4th of July Cupcake Design
Uncle Sam wants you… but you may have to tell him to wait! These July 4th cupcakes are so good, you won’t want to miss them. These cupcakes are great for parties, Fourth of July firework shows, or just for you to enjoy! The little cakes may be red, white, and blue, but let’s face red, white, and blue are always in season!
The fun part about this holiday cupcake recipe is that it’s so versatile. For fun variations, you could try using vanilla cupcakes. Add some red or blue food coloring for additional color. [singlepic=53,320,240,,right]
Ingredients:
- 24 pre-made chocolate cupcakes
- 1/2 cup marshmallow crème
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 3 cups fresh strawberries, halved
- 1 cup fresh blueberries
Directions:
1) Refrigerate pre-made cupcakes.
2) Place marshmallow crème in small microwave-safe bowl and microwave on high for 10 – 20 seconds, until softened. Beat heavy cream until soft peaks form. Add slightly cooled marshmallow crème; continue beating until stiff peaks form.
3) Frost cooled cupcakes with whipped cream mixture up to two hours before serving. Arrange 2 strawberry halves on top of each frosted cupcake. Place 3 – 5 blueberries around the strawberry halves. Keep refrigerated until served.
You could also substitute the fruit for more variations. Strawberries could be switched out for raspberries. If you don’t like blueberries, try putting a small dollop of blue icing next to the strawberries. This ties in the red, white, and blue all together in a festive little cupcake.
“By The Sea” Beach and Shark Cupcake Design
In the summertime, there’s nothing like a relaxing day on the beach. You get sand in your hair and in your shoes and it’s completely okay… but what about if it were in your cupcakes?
Although it sounds crazy, these cute beach cupcakes will remind you of your days spent in the sun and worry-free. For those of you who’d rather catch a wave than a tan, there are cute little shark cupcakes as well.
These shark cupcakes make you feel like your right in the water with them. These beach and shark cupcakes make a great addition to any party, gathering, or a regular day!
So surf’s up, tide’s out and cupcakes are in… enjoy! [singlepic=52,320,240,,right]
Ingredients:
Pre-made cupcakes
White Frosting
Sharks
White Chocolate
Blue Food Coloring
Shark Fin Template
Beach
Drink Parasol (umbrella)
Graham Cracker Crumbs
Beach
1) Frost cupcakes with white frosting.
2) Roll in graham cracker crumbs or sprinkle on top until fully covered.
3) Enjoy!
Sharks
1) Add blue food coloring to white frosting.
2) Frost cupcakes with blue frosting. Set aside.
3) Melt white chocolate and add in blue food coloring.
4) Pour into shark fin templates. Let dry.
5) Top cupcakes with fin.
6) Enjoy!
Yum! Aren’t these beach themed cupcakes such a hit? They’re both so easy. In addition if you don’t want to worry about the chocolate fins, you can always just cut out fins from blue construction paper. Either way, the sand and the surf lovers will enjoy your cupcakes and certainly appreciate the cute thought! Beach and shark cupcakes for everyone!
Baseball Design Cupcakes
They’re for your son’s winning season. They’re for your dad’s birthday. They’re for your neighborhood party. They’re for the seventh inning stretch. Whatever the occasion may be… these baseball cupcakes are so perfect!
While, yes, these cupcakes are simple, the end result is quite a fun sight to see. Baseballs are already round. What better disguise for a cupcake!
These are great for the summer, they’re so easy, and a perfect ending to any day. So why keep reading, these are so much fun to make… play ball! [singlepic=51,320,240,,right]
Ingredients:
Pre-made cupcakes
White Frosting
Red Licorice (pull-apart)
Chocolate Frosting
Directions:
1) Frost the cupcake with the white frosting.
2) Using the stitching of a real baseball as your guide. Recreate the pattern with the red licorice (or with red frosting and a writing tip).
3) With chocolate frosting and a writing tip, sign the ball with the name of your child’s favorite player. This step is completely optional, but I think it’s a great was to personalize these little cakes.
Well, that’s the game! I made these cupcakes for my little cousins for a family party after one of their baseball games. It was so much fun, to see them play, and then to show them their cupcakes!
They’re smiles were so big… not to mention that each cupcake had the name of a different player on their team. These cupcakes saved the day that afternoon and I’ll never forget the look on their faces when they saw their very own baseball design cupcakes!
