A few weeks back I wrote a post about The Importance of Giving where President Clinton discusses ways we can contribute our time and skills to help others. Since then, my mind hasn’t stopped thinking about ways I can help and the differences I am able to make with the resources that are readily available to me.
My friend Andrew Lee has been busily working on a short film titled “The Man Who Never Cried” and together with his team, they’ve been hard to raise money for the project. Thus far he has raised a whopping $12,000 for the film but still has another $9,000 to go before reaching the budget needed. Unfortunately I’m not a millionaire, or I’d throw a fat check his way BUT I do like to bake and photograph the things I make so I came up with a fun idea — organizing a fundraiser by selling cupcakes to my friends and family!
This week I’ve written an article at Appetite for Good, a website geared towards promoting philanthropic organizations and events through food. Be sure to read more about my first fundraising event and most importantly, don’t forget to support!
- 3 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 2 teaspoon baking powder
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1 cup (2 sticks/8 oz/226g) butter, softened
- 1 1/2 cups granulated sugar
- 2 tsp. vanilla extract
- 3 eggs
- 2 (8-ounce) cartons dairy sour cream
- 2 teaspoon finely shredded lemon peel
Recipe from Diana’s Desserts.
In a large bowl, beat butter with an electric mixer on medium to high speed for 30 seconds. Add granulated sugar and vanilla; beat until well mixed. Add eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition. Add flour mixture and sour cream alternately to beaten mixture, beating on low speed after each addition just until combined. (The batter will be thick.) Stir in lemon peel.
Spoon about 1/4 cup of the batter into each prepared muffin cup *(See Tip Below). Bake in preheated oven about 18 minutes or until a wooden toothpick inserted in centers comes out clean. Cool completely on a wire rack before frsoting and topping cupcakes with lemon or orange zest (optional).
- 1 1/2 c all-purpose flour
- 1 t baking powder
- 1/2 t salt
- 12 T unsalted butter, room temperature
- 1 c + 2 T sugar
- 1 t vanilla
- 1/2 c sour cream or plain yogurt
- 4 large egg whites
- 1/2 cup fresh strawberries, hulled & coarsely chopped
- 4-5 cups graham cracker crumbs
- 8 tablespoons butter
Ingredients for Carrot cupcakes (Makes 1 dozen):
- 8 carrots (1 1/4 pounds), peeled and coarsely shredded (4 cups)
- 1 cup golden raisins
- 1 cup pecans, coarsely chopped
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 2 teaspoons cinnamon
- 2 teaspoons baking powder
- 1/4 teaspoon baking soda
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 1/4 cups canola oil
- 2 cups sugar
- 4 large eggs, at room temperature
- 1 3/4 cup All-Purpose flour
- 2 cup sugar
- 1/2 c cocoa powder
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
- 2 eggs
- 1 cup milk
- 1/2 cup canola oil
- 1 cup coffee
Hi I'm Joy! I love cooking [and eating] - this is where I share my passion with everyone. Here you will find mostly healthy recipes, except for the occasional dessert. My motto has always been “everything in moderation.” Learn more about me 
I love your post! Once again you won my heart! I wish I could taste and order your cupcakes. Best of luck with the fundraiser and thanks for the beautiful recipes!
Wow, what a great way to raise funds and help a friend. I am on a break at work so I will have to come back and take a deeper look
These cupcakes are beautiful!
Great post with those lovely cupcakes and great way to raise fund
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Please visit my new site when you’re free.
We have a RSPCA cupcake day that we raise funds for animals. good luck with your fund raising!
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What a beautiful post, you are so thoughtful! I love your pictures of all of the yummy looking cupcakes. Good luck in fundraising!
Cakettes! Such a cute name, and thank you for being such a kind person and good luck!
You are such a great friend. The cupcakes look wonderful.
What beautiful pictures for such a fabulous cause! I wish I lived closer to Dallas.. is 2 hours too far away for one of these good looking cupcakes!?
[...] I can continue to work on to help raise money for other organizations in the future. You can find my recipes available in case YOU would like to start your very own cupcake fundraiser for the organization of [...]
how come you dont love me as much as andrew
i want a bake sale! save me from work! and my unhealthy eating habits. ill eat all these cakes!!!!!!
All of these are gorgeous! I have to say though that I’m partial to the turtle cakette and the lemon cakette
Also fantastic way to help your friend by throwing beautiful food at people in hopes that they will contribute to a good cause
Hey Joy, what a cool way to raise fund and much easier than just ask some one to donate cash from their pocket. Right? Your cupcakes look awesome. I’ll keep in mind if there’s any fund raising going on here, I’ll borrow your idea! thanks so much. It’s nothing better than helping others. You’ve a big heart, Joy. So proud of you! Bttw, is your mom here already? have a wonderful day.
Blessings, kristy