to interview Karen and Alan about their new book, their old book, life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness and I figured why not ask my readers to help me come up with questions.
Reader: Wait, CB. You left out some important information. What do *I* win if I help you with said interview questions?
CB: How does a copy of Hello Cupcake sound?
Reader: I guess that’s kinda cool.
CB: Not too impressed, eh? Ok ok. How about I make the deal even sweeter with… a SIGNED COPY of What’s New Cupcake??
Reader: Now you’re talking!
Here are a couple questions to help get your inner Katie Couric going.
(1) What were you both doing before collaborating on Hello, Cupcake series?
(2) How did you both meet?
(3) How long did it take from initial concept to publishing your first book, Hello Cupcake?
(4) What is your favorite cupcake flavor?
(5) What is your favorite project from Hello, Cupcake?
Since I’m running on 1 hour less sleep than I’m use to, I’ll let you all take over now.
Ready… set… GO!
Don’t forget to read the fine print.
Rules:
(1) Everyone is eligible for this one!
(2) Please make sure you have a valid email address so I can contact you if you win.
To enter leave a comment:
Ask Karen and Alan a question. Anything! (But they reserve their right to plead the 5th! HA!) (Bye Bye Cupcake! Time’s up!)
Enter as many times as you want but please ask each question as a separate entry.
Multiple questions in one comment will only be counted once.
Want another entry?
- Twitter (@ihcuppycakes) about my giveaway and leave me a separate comment with the link. Click “x time ago” under your tweet for the direct link. (+1 entry)
Deadline: Monday, March 22nd @ 11:59pm EST
Winners will be chosen by Mr. Random Generator.
PS- Less than 12 hours left to enter Cupcake Hero:: March [Caramel]. The clock is ticking…
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1
I’d like to know what the worst cupcake they ever made was!
Comment by Tamara— March 15, 2010 #
2
How did you get started making such Beautiful Cupcakes?? What was your first one that everyone just loved???
Comment by ShannonG— March 15, 2010 #
3
What inspires you? Is it the candy that inspires the cupcake design or is it the design that inspires the way you use the candy?
Comment by Emily— March 15, 2010 #
4
Isn’t all this fussy decorating a lot of trouble? I’m a no frosting kinda gal, so maybe I just don’t get it.
Comment by Regina— March 15, 2010 #
5
Did you have a lay-person (you know, your average baker on the street) try any of these decorating recipes out before you put them in the book? You’re a pro! Just because you say it’s easy doesn’t mean it’d be easy for a non-decorator like me. What’s the skill level here?
Comment by Regina— March 15, 2010 #
6
Were you two always interested in decorating cupcakes? Or did that happen because of the book?
Comment by Avanika (Yumsilicious Bakes)— March 15, 2010 #
7
What sets What’s New apart from Hello?
Comment by Avanika (Yumsilicious Bakes)— March 15, 2010 #
8
Do you have a place for a helper? LOL, this, just because I’m thinking it would be pure heaven to play in all those mounds of candy you guys must have stored!
Comment by Avanika (Yumsilicious Bakes)— March 15, 2010 #
9
And a P.S to that one – Can we please see pictures of your candy storage area??
Comment by Avanika (Yumsilicious Bakes)— March 15, 2010 #
10
How long does it take you on average to make a batch of these beautifully decorated cupcakes? I feel like it takes me hours upon hours…does it get quicker?
Comment by Kelly— March 15, 2010 #
11
I love Hello Cupcake and would love to receive a copy!
I’d like to know who gets to be the taste tester for all of the trials before she comes up with the final cupcakes!
Comment by Amanda— March 15, 2010 #
12
Do you have any baking/decorating tips for the novice baker?
Comment by Cristina— March 15, 2010 #
13
What is the easiest cupcake to make (from your book)?
Comment by emily e.— March 15, 2010 #
14
What is the most difficult cupcake to make (from your book)?
Comment by emily e.— March 15, 2010 #
15
If you were a cupcake, what kind of cupcake would you be?
Comment by Nina Weaver— March 15, 2010 #
16
What is your biggest kitchen/cupcake catastrophe?
