Japanese Wedding Cupcakes, #SundaySupper

“April showers bring May flowers,” was my grandmother Nona’s sing-song method of teaching me the months. I can still hear her voice all these decades later.

Embedded in my memory too is Nona’s moist chocolate cake with milk chocolate frosting swirled on top. No wonder. Repeatedly I’d lift and close the freezer, staring at the dessert. Did you do that as a kid, too?

My grandmother, Nona, is in turquoise. 
A younger Ninja Baker looks forward to birthday presents.
My sister and Aunt Eddy are on either side.

Speaking of memories, Brandie of Home Cooking Memories is hosting this week’s April Showers #SundaySupper event at Twitter. (Click here to join the conversation around the table every Sunday at 7 p.m. ET.) Brandie’s blog motto is “Cooking up new memories while preserving the old.”

This week’s #SundaySupper honors the tradition of April showers - the wedding and baby variety. I was in a bit of a quandary. Gifts for newlyweds and newborns are given in Japan. However, traditionally, showers are not – yet. (Recently some high-end Japanese hotels have picked up on the American, Australian, Canadian practice and have offered “shower parties.”)

However, In line with the western dowry system, when a young man goes with his diamond ring to propose to his beloved, he brings a “betrothal gift.” (??? yui-no-hin) Commonly known as cash which is stuffed in a fancy envelope. The money is not for the wedding. It’s so his lovely bride-to-be can buy kitchen tools, furniture and all the items needed to set up a comfy home for him. Oh! I mean them. Typically, there is a creature of longevity (crane, turtle or shrimp/lobster) in gold or red decorating the snow-white betrothal gift envelope. 

Betrothal Gift Envelope with a Crane Decoration

So, for #SundaySupper April Showers, I created Japanese wedding cupcakes. The cake and frosting are vanilla-orange. My husband drew origami cranes for my decorations. The images were taken to a local cake supply store where they were transformed into edible art. Basically, stickers for grownup bakers with the spirits of kids. (For the remaining, cupcakes I piped orange-tinted frosting for decorations.)

The Ninja Baker's Japanese Wedding Cupcakes
rest atop sake cups used for ceremonial occasions.

Japanese Wedding Cupcakes

Cake:
Author: Kim Watkinson

Ingredients:
1 yellow cake mix
1/3 cup canola oil
½ an orange, zested
½ tsp. orange extract
1 cup milk
3 eggs

Combine the above ingredients except the eggs with a mixer. One at a time, add the eggs. With an ice cream scoop, divide the batter into cupcake cases. Bake at 350 degrees for 24 minutes. (325 for dark pans)

Cool and frost with Fresh Orange Cream Cheese Frosting from Ann Byrn’s Cake Mix Doctor. The blend of whipped cream cheese, butter, powdered sugar and fresh orange juice and zest are delightful and delicious!

Top with edible images, flowers or any other decoration appropriate for your shower.

For more shower desserts and dishes, visit the sites of the food bloggers listed below.

• Swiss Chard Pesto Turkey Pinwheels from Home Cooking Memories
• Honey Pecan Baked Brie from Supper for a Steal
• Pinenut stuffed Dates from The Not So Cheesy Kitchen
• Glazed Pecans from Mama’s Blissful Bites
• Bloody Mary Shrimp Cocktail from A Stack of Dishes
• Mini Curry Chicken Salad Phyllo Cups from The Weekend Gourmet
• Mushroom and Feta Bites from Small Wallet, Big Appetite
• Antipasti Bites from Blueberries And Blessings
• Spinach Dip in a Pumpernickel Bowl from The Foodie Patootie
• Parmesan and Mushroom Focaccia from Basic N Delicious

Soups, Salads & Sandwiches

• London Ritz’s Tea Sandwiches from My Cute Bride
• Mini Shrimp & Egg Salad Sandwiches from The ROXX Box
• Ham & Cheese Strata from Comfy Cuisine
• Broccoli Bacon Salad from Country Girl In The Village
• Chicken Salad on Endive from Magnolia Days
• Tomato, Basil, and Mozzarella Pasta Salad from Ruffles & Truffles
• Creamy Asparagus Soup Shooters with Shrimp from Gourmet Drizzles
• Alphabet Soup from Cindy’s Recipes and Writings

Main Dishes

• Savory Cheesy Kale Tart with Chiles from Shockingly Delicious
• Penne Ala Vodka from I Run For Wine
• Easy Baked Ziti from Momma’s Meals
• French Country Flat Pie from Webicurean
• Crustless Spinach Quiche from Family Foodie

Cakes

• Vanilla Cake with White Chocolate Buttercream from That Skinny Chick Can Bake
• Strawberry Shortcake Push Pops from Hezzi-D’s Books and Cooks
• Mini Vanilla Bean Cupcakes with Vanilla Buttercream Frosting from Damn Delicious
• Coconut Rum Cake from The Foodie Army Wife
• No Bake Lemon Cheesecakes Shots {Two Ways} from Cravings of a Lunatic
• Japanese Wedding Cupcakes from NinjaBaking.com
• Baby Blue Cake Pops from Neighborfood
• Strawberry Scones from Vintage Kitchen

Cookies, Brownies & Dessert Bars

• Lemon Sandwich Cookies with Pink Lemon Curd from The Girl In The Little Red Kitchen
• Chocolate Covered Mcaroons from Gotta Get Baked
• Pastel Pizzelles from Growing Up Gabel
• Chocolate-Balsamic Macaroons from Foxes Love Lemons
• Raspberry Lemonade Thumbprint Cookies from In The Kitchen With KP
• Baklava Crisps from Kudos Kitchen by Renee
• No Bake Cranberry Almond Chocolate Coconut Bars from Sue’s Nutrition Buzz
• Fudgy Carob Brownies from Pies and Plots
• Pistachio Biscotti from Curious Cuisiniere

Sweet Treats

• Shortbread Maple Cream Tart from A Beautiful Bite
• Espresso Panna Cotta from Crazy Foodie Stunts
• Pecan Tarts from Juanita’s Cocina
• Brigadeiros from Food Lust People Love
• Rosewater Raspberry Meringues from girlichef

Drink Recipes

• Slushy Mango Mojito from The Urban Mrs.
• Pretty in Pink Punch from Noshing With The Nolands
• Pink Lemonade from Peanut Butter and Peppers

Wishing you many reasons to celebrate in April and always.