ROLL TIDE

I grew up in Tuscaloosa, AL and went to college at the University of Alabama. So I guess you could call me an Alabama Football fan from birth! Now I live in Missouri where college football is taken seriously, but not near as seriously as it is down SOUTH.

Since football season is just around the corner I decided to make a few cupcakes for inspiration. I knew that I needed to have crimson and white icing, and some how come up with a grey elephant since that is Alabama's mascot (BIG AL).

I also wanted to have some decorative cupcakes surrounding Big Al since he was going to be the center of attention. For these I decided on white iced cupcakes with red M&M's on the top for decoration. Also in the decorative cupcakes I wanted to do the Alabama "A." I covered those cupcakes with red icing that I dyed, and then made the "A's" with melting chocolate. I froze them for about 15 minutes and then placed them in the middle of the cupcakes. I know these may seem like small details or less important cupcakes, but they are very important- so don't be lazy! I've found that it's just as important to spend time and energy on the less elaborate cupcakes because they are like the background for your centerpiece!

Finally I got to the elephant. I dyed icing with very little black coloring to make grey, and also died the white melting chocolate to get the same color grey as the icing on the cupcake. When dying the melting chocolate you have to work quick because it starts to harden very quickly and it gets frustrating. Trust me I know (and so does my husband) :) For the trunk and the ears I used the melting chocolate that I dyed grey and then froze them as well. For the tusks I used white melting chocolate and put those in the freezer too. Once those hardened I put the elephant together and I absolutely fell in love with it.

These are probably my favorite cupcakes so far! I definitely put my roots in them and it almost feels like home! So all I have left to say is Roll Tide Roll!