Comment by Nina Weaver— March 15, 2010 #
17
How often do you eat cupcakes in your daily life? 5 a day? 10? :)
Comment by Aileen— March 15, 2010 #
18
Are you guys planning a series of CUPCAKE books?
Love your work, congrats!
Comment by Wanda— March 15, 2010 #
19
What’s the best cupcake related advice you’ve ever recieved?
Comment by Nina Weaver— March 15, 2010 #
20
I absolutely adore the Hello Cupcake book. I can’t wait for this new one to come out. And now for my question:
Can I please come live with you and be your taste-tester???
Comment by Katrina— March 15, 2010 #
21
how did you first fall in love with cupcakes?
Comment by LJ— March 15, 2010 #
22
do you bake together, or are you as OCD and protective about cupcakes as I am?
Comment by LJ— March 15, 2010 #
23
Do you have any professional baking training?
Comment by Jennifer— March 15, 2010 #
24
I’d like to know where they came up with such cute ideas! The first book is fantastic and I love it!
Comment by Mary— March 15, 2010 #
25
Speaking of birthdays mine is in a two weeks, so this would be an AWESOME present ;)
Anyway here’s the question. How did their interest for cupcakes begin?
Comment by Diana— March 15, 2010 #
26
What’s their personal favorite cupcake from What’s New Cupcake?
Comment by Diana— March 15, 2010 #
27
How often do you attempt new ideas?
Comment by Cupcake Activist— March 15, 2010 #
28
How often are your attempts a fail? A success?
Comment by Cupcake Activist— March 15, 2010 #
29
What is the craziest/oddest ingredient they have used in a cupcake?
Comment by Mireya— March 15, 2010 #
30
What is the one piece of kitchen equipment you could not bake without (excluding an oven)?
Comment by linzy— March 15, 2010 #
31
Any cupcake ideas they couldn’t quite figure out yet?
Comment by erinsfoodfiles— March 15, 2010 #
32
How did you decide on what cupcakes made it to the book?
Comment by Diana— March 15, 2010 #
33
How did you go about publishing your first book? I would like to publish a book one day and I have no idea how to get started.
Comment by Pamela— March 15, 2010 #
34
When is the 3rd book coming out? Is it going to be more cutting edge? Such as the savory cupcakes? Or something with a fresh take?
Comment by PamCakeDesigns— March 15, 2010 #
35
Which recipe comes with the best story (maybe one that was especially difficult to come up with or just kept running into difficulties with)? And what is the story?
Comment by Shonna— March 15, 2010 #
36
Does anyone get tired that you always have cupcakes?
Comment by Amber— March 15, 2010 #
37
What’s the worst -or possibly best- kitchen disaster that you’ve ever had?
Comment by Elle— March 15, 2010 #
38
What are their favorite cupcake flavors?!
Comment by Elle— March 15, 2010 #
39
Which cupcake design is the best in your opinion?
Which design is your most favorite to make?
What is the best part of making a book like this?
Comment by Nina— March 15, 2010 #
40
I’d like to know if they ever plan to write a book about something other than cupcakes! Not that cupcakes aren’t awesome but a book about weird and wonderful other baked goods would be awesome too.
Comment by Aveen— March 15, 2010 #
41
Cupcakes are so in right now. I’d like to know if they see the cupcake craze ending or if it is a permanent fixture?
Comment by Terri— March 15, 2010 #
42
What other kind of art do you do (or were cupcakes your first love)?
Comment by elenor— March 15, 2010 #
43
Does it annoy you that you a box of cake mix is delicious, moist, and takes little effort?
Comment by Jenny— March 15, 2010 #
44
Do you ever feel like you’d rather die than see another cupcake? (for a short period of course!)
Comment by Jenny— March 15, 2010 #
45
What’s the weirdest ingredient you’ve used when baking cupcakes :D?
Comment by Azul— March 15, 2010 #
46
http://twitter.com/dyingalegend/status/10542586646
+1 entry!
Comment by Azul— March 15, 2010 #
47
What in their lives gives them inspiration?
Comment by MoniqueAnne— March 15, 2010 #
48
What’s the best way to improve technique and creativity as a new baker?
