Frequently (or not so frequently) Asked Questions

Here we have some questions I’ve received either through e-mail or other conversations, and I thought it might be useful to have a section here for them. Got a question? Ask it.

Where can I buy your merchandise?

I have only ONE place to buy stuff from right now, and that is here at Cafepress. I have everything from t-shirts to mugs. Go nuts!

How did you come up with the name ‘Cupcake Rehab’?

Funny enough, it was a happy accident. I was listening to music on my iTunes, and contemplating starting a cupcake/cooking blog, when Amy Winehouse came on. One thing led to another and when I heard the song ‘Rehab‘.. I thought “CUPCAKE REHAB!” It just sounded perfect. And for a while there I was beginning to think cupcake rehab was exactly what I needed, haha.

Where do you get your recipes?

The internet, books, family recipes, etc. All over the place. And some are even from the deep dark recesses of my brain. Scary place… haha. But seriously, the internet is a wonderful resource. You can not only get a recipe for ANYTHING, but you can get reviews and a lot of the time people will list ways to make it better, etc. There are also tons of cupcake books out there. Check Amazon.com. Also, almost any cake recipe can be used for cupcakes, so think about that when you find an interesting cake recipe! Look at vintage cookbooks too- ones that belong to your grandma or mom or aunt… they’re FILLED with amazing ideas.

How did you get into baking?

I’ve always baked. Every single holiday since I was a kid I helped my mother make our traditional desserts and cookies, and I’ve always loved it. I just never really had the time or motivation to do it often, or at least I thought I didn’t. I love to cook and I make dinner almost every single night, so a foray into baking wasn’t too far off. I knew how to cook and bake my whole life. I just never really had the frame of mind to do it at this scale before… or the time, like I said. After high school, I went to F.I.T. and then worked full-time intermittently, then went back to college full-time, then worked full-time again and between that and family obligations, social calendar, etc, I didn’t really think about it. But once I got started I realized it’s a perfect outlet for me. It relaxes me, and its creative enough that I don’t feel repressed.

Where is that image from at the top of the page?

I drew it and designed it myself, using Adobe Illustrator and Photoshop. It’s a likeness of myself, the rest of it is pretty obvious. If you’re looking for me to do graphic design or illustration work for you, e·mail me here: marilloca@gmail.com. Please don’t use it! Its mine. I’ve had issues with my work popping up all over the web before, with my name blocked out and without my permission… and it sucks. Please don’t be that person. Thanks!

What do you use to decorate the cupcakes?

I use a kit I got for Christmas, this one to be exact. It’s by Wilton, and it’s the best. The tips I use most often are  #1M (large star), #2D (large flower) and #2A (large round) which are the big tips, and #32 (standard open star) which is a smaller one. I use the 16 inch reusable pastry bag the most, although the kit comes with an 8 inch and a 16 inch as well as disposable ones. I recommend if you’re doing a frosting thats highly pigmented to use a disposable bag as the reusables get stained on the inside (particularly when you use the Wilton icing colors- they’re BRIGHT and they’ll stain your hands too!).  Also with peanut butter frosting, its better to use a disposable bag because the peanut butter can be very oily and hard to clean off the inside of the bag. The tools make all the difference in this, the same as in art. You use shitty brushes- your paintings look it. You use shitty quality pastry tips and your cakes and cupcakes look like it. Invest in a good pastry bag and at least two tips and you’re good.

Will you make cupcakes for *insert event here* and how much do you charge?

Okay well first off, I don’t fully trust shipping cupcakes. I’ve seen how items that aren’t smooshable arrive at my house, so definitely not. So unless you live in the New York city-5 Boroughs-Long Island area, I won’t. If you do, and want to discuss it with me, then please e·mail me. I’ll see if I’m available and able to work with you. Fee depends on the amount of cupcakes needed and the decorations wanted. But remember: I AM NOT A PROFESSIONAL. You will be getting homemade cupcakes. Well done homemade cupcakes, but still homemade.

I tried *insert recipe here* and it was awful. What did I do wrong?

