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Monkey Business

Banana Cupcakes

Check out the frosting on these banana cupcakes. Super smooth and creamy, cream cheese buttercream … so delicious and creamy. Did I mention creamy? I also used a little added yellow to tint the otherwise cream colored creamy cream cheese frosting … you know, just to enhance the senses. I’m tricky like that.

Banana Cupcakes with Cream Cheese Frosting
Yield: 12 cupcakes

Banana Cupcakes with Cream Cheese Frosting

Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 15 minutes
Total Time 35 minutes

Ingredients

Banana Cupcakes

  • 1-3/4 cups all purpose flour
  • 1 teaspoon baking powder
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt
  • 1/2 cup unsalted butter, room temperature
  • 3/4 cup sugar
  • 2 eggs, room temperature
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla
  • 1 large ripe banana (or almost 1 cup)
  • 1/2 cup whole milk, room temperature

Creamy Cream Cheese Frosting

  • 1/2 cup butter, room temperature
  • 8 oz cream cheese, room temperature
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla
  • 1 box (1lb) of confectioner's sugar
  • Buttercup yellow icing color (optional)

Instructions

  1. Banana Cupcakes: Preheat oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit and line cupcake tray with 12 baking cups.
  2. Sift together flour, baking powder and salt in a medium bowl with a wire whisk.
  3. Cream butter and sugar in a mixer for about four minutes. Add banana and mix until combined. Add eggs and vanilla and mix until combined.
  4. Add half the flour in three additions alternating with milk in two additions. Scrape down the sides with each addition.
  5. Bake for about 12-15 minutes or until done.
  6. Crean Cheese Frosting: Cream butter and cream cheese in mixer until thoroughly combined. Add vanilla. Then add sugar in small batches until combined and creamy. Add a small amount of buttercup yellow icing color to frosting and mix.
Now you can eat them just like this or …

Confetti Cupcakes

Party them up a little bit with small pastel colored confetti sprinkles … just because it’s that kind of day.

But, these banana cupcakes need something else… something to keep them company.

A little friend maybe?

IMG_3315

Yes definitely.

But my little monkey needs a friend, too.

Cupcake Toppers

So this little piggy and teddy joined in on the fun.

Cupcake Toppers

And so did my favorite martian, robot and bumblebee.

My head is actually going to explode from all this cuteness.

Bumblebee Cupcake Topper

Could these be any more adorable? Look at that bumblebee bottom.

Cupcake Towers from Lollipop Workshop

Why yes, yes they can! These cupcake toppers are also candleholders. I’m officially in love here.

Cupcake Toppers from Lollipop Workshop

And it gets even better. They want to be your friends, too. Not these, they’re mine. All mine.

Cupcake Toppers

But these could be all yours.

When I bought these cutie pies from the Lollipop Workshop on etsy (also be cheery on flickr), I bought enough for two more sets. And I want two of you to have one. Well I want all of you to have them, but I only have two sets to give away. (Martian and Robot colors may vary from above.)

All you have to do to enter is give me some advice.

You see, Lollipop Workshop also sent me something else … A surprise … when she mailed the cupcake toppers.

I’m 10000000% certain it will be crazy cute!

From Lollipop Workshop

It’s in this box and I haven’t opened it yet.

Why?

Lollipop Workshop Goodies

Because she also sent this box for my little helper. So sneaky and sweet of her.

So the question is…
Should I wait until my niece visits again so we can open them together?
Should I rip open mine now and show you what’s inside?
Should I open both of them? I could re-wrap ’em and no one would be the wiser.
But I do like surprises. Hmmmm… tortured by sweetness.

Okay, so you know I’m really gonna wait, right.

But, I’m just curious – what would you do?

  • Leave your answer in the comment section below and you’ll be entered for a chance to win a set of assorted cupcake toppers from Lollipop Workshop.
  • Make sure to leave a way for me to contact you if you win.
  • Deadline to enter is Tuesday, August 18th at 5 p.m. TIME’S UP!
  • Two winners* will be picked at random and announced sometime Tuesday evening on this post.

*Winners will be chosen using the random.org integer generator.

Good Luck!

And, here’s some more cuteness from Lollipop Workshop. Custom cake toppers, lollidolls and candleholders. The store sells out quickly when she adds new products, so just send her a message if you need a custom order.