Comment by MoniqueAnne— March 15, 2010 #
49
What are Karen and Alan individually best at? And how do they work together?
Comment by MoniqueAnne— March 15, 2010 #
50
How would you recommend storing and organizing all the wonderful cupcake toppings and sprinkles, etc. for the home baker who has a ton?
Comment by Lisa Smiley— March 15, 2010 #
51
What is your favorite “found” ingredient for making these cupcake creations?
Comment by beingforthebenefitof— March 15, 2010 #
52
What design of cupcake started all of this?
Comment by Marie— March 15, 2010 #
53
What is your cupcake flavor is your favorite?
Comment by Cristina— March 15, 2010 #
54
Do you take suggestions from people or come up with the ideas yourselves?
Comment by Beth— March 15, 2010 #
55
Has you ever had any sort of cupcake disaster? If so, what? I like to hear when things go wrong as well as when things go well!
Comment by Mikki— March 15, 2010 #
56
What is your favorite flavor of cupcake to actually EAT?
Comment by Lorie— March 15, 2010 #
57
What was your worst cupcake attempt?
Comment by Lorie— March 15, 2010 #
58
What is your favorite holiday/event to design for?
Comment by Lorie— March 15, 2010 #
59
What kickstarted your love of cupcakes and cupcake decorating?
Comment by Diana— March 15, 2010 #
60
If all of your cupcake flavors had to duke it out, which one do you think would be the last cake standing?
Comment by Diana— March 15, 2010 #
61
Where do you get your inspiration?
Comment by girl4duke— March 15, 2010 #
62
-which cupcake gets the most ooos and ahhs from people?
-how much is too much for a cupcake?? 3, 5, 5 bucks?
-has your kids ever said, “oh mom cupcakes again, can’t you make cookies?”
Comment by michelle— March 15, 2010 #
63
how long did it take you guys to finish the book?
Comment by Jessica :)— March 15, 2010 #
64
planning to make another one after this?
Comment by Jessica :)— March 15, 2010 #
65
what are you doing to celebrate?
Comment by Jessica :)— March 15, 2010 #
66
how many recipes did you start out with, and how many did you end up publishing?
Comment by Jessica :)— March 15, 2010 #
67
how long have they been baking/decorating?
Comment by Jessica :)— March 15, 2010 #
68
how did they learn their techniques?
Comment by Jessica :)— March 15, 2010 #
69
what is the one advice you would give someone just starting out?
Comment by Jessica :)— March 15, 2010 #
70
is there something you wish you would have known from the start?
Comment by Jessica :)— March 15, 2010 #
71
how and/or why did you choose this cupcake for the cover?
Comment by Jessica :)— March 15, 2010 #
72
what made you want to start a book?
Comment by Jessica :)— March 15, 2010 #
73
Which famous person would you like to make a cupcake tribute too and what kind of cupcake would that be?
Comment by aj— March 15, 2010 #
74
Did you ever meet a cupcake you didn’t like?
Comment by Cupcake Forum— March 15, 2010 #
75
Did you two have lots of disagreements during the process of making this book?
Comment by aj— March 15, 2010 #
76
I’d ask whether there were any favorite cupcakes they had to leave out of the book either for space, or because the design was based on something trademarked/copyrighted (i.e. like a Harry Potter or a Coke cupcake) or some other reason.
Comment by Sara— March 15, 2010 #
77
Are you a scratch baker, or box mixer?
Comment by Avanika (Yumsilicious Bakes)— March 16, 2010 #
78
Are all your books going to be about cupcakes? I’d love to see cakes/cookies too. Or maybe something innovative like pies?
Comment by Avanika (Yumsilicious Bakes)— March 16, 2010 #
79
Have cupcakes always been both your forte? Or is just because of the book?
Comment by Avanika (Yumsilicious Bakes)— March 16, 2010 #
80
Favorite thing to bake for each of you?
Comment by Avanika (Yumsilicious Bakes)— March 16, 2010 #
81
Favorite thing to decorate for each of you?
Comment by Avanika (Yumsilicious Bakes)— March 16, 2010 #
82
Baking or decorating?
