The very first time I met Mr NQN I confess that thought that he was terribly handsome and interesting. I was however attached to another human being (not literally) at the same time. He and my then sort-of boyfriend worked at the same website design company and I recall them discussing a website they were working on which was Australian version of Elle Magazine. Mr NQN said something in passing that he was editing a picture of a girl wearing a scarf and thought that she was the most beautiful looking girl he had ever seen.
So I did what any girl who thought that a man was handsome and delicious would do. When I got home I quickly grabbed my copy of Elle and flicked through it until I found the photo. She couldn’t have looked more opposite to me, she had blonde hair and freckles whereas I was nicknamed Morticia after Morticia Addams. The next few times I saw him I was still interested in him but I had pretty much counted myself out as not his type. I did try and ascertain his type, as you do, and there was the screensaver of Sarah Jessica Parker as Carrie Bradshaw and the occasional reference to other famous blonde models. I mean if the guy likes models then forget it then!
That’s actually a quote from Roger-what a smoothie!
That of course is all history. We ended up getting married and he has absolutely no recollection of liking any of those women or having a type. In fact he has vehemently denies having a screensaver of SJP and he remains so nonplussed whenever any of those famous faces appear on the screen I actually do believe that he had no idea who they really were.
One evening, we were watching one of my favourite TV shows Mad Men and I asked him who he thought was his favourite female character. He pointed at Joan Holloway.
“Her, I guess…” he said non-committally. The same way that a guy usually answers these questions i.e. with a measure of “I don’t really care and in fact I hate being asked these questions because I know they’ll come back and bite me in the ass during an argument”.
A little part of me expected him to say Betty Draper (who I think has great style if terrible mothering skills) just based on his previous taste of course. I decided to make Mad Men cupcakes as I had been planning to do this for about six months ever since I saw the end of Season 4. As someone that was formerly in advertising I have plenty of laughs and grimaces at how little it has actually changed over the last few decades. Sure some things have but within an agency, the roles are very clearly defined and I could name a Don Draper, a Pete Campbell, a Peggy Olsen and a Joan Holloway at any of the agencies that I worked at.
And what did Mr NQN say when he came home and saw the cupcakes?
“The blonde looks good. I like the blonde one”.
So tell me Dear Reader, are you your significant other’s type?
And lovely news! I was featured in the new Home Ideas magazine. They have a Little Bites section where they ask people five questions about food. How exciting! 
As seen in HOME ideas www.homeideasmagazine.com.au-click to enlarge
Mad Men Cupcakes
The cupcakes themselves are almost, and I said almost a secondary thought to the actual toppings. Now I’m not advocating serving just any cupcake but by the time you’re done with the faces you won’t really care that much about the actual cupcake. Unless you’re a sucker for punishment like me.
Step1: the hair
Joan’s hair
Start with a circle of orange fondant and using the same round cutter, cut out an ellipse shape so that you get a crescent moon
Take the medium leaf cutter and cut out a little wedge from the crescent moon
Using the same medium leaf cutter, cut out a leaf of orange fondant
Then cut out a small circle (I used a flower cutter but you just want to make the bun so a small circle cutter will do).’
Using the small leaf cutter, cut out little pieces to make a fringe
You will need: orange fondant.
Joan’s hair was all about the swept fringe and the bun and was actually the most fun to do as playing with fondant in vivid colours always brings it to life. Joan’s hair is actually in three pieces, the main part, the swept fringe and the bun. I perhaps messed up with the proportions (she ended up with the largest head) but I don’t think the hair is too bad. But you be the judge. I ended up doing two lots of Joan’s hair as that seemed the most complicated. Good thing as my father broke one.
You now have three pieces which you will adhere to each other using water and a small brush
The “bun” is on the bottom, then the larger piece and then the fringe on top
Don’s hair
You will need brown fondant and a little white fondant for his always present cigarette.
Quite honestly I don’t remember how I cut out Don’s hair-I didn’t even take any photos of it being done. It was quite difficult with the thin parts at the side and I just keep cutting pieces off until I got something that was an approximation of his hair. The women’s hair was more complicated but it seemed much easier to me. But that may be because I’ve never had short hair so I don’t know how to style it.
