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.

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!

I know that trick. No… I’ve done that trick.

With this devil food cake recipe, you won’t have to worry about being unhealthy. While, there is still sugar and such, you may find that this chocolate cake isn’t too much of a diet-buster.

Using unsweetened cocoa powder, low-fat yogurt and wheat flour, are all great ways to make this devil’s food cake a little less of a guilty pleasure so go ahead… have two cupcakes instead of just one.

Yield: Two 9-inch or three 8-inch rounds, 16 servings each,
2 dozen cupcakes or one 9 x 13-inch sheet cake, 24 servings

Ingredients:

• 3/4 cup (1-1/2 sticks, 6 ounces) unsalted butter
• 1 cup (7-1/2 ounces) packed light or dark brown sugar
• 3/4 cup (5-1/4 ounces) superfine or granulated sugar
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1-1/2 cups (5 ounces) whole wheat pastry flour
• 1 cup (4-1/4 ounces) unbleached all-purpose flour
• 1 cup (3 ounces) unsweetened natural cocoa powder
• 1-1/2 teaspoons baking soda
• 4 large eggs
• 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
• 1 cup (8 ounces) plain low-fat or whole-milk yogurt
• 3/4 cup (6 ounces) water

Directions:

1) Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Grease and flour the pan or pans of your choice or line with parchment paper. For cupcakes, lightly grease two muffin tins or line with papers and coat the papers with non-stick spray.

2) Cream together the butter, sugars and salt in a large mixing bowl till fluffy and light, at least five minutes. Stop to scrape the sides and bottom of the bowl at least once during that time. In a separate bowl, whisk together the flours, cocoa and baking soda. If lumps remain, sift or strain the mixture.

3) Add the eggs to the butter mixture one at a time, beating well (at least a full minute) after each addition, and stopping to scrape the sides and bottom of the bowl before adding the next egg. Mix in the vanilla. Add half the flour mixture and mix until evenly combined. Add the yogurt and water, and mix again. Add the remaining flour, mix, and stop to scrape the sides and bottom of the bowl once more, to make sure the batter is evenly moistened. Pour the batter into the prepared pan(s).

4) Bake the cakes; 30-35 for layered cakes and 35-40 for a sheet cake… even less for cupcakes! The cake is done when it begins to pull away from the side of the pan, and a cake tester inserted into the center comes out clean. Remove from the oven and cool for 15 minutes before removing from the pan. Place on a rack to cool completely before frosting.

These tasty devil’s food cupcakes are great for parties, or any other occasion really. For a frosting, I love to top these delicious cupcakes with a smooth cream cheese frosting. For an added twist, try torting your cupcakes. (That means to put a dollop of cream cheese frosting in the middle of your cupcake!) No matter how you ice it, this devil’s food cake recipe is devilishly delicious!

That’s right. We’re talking about the one and only Sesame Street!

For birthday parties and other gatherings, Sesame Street cupcakes are a popular choice for cupcakes. This design will help you to create Elmo cupcakes.

This Elmo cupcake recipe will give you adorable cupcakes that look just like the real thing. Come on… let’s head to Sesame Street and learn how to make these cute little Elmo cupcakes.

Ingredients:

• Premade Cupcakes (flavor of your choice)
• Red Royal Icing
• Orange Gumball
• Marshmallows
• Black Icing or Mini Chocolate Chips

Directions:

1) Take your premade cupcakes and get them ready for frosting. Apply the Grass Tip to your pastry bag and fill it with red icing.

2) Frost your cupcakes with the Grass Tip, pressing down lightly at the base and pulling the pastry bag up, off the cupcake, about ¼ of an inch (depending on how furry you want Elmo to be).

3) With your marshmallows, you can either slice the regular size in halves or you can use mini marshmallows. If you’re not even a marshmallow fan you can just use some white icing and pipe a circle blob of frosting.

4) Use either some black icing or mini chocolate chips for the pupils. Have fun with this. Experiment with the position and size of the pupils to make Elmo excited, wild, confused, or just his regular cute self.

5) For Elmo’s nose, simple use an orange gumball– right in the middle of the cupcake or you could use an orange gumdrop, M&M, circus peanut… the possibilities are endless so be sure to try them all!

Growing up, Sesame Street was one of my all time favorite shows and I always loved Elmo, especially the segment called “Elmo’s World”. Although times are changing, it is good to know that our little red fuzzy friend will stay the same.

He is still learning to tie his shoes and count by twos… leaving a good example for the growing generation of Sesame Street lovers. Don’t spoil a good birthday with regular cupcakes. Choose Elmo cupcakes and they are sure to be the hit of the party.