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Learn cupcake skills at Charm school

A tasty recipe for Old-Fashioned Brown Butter Pound Cake can be found in the latest FRESH, as well as below.
By Lorie Hutson lorieh@spokesman.com(509) 459-5446
A tasty recipe for Old-Fashioned Brown Butter Pound Cake can be found in the latest FRESH, as well as below.

Cupcake lovers who want to learn how to make those delectable, frosting-stacked treats for themselves are in luck.

North Idaho College has an upcoming event that will have you wielding a pastry bag full of frosting like a pro. The college is hosting America’s Biggest Cupcake Decorating Event on Saturday at the Coeur d’Alene Inn. It is a fundraiser for the school’s athletics department.

Charm City Cupcakes, of Baltimore, will bring its gourmet pastry chefs to Coeur d’Alene for the first time for the workshops, said Al Williams, NIC athletics director. Before you get too excited, notice that this is Charm City Cupcakes, not the similarly named bakery that is featured on the Food Network.

Don’t worry: You’ll still walk away with a serious sugar high and a few new skills.

“Their entertaining cupcake workshops have attracted large audiences around the eastern region, and it’s their first time bringing their show out West,” Williams said in a news release. “It’s a lot of fun, you learn some skills, and the cupcakes you take home are delicious.”

Williams has been friends with Charm City Cupcake owner Sandra Long for many years. Charm City is taking its decorating workshops to 20 cities across the country this year. This is its first fundraiser. Long said, “These workshops are a chance for families, friends and the community to have fun while supporting NIC athletics.”

Students will learn how to color frostings as well as proper piping and filling techniques. Reservations are required because space is limited. A registration form can be found at www.nicathletics.com or www.decoratecupcakes america.com.

The Saturday workshops include:

• Cupcake Decorating 101: 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., including a decorating kit for $45 (a $90 total value).

• Mommy, Daddy and Me: 2 to 3:30 p.m., including a decorating kit for $60 (a $120 total value). Bring a child age 6 to 12.

• Girls’ Night Out Cupcake Decorating 101: 5:30 to 7 p.m., including a decorating kit for $50 (a $100 total value). This workshop includes a pre-event wine tasting session sponsored by Odom Corp.

Free FRESH magazine offered

Customers of Yoke’s Fresh Markets who buy three dairy products during a single shopping trip next week will receive a free 12-ounce travel mug and a copy of Darigold FRESH magazine from the Dairy Farmers of Washington.

The offer begins May 30 and runs through June 5. Customers simply show the receipt for three dairy products of any brand at the customer service desk.  The travel mugs and magazines are free while supplies last.

FRESH magazine has been recognized by the International Association of Culinary Professionals and features beautiful photography and recipes centered on dairy products.

Also, special mugs with pictures of Washington dairy farmers in action will be available at the Argonne Village Yoke’s store, 9329 E. Montgomery Ave., while supplies last. Deer Park dairy farmer Stephanie Littrel will be at the store on June 1 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. to talk to customers about life on the farm. There are more than 20 dairies in Spokane, Lincoln, Whitman and Stevens counties.

Look below for recipes from the magazine for Old-Fashioned Brown Butter Pound Cake with Blueberry Sauce and Cream and Lemon Thumbprint Cookies.

We’re always looking for fresh food news. Write to: The Fresh Sheet, Features Department, The Spokesman-Review, P.O. Box 2160, Spokane, WA 99210. Call (509) 459-5446, fax to (509) 459-5098 or send an email to lorieh@spokesman.com.