Cake Decorating Ideas Blog

Pretty N Punk Cupcakes

Starting this project I was excited because I have never used Bella Cupcake Couture Cupcake Wraps, or any cupcake wraps for that matter, and when I saw the Bella Cupcake Couture Lu Lu Black and White Cupcake Wraps, I was inspired and knew just what to make. I love the elegant pattern on these wraps and black is an unexpected color that is not usually associated with cupcakes so I thought it would be fun to make something different.

Bella Cupcake Couture Wrap

Starting out, I anticipated this to be an easy project. Just bake and frost some cupcakes and place them in the wraps right? Wrong. I started out by baking standard sized cupcakes and when the cupcakes came out of the oven and cooled I quickly realized that