Sunday, April 12, 2015

The First of May: Cupcake May Baskets


 Since ancient times, cultures and religions around the globe have welcomed the arrival of Spring with gleeful and sometimes raucous celebrations of all kinds. Garlands of flowers, music, dancing, and often a May Pole played a key part in ushering in warmer weather as new plants and animals sprang to life. After an especially grueling and seemingly endless winter this year (and having not relocated to the tropics as was seriously considered) I decided some celebration of Spring, however small, was a must.
Though the tradition of delivering tiny surprise baskets of flowers and treats to family and neighbors has waned in recent times, I thought I'd pay homage to this most charming idea with a sweet whimsical and edible cupcake version to enjoy with friends at home.

May Day Basket Cupcakes
These can be made with any favorite flavor of homemade or store bought cupcakes and icing.
You'll Need
Wafer cookies 
Favorite flavor Cupcakes 
Icing  
Berries
Mint
Licorice (trimmed to size)
Trim overhanging cake from cupcake top to make sides level
Ice sides and carefully adhere wafer cookies around cakes
(These can be trimmed to size with a serrated knife if needed)
Decorate Tops with icing
Cut licorice to size and insert as handle
(shorter pieces stand up straighter) 
add berries and mint
Display on a platter. 
A chalkboard sign marks the day and pretty tea cups continue the flower theme
Serve for a Spring tea
Please note: these may need to be disassembled to eat and are best enjoyed on a plate with a fork

Mini Maypole
A mini May Pole is easily fashioned from a chopstick, pastel ribbons, hot glue and flower topper. Simply pop into some Spring grass
or into a leftover Easter centerpiece

For a larger party or basket on a larger scale you can adapt this summer berry version from our
Simply add flowers and Spring hued ribbons
&
For More May Day Ideas
Including a May Day Fairy Garden
Syllabub dessert and Flower cones
visit our previous post

Thanks for Visiting!

18 comments:

  1. So glad you shared your wonderful and instructive posting with so many fun ideas!

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    1. Thanks so much Bernideen- I always look forward to your parties!

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  2. Very cute! And I love your bunny! Thanks for linking to Tuesday Cuppa Tea!
    Ruth

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    1. Thanks Ruth,
      Your tea parties are always such fun!

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  3. Wow! What a wonderful post. Love the cup cakes and your bunny. It looks so special. Have a wonderful week. Blessings, Martha

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    1. Thanks so much Martha! Such fun to finally celebrate Spring :)

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  4. What a cute and delicious idea!

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  5. I used to love taking May Day flowers to my neighbor as a kid and now I want someone to bring me something like this on May Day!

    ~Trisha

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    1. Thanks for visiting Trisha,
      I think that's such a sweet tradition! When I was in elementary school we had a mayday celebration with a maypole every year and we all loved it.

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  6. I love your little May baskets. Thanks for the great tutorial on making them. Thank you for sharing with the Clever Chicks Blog Hop! I hope you’ll join us again next week!

    Cheers,
    Kathy Shea Mormino
    The Chicken Chick
    http://www.The-Chicken-Chick.com

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  7. Christina, what fun ideas to welcome May! The grade school I attended as a child always wound the May Pole. It was wonderful to watch and when I was in 5th grade I got to participate in the fun! Love the sweet edible May baskets! Thanks for sharing with SYC.
    hugs,
    Jann

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    1. Thanks Jann!
      So funny- we had a MayPole in grade school too! I think we were in 5th or 6th grade as well -it was such a big privilege to participate- and we crowned a May Queen and court from the older girls- not sure if schools do this anymore but what a fun tradition

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  8. Love the May Day cupcakes!! Thank you for joining HSH!

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  9. These are adorable, thank you so much for sharing them with us! You are featured this week.
    Feel free to grab a featured button.
    Hugs,
    Patti

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    Replies
    1. Thanks so much Patti!
      I somehow I missed a few messages including yours! but I am delighted to be featured!

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