Ladybug Cupcake Design Recipe
When it is suddenly time for that party, gathering, or after school snack what do you do? Of course, cupcakes are always right, but why have a cupcake the same way every time? In this fantastic recipe, you can create a little ladybug creature. These cupcakes are absolutely darling and not to mention they’re so tasty!
I made these lovely ladybugs for my neighbors and their kids one afternoon and they were a huge hit! The kids really loved the cute designs and couldn’t wait to learn how to make their own. Ladybugs usually are only outside, but now they could be in your kitchen (and it wouldn’t be a bad thing)!
Yield: as many cupcakes as you have! [singlepic=12,320,240,,right]
Ingredients:
- Cupcakes
- Chocolate frosting
- Strawberry frosting
- Red fruit slice candy
- M&M Mini’s
- Junior Mints
- Black licorice lace candy
- Small zip-lock freezer bag
Directions:
1) Ice the cupcakes with strawberry icing.
2) Place the chocolate frosting in a small zip-lock freezer bag and snip off one corner.
3) Pipe a mound of chocolate frosting in the center of each cupcake.
4) Slice a red fruit slice in half for the wings. Place on top of the chocolate icing.
5) Attach M&M Mini’s to wings using frosting for glue. (I use brown so it looks real, but obviously all colors are equally as scrumptious!)
6) Attach a Junior Mint for the head and two short black licorice pieces for the antennae.
These ladybug cupcakes are so fantastic. The design is easy, great for kids and extra fun for all the insect lovers out there! For fun variations, you can use a red velvet cupcake or chocolate cupcake. Of course, the usual vanilla is delicious as well!
All in all, these ladybug cupcakes are a hit, no matter the occasion or reason. In fact, who really needs a reason at all! These ladybugs are waiting! Go, go, bake then right now!
Vanilla Cupcake Recipe
I love a good vanilla cupcake recipe. You can use this basic recipe for so many things.
Cupcakes are so compact, you can easily add decorations, and they taste great too!
Of course the mixes from the box are yummy too, but wouldn’t you rather a recipe come straight from your kitchen?
It’s really not as hard as some people think and you can make these cupcakes in a snap using this vanilla cupcake recipe!
Yield: 18 cupcakes [singlepic=10,320,240,,right]
Ingredients:
- 2 cups sifted cake flour
- 1 1/3 cups granulated sugar
- 2 teaspoons baking powder
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 cup shortening
- 1 cup milk
- 2 teaspoons vanilla
- 2 eggs
Directions:
1) Preheat your oven to 350 degrees. Prepare, either, a muffin pan or paper cupcake liners by greasing them with a non-stick cooking spray or butter followed by a light coat of flour. Now you can set the pan aside.
2) In a medium mixing bowl sift together the flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt. Add the shortening, milk and vanilla then beat it for 2 minutes with mixer at medium speed. Add the eggs and beat 1 minutes longer.
3) Take a spoon or cookie scoop and divide the batter into 18 cupcake cups (on the pan, in the liner, or both), filling them about halfway. Fill the cups and then bake them for about 20 to 25 minutes. When they’re done, and an inserted toothpick comes out clean, let them cool and then frost them with a desired icing.
These cupcakes not only taste great, but look great too! They’re a favorite at birthday parties, weddings, showers, retirement parties, a bake sale and any other time for that matter!
Whether you’re throwing a bash or selling them for cash, this vanilla cupcake recipe is bound to be a hit.
Also…
Chocolate Cupcakes
Red Velvet Cupcake Recipe
Red velvet cake has been a classic favorite for many years. Back in the older days, people used to use beet juice in order to give these cupcakes their distinct bright red color. Now-a-days just a drop or two of red food coloring does the trick and these cakes still remain one of the most popular and remarkably beautiful to make. So you can make cake…now but what about a red velvet cupcake recipe? Sound a little unorthodox?
Well, in fact cupcake versions of your favorite cakes are beginning to spread in popularity.Cupcakes are convenient, portable, and so much fun to make.
This particular red velvet cupcake recipe takes your favorite cake and turns it into something amazing… a convenient cupcake! [singlepic=9,320,240,,right]
Ingredients:
- 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 1/2 cups sugar
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon cocoa powder
- 1 1/2 cups vegetable oil
- 1 cup buttermilk, room temperature
- 2 large eggs, room temperature
- 2 tablespoons red food coloring
- 1 teaspoon white distilled vinegar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Directions:
1) Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Line 2 (12-cup) muffin pans with cupcake papers.