Comment by Avanika (Yumsilicious Bakes)— March 16, 2010 #
83
http://twitter.com/foodismynish/statuses/10561786141
Just tweeted about the giveaway!
Comment by Anisha— March 16, 2010 #
84
What do you do with all the cupcakes you must be making during the course of creating the book? I’d imagine that they would be too many to eat!
Comment by Avanika (Yumsilicious Bakes)— March 16, 2010 #
85
Do you bake the cupcakes yourselves, or simply decorate them?
Comment by Avanika (Yumsilicious Bakes)— March 16, 2010 #
86
What do you think of the whoopie pie?
Comment by Anisha— March 16, 2010 #
87
When and what cupcake was your first cupcake-eating experience?
Comment by Anisha— March 16, 2010 #
88
Do you have any “adult” cupcake recipes (with liquor)?
Comment by Anisha— March 16, 2010 #
89
How did you come up with the idea of the book?
Comment by Avanika (Yumsilicious Bakes)— March 16, 2010 #
90
What’s the best thing about working together?
Comment by Danielle— March 16, 2010 #
91
Are cupcakes your first love?
Comment by Liz— March 16, 2010 #
92
What sparked your interest in cupcake decorating?
Comment by Cristina— March 16, 2010 #
93
What is the number one tool an aspiring cupcaker needs?
Comment by Lazy Cook— March 16, 2010 #
94
Have you ever given up on a cupcake creation and if yes, what was it supposed to be?
Comment by Niki— March 16, 2010 #
95
What is your biggest cupcake disaster that turned out for the best?
Comment by Nina Weaver— March 16, 2010 #
96
Sure, their cupcakes are beautiful and very creative, but what are their favorite cupcake FLAVOR combos?
Comment by Vanessa— March 16, 2010 #
97
When you first started decorating cupcakes, how did you learn all of the tricks and come up with the creative ideas in the book?
Comment by Angie— March 16, 2010 #
98
If you were a cupcake, what cupcake would you be?
Also, have you ever thought of incorporating bacon into a cupcake? (if you haven’t already)
Comment by Danae— March 16, 2010 #
99
Did you have any trouble convincing a publisher that Hello Cupcake would be a good “buy” for them? How did you find the publisher, or did they find you?
(They’re related, so they’re really just 1 question :) )
Comment by Nancy— March 16, 2010 #
100
I extremely love cupcakes as well, although everything tastes wonderful, cupcakes are my weapon of choice when it comes to baking. So I’d probably ask them, “How did your love affair with cupcakes first start?” :)
Comment by Meg— March 16, 2010 #
101
What is your earliest cooking/cupcake memory?
Comment by Nina Weaver— March 16, 2010 #
102
Why did they gravitate to cupcakes? Instead of cakes, donuts or some other sweet?
Comment by Elaine A— March 16, 2010 #
103
Where does your inspiration come from?
Comment by Niki— March 16, 2010 #
104
What is your favorite cupcake in your book, Hello Cupcake?
Comment by Niki— March 16, 2010 #
105
I was going to ask favorite cupcake flavor but I will ask where do you find your inspiration? How do you come up with such neat cupcake designs?
Comment by Andrea MacDonald— March 16, 2010 #
106
What are the decorating staples without which a person cannot attempt the creations in your books?
Comment by Avanika (Yumsilicious Bakes)— March 16, 2010 #
107
How do you manage to stay away from eating the hordes of cupcakes you must be surrounded with!
Comment by Avanika (Yumsilicious Bakes)— March 16, 2010 #
108
Is it just the two of you, or do you have other people helping with ideas and such?
Comment by Avanika (Yumsilicious Bakes)— March 16, 2010 #
109
You’ve done so much….What’s next for you? Another book? Are you going to move on from cupcakes? Where do you see yourself going?
Comment by Meaghan— March 16, 2010 #
110
Where do you both find your inspiration to create new cupake looks?
Comment by Marisol— March 16, 2010 #
111
How do you come up with new ideas?
How long does it take on average to make a dozen decorated cupcakes?
What’s your favorite decorating medium – fondant, buttercream, etc?