Okay, Time’s up and here are the two winners

#1619 – Elle
#831 – The Pettit Family

Congrats! You’re getting some super cute cupcake toppers!

Comments are closed.

3,524 comments on “Monkey Business”

  1. well, wow, I have never been good at suprises..I don't know why, I do like them though. I like the feeling it gives me inside- brings me back to being a child again on x-mas or my birthday. I think as hard as it is, I would personally wait, although honestly I would shake the box, maybe even sniff the box to see if I could figure it out. Suprises shared with one you love are few and far between. It would take all I have but I know waiting and sharing in that joy would ultimetly bring me the mmost happiness!!

  2. I really want to say "open it" mostly because everyone else is saying "wait" BUT… I think your niece would think it is so special that you waited for her…

  3. I vote for waiting until she arrives.

  4. You should definitely wait for your neice. She'll love you more for it. You will enjoy the fun of opening it with her more also. Patience is a virtue…<3

    -amo87@bellsouth.net

  5. I think you should open them together, especially if you're going to see her soon! Surprises are best when they're shared!

  6. WAIT!! I love surprises.

  7. I think you should wait and open them together…it would make it so much more special…thanks for the giveaway…the candle holders are TOO CUTE!

  8. wait until my niece visits again so we can open them together!

  9. Definitely open together! Such fun to be surprised together. :)

  10. It will be hard…but wait for your niece! That way it will be a special surprise for the both of you!

    chrstnmllr@gmail.com

  11. I think the guilt would just overcome me, so I would have to agree that waiting to open them together would be the right thing to do (even though I'm one of those people who has a NEED to know things and it would make me ache inside!). So….invite your niece over TONIGHT….there, problem solved. :)

    mbisaacs at yahoo dot come

  12. I definitely think you should wait to open them together

    st3phkn33@gmail.com

  13. I might sound like a little kid…but I would RIP IT OPEN NOW!! Then find some cute wrapping and wrap it back up! I love presents and I can't stand it just sitting there!

    Enjoy your gift!
    saraccross@yahoo.com

  14. HOw long until she comes again? I would probably have to open just mine because I'm easily tempted like that. But it will be a sweet moment opening together. Have fun!

  15. You have to wait for your niece. Imagine her excitement when you open them together!!
    ginasanchez68@hotmail.com

  16. I love surprises! Open them together! It will be cute and much more fun. :)

    jollyhones@gmail.com

  17. Take a peak, rewrap, and then open again with your niece…that way you can be surprised TWICE!!

  18. I would wait until your neice comes. The anticipation and wondering might kill me, but kids love it when you do stuff like this, unravelling the mystery as it were, together.

  19. I guess you should probably wait.

  20. Open them together.. The surprise will be better!
    superteresa@gmail.com

  21. Wait for your niece! She will never forget it.

  22. just wait…. you know you will be happy you did!
    amyleigheld@yahoo.com

  23. Well, I'd open mine and then re-wrap it for when your neice comes. There's no way I could wait!

    jpogue56@hotmail.com

  24. unless your niece is coming soon…I would send it to her, and tell her to call you so you two can unwrap together…

  25. I would try to wait for your helpers next visit….but the reality is, I would open it NOW! I have no patience for cuteness!!!

  26. The fair person in me says wait… but then I remember that I was the one who ALWAYS knew ahead of time what the Christmas and birthday presents were. So I give no advice. I would only lead you astray. ;)

  27. ooooooh while I'd love to say "I'd wait and open it with my uber-cute niece!"…the reality is that I would probably open mine, and then rewrap it and act surprised when we opened them together. I don't wait well…

  28. Wait until your niece comes. The cupcakes are adorable!

  29. Open yours and wait for her to open hers it will be two surprises. One now and one later!! Good compromise!

    spenceramanda@hotmail.com

  30. I couldn't wait to open mine! But I would definitely let your niece open hers when she gets there.

    Is that too selfish? :)

    namabanana.blogpsot.com

  31. You should wait for your "little helper". Everyone loves surprises!

    antoniavelo@hotmail.com

  32. I think opening them with your niece will be loads of fun, AND will make for an adorable "thank you" picture for the Lollipop Workshop. :)

    Mary Helen
    maryhelenorama@gmail.com

  33. Oh my hard call – I just love ripping presents open but I would wait if it was my niece!!

  34. I vote for opening and then re-wrapping it-ha ha-jk-not sure you can read this many comments, but you are awesome-thank you for sharing all you goods!