2) In a medium mixing bowl, sift together the flour, sugar, baking soda, salt, and cocoa powder. In a large bowl gently beat together the oil, buttermilk, eggs, food coloring, vinegar, and vanilla with a handheld electric mixer. Add the sifted dry ingredients to the wet and mix until smooth and thoroughly combined.
3) Divide the batter evenly among the cupcake tins about 2/3 filled. Bake in oven for about 20 to 22 minutes, turning the pans once, half way through. Test the cupcakes with a toothpick for doneness. Remove from oven and cool completely before frosting.
Once your special Red Velvet cupcakes are complete… feel free to enjoy them!
These cupcakes are perfect for parties, school functions, bake sales, or special occasions. With a red velvet cake recipe, no matter how you use these cupcakes, they are sure to be a hit. If you share these with others, then my guess is that you will be a hero to your family and friends for introducing them to these fantastic sweets.
Cupcake Recipe for Kids: M&M Madness!
Baking with your kids is a fun time for both of you, and a kid cupcake recipe is one of the only other thing you need to have a blast in the kitchen!
With so many recipes out there, how do you decide which one to bakewhich recipe will be the one that gives you both the most enjoyment in the kitchen?
The key to the perfect kid cupcake recipe is to make sure its easy enough that your child can help you with it and as a bonus, make sure that it has a fun decorative design that they’ll surely love! [singlepic=40,320,240,,right]
I’ve been cooking in the kitchen with my mom and grandmother for as long as I can remember. Time in the kitchen with my mom and grandmother are some of my favorite memories so I guess I am a little partial to kid-friendly recipes!
Yield: 30 cupcakes
Ingredients:
- 1 package yellow cake mix
- 1 package vanilla pudding mix
- 2 tablespoons flour
- 1 cup milk
- 1/3 cup oil
- 4 eggs
- 1 cup mini M&Ms
- 1 container of frosting
Directions:
1) Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Prepare two 12-cup muffin pans and one 6-cup with paper or foil liners.
2) In a large bowl, combine the cake mix, pudding, flour, milk, oil, and the eggs. Beat the mix with an electric mixer on low speed for about 30 seconds. Then, beat the mix for 2 minutes on medium speed, being sure to scrape the sides.
3) Fold in 2/3 cup of the mini M&Ms and then transfer the batter into the separate muffin cups filling 2/3 full. Drop a few more of the M&Ms over the cupcakes and the bake them 18-20 minutes, or until cupcakes are fully risen and golden brown on the tops.
4) Let the cupcakes cool thoroughly and then frost each cupcake with a dollop of the pre-made frosting. Sprinkle remaining M&M’s on top and then enjoy!
You kids are bound to love these adorable cupcakes. The M&Ms in every cupcake is a special treat and a delightful surprise! Not only are they a favorite for family time, but also for kids birthday parties, or just a fun afternoon snack.
My mom and I have made this kid cupcake recipe so many times that I think I could make it with my eyes closed. Be sure to let your child help you with the recipe where they can. Things like adding the mini M & Ms, scraping down the bowl, and even frosting the cupcakes are all kid friendly jobs.
This kid cupcake recipe is a favorite by many and even I know to always keep the ingredients for this favorite recipe on hand! You just never know what could come up and when you might need to get baking these adorable cupcakes!
Golf Cupcake Design Recipe
This cupcake cake design may make you think you’re not up to par, but really its a simple design with a look that’s complex.
With so many more golfers out on the course now-a-days, golf inspired things have become increasingly popular; from backyards, to houses, to even food!!
This little cupcake, designed to resemble a golfing green will make you wish you were on the course right now! This simple cupcake design only needs a few things. [singlepic=42,320,240,,right]
Ingredients:
- Pre-made chocolate cupcakes
- Bright Green Frosting
- Golf Ball Mints (found in specialty baking shops or sport stores) *can also be substituted for Mentos or any other small white sphere candy
- Toothpicks
- Red Fruit Leather (or Fruit Roll-Ups)
- Hair decorating tip
- Pastry Bag
Directions:
1) Take your pastry bag, with the hair decorating tip, and put your green frosting in it, filling it up about of the way.
2) Gently squeeze the pastry bag over the edge of the cupcake until about 1/6 inch of frosting has come onto the cupcake. Continue that process around the entire cupcake, creating the illusion of flowing grass.
3) Place your golf ball, whatever you chose to use to resemble the golf ball, onto the cupcake.
4) Cut the red fruit leather or Fruit Roll-up into an isosceles triangle for the golfers flag. Poke two holes in the triangle on the shortest side. Weave the toothpick into the leather (roll-up) and stick the flag into the cupcake.