Comment by Jen— March 16, 2010 #
112
Have you made a cupcake wedding cake? Do you prefer the former or a traditional cake?
Comment by Anisha— March 16, 2010 #
113
Have you ever designed/consulted cupcakes for brick and mortar cupcakeries?
Comment by Anisha— March 16, 2010 #
114
What is the most bizarre tool that you’ve used to design your cupcakes?
Comment by Anisha— March 16, 2010 #
115
What was the first cupcake you designed?
Comment by Aimee— March 16, 2010 #
116
Are you surprised by how well your books have taken off?
Comment by Cara— March 16, 2010 #
117
Will there be a third book?
Comment by Aimee— March 16, 2010 #
117
This has already been asked a few different ways, but…. “Where do you get the ideas for these cupcakes?” I’m so glad to know a second edition is coming out. I made the doggy cupcakes for my daughter’s 3rd birthday, and she still talks about them. She’s turning 5 in May and I have to do something GREAT. Thanks!
Comment by Amy— March 16, 2010 #
118
What do you say to someone that is clumsy and lacks creative skill when it comes to making your cupcakes?
Comment by Michelle— March 16, 2010 #
119
What is your inspiration for the creative cupcakes?
Comment by Liesl— March 16, 2010 #
120
I’d love to know their source of inspiration, of course, but also how they plan and build and design the decorations. How long does it take? Do the designs get drawn out on paper, or tried out with frosting right away?
Comment by Emily— March 16, 2010 #
121
If you weren’t creating cupcakes and publishing fabulous cookbooks, what would you be doing? And anything vaguely related to baking/cooking is off limits!
Comment by Laura— March 16, 2010 #
122
Why cupcakes?
Comment by Diana— March 16, 2010 #
123
What baking tool could you not live without?
Comment by Diana— March 16, 2010 #
124
Why cupcakes?
Comment by Mel G— March 16, 2010 #
125
What was the most uniquely flavoured cupcake you ever made?
Comment by dianaf1— March 16, 2010 #
126
Why cupcakes and not cakes?
Comment by dianaf1— March 16, 2010 #
127
What was your biggest cupcake experiment disaster?
Comment by Amanda— March 17, 2010 #
128
What are the worst flavors you have tried together that failed?
Comment by Amanda— March 17, 2010 #
129
What is the weirdest flavor combination that actually worked?
Comment by Amanda— March 17, 2010 #
130
Do you have fun creating ant other form of food (ie: cakes, pies, savory, etc)?
Comment by Amanda— March 17, 2010 #
131
What is the one utensil you absolutely can not live with out?
Comment by Amanda— March 17, 2010 #
133
Do you have any special training?
Comment by Amanda— March 17, 2010 #
134
Which of you do most of the cooking? Cleaning?
Comment by Amanda— March 17, 2010 #
135
Have you ever looked into baking with different flours, like spelt, whole wheat, oat, etc?
Comment by Jessica— March 17, 2010 #
136
How did you start decorating cupcakes? What make you pick cupcakes over say cake or cookies?
Comment by Nina Weaver— March 17, 2010 #
137
What’s the best mistake you’ve ever made related to decorating cupcakes?
Comment by Nina Weaver— March 17, 2010 #
138
Which was the hardest cupcake for you to come up with? How do you decide what to use when decorating a cupcake?
Comment by jen— March 17, 2010 #
139
What was the most disastrous cupcake ever? and if how did it happen?
Comment by Betty— March 17, 2010 #
140
http://twitter.com/strawberrykiwi/status/10645513033
Comment by Betty— March 17, 2010 #
141
What’s your favorite thing to bake beyond cupcakes?
Comment by Sharlene— March 17, 2010 #
142
What do you eat for dessert on your birthdays?
Comment by Sharlene— March 17, 2010 #
143
Do you bake for hire?
Comment by Sharlene— March 17, 2010 #
144
Do you think cupcakes will ever be “over”?
Comment by Diana— March 17, 2010 #
145
If you had to replace one meal with a cupcake every day for the rest of your life, which flavor would it be?
Comment by Diana— March 17, 2010 #
146
What are your personal favorite cakes that you’ve made?