  35. I would wait … it's the right thing to do. You can be surprised together!
    rainbow_brite00 @ hotmail.com

  36. I would wait and open them together. Just seems like the right thing to do. Can't wait to see what you got for a surprise!

  37. I say open yours and take lots of pictures. It's too much anticipation otherwise. Give your niece the extra lollipop and i'm sure she will forgive you:)

  38. I think you should open them with your niece – but don't wait – make a special trip! Nieces and nephews can never be seen enough :)

    contact: thalia_y@hotmail.com

  39. I vote wait for your niece!

    hamiharri at gmail.com

  40. Definitely voting for waiting. When you get to share a fun moment with your niece, I think you'll be glad you waited.

  41. I would wait – but that might be hard so maybe I would peek a little and then seal it up again!

  42. I would wait. I love suspense and thinking about what could be in the package

  43. I say open yours but not your neice's. It's too much anticipation otherwise.

    graphickat@gmail.com

  44. Wait. And then post pictures of the grand openings! I love the anticipation of waiting for the surprise.
    Karen
    d8t8k@aol.com

  45. I think you should only open it up with your niece because even thought you are curious, it will be so much more fun to open it with her!!!

  46. Things are always so much better if you wait :)

  47. Wait for you niece to come back and visit. Very fun to open them together.

  48. wait and open them together, that would make the surprise worth waiting for.
    Becky jcf277@aol.com

  49. Just wait until she visits. That way, you'll both be surprised! :)

  50. I would wait for my neice to come over. But if it was a while before her next visit I would put it away so I wasn't tempted and THEN, either: 1-forget where I put it, or 2-forget about it all together and come across it next time I was spring cleaning :)

  51. I'd wait, surprises are better when you can share them!

    misintx@yahoo.com

  52. Alas I would have to wait, where is the fun in the surprise if YOU already know!?

    Angela

  53. i say wait and open together! LOVE your blog
    xo

  54. I think you should wait and open them together!

  55. You've got to wait! Think of how sad your little helper would be if she found out you opened them w/out her!

  56. I would wait.

  57. I'd wait. But I would shake it several times a day in anticipation!

  58. I say you wait. I don't know why, but I loooove the anxious feeling when you know you have a present, but it's not time to open it. I do the same with Christmas presents that come early in the mail. They go right under the tree and wait for the big day!

    <3 Cassy
    ohyoustealher@gmail.com

  59. Send them to me. I'll open them carefully see whats inside, re-wrap them for you – and if I think you MUST KNOW! I will tell you whats in them before I send them back.
    Seems like a win-win for me!

  60. Depends on how long I'd have to wait! LOL Nah, really, I like to think I would wait ;)

  61. I think you should wait until your neice comes. The longer you wait the better the surprise is :D

    cassiemiller-xo@hotmail.com

  62. For sure you'd have to wait for your helper – seeing how thrilled she'll be will be definitely worth the wait!!

  63. Definitely wait…the anticipation will make the surprise that much sweeter!

  64. I would open it very carefully, squeal over the joy inside, and then seal it back up and try to pretend that you have no idea what's inside later!

  65. As HARD as it would be to stare at that polka dot paper and NOT rip into it…your nieces would probably appreciate you waiting…I know mine would be ECSTATIC to open a package so cute.

  66. don't open them! they're so lovely wrapped let your niece see!

  67. Oh my God, the chandeliers are so pretty, and this beautiful bumblebee!
    I loved!
    The Cupcakes are delicious! the fix this week, because the banana is also my favorite fruit.
    Thanks for the recipes and for giving us so many ideas, good and beautiful!

    Greetings from Cozumel, Quintana Roo, Mexico.

    God bless you always.

    Karina Martin

    P.S. Your website is the best!
    Thanks!

  68. Oh boy, that's a tough one. I don't think I could wait any longer to open my own present! I say, have at it and enjoy! Save your Little Helper's for next time she has a craving to make goodies with you. You can enjoy what your box contains in the meantime, then look forward to her opening her box in the future! Win-win situation!

    http://captainmicah.blogspot.com

  69. Oh my God, the chandeliers are so pretty, and this beautiful bumblebee!
    I loved!
    The Cupcakes are delicious! the fix this week, because the banana is also my favorite fruit.
    Thanks for the recipes and for giving us so many ideas, good and beautiful!

