FOOD & GOODIES
-Animal Crackers (in the circus train boxes)
-Popcorn in circus themed bags, and also in an old fashioned looking popper.
-Circus Peanuts
-Circus Peanuts
-Cupcakes with plastic animals or candy stars on top (pic & recipes below)
GOODY BAGS
-Striped bags to hold goodies-Clown noses
-Circus themed tattoos
-Circus rubber duckies
-Lions used from the Leaping Lion game
-Box of Animal Crackers for little kids, Cracker Jacks for big kids
OTHER ITEMS
Things I've found after-the-fact, that I would have liked to use!
(isn't that always the way?)
-Big Top Baking Cups(isn't that always the way?)
-Finger Puppet set
-Plush circus hats
-Paper circus hats
-Felt clown hats
-Inflatable seating here and here
-Clown Puppets
-Circus Train Cupcake liners & toppers
-Big Top placemats
-Circus Magnets
CUPCAKE RECIPE
I made two kinds of cupcakes, with two types of icing.
Both recipes were easy and came out great.
Devils Food Cupcakes
(makes approx. 20 cupcakes)
1 3/4 cups flour
1 3/4 cups flour
2/3 unsweetened cocoa powder
1 1/2 tsp baking soda
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 stick unsalted butter (room temp)
1 1/2 cups sugar
2 large eggs (room temp)
1 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
1 1/3 cups buttermilk
-Preheat oven to 350 and line muffin tin with cupcake liners
-Whisk flour, cocoa, baking soda & salt together in bowl
-In separate bowl, beat butter and sugar until fluffy. Add eggs one at a time, while continuing to beat. Beat in vanilla. With mixer on low, add the flour mixture alternating with the buttermilk- beginning & ending with the flour mixture.
-Spoon batter into muffin cups, filling each approx. 2/3 full.
-Bake 17-19 min. using toothpick test to ensure center is cooked. Let cool completely in muffin pan.
Magnolia's Vanilla Cupcakes
1 1/2 cups self-rising flour
1 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
2 sticks unsalted butter, softened
2 cups sugar
4 large eggs (room temp)
1 cup milk
1 tsp vanilla extract
-Preheat oven to 350 and line muffin tins with cupcake liners
-combine flours in small bowl
-In large bowl, cream the butter with an electric mixer on medium.
-Gradually add sugar and beat until fluffy (3 min)
-Add eggs on at a time, while continuing to beat. Add the dry ingredients in three parts, alternating with the milk and vanilla.
-Beat so ingredients are well incorporated, but do not overbeat.
-Spoon batter into cupcake liners, filling 3/4 full.
-Bake 20-25 min. or until toothpick test is clean.
Cream Cheese Icing
16 oz. cream cheese, softened & cut into small pieces
6 Tbsp unsalted butter, softened & cut into small pieces
1 1/2 tsp. vanilla extract
5 cups sifted confectioners' sugar
-In large bowl, beat cream cheese & butter with electric mixer (medium speed) until smooth- about 3 min.
-Add vanilla and beat well.
-Gradually add sugar, 1 cup at a time, continuously beating.
-Add desired food coloring
-Cover & refrigerate for 2-3 hours (but no longer) to thicken before using.
Buttercream Icing
1 stick unsalted butter, room temperature
3 cups confectioners' sugar
2 Tbsp milk
1 tsp vanilla extract
pinch of salt
-In large bown, cream butter with an electric mixer until soft & light (about 3 min)
-Add remaining ingredients & beat until smooth & fluffy
-Add desired food coloring
-Use immediately or cover & refrigerate until needed.
Circus Party Invitations & Decorations
Circus Party Games & Activities