I don’t know. I’m not Cupcake Jesus. I am not all knowing, contrary to popular belief. Try it again, and this time, make sure you have all the proper ingredients, be sure to measure everything carefully and pay attention. Sometimes its as simple as the wrong kind of flour or too much baking powder. Otherwise- you’re a lousy baker and shouldn’t quit your day job.

How do I find *insert recipe here* on your site?

Well there are two ways of doing that. One, you can use the ’search’ box to the right, under the ads. Simply type what you’re looking for in the long empty white box, then click search. The results will then be shown, and you just click on the title of the entry you wish to read in full. Alternately, a second option is to go to the main page (click ‘HOME’ above) and look at the categories, also to the right, just beneath the search box. Browse through them and click on the particular category you’re interested in, then the results will show up, and again, all you have to do is click the title to read the full entry and see the recipe, etc.  Simple! If you’re really having a hard time finding something just let me know and I’ll help you out.

How can I link to you? Will you link me back?

The answer to the first part of this question is: a plain ol’ text link is fine with me. If you require a banner for whatever reason, here are a few I have pre-made. If you’d like a different size, let me know.

PLEASE download these & upload them to your server. Otherwise you’ll suck up my bandwidth and I won’t be a happy camper.

Now as far as the second part of the question: yes, most likely. If I enjoy your site, then I sure will. If I don’t, or I find it offensive or uninteresting to me, then I won’t. That may sound bitchy but really why would I add you to my blogroll if I don’t like your content?! But also please keep in mind I get like 500+ hits a day and don’t always notice when a new blog is linking to me, so if you really want me to see your site leave me a comment!

What equipment do you use?

Well I have a KitchenAid artisan stand mixer, in pink. Her name is Lola. She’s a dream machine and I want to marry her. Needless to say that’s a recommendation, just be careful to not go nuts with it. Make sure you use a wooden spoon or whisk, or at least a hand mixer for things that don’t need a powerful beating or else you’ll end up with really dry, bread-y cupcakes (the more you mix, the more gluten is released from the flour, equalling tough batter). For this reason, I also have a small hand mixer I got from Target, its a Michael Graves one. Its small yet very good and I think for the price its great quality. It also has a really cute attachment for making milkshakes! I’ve never been disappointed with either mixer. The Michael Graves mixer bit the dust while I was making a cheesecake (I should’ve used my KitchenAid, I know…) so I’m currently in the market for a new one, I’ll most likely buy the KitchenAid hand mixer to match my stand mixer. I highly recommend investing some money in Silpats (or other silicone mats) and cooling racks as well, especially if you’re planning on baking a lot and being serious about it. I already mentioned what I use for piping frosting and what have you a few questions above. I don’t really use any other “equipment” so that’s pretty much it. Unless you count an apron as equipment, haha.

How do you get your colored frosting so bright/what kind of food coloring do you use?/how do you get such amazing results with food coloring?

Wilton, Wilton, and again, Wilton. Always. Their icing colors gel coloring is the best. I can’t say enough about it. The color you get from it is unbelievable, and usually all you need to use is a tiny bit. Some examples of this stuff in action: orange, blue, pink, red/green, and here’s an example of cupcakes colored pink with it.

What kind of camera do you have?

I have an Olympus F340, yes, in pink. To match my mixer… haha just kidding. I usually put it on the ‘cuisine’ setting to take the pictures of the cupcakes and food and I find it makes a difference. It’s not a crazy expensive professional camera, but it takes damn good pictures and I love it. Although some of my pictures are altered in Adobe Photoshop a bit to make them look a bit better color/lighting wise, it’s only a slim percentage.

Why do you sometimes not follow recipes to the tee? Isn’t that the point?

Because I’m a rebel. Well… that and sometimes I just don’t have all the ingredients, and I want to show people that you don’t always have to have everything on hand and sometimes you can just make do. Sometimes there’s not that big of a difference between using cake flour and all-purpose, and you can make your own self-rising flour by using a combo of all-purpose/baking powder/salt. Other times, you DO need cake flour and shouldn’t skimp. Baking is something you have to be careful with- one ¼ teaspoon more or less of something can throw you off… but also, it’s not always an exact science. I use a different recipe for buttercream each and every single time I make it, and its never the same amount of sugar. It’s all about experimentation and having fun. Like chemistry class, without the bad grades if you set your kitchen on fire.

