This is CAKE! It is not burgers and fries as it appears. It is Suzanne Magic.
Now this is a modern project for an old fashioned Nana, who delights in her grandchildren.
Just last week, my friend Suzanne Sawko hosted a swim birthday party for Carter, 8, one of her four grandsons. When the boys got out of the pool, this is what she served–the sweetest burger basket that any boy ever had tasted.
Just before the party, she introduced me to two books that I think every creative Nana should have in her grandmother reference library. Hello, Cupcake! and What’s New, Cupcake?, will have you baking little goodies at the rate of the Hostess Cupcake team.
HELLO CUPCAKE back cover
The directions are clear and though these mini treats take time, they are not difficult to make. I couldn’t put the books down!   I’ve had fun planning cupcake baking sessions with my grandchildren and themes for their next several birthday parties.
What’s New, Cupcake? has basic directions for the cupcake burgers and fries, but of course, Suzanne took them to another level.
The “buns” are cupcakes, sliced in half. The “burgers” are what she called no-bake cookies, made of cookie crumbs, oatmeal and some other goodies, all held together with melted chocolate chips. Sheets of Laffy Taffy (available in our area at Target) were cut up for the cheese, ketchup, mustard and lettuce. I asked about tomato and pickle, but she said that Carter doesn’t like them on his burgers. It was sort of a “Have it your way,” Whopper Junior.
WHAT’S NEW back cover
Pound cake, sliced with a wavy blade, made up the “French fries,” which were then baked to a golden brown color. Suzanne has always declared that it’s all in the presentation. To that end, her piece de resistance was the burger baskets, which she found at Michael’s.
She said the first boy picked up the burger as if it were a Big Mac and was so surprised when he took his first bite. Then the fun really began.
Suzanne is an amazing “Mammaw” to her 6 grandchildren. She sews for them, does daycare for them, throws parties for them and adores them. Of course, they adore her too. Wouldn’t you?
