Koala Cupcakes

Here is Barnaby, the koala birthday cupcake...



Last night I headed over to my parents place for an early birthday celebration, since they are headed to England for vacation and another wedding this week. My mom went all out, as she usually does for birthdays, and fixed an excellent meal including stuffed manicotti, green beans, her homemade bread (which I've love all my life), and a delicious fruit salad. The best part though had to be these adorable koala cupcakes (inspired by Bake&Destroy on flickr), which have been my favorite animal since I was a little girl (I even went through quite an obsessive period, when I planned to move to Brisbane, Australia and work for the Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary, but that's another story...). My mom used the chocolate cupcake recipe from VCTOTW and the fluffy buttercream frosting. The ears are walnuts (obviously), eyes are a sugar wafer with a dot of white frosting to hold on the chocolate chip pupil, and the nose is a dark chocolate covered almond. She served it with chocolate soy ice cream on the side. I thought I could have eaten ten of these, they were so good!! My family was quite impressed with the vegan cupcake. Here I am before blowing out the candle....



My family really spoils me, they are the best!! Not only did my mom make an all vegan birthday meal (she makes all vegan meals most every time I come over actually), but my parents, brother, and sister, all gave me awesome vegan gifts! I feel so very lucky.... thanks for an wonderful early birthday! Here are the roses my dad picked out for me....




Okay, gotta run now. Off to enjoy the evening with some friends and the end of this rainy holiday here in Houston.