Whats your cupcake inspiration?

That’s a question thats both hard, and easy. Hard because I don’t really know, I mean, I think my cupcakes are pretty basic. I don’t do wacky combinations or vegetable cupcakes or bologna cupcakes or whatever, mainly because I don’t think those are really even cupcakes, but also why would I make something that I don’t want to eat just to say I could? I like simple stuff. Fancy decorations and frosting color and things like that, but simple flavors. Nothing too unappetizing or unusual for me, sorry. I’m just not into that. So that makes it hard for me to answer… but then again it’s easy because everything is inspiration. Sometimes I find myself planning holiday cupcakes months in advance because of something I saw in a movie. If that sounds weird I assure you I am not the only one. Also, sometimes I find really unique and pretty cupcake liners or toppers and those inspire me to make appropriate cakes. And I’ve even made cupcakes to match one of my aprons. Seriously. But at any rate to answer the question in one sentence: I guess I could say anything and everything and yet nothing all at the same time!

Whats your favorite cupcake?

Vanilla/vanilla. Yeah- I’m boring, I know. Well, about as boring as I can be, which I really don’t think is all that boring. If you mean cupcake recipe, well then I’d have to say the Magnolia Bakery vanilla cupcake recipe, or the Martha Stewart white cupcake recipe. They are both two of the best vanilla cupcakes I’ve ever had.

Can I use one of your recipes on my blog?

Well, for starters, most of these recipes are public domain, they don’t belong to me. So of course you can use them! Unless I specifically state that I created it, it can be found in a million other places and has nothing to do with me- so post away. If it is mine, then I’d appreciate a link back. Otherwise, don’t credit me for something I didn’t create. The use of my photographs is a different story. Only, and I mean ONLY with my permission can you use any of my photographs, whether of myself or any food product (or any photograph found on this website), for your own purposes. All my pictures are copyrighted and are my property and my property only.

Where did you get that apron you’re wearing in that photo?

Chances are its Jessie Steele. However, I also own some vintage aprons and one made for me by my friend Yoyo. I’m a big fan of JS aprons and highly recommend them. They’re gorgeous. Anthropologie stores carry beautiful aprons (including Jessie Steele) that have a vintage look and feel as well. However, I also suggest if you’re into handmade things and supporting people who sew and make things themselves, that you check out Etsy and also inquire with Yoyo about making something custom for you. She’s amazingly talented and you will not be disappointed (check out her store by clicking here, merchandise varies weekly/monthly). If you like vintage, theres always eBay and also sometimes good thrift stores have some as well.

What kind of music inspires you/do you listen to while baking & cooking?

EVERYTHING! Well, almost. I enjoy tons of different kinds of music, but I really like the following for baking & cooking: Black Sabbath, Johnny Cash, Green Day, My Chemical Romance, Dropkick Murphy’s, Muse, Amy Winehouse, Social Distortion, Agnostic Front, NOFX, Ozzy, Depeche Mode & sometimes older stuff like The Beatles & the Rolling Stones. But sometimes a little Wu Tang Clan, Eminem or Mobb Deep is called for as well.  I’m a huge classical music fan but I don’t really listen to that while baking. Anyway, the above are just a sampling of the bands I’m into. They all get me psyched in a different way… but by no means is that all the music I like.

Your name is very unique/odd/pretty/etc… where’s it from?

My mother got it from the book (and ensuing series) Anne of Green Gables by Lucy Maud Montgomery. There is a character named (Aunt) Marilla Cuthbert, and my mom just fell in love with the name. I can’t imagine having any other name, I feel this one fits me perfectly. Despite all the idiots who’ve mispronounced it or misspelled it since my birth I still adore it and I’ll endure all the mistakes happily knowing there aren’t 600 million other people in NY (or the U.S., or the world) with my exact name.

How did you get that little picture next to your name when you write a comment?

That little image is a Gravatar. Its a Globally Recognized Avatar, hence the name. It will show up on any site that has them enabled when you put your e·mail address in. Go here for more info and instructions on how to get one: http://gravatar.com/