    Greetings from Cozumel, Quintana Roo, Mexico.

    God bless you always.

    Karina Martin

    P.S. Your website is the best!
    Thanks!

  70. I think you should wait until your niece comes- but if you really want to open yours, ship the package to your niece, but keep yours here and rip it open to show everyone!

    Love your blog, and please PICK ME! because those cupcake picks are ah-dorable!

  71. For me, part of the fun is the anticipation–so I would recommend waiting until your neice comes. Not that you can't shake, smell, weigh, and poke the presents all you want until you can open them. :)
    Becca
    seventhdwarf81@yahoo.com

  72. The right thing to do is wait, but the suspense would kill me. I'd have to sneak a peak.

  73. I'd have to say wait. Although the suspense would kill me.

  74. I say you should open yours, but then tape it back up so you can open yours again with your niece. That way, the suspense won't kill you but you'll also have the surprise of finding out what your niece gets. :) Love the candle holders/toppers!

  75. I'd wait and open it together. It's always more fun ripping open presents with someone else! :)

    Jessica Mc
    shesaidyeahyeahyeah@gmail.com

  76. I would rip them open and rewrap them but that's because I'm terrible. You however, should wait for your niece to open the presents. That's the proper thing to do ;-)

  77. I'm incredibly impatient so I would probably go the opening and re-wrapping route, but waiting for your little helper is probably the best idea.

  78. Definitly wait! It will make you niece love you that much more! especially if you open one with her. :)

  79. Am I the only evil one who says to open yours???? = )

    kellyroska@hotmail.com

  80. Wait! Those are too cute to enjoy just by yourself… double the fun!!!

  81. I would try to wait and open them up together, but knowing me would probably end up opening mine before!

  82. I think you should wait until she comes over & open them together! That way, if it's something you can use together, you won't have to wait to do it after opening it since she will already be there!

    bhunter50@charter.net

  83. I say wait… It seems like the surprise would be more fun if you guys open it together… by the way, those packages look so cute! love it… etsy sellers make some really amazing stuff!

  84. You should definitely open them . . . and then re wrap them. Sorry . . . that's just what I'd do. :D

  85. I would make sure to tell the little helper right away about her surprise. Then I would not be as tempted to ruin the surprise for her.

    Linsey

  86. well… I am not that nice of person and can't wait the curiosity kills me. so.. Should I open both of them? I could re-wrap 'em and no one would be the wiser.

  87. I would wait. It makes it that much more exciting to open them. I love suprises…and it kind of drives my husband crazy seeing a wrapped present sit there for weeks. But I love it!

  88. how about "accidentally" tearing a corner? I love surprises too, but sometimes i just can't wait!

  89. I would open and rewrap, but I can't stand to wait.

  90. I would wait too, or at least my husband would convince me/hide it to help me resist temptation.

  91. I say open yours ever so gently and peek, then rewrap and open together when your little helper comes!
    JJ
    jamaicanlips@yahoo.com

  92. Wait until your niece comes! I love to surprise people as well as be on the recieving end! It would be a fun event for the both of you, and plus she would be excited to hear you specifically waited for her.

    amanda.macs.email@gmail.com

  93. You should definitely wait and open them together – surprises are way more fun that way!

  94. Open it together :)
    and she'll enjoy it more!
    And those cupcakes are too cute!
    -Caitlin
    cai_schulz@yahoo.com

  95. You should wait for your little helper. The surprise will be so much sweeter watching her face as you both open them. Plus, I love surprises.
    couchtd@gmail.com

  96. Wait for your niece…it will be much more fun! And if I win I will wait to open my box with my niece too! She's 5 and would get a kick out of that!
    -Erin
    egb923@aol.com

  97. The evil part of me says open it and then re-wrap it and no one will be the wiser, but yet the best part of the gift will be seeing the expression on your sweet niece's face. Good always prevails…wait.

  98. I would wait. I love surprises and it is always better to share a suprise with someone else!

  99. i'm in the wait for your helper group…how exciting for you both!!
    cant wait to see what it is…did you shake the box?!?!
    ~julie
    anydayjay@yahoo.com

  100. As hard as it would be to wait–I would wait for my sweet little niece. :)

    aimeesteward(at)yahoo(dot)com

  101. Think of how much fun you will both have if you just wait to open them with her. It will be a surprise for both of you, and sooo much fun!
    April
    castepahead@aol.com

  102. wait, wait, wait! pleasure is all about anticipation.