Betty’s hair
Start with a yellow circle
With a leaf cutter, cut out a little on the right9this will end up looking like a flick of the hair
Cut out her face using the medium leaf cutter
And then do it a second time
Then using the medium leaf cutter, cut out a piece of yellow fondant for the front of her hair
You will need yellow fondant. Betty and Peggy have a similar flick to their hair which can be hard to do with fondant. I used the leaf cutter to give her hair a bit of a sweep like Joan’s.
Cut out a little piece for the lower left hair to make a flick-mine isn’t great I know
Peggy’s hair
Start with a circle-mine was a squarish circle but it doesn’t matter as you’ll cut a big chunk out of it to the side and then a little bit at the opposite end to make a flick
Using the small leaf cutter cut out a fringe
You will need brown chocolate fondant (like Don’s). Peggy’s hair is about the flick and that (sorry) awful fringe. Once I managed to sort of figure out how to do the flick (not a great job at it admittedly) I decided to position Peggy’s face slight sideways as I always picture her looking at everyone with a bit of a look-you know the one where everyone at work is acting like a douche and you’re just trying to do your job.
Roger’s hair
Roger has a very thin rectangular face so using a rectangular cutter with slightly curved sides cut out a rectangle from a circle of white fondant
You will need white fondant and silver lustre dust. Roger’s face is very long and thin and despite the fact that I thought that this would be hard his hair came about the easiest. Perhaps it was because it was the last hair that I did. And yes I have a hard time drawing men’s faces. Women’s faces are so much easier!
Trim the edges with a paring knife and then using the small leaf cutter cut out little bits along the top hairline as shown
Step 2: Faces
You will need: white fondant and rose pink and brown food colouring. A small paring knife, edible ink textas (from Little Betsy Baker), pencil, paper, small brush and water.
1. Knead a tiny amount of rose pink and brown food colouring into a small ball of white fondant.Add this ball to a larger piece of white fondant and knead until a uniform pale pink skin tone. Cut out an oval for the face-you will trim the faces a bit later.
2. Now practice drawing the faces on a piece of paper with a pencil first (don’t waste your edible ink pens on practice). Once you’ve got the face down then you can draw it on the fondant faces. I freaked out so much at the prospect that I asked my father who paints over to help me. As you can see he can draw but he can’t draw Joan Holloway (angry Nicole Kidman anyone?). He also broke one of my pens and Joan’s hair so I had to send him home. So I had to pick up the pens and do it myself. I know my drawing sucks. But how about that Charlie Sheen? Nice subject change right? 
My father’s angry Nicole Kidman in the top right
3. Once you’re drawn on the faces you can shape the faces using the paring knife. The men have more square jaws and the women have smaller chins so patiently carve out a shape. Now using water and a brush glue all of the hair onto the face.
Make cupcakes
If you’ve survived doing this, I’m sure Don Draper himself would sit you down for a glass of scotch and a cigarette and if you were a woman he would probably try and seduce you. But I’m not Don Draper and so I’m going to tell you to bake some cupcakes. Lemon chiffon ones actually. I decided to do lemon chiffon cupcakes as chiffon was a popular dress fabric. I used the recipe from the culinary institute of America which is fitting because I wanted an American recipe to suit the show’s vintage Americana vibe.
Lemon Chiffon Cupcakes
Makes 12 cupcakes
- 1.5 cups cake flour*
- 1 tsp baking powder
- 1/2 cup sugar, divided
- 2 large egg yolks
- 1/2 cup vegetable oil
- 1/2 cup water
- 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
- Zest of 1 lemon
- 2 large egg whites
Baker’s tip: If you can’t get cake flour, you can make it. To make 1 cup of cake flour, place 2 tablespoons or cornflour/cornstarch in a measuring cup and top with plain or all purpose flour to make 1 cup.
1. Preheat the oven to 375°F/190°C. Place paper cupcake inserts inside cupcake tray.
2. Sift the flour, baking powder, and half the sugar together into a large mixing bowl or stand mixer bowl and reserve.
3. In another large mixing bowl or stand mixer bowl, combine the egg yolks, oil, water, vanilla, and zest. Mix with a handheld mixer or whip attachment until thoroughly combined, about 1 minute.
