I bought the sweetest pink striped paper straws the other day and I couldn’t wait any longer to play with them.
Every time I see striped straws used, they make me smile. They just make me happy.
And even happier in these pseudo milkshake cupcakes. Milkcakes anyone? Cupshakes maybe?
Strawberry cake for the shake (I just used a mix I had on hand)
Chocolate ganache for syrup (recipe on this post)
Buttercream frosting for the whipped cream (recipe on this post)
Gumballs for the cherries
And sprinkles for the sprinkles : )
You could also just use syrup for the syrup and whipped cream for the whipped cream, but this way, they won’t melt.
I used these clear silicone baking cups so they would kinda represent frosted glass and also allow you to see the cake color. I found them at Crate and Barrel a while ago. They were perfect for this project.
Place the cups on a baking sheet and fill the cups about halfway with cake batter. You don’t want them to bake too full because you want to have a little space left for the ganache.
I love ganache by the way… By the spoonful… By the bowlful. Who’s with me?
These cups are great, because they are sturdy and hold the weight of the ganache filled right up to the rim. This way, when you add the frosting, you can still see a layer of “chocolate syrup” underneath. Makes them look prettier.
See. Just let the ganache sit for a bit before you fill the cups and spoon a little right on the top of each cupcake. Let it set a few minutes more. It will harden a bit and make adding the frosting easier.
For the frosting, I used a Wilton 2D tip and towered it on top of the cupcake. Add sprinkles after piping each cupcake so they will stick right away.
Lastly cut a paper straw in half and insert it into the cupcake and top it all off with a big red gumball.
Perty.
Speaking of sprinkles. I’d like to give a big hip hip hooray to Mr. Sprinkles. He’s back in full color… different label, but full of color. If you’ve followed the site for a while, you may remember when they switched to only making all natural colors. Mr. Sprinkles just didn’t look right in drab colors. But he’s back. Now if I can only get them to make the original colors. They were/are my favorite sprinkles to use for my cupcake pops. Pastel and perfectly delicate. Check out this old post if you want to see what I’m talking about.
In the meantime, I still heart you Mr. Sprinkles. You helped make these cupcakes super cute.
Kiss. Kiss. Cake for two.
Okay, so I didn’t just buy myself these pink straws.
I also bought a bunch of other colors, too. Yellow and green and black and red/blue striped straws.
Want to win some?
Ok. Let’s play a guessing game for fun.
Enter for a chance to win some happy striped paper straws.
1. Leave a comment below on this post. Just take a look at the photo below and try to guess which straw is the shortest. One of them is. I have a picture to prove it that I’ll show when I announce the winner.
2. I’ll pick one winner at random. The winner gets a bunch of straws in the color they guessed. And if the color they guessed also happens to be the shortest straw, then they’ll get a bunch of straws in all the colors. (Red/blue, green, pink, yellow, and black.) Fun. Fun.
3. Deadline to enter is Monday, January 10th at 7 pm ET. The winner will be announced sometime Monday evening on this post. SORRY, TIME’S UP. WINNER ANNOUNCED BELOW.
Good Luck.
P.S. I bought the paper straws from Bake it Pretty if you need some of your very own. Plus, they also have polka dot straws. Too cute.
Okay, I picked a winner.
Let’s see who it is…
YAY, Merry!
You just won some paper straws. You’re guaranteed the pink ones. Merry, I promise they’ll make you happy.
Now, let’s see which color straw was the shortest.
Drumroll, please.
Green was the shortest.
I’m so sorry Merry, you didn’t pick the right color but, I’m also nice… I want you to have all the colors anyway.
Come on, you guys knew I was going to do that… right?
Congratulations Merry.
I’m goinv with red and blue ; ) These are too cute
I’m guessing black! I think the black straw’s the shortest…hmm….
OMG Super cute!!! Just looking at them makes me want a hot fudge sunday!
I think its the green one! That is my favorite color! These straws are just too darn cute :)
I’m guessing pink.
And I love the fingernails!
Yellow!
I’m going to guess pink!
the black one!
The striped one!!!!
I am going to guess the red and blue one! I love the milkshake cupcakes!!