  103. Oh, I would wait for a little person to share it with, as much as I'd be tempted to rip into the packages! So much more fun to share it with someone11

  104. I think you should wait…it would be more fun to open them together!

  105. I would probably open both and re-wrap them but wait until your niece comes to visit again! The anticipation is one of the funnest parts! It's great to have something to be excited for!

  106. A tough one for sure but I think you should wait for your niece so you can both share in the excitement of the surprise.

  107. It kills me to say this, but I think you should wait for your little helper-it would be so much more special (how's that for good grammar?) for each of you.
    Of course, that's not what I would do, but we're talking about you :)
    I'm excited to see myself!

  108. I would wait for your niece…even though the anticipation would kill me!

  109. I think you should wait for your neice. I love to have unopened packages around – the anticipation.

  110. waiting for your niece is definitely ideal…

    but if it were me, i'd pick up my niece or go to her house to lessen my waiting time. lol :)

  111. i would wait its always fun to open together and go ehhhhhh!!!!!!!!(happy excited squeals together vbarton24 at gmail dot com

  112. these toppers are a-d-o-r-a-b-le!

    I am with you on this one! I would wait, even though it would "kill" me each day, the best part will be your nieces face as she rips into that super cute packaging!!! Thanks for sharing!

    ~Emily
    emilybruchert1126@yahoo.com

  113. I would wait. Like you said in your post, surprises are great! And the anticipation is what makes the surprise so much fun! Plus, what a great experiance you get to share with your neice.

    Chelsea
    chelslynn29@hotmail.com

  114. I think you should open yours and show us!
    -Michelle
    michelleveater@yahoo.com

  115. I would wait! It's nice to have surprises!

  116. U Should wait until ur niece visits U again

    claulilidb@gmail.com

  117. oops.. I forgot to answer your question… I say wait. I don't think it will be too hard for you since you dont like to open pretty packages anyway! :o)

  118. I would tell you to wait and open them together, but I'm totally the type of person that would open them to see what is inside and re-wrap them. (The anticipation would just kill me!!) Besides, if you open them, then re-wrap them, you get the joy of opening the gift twice.

    Liz – ecopichka@yahoo.com

  119. I would say open them together. It would be extra special and you get to see her joyful face when she opens hers =D

    Claudia
    martinez.claudia6@gmail.com

  120. Super cute! So glad you show us these adorable Etsy Shops!

  121. You totally have to wait to open them together….
    I would be soooo tempted to do the whole re-wrap thing, but probably couldn't make it look as cute as it does, so in the end I would wait.

    oocat00@yahoo.com

  122. I don't think I could wait… I'd have to open it and then oh and ah once the girls opened their's! Good luck!

  123. What I would do is open them take a peek and then re-wrap them. I hate then things are right in front of me…I just need to find out what it is!

  124. Surprises are the best, and just think of how much fun it will be to open it with your neice. You should definitly wait until your niece visits again and open them together? But, you have to promise to show us.
    regan_garbutt@hotmail.com

  125. Ooh! I have an awesome niece of my own, who lives in Colorado – while I'm in Cali! When we do get to see each other, I try to make it as special as possible. I think you should make her next visit extra special by opening the presents together! ;)

  126. You need to open thme now. What if there's something perishable inside?!

  127. What I would do is open them take a peek and then re-wrap them. I hate then things are right in front of me…I just need to find out what it is!

  128. Oh how fun! I would jump at the chance and open one box! Then I would save one to open when your neice comes over! She will love opening one with you!

    Love the cupcake toppers! Fingers crossed!

    rhondamm@windstream.net

  129. I think you should wait to open it without her — I know my niece would be so sad if I did.

  130. I would wait for your niece, make sure to tell her you waited just for her and she'll be 10 times more happy!

  131. I would have to open the one. I can't handle the suspense. And then when your niece opens hers you can give her the attention she deserves without being distrated by your own!

  132. I would wait. Surprises are so much fun! Adorable cupcakes! wattsian at hotmail.co.uk

  133. Wait for your niece! Surprises are one of the little things that keep life exciting.

  134. I think you should wait…because everyone will know if you do open it and show us what is inside:)

  135. Open yours now! Then let her open hers later!

  136. I would wait for your niece, but oh, the suspence!

  137. I think you should wait until you are with your niece! It will make your anticipation so much more worth it! :)

    dkorhume@yahoo.com

  138. I will wait for my kids to come home from school and let them open things for me, but any longer than that and I just cannot take the suspense. Really. I am the girl who wants to know what is in the boxes before Christmas morning. My husband does not appreciate this, so I am good, just because it brings him so much joy to surprise me.