4. Add the egg yolk mixture gradually to the dry ingredients, mixing with a handheld mixer or whip attachment on medium speed until a paste forms. When a paste has formed, scrape down the sides of the bowl, and continue adding the remainder of the yolk mixture until it is all incorporated. Beat for an additional 2 minutes on medium speed.
5. In a separate mixing bowl or stand mixer bowl, whip the egg whites with a clean whip attachment on medium speed until soft peaks form. Gradually add the remaining sugar while beating the egg whites and continue to beat until medium peaks form.
6. Gently blend 1/3 of the beaten egg whites into the egg yolk mixture to lighten it. Gently fold in the remaining egg whites.
7. Divide the batter evenly among the prepared cups.
8. Bake at 375°F/190C until the top of a cake springs back to the touch, about 20 minutes.
9. Let the cakes cool in the pans for a few minutes before removing them to a wire rack to finish cooling. The cakes are ready to frost now, or they can be wrapped and stored at room temperature for 2 days, or frozen for up to 3 weeks. I filled mine with some lovely Blue Ox blackberry and durif jam which you can do or you can fill them with lemon curd or whatever you like. Or leave them plain.
Chocolate ganache
Assemble cupcakes by spreading ganache on top and smooth it over as per the instructions here. Then cut out some coloured fondant circles and attach them by brushing a little water on top of the set ganache. Place the faces on top.
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Terrific!
Cheers,
Rosa
The cupcakes look fantastic Lorraine! I don’t think I’m my partner’s dream type either, he seems to prefer blonds too (what is it with men, most ‘blonds’ aren’t really blonds anyway ;-p). Congrats on the feature, I’ll have to look it up on the mag! Have a great day! xx
Lorraine, love your post…like you we love Mad Man…the cupcakes are so cute…and I sure can recognize the characters
Have a great week ahead!
These are fabulous Lorraine and congrats on the magazine…you do so much to promote all things in your neck of the woods.
As for ideal women… men think they know what they want… but when they meet the woman of their heart, they find their ideal woman… and they are so much better than what they imagined. Smart fellow, Mr Elliot!
haha super cute, Lorraine! I’ve been working up the courage to work with fondant…
Awww! He truly fell in love with you, not the physical trappings!
Congratulations on your piece in the magazine, Lorraine! HOORAY!
Your cupcakes are adorable. I’ve never seen Mad Men but you’ve got me intrigued now. 
Hahaha…Big Boy would love these! He’s a diehard Mad Men fan! PS. Season 4 comes out on dvd soon!
These cupcakes are so cute, Lorraine! I love the redhead, she’s adorable. How funny about you and your hubby! I *think* (lol, Mike has yet to confirm or deny
) that before we were married, Mike’s type was dark-haired girls…and of course, ironically, I’m more toward the blonde end of the spectrum. 
my oh my – how brilliant!!! were you worried that they would be too pretty to eat?!
Lorraine, they are AMAZING cupcakes!
SSG xxx
LOL – these are delightfully clever. I was looking at all your icing bits and thought “I have no idea how these would go together!”. MM is one of my fave shows too, though the characters are definitely very flawed. Lemon and blueberry cupcakes sound devine! I don’t know if I am the right “type” – I suspect that it is more that I was in the right place at the right time rather than him being bowled over by my physical characteristics.
You are amazing, so talented. I am astounded by what you’ve done. This looks a little to painstaking for me, but I’d sure love to eat one. I love Mad Men. THese would be such a treat to eat while watching the show!!!
*kisses* HH
Lorraine you are so incredibly dedicated! The cupcakes are so intricate and detailed! Loved reading this post- it’s hilarious! I was chuckling the whole way through
very creative!
Oh my goodness Lorraine! These are absolutely sensational!!! I love them, heart them, want to make them! You are so inspirational
Congratulations on such a winning post
What fun! What a clever idea! With all of its misguided misogyny, I do love “Mad Men”–but maybe not as much as I love these cupcakes!
ha ha – C denies that he likes my hair either blonde or brown (i’ve had both) and he is also very non committal when I ask him. Perhaps they really don’t care?!?