I think pink is the shortest :)
I’m going to go with black as the shortest one
I think Black is the shortest!!!
Ahh! They are so very pretty! The cupacks look simply delicious (ganache? Yum!) and the straws perfect it <3 :))
I’ll guess yellow. These are too cute.
My little daughter LOVES straws! Seriously, she’s crazy about them, I even keep a travel pack in my purse, so that if ever I buy her something to drink while we’re out, she’ll have a straw for it. She would flip if she had straws as fancy as these!
I think the pink one is the shortest!
Yellow! (I hope…)
I think the yellow is the shortest!
Pink straw is the shortest! Too funny the sprinkle ‘showdown’ on the old post!
i think it’s the RED AND BLUE!:)
Red and Blue
The Black one is the shortest!
BTW: I love this post! Sooo cuuuute I can’t wait to try it out :)
Love these straws! My guess is the pink ones!
Red n Blue
I think black is the shortest.
the yellow!
I think the shortest is the yellow! :)
I think its the red, white and blue! :)
I’m going to go with the yellow one! They are really cute-you come up with such great ideas!
yellow!!!
Black is the shortest.
My guess is black… :)
Pretty in Pink:)… and the shortest
I say its the Yellow one!!!!
Cute as always. I think the yellow and white one is the shortest.
hmm…black?? :)
Black is the shortest!
CUTE cupshakes! :-)
And I’m guessing yellow!
The black one is the shortest :)
hmmm….black?? :)
I’ll go with green.
I am going to guess the red, white and blue one! Just for kicks! :)
Those cupshakes? Oh my! So, so darling! You are amazing!
Pink??
i hope it’s pink!
yellow
My guess is yellow.
the red white and blue ones!
I the green ones are shorter.
Ha…what a cute contest…I’m going to go retro here and choose the Black & White…….love the colors !
My favorite color is black :) so I am goin with black & white is the shortest (my hubby thinks red/white/blue is shortest)
brown :)
green
yellow!
Gahh I don’t know…
I’m going to go with…
Black?
Pink and white. = )
I think the pink and white are the shortest. Fingers crossed:)
hmmmm…black?
Red and blue!
I guess Yellow!
Oh those are so pretty and yummy !
When I was growing up, all we had was paper straws. I loved the ones that had flavoring in them and when you drank milk, you could have pink/white for strawberry flavor or brown/white for chocolate flavor…it was like magic to us kids !
the black one! :)
Loving the milkshake cupcakes! I am not very good at these guessing games, is it the black one?
The pink one, methinks.
i think yellow……..
Black is the shortest :-))
I think the blue, red and white one :)
I’m guessing PINK is the shortest!!!!!!
the pink one!
I think the black straw is the shortest… and LOVE the polish by the way… matches perfectly with the picture :)
Green!
I’m going with the green one. Super cute BTW!
I think the pink one is the shortest!
(And because I just love all things pink!)
Pink! So adorable.
Black!!!!
I bet it’s the green straw! :)
I think the black and white striped one is shortest! It would be so cute in my friends black and white 16th birthday party theme :)
black! :)
I think the black straw is the shortest! Love your site!
I think it is the black one…..I’m crossing my fingures…..lol
Pink!
yellow
My guess is the pink one : )
I think it’s the pink ones!
I think the pink/blue straw is the shortest. You have the greatest ideas!
Pink
How fun!! I guess the yellow <3
Red and blue!
Love the straws, they are totally cute!
I think they are all the same . Bake it pretty says they are 7-1/4″ long. Unless you cut some of it. If you did then I think Green is the shortest
I’m going with the black one!
I think the black straw is the shortest.
Thanks for the cupcake recipe. I’m going to make them for my sons birthday next month!
yellow for sure! what a fun contest. :)
I think the pink one is the shortest!
Those cupcakes are so pretty! Can’t wait to make them!
I think the black and white striped straw is the shortest!
The Yellow is shortest!
Yellow!!!!!!! (I think)
blue and magenta!
I guess yellow!