  139. They are super cute! I'd be anxious to know what's inside, but, I would also love to open it with a special someone! My vote is to wait for your niece to visit and open it with her!

  140. I'm a brat, I'd open them both and then re-wrap them.

  141. If it were me, I would totally bust them open and rewrap, but I think you should wait for your niece… as hard as it may be!

  142. I know I should say just wait, but there's no way I'd be able to! So I say open yours, but leave hers.

    Hillary
    HillaryMcCormack at gmail dot com

  143. Hmmmm, It's almost as complicated as the question "Is the glass half full or half empty?"

    LOL!

    I would have the lolly & then hide the boxes somewhere until she comes, but if before then you are having a crummy day then just remember you have a present tucked away to make you smile;P

    bakinrara@gmail.com

  144. if it was my sister, I'd open both and pick which one I wanted – then rewrap the other. What can I say, I'm an evil older sister. But since it's your niece, I think you'd better wait and open them together!

  145. definitely wait…it will make it much more special…=D

  146. I think you should stop by your niece's place for a visit and open them up together!!!!!!

    christineeddington@att.net

  147. I would totally open both of them and then rewrap them and then feel wickedly guilty afterwards….but then I'd smile ever time I thought about the cuteness inside of the boxes….

  148. I say, go ahead open it! Of course, don't tell your neice what it is so she can be surprised. And what if it's something different, you'll have a surprise now and one later! I'm not one to wait to open things.

    Jo

  149. wait until your niece comes. then you can both have a surprise together.

  150. I'd wait to open them too. :) As difficult as it is, it will be fun for your niece and you to open them together and share in the surprise!

    -CA Girl

  151. If it were me, I would totally rip mine open!! Because when your niece comes to visit, it would be fun to totally focus on her reaction when she opens hers! How's that for rational?! ;-)

    Thanks for doing the giveaway! The toppers are super cute!!

  152. Send your niece a picture of the present so she can guess what it is.

  153. FedEx your niece her package, with a note that says to call you before opening. Then you can open them together and send each other an email with a picture of each of you holding up the gift. It'll be a special way to connect, even when you can't be in the same place. Plus, she'll have something to remind her of her time with you while she's at home!

  154. Hmmm, thats a tough one. If my niece was going to visit soon, I'd wait. But if she wasn't going to come for a month or more, I probably would open mine…because I'm so impatient. A few weeks is the longest I could wait. :)

  155. I just LOVE surprises… I would wait until she got there, but I would be squirming out of my seat waiting.. I might call and urge her to come sooner..
    Happy un-wrapping!

  156. I would have a VERY hard time waiting. I think I would open mine and let the neice open hers when you see her! I am very impatient, can you tell!!! Good Luck and can't wait to see what it is.

  157. That's difficult.

    I say you rip it open now. Because it'll satisfy your need to know BUT also, and more importantly, your niece will feel so special. Like "Wowwww…I get this fancy present? This is MINE?" And you can make it a day about her.

    Although I don't know how old your niece is.

    And it also depends on how long you have to wait. Difficult.

    But the cake toppers are sooo cute!

  158. My gut reaction is to wait until she gets there to do it together but I know myself enough that I would open mine and rewrap it to open it with her's when she gets there.
    sara.johnson.mn@gmail.com

  159. You should wait…I would wait and then probably forget that I had saved it…and have to keep saving it for another time.
    theathertons (at) gmail (dot) com

  160. Wait! You'll be happier promise!

  161. Wait! Open them together…you'll be happy you did.

  162. Geesh, the element of surprise is suspenseful…but since you had a little helper involved. It would be safe to say, wait until your niece comes back. I bet the look on her face will be priceless, too!

