2010 JavaCupcake Goals

I'm not a huge fan of resolutions. I feel like when I make them, I always fail at them. So this year, I'm setting some goals for myself and this blog that I feel could be obtainable. In no particular order of importance, here's the list!

1. TAKE BETTER PICTURES
I have plans to get a really nice camera this year and I'd like to learn how to photograph my cupcakes better. I've seen some really awesome shots of cupcakes that are as beautiful as they are artistic... and I'm jealous. So, this goal is to learn to take better pictures of my cupcakes!

(Photo: Trophy Cupcakes)

 2. FOCUS MY BLOG ON MORE THAN JUST MY CUPCAKES
I have learned this year that it's not realistic for me to think I can bake a new cupcake every week or even every month. Sometimes, I just don't have a reason to make them or I'm just not feeling baking, so I'd like to give myself permission to write about more than just my recipes. I've been doing that a little more lately, but I'd like to incorporate other peoples recipes, guest bloggers, posts about cupcake merchandise, etc etc. I known there are a lot of other blogs out there that do this, so I'll keep my main focus on my cupcakes as much as possible.

(Photo: JavaCupcake)

3. PERFECT MY FROSTING SKILLS
I make a pretty damn good buttercream.  I mean really, it's amazing.  But, I haven't perfected the art of using the pastry bag and those little tips that make cute shapes.  I want to explore the art of frosting and come up with a signature frost for my cupcakes.  My goal is to practice, practice, practice until I can come up with a dozen perfectly frosted with a tip cupcakes. 

 (Photo: Two Parts Sugar)

4. MASTER THE BASIC CUPCAKE FLAVORS
I've made almost 20 cupcake flavors this past year that I've never made before.  None of them I've completly perfected.  I've found two recipes which I consider to be EXCELLENT in their flavor, but I have yet to make them the ultimate cupcake.  My goal for 2010 is to perfect my Super Moist Chocolate cupcake and my Vanilla cupcake and to have the perfect "Go-To Recipe" that I know will always be a hit!

(Photo: JavaCupcake)

5.SLOW DOWN
Cupcake baking is not a race! Sometimes I just get so excited to be baking that I hurry up and the end result isn't the perfection that I want it to be.  I need to do a better job at slowing down, breathing, taking my time and enjoying every step of the cupcake baking process. 

(Photo: JavaCupcake)