The red and blue straw is the shortest :)
Black is the shortest… ;0)
I think pink is the shortest!! The cupcakes are too cute!!=)
I’m guessing the black one.
Pink!
I LOVEEEEEE black & white combo, so I’m going to say black and white…Great job on the cute cup cakes
Black n White!
black!
I am going to guess black and white! :)
I’m going to say the yellow one! I love Bake It Pretty’s stuff. Everything they sell is sooo cute!
Pink?
I’m going to have to go with the yellow straw. :)
black
Black is the shortest!
Yellow!
The yellow one!
i think its the green one
My guess is Black.
I think the yellow one!
I say yellow!
pink!
pink is the winner!
I’m going to guess GREEN since your fingernails are green. :)
Black!!! :)
It’s the yellow one!! (I think)
pink!!!
the pink one!
Red White and Blue! I so bet it’s that one! (it is the prettiest in my opinion and should be anyway!) thanks!
I guess the pink one! Cute straws
I’m guessing the black and white one.
Have you thought about using an M&M Pretzel for the “cherry” on top?
I vote yellow!
I think pink is the shortest.
I vote for the pink :-)
I am going with the yellow stripe! I bought some blue stripe ones for my sons birthday and agreed they are darling!
Oh, I say black based on the angle. Geometry, don’t let me down!
I’m going to guess that PINK is the shortest!
The yellow one
BLACK!!!!!! : )
I think the green ones are shortest…I hope.
It’s the yellow one : 0 )
I think the black one is the shortest!
Yellow! :)
Yellow! The green would be way too obvious :-)
Black!
Yellow for the shortie!
The pink ones?
My guess is black.
I like green so that is my vote!
I think PINK =). Love your nail polish color too!
Gooooo green!
The pink is the shortest!
I love the Pink straws.. so cute.. This makes me want to go to a diner and split a shake with my honey. :)
First – I think it’s the pink one.
Second – love the nail polish color!
Third – Bake it Pretty also has some awesome designer cupcake wrappers. They’re so pretty, it’s almost a shame to use them.
pink….aaaahhhh. this is hard lol
red/blue/white?
Love your site, you are so creative!
And thank you for the giveaway!
I think the yellow is the shortest!
The black one.
the black straw is the shortest!! They’re lovely!!
its the yellow cutie
: )
My guess is the yellow one!!
YELLOW! :)
Green!
Green! :) These are soooo adorable!
what a fun giveaway!! the black is the shortest!!!
These are so cute!! I’m going with the red and blue one!
The black one is the shortest.
i’m guessing the pink!
Black and white!
I think it’s the Pink ones, those are so cute!
The Red, white and blue one….?? I hope!!!
They are all so SO cute!!
Hope you are enjoying the snow we’re having here in the ATL area. We made maple butter candy already and plan on snow cream in a bit with some apple crisp. What’s a snow day without some yummies?!
hmmm I think it’s the black one
Yellow! Yellow! Yellow?
My guess is the black straw. The cupcakes are TOO cute and I will now HAVE to make them. :)
I’m guessing Green! These “cupshakes” are so adorable!
The Pink one. It’s gotta be that one! :)
The black striped one is the shortest.
These are presh. &The black straw is the shortest for sure
red ,white, and blue. btw besides the cupcakes being strawberry my boyfriend would LOVE these!
Black maybe?
Sweet idea! My guess is the black and white stripe is the shortest.
It’s the pink one!
Red white and blue!!! But they are all too cute!
Yellow!
I guess Pink! :D
The black one!
ADORABLE cupcakes!
I hope it’s the yellow one! I have been looking for these straws for the longest time. I will def. be ordering some for my upcoming wedding :)
My guess is green!
I love yellow, so I think it’s that one.
The black one? Tricky.. tricky…
Green – that’s my story and I’m sticking to it!
Green!
said….”old yeller”
I think it’s the pink ones…
I am going to guess that the BLACK one is the shortest!
I think the Yellow is the shortest!
The YELLOW straw is the shortest.
Super cute!
So fun. I guess… yellow!
PINK all the way!
PINK!!!!
Is pink the short one?
sorry red and blue
I think it’s the pnk one
YELLOW!!!!!