And there you have it! Your golfer’s paradise is complete! It’s finished with grass, ball, and flag; what more could you ask for? This cupcake cake design has proven to be not only a snap but it looks like you’ve been working in the kitchen all day to make these little greens! People will be shocked by your creative cupcake cake design and they’ll think these cupcakes were surely store bought! But everyone knows that they’re much too divine for that go ahead and enjoy the little cakes!
Cupcake Decorating Tips (Part 2)
Well now that you understand all about a cupcake decorating tip, the little metal ones, lets move onto some hints that will help you create the best cupcake ever!
1. Start out with a good recipe
Sure those mixes in the box are tasty but if you’ve got the time, then splurge for the homemade cupcake recipe version. You’ll be glad you did. Also try to set aside the time to make your own cupcake frosting. Homemade frostings are rich, tasty and most definitely worth the effort. [singlepic=72,320,240,,right]
2. Bake your cupcakes in paper cup liners…and muffin pans
The pan keeps the cupcakes shape while the liners keep them from sticking. It also gives them a protective cover when its time to serve; helping to keep fingers clean.
3. Make sure you have the right equipment
You should use rubber spatulas for spreading the frosting onto the cupcakes. They’re gentler than knives or metal spatulas and you’re less likely to cut the tops of your cupcake. After all you want your cupcakes to look as good as they taste.
4. Frost a cupcake, top-down
It’s best to place a dollop in the center of the cupcake and work your way around by going in a circular motion, a little further out with every turn. By using this method your cupcake will have a smoother top and not have frosting falling of the edges.
5. Select the right decorating tip; one that’s proportional to your cupcake
By using this cupcake decorating tip your result will be much more professional looking. If you use a huge decorating tip on such a little cupcake, it will become overwhelmed with frosting. So when in doubt, leave it out. Cupcakes kept simple with little features, and less of them, will stand out more than so many things on one tiny cake.
I really hope that these tips helped your cupcakes. Just remember, less is better; homemade beats store-made; and most importantly keep even proportions. By following even one cupcake decorating tip your cupcake will be good; follow all the tips and it’ll be amazing! Happy cupcake baking and decorating!
Cupcake Decorating Tips
There are many different cupcake decorating tips to help you create your best cupcake ever!
Now, for starters, there are two main types of tips for cupcake decorating. There are those little metal things you screw onto a pastry bag… tips. Or there are those little hints people give you to help you create a smoother, more professional-looking cupcake… also tips.
Well today must your lucky day because you’re learning about some of both. I know in my kitchen, I will take all the cupcake decorating tips I can get!
First off, lets start with the little metal tips you could use to decorate your cupcakes. There are obviously many different types. [singlepic=41,320,240,,right]
First, there’s the star tip; its pretty much a classic. This type of tip gives you piping line that has points on it like a star and its frequently used for large cake borders.
The second tip is called the basket weave which is a type that resembles a thin rectangle. There are two varieties of the basket weave. In one, both of the sides are flat, which gives you a ribbon-like look. The other type has one flat and one rigid edge. This tip uses the rigid edge to create a textured effect, frequently used to give the illusion of a traditional basket-weave.
The flower, leaf, and rose petal tips are fun as well. These tips are commonly used on cupcakes and when you use these tips, it makes a flower or a leaf in one step. When you are mass producing cupcakes, these tips are very useful to keep the designs simple, yet elegant. It is a huge time saver in the kitchen.
The final tip is the round tip. (Of course, there are still many more types of tips out there; but these are the four basics and the ones that I find myself using most often.) The round tip is the most commonly used tip. It is about as simple as it gets. The round tip delivers a round dot, pretty much as large or small as you’d like, depending on the size of the decorating tip. It can make dots or if you steadily move it, it can make lines or letters. If you’d like to write anything on your cakes or cupcakes, I’d definitely suggest this tip. Some choose the basket weave tip with two flat sides but usually that tip is too wide to get a clean finished product. Remember… you are working in a very small area.
So that’s some simple cupcake decorating tips. Are you still looking for something more? If so, it’s possible you were looking for decorating tips; those little hints people give you to help improve your baking and to create the best decorated cake or cupcake you can.
Of course, I want to make sure that I give you what you are looking for so if you are looking for cupcake decorating tips, I have written a second article based on the helpful hints for cupcake decorating in: A Cupcake Decorating Tip On Tips (Part 2) and you’ll surely find what you’re looking for!