by Abigail on August 22, 2010
Want to bake sweet and yummy cupcakes for that party coming up? Whether you’ve been invited to a cousin’s baby shower or you’re throwing an impromptu birthday party – parties can happen suddenly – so any cupcake lover needs to be prepared. It really helps if you know how to make some of your favorites quickly and easily. Could you put together two dozen cupcakes in an afternoon without hassle or fuss? Try some of our favorite tips and you’ll be ready for any party.
Keep your favorite cupcake or cake mixes on hand, ready to make cupcakes. Now not every cupcaker likes to start with a cake mix - but having your starter needs on hand (flour, sugar, etc.) certainly means you don’t have to run out to the store to bake those cupcakes for any party. You are prepared for quick and easy cupcakes!
Share the cupcake love. Making cupcakes is fun, no matter the occasion. Let friends and family in on the fun by asking for their help. You may be surprised at just how easy it is to get them to help! Whether helping you to mix ingredients or to frost cooled cupcakes – two sets of hands means that things just move a bit quicker. Even if your friend or family member isn’t really a big baker – they can be of lots of assistance to you.
Don’t forget your cupcake containers. Every cupcaker needs to be prepared to carry their cupcakes or store them – in preparation for the party. Do you have your cupcake tote or container ready to go? If not, now is the time to get it ready, while your cupcakes are in the oven or even before you’ve started baking.
Quick and easy cupcakes may not be the fanciest, most elaborate cupcakes you’ve made – but they can still be very tasty and cute. Now is the time to try your tried and true cupcake recipes. To use your favorite accent decorations. If you always get compliments on your flower cupcakes – make flower cupcakes. If red velvet cupcakes are your specialty – make this flavor. Don’t try something new or challenging when you are short on time and you’ve got to get the cupcakes to the party.
Enjoy the celebration – and the sweet and yummy cupcakes!
(c) photo by michiev
by Sprinkles on August 17, 2010
Communion Cupcakes by Gabby Cupcakes
I was cruising on Flickr this morning and came across some stunning Communion Cupcakes so thought today I would share with you some of my favorites! This one here is the one that stopped me in my tracks. These are simply gorgeous!
Communion Cupcakes by Cupcakes Under Cover
The next set are from Tammy at Cupcakes Under Cover and are also beautiful. I would love to be able to frost as good as this, it looks so light and frilly, and I would love a fondant embosser. Sigh! 
Communion Cupcakes by LA Sweets
Finally there are these gorgeous ones from LA Sweets! The cupcakes are both elegant and classy, perfect for a boy or a girl.
by Abigail on August 15, 2010
Throwing a baby shower? Invited to a baby shower and want to bring a sweet treat? There’s nothing more adorable than baby shower cupcakes – except of course a sweet baby!
But sometimes it can be challenging to find the time to do the cupcakes you’d like to do. Some cupcake designs take a lot of time – even a day or two between cooling time. It really helps to know a few easy and quick baby shower cupcake tips. Then you can bring adorable baby shower cupcakes and still enjoy every moment of the baby shower! Try some of our helpful tips to bring cute cupcakes that will get lots of “oohs” and aahhs” without all of the fuss!
Ask the host the theme of the baby shower. Matching the cupcakes to the baby shower theme is a very thoughtful theme to do. Even if the host has just picked favorite colors you can easily incorporate these into the cupcakes.
Consider making mini cupcakes. A baby shower is a very social occasion. Passing around gifts and photos and seeing the new mother. The food is really playing second fiddle. Many guests would easily be more tempted by a cupcake if it was a mini, because it would be easier to handle. They’ll have so many other things to pick up and pass around. A mini cupcake you can pop into your mouth with one or two bites.
Try making a few flavors and colors. Variety is truly the spice of life. Make the baby shower cupcakes pretty and try making some in one flavor and others in another flavor. And then decorate them with two different frostings and pretty toppings.
Neatness counts. Mother was right (she often was/is). Taking the time to be neat with your cupcakes can make them look far prettier than rushing and having them look sloppy. Even if you plan simple designs, the neat cupcake looks much better than one that is untidy. Work a little slower – knowing your cupcakes will come out neater and this will save you more time in the long run!
Keep your workspace cool and tidy. I’ll share with you one of my Mom’s favorite baking tips. She’d clean as she baked, so by the time everything was in the oven all of the ingredients were put away and the kitchen was (pretty much) tidy again. It really makes a difference for your own organization and the cupcakes you create. Keeping an organized and clean kitchen means you’ll find ingredients you need quickly – like icing or goodies to decorate. Having a cool workspace means your cupcakes will cool quicker than if they are close to a hot oven or warm kitchen. Try your dining room table or living room table to cool cupcakes!
Best tip: keep little ones and pets occupied while baking. Children easily get excited when you are baking cupcakes. They know a sweet treat is coming and want to be right there when it comes out, so they can have one right away. Who could blame them? Pets enjoy the excitement of everyone gathering and they want to get in on the fun – they know something is going on. Plan ahead and keep little ones busy coloring or watching a fun video while you bake. They may smell sweet things from the kitchen but likely they’ll be too occupied to pay attention to them. Send pets outdoors or into other rooms. Older children can be sent outdoors to play with pets unsupervised – the perfect solution for a sunny day while you make cupcakes.
(c) photo by Justyna Furmanczyk