Comment by Diana— March 17, 2010 #
147
How did you decide on the new book’s name?
Comment by Diana— March 17, 2010 #
148
What’s your favorite animal to put on a cupcake?
Comment by Kallie— March 17, 2010 #
149
How do you know that a cupcake recipe is “the one”?
Comment by Meg— March 18, 2010 #
150
What do you say to the folks out there that are cupcake haters? Do you try to change their minds, or let them go on living a sad cupcake-less life? :)
Comment by Meg— March 18, 2010 #
151
Are there any films that have inspired certain cupcake designs?
Comment by sara— March 18, 2010 #
152
Do you just sit around and think of cupcake designs all day long? I would love to do that haha
the.dingo@Hotmail.com
Comment by Cera— March 18, 2010 #
153
What was the hardest thing to do when planning for your books/recipes? Did you have any previous classes in the chemistry of baking? Have you thought about making a book on the chemistry of baking for the beginning baker?
Have fun with your interview!! Break a leg!
Comment by Naomi— March 19, 2010 #
154
What made you choose cupcakes over cakes to decorate?
Comment by Avanika (Yumsilicious Bakes)— March 19, 2010 #
155
Could you survive on cupcakes, all day, every day?
Comment by Avanika (Yumsilicious Bakes)— March 19, 2010 #
156
Personal favorite designs?
Comment by Avanika (Yumsilicious Bakes)— March 19, 2010 #
157
Best event to make cupcakes for?
Comment by Danielle— March 20, 2010 #
158
What is the best cupcake mistake?
Comment by Liz— March 20, 2010 #
159
Worst failure?
Comment by Avanika (Yumsilicious Bakes)— March 20, 2010 #
160
What other books can we expect out of you?
Comment by Avanika (Yumsilicious Bakes)— March 20, 2010 #
161
How do you decide on the name’s of the book, especially Hello Cupcake [I've always loved the name]
Comment by Avanika (Yumsilicious Bakes)— March 20, 2010 #
162
Have you had previous training/experience in decorating?
Comment by Avanika (Yumsilicious Bakes)— March 20, 2010 #
163
How did you two meet?
Comment by Quyen— March 20, 2010 #
164
What gives you daily inspiration for creating beautiful cupcakes?
Comment by Quyen— March 20, 2010 #
165
Will you collaborate on other decoration books – or just stick to cupcakes?
Comment by Quyen— March 20, 2010 #
166
Truthfully, do you like cake mix cake or scratch cake better?
Comment by GiGi— March 21, 2010 #
167
Truthfully, which do you prefer taste-wise: frosting from a can (store bought) or homemade?
Comment by GiGi— March 21, 2010 #
168
What is your favorite curse word? Does it slip out if you make a mistake while baking/decorating? or do you just go with the flow?
Comment by Cathy Lai— March 21, 2010 #
169
Design is such a talent unique to it’s beholder. Drawing on a tablet must be exciting for u.I can see design just driving down the highway or in my dreams. Decorating a big cake is to overwhelming, but cupcakes are the perfect size. Which do u prefer, coffee, tea or milk?
Comment by P. Turner— March 22, 2010 #
170
Enjoying a cupcake made with less fat is great! Using apple sauce instead of oil or Cool Whip instead of Buttercream are still yummy. Even carrots + zucchini are good. Would a finely ground grain like wheat, with only egg white for binder + fluff be a good exchange for flour + whole egg?
Comment by P. Turner— March 22, 2010 #
171
Have you ever had ‘creative differences’ over the making of the book?
Comment by Avanika (Yumsilicious Bakes)— March 22, 2010 #
172
What is the next book we can expect out of you?
Comment by Avanika (Yumsilicious Bakes)— March 22, 2010 #
173
Any advice you have for a newbie to cupcake decorating, like me?
Comment by Avanika (Yumsilicious Bakes)— March 22, 2010 #
174
I’d ask if they think cupcakes are a craze, or here to stay.
Comment by Allie— March 22, 2010 #
(This giveaway is now closed. Check back later for Alan and Karen’s interview!)
Comment by CB— March 23, 2010 #