Love Mad Men! These are beyond fabulous Lorraine. I especially love Rogers face – the way you have completely capture his expression in just a few strokes.
They’re super cute and it’d almost be a shame to bite into them!
I’ve never seen the show, but these cupcakes are darling regardless!
I’m surprised that my husband “picked” me because although he denies it, I think he prefers blonds:)
CONGRATS on the magazine feature! Exciting!
love the cup cakes and congrats on the magazine feature!!
I LOVE Mad Men – my favourite show
we’re only up to season 3, though. I adore Joan – love that quote form Roger. This is such a great post. My man has good taste – not so much a type. So of course, I fall in line with that 
hehe.
p.s. LOVE Betty’s style too. & Joan’s figure, damn! I love Peggy too. Clearly, I love them all!
Heidi xo
I love these cupcakes … so sweet. xo
Congrats on the magazine article!! Hilarious blog! Addicted to Mad Men for the same reasons – my first job I was told not to wear pants as the CEO likes ‘his women’ in skirts. PS Who was on your screensaver…
These are amazing NQN. Brilliant idea beautifully executed. As a massive Mad Men fan, I so wish I’d had the imagination to think of this! Brilliant.
very very cute
I love these! I’m a big Mad Men and cupcakes fan so this is a hard to beat combo. Very creative!
So cute! And I bet they taste as good as they look =)
That is so cool! I love the step by step hair creation!
Of the 4 girlfriends my boyfriend’s had, I’m the only one who hasn’t got dyed hair, isn’t totally obsessed with punk music but also the one that he’s ever loved.. aww (this is almost word for word)
fabulous, inspiring cupcakes
They are fanastic – fun post!! Nice work…..
Being one of the ignoramuses of the mod TV world, I wouldn’t know who Mad Men are, BUT, migod the unholy work you put into those cupcakes! I would never had the patience!! But awfully cute they are! Oh, and great about the magazine interview – diplomatically answered as usual! And as far as screensavers go, mine actually IS NQN!! Honest injun!
Very creative – and a love story too…!
Look at all your cutters. Those pictures are just so funny and the cupcakes are great. I would have to say I am totally my other half’s type.
Oh my goodness, that looks like so much work! The cupcakes look amazing though! Do you get sad when eating something that looks so beautiful and took so long? Congrats on being featured in the magazine too! That’s so exciting!
Oh my god. You are hilarious. These have made my week. Could anyone actually bring themselves to eat them? As for types; The Hungry One used to go for sporty, surfer girls. Who knows how he ended up married to me.
You are too clever! That is just so creative. Fabulous job!!!!
Oh and congrats on the feature in Home Ideas
The clothes on Mad Men are just to die for! According to him I’m the only one who has ever been my husband’s type. I don’t know if he’s lying or sweet – lets just say sweet
They look great Lorraine, I do know of Mad Men, but am yet to watch it. Plan on getting the DVDs
*sigh* I adore that silver fox, Roger Sterling. Your cupcake of him takes the cake!
OMG Lorraine, these look just amazing!!! Wish I could swap lives with you just for a day so I could do something as fun… Maybe I’d bake Dexter-themed cupcakes, hmmmm
Ha! Love these! Can’t wait for next season
These are seriously cute!! Congratulations on the magazine article too. I had a good laugh reading your post
I applaud you patience, Lorraine. I really enjoyed the 4th season of Mad Men, it was so unexpectedly funny. Whenever they finally pull the 5th season together, you should make these to celebrate! If it’s not too much work…
Haha that’s such a funny story Lorraine. I thought you cut the fondant with a knife but I love that you got creative with cookie cutters.
They are brilliant. My boss LOVES mad men, so I will make these and then become the office favourite! Mwahaha!
I love them, very clever of you!
Oh I love!!
Awww these cupcakes are so cute!!! You definitely have a lot of patience and creativity.
Oh, this post made me giggle! Well done Mr NQN for choosing Joan in the first place, even if he changed his mind later.
I so loved season 4 – I thought season 3 was a bit weak so was really relieved that season 4 picked up again. Although in terms of Don’s actions at the end… what the?!
