Being Thankful for Cupcakes (and Frosting, too!)

What is your favorite Thanksgiving tradition? I think mine is just about to be born.

In recent years the favorite tradition of the other 3 members of my nuclear family has been making a pilgrimage to the Black Friday sales beginning at midnight. I’m ready to sleep by then, and can’t say I ever want anything badly enough to fight those crowds. I prefer to do battle in other ways.

This year our family is hosting a cupcake decorating competition called “The Cupcake Games.” My houseful of relatives will battle it out to see who can create the winning look. Batches of different cupcake flavors, frostings, toppings, candies, and decorations will be laid out “Iron Chef Kitchen Stadium” style. When the competition official (my brother-in-law) cries “Allez Cupcake!” competitors will rush to the table to grab their desired ingredients. Contestants will have one hour to create their edible art. Prizes will be awarded for the “Most Gorgeous,” “Most Delicious,” and “Most Comical” cupcakes.

Each category will receive an award, but only “Most Gorgeous” will have awards for first, second, and third place.

I’m going for Most Delicious, personally, and feeling pretty confident about my chances. But, I need to be careful not to get too cocky, because some real cupcake ringers are coming into town. My sister is even bringing her own piping kit.

We’re so excited about our competition, we’ve opened the contest up to the public. If you’d like to participate in the Easy Weekly Meals Thanksgiving Cupcake Decorating Contest, visit our blog post entitled “For Love of Cupcake” It explains how easy it is to enter. Just have a photo snapped of you decorating your cupcake, and of your finished look. (The cupcakes must match! No running to Gigi’s and buying one of their beauties.) Send your photos to us via the secure email addresses located on our Contact page, along with the name of your cupcake, and your contact information. The winning cupcake will be judged based upon its beauty, and will receive a gift certificate to Gigi’s Cupcakes, and their photos will be featured on the Easy Weekly Meals Website and Facebook Page. Check our website and Facebook page often for culinary resources like recipe and menu ideas, food knowledge, techniques demonstrations, and our food glossary. And be sure to give us a “Like” when you stop by.

Happy Thanksgiving, and may the cupcake contest odds be ever in your favor.

Photo Courtesy of Gigi’s Cupcakes at the Forum.