  163. I think you should wait to open it together, I'm sure it will be worth the wait, and it'll be all the more special when you do open it–together :) .
    ~Chelsea Lynn
    aypby169@gmail.com

  164. You need to wait for your niece. She will love them and have so much fun!

  165. Surprises drive me nuts, but looking at that cute wrap job- bright, cheery, colorful, I think I'd be fine just staring at it. I am just a sucker for polka dots. Know your niece will love it.

    meredith: mmclayton@mac.com

  166. Wait for the little helper of course! Make her feel proud and special :)

    teufelmiri@ hotmail.com

  167. I love suprises, but I have no patience, I would open yours and save your nieces :)

  168. I would open! I can't stand to wait!!

  169. Wait for your niece. She will love them and have so much fun!

  170. i think there is NOTHING better than enjoying a surprise with a child. their innocent excitement takes us back in time and enhances the moment. its also a great opportunity for bonding and making memories that you'll have forever!! please post pics when you open!!!!
    heatherlgomez@hotmail.com

  171. Hmmmm..I'd wait and open the presents together, as long as you'll see your niece again within, say, a month.

  172. I would totally wait and open them together…after I opened it and repackaged it so no one would be the wiser. :/

  173. You should wait, it will be just or more exciting with your niece!
    Ang
    mugslyforever@hotmail.com

  174. Wow, that's a hard choice. I'd probably wait, maybe, on a good day.

    TallulahTooGood@gmail.com

  175. As so many others have said, I would also wait. She would feel so loved and special…Or at least I would if I were her. :)

    -Tara

  176. I'd open and rewrap! That's what I do with Xmas presents! :-) And I'm 34!!!

    Shannon Jones
    sljphotography@yahoo.com
    http://josiesspot.blogspot.com

  177. If the shoe was on the other foot she would wait for you….right??

    jrheck@ptd.net

  178. I personally think you should totally wait and open them together. How long will it be until the little helper is in the kitchen again? This could be something to entice her to come back sooner…

  179. I wait and share the surprise together. Enjoy!

  180. Open them together, and then re-wrap and stare at all that lovely packaging again! Or wrap up something else with it, and show us all the goodies!

    stark96@gmail.com

  181. Hi Bakerella!

    Those candle holders are just the cutest! Okay so my advice is if your niece will be visiting in the next week or close to, I would wait for her to open. If she is going to be a lot longer than that then I would open it and then rewrap it before she visits. I am also someone that can't stand to just let something sit there and know what's in it!

    Love the blog!
    Becky
    bex.marie@yahoo.com

  182. I've learned to be patient and it's more fun to wait.

  183. Wait for your niece. It will be worth the wait when you see the excitement on her face!

    Oh, and make sure you take pics when she opens hers…we want to see!!!

  184. I've heard that patience is a virtue. So I say, wait till the young one can get there to help you with the excitement of opening the gift.

    jenniferaut@gmail.com

  185. As tempting as it would be to see what's inside, I would wait for your niece to visit again! It would be special to have that moment together!

  186. Ask your neice to come over right now so you can open it together!!!

  187. hmmmm. I would wait until your niece came over…you can share the excitement!

  188. Unless you're not going to see your niece for a year, I would wait to open them together.

  189. I would wait, but it would be killing me the whole time!:)

    alwayssomething2read(at)gmail.com

  190. I think it would be an absolutely lollipop sweetness to wait for your niece and open them together so as to not ruin the surprise for either of you. :) maleashelline@gmail.com

  191. Tear into them! You could always re-wrap them if you want! :D That's what I would do for sure. meloniew a t g m a i l d o t c o m

  192. Hard as waiting can be it will be even better to share the fun of tearing the paper off!!

  193. I would wait. I love surprises.

  194. I would soooo open them both and then wrap the other one up. And then probably pretend that I didn't … but then it would bust out of me because whatever is inside will be so FAB I would have to talk about it !!!

  195. I'm horrible…I would totally open one of them up. What if it was something inside that might spoil? You would hate to have wasted something so wonderful!! If it's not….rewrap and wait for your little helper!
    Good luck!
    Tami
    tamjam@gmail.com

  196. You should wait for your little helper! The reaction will be much better when neither of you know what to expect!!

  197. I'd give the box a good shake to make sure it sounds like something that wouldnt spoil. If the shake doesn't sound like baked goods, then you should wait! The anticipation i'm sure will kill you though! You know she will just love opening the gifts with you. All little girls love presents! Even this one! :)

  198. oh how hard it would be, but I'd wait for the surprise of opening the gifts together~

  199. Open in, then re-wrap!;)

    charlieduncan515@gmail.com

  200. I think you should wait until your niece comes that way you can both get enjoyment from opening them together!
    lillybear74@yahoo.com