I loooove how captured each haristyle so well in the icing!
What patience you have putting all those gorgeous cupcakes together!! My mother has her own wedding cake business and she would love if I took an interest in doing things like this with icing but I don’t have the patience. Love the scenes you set them up with!
OK – I am going to be SO crazy. This blog is about cupcakes, isn’t it? Well, for God knows what reason I have just read your Anthony Bourdain’s interview for the first time!!
Guess because I loved his Vancouver and Berlin stories just recently aired on NSW TV, but was somewhat bored by Romania, I did go thru’ your absolutely fab interview with kind’of a toothcomb! Fantastic – new readers, if you have not indulged -DO!!!
He calls us bloggers a ‘brave new generation’ – do think about that! Anyways, t’was SO good to read something truly intelligent!!
I love these cupcakes!!! The fact that I’m mildly Mad Men obsessed may have something to do with it. Well done Lorraine! Do you want to make some and bring them to my Mad Men party?
These are remarkable! Aren’t you the clever one!
They look fantastic. Very cool indeed. I still haven’t seen any Mad Men, but on my ‘list’.
These are just fabulous! They look exactly like the characters!!! Great job! I am sure the cupcakes taste good too! Congrats on being featured on Home Ideas magazine!
gorgeous! love the details
These cupcakes are ideal for a madmen themed party! Anyway, I don’t have a sig. other so I don’t know if I am my sig. other’s type.
teehee
These are so great, I don’t even know if I could bring myself to eat them! Look at how great the hair is.
As for type, I have these conversations with my BF all the time, when we met he was also into blondes- he of course denies it.
you are way too clever. i love these!!
and hooray for your press too!
Those are just so cute!
(Truth be told, I’m not really my Mr. W’s type. However, I’m the only gal he knows who’s brave enough to do kitchen experiments that taste good.)
I love your Joan cupcake – she is my favourite!
Lovely cupcakes and congrats on the feature in Home magazine.
Adorable cupcakes Lorraine! And great to see the article in the magazine:-)
I can only draw stick figures and their faces have 2 dots as eyes…. damn! You can draw girl!
How Bloody clever
I love Mad Men and I love these cupcakes.
Lorraine, you continue to amaze and inspire! I LOVE these cupcakes. In his BM (before me) life, my significant other had this thing for tall blondes with slender legs up to here (indicating neck area). I however, am not blonde and do not have long legs (although they are not too bad). BM, my significant other clearly had no idea that brunettes were a whole, fabulous new ball game. And here we are, almost twenty years later-he tried the blonde, but preferred the brunette. And occasionally still looks fleetingly at blondes (and that’s okay), but prefers to hang with his brunette …!
What a cute story about you and Mr NQN hahaha… adorable
And what great cupcakes! talk about dedication!
Oh my! I LOVE MAD MEN! Joan Holloway is so foxy! By the by, at the Victoria Room they’re having a Mad Men and Martinis night to celebrate the new martini trolley, you should check it out: http://www.thevictoriaroom.com/?p=95-Whats-On
Happily, Stephen has always had nothing but disdain for blondes – well, the typical dumb blondes anyway
And congrats on your feature!
great cupcakes – though I couldn’t help suspect with your story about meeting mr nqn that maybe you just were interested in him because he worked in websites and you thought, hmmm if I ever become a blogger this could be very useful
Well, the cupcakes are brilliant. Re a type, I think my husband does have a type because I am very similar to his 8-yr girlfriend before me: blonde, blue eyes, half German (we are good friends now by the way). So, I wonder, which is worse? Being the opposite or a stereotype? ;o)
these are seriously adorable, I’m in awe that you’re into baking and shaping them because I wouldn’t have that type of determination! Love the snap by snap shots of how the details were created, gotta love that amazing 3D hair! I think my boyfriend’s into girls who are cute more than superhot. Actually, I have NO idea. Shall find out!
LOVE mad men, LOVE the cupcakes, LOVE roger and his witty comments even more than i love don and his slick hair. spectacular work, lorraine.
They’re lovely! I so wish I had the same patience for cake decorating as you do!
Those are amazing! Your attention to detail is seriously impressive. I am yet to watch Mad Men but I have the blu ray box set waiting downstairs for me!
These are amazing! So fantastic looking – I am such a mad men fan so am totally impressed with these.
Girl, you are CRAZY! In the best possible way ;P Cannot believe you made Mad Men cupcakes, you’ve set a new standard.
Oh My Gosh! How fantastic! I adore these. I love the vintage 50′s look and you’ve managed to meld it with a cupcake too. I;m in awe!
Not only do the madman faces look incredibly cute but the cupcakes themselves sound really delicious! I’m definitely going to have to try these one day. I’d also love to learn how to decorate my cupcakes like this too
you’re very talented!
You are over the top, my dear. Fantastic as always. So entertaining. XO
Spot on, NQN! Comic strip Mad Men – you are a genius! xxx
Best cupcakes ever! And lemon chiffon too? what a bonus!
I absolutely enjoyed reading this post, and of course I immediately just asked the BF if I fit his “Type” description. He said yes – but i think the cheeky bugger is lying, I’ve noticed a penchant for blondes too!
Happy Tuesday!
Looks like you had fun with this project. I’ve never seen Mad Men. After your description I wasn’t expecting too much from the cupcakes, but when I saw you filled a lemon cupcake with luscious blackberry jam it sounded like heaven!
Hilarious! Great post, Lorraine! And congrats on the mention in the magazine!
Wow Lorraine! these cupcakes are brillian:) they look amazing and congrats on the magazine feature as well.. you are truly talented my friend!
Ha ha, Great Mad Men cupcakes. I will bake them when the new season start. But I think i will avoid the cigarrette
I have not seen Mad Men because I am never in Australia at the right time, but I have bought the first series here in Italy and I am going to finally see it.
All your stories are such a delight, as well as your recipes, yummy!
I have to confess that I have not seen an episode of mad men. But after seeing your delicious looking cupcakes, I’m going to start.
I love this post Lorraine – hilarious!
Wow., love the redhead…, which is weird cos I usually don’t like the redheads.., but yours is so cute. I think your Mr NQN story is so fun., I look at the near super models my Mr. used to date & wonder a bit…, but hey apparently I’m “the one”., which is very, very cool
They’re adorable! Before I got to the part where you said you weren’t good at drawing I was thinking about how much I’d like to be able to draw even half as well as you.
I like that you used an interesting recipe for the cake too. So often you see amazing cakes made out of a horrible, dried out cake.
Have never watched Mad Men and don’t even know what it’s about but I’ll happily eat these too cute cupcakes hehehe
Wow!!! These cupcakes are so neat! I’m a big fan of Mad Men and I just love these!
Lorraine, You are so funny. I remember this boyfriend I swooned over so much, and same thing. He told me his type was skinny blonde, so not me. Years after I broke up with him (yes he did actually ask me to marry him), he married a short, dark, cuban gal. I’m not short, but I think I changed his “type.” haha
I read your favorite dining experience. Lorraine, dinner by a water fall with a private chef experience? Your husband sure is glad he doesn’t go for blondes.
I eithere end up hungry or with a bookmark if not both here, and this time u have me in splits …totally!
I cant answer ur question, coz my significant other has not entered my life ,and when he does i would love to answer the question..
the cupcakes ,super cute……ur so artistically creative!
Ummm…. WOAH! Best creation ever. You got Roger (and Betty, for that matter) down to an absolute t! Simply adorable.
You had me at Mad Men! I have to say, I agree with your husband, I’m a Joan girl. Among the guys, I like the bearded guy the best (I’m blanking on his name). Bring back the bearded guy!!
Congrats on the mag mention!
Just when I think your posts are far too long, I take the time to visit and realise how hard you work to put them up and all the effort in creating the food/faces etc etc. Will keep reading Roz
Those are amazing cupcakes, Lorraine! Really well made. I’m single now, but all the guys I’ve dated were my type, and I was their type too! Hmm.. maybe I should change things up?
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[...] Wipe your Chin – and get busy crafting. These make me want to watch Mad Men – I have never seen an episode. See above sleep statement and realise why. It is just on too late for me.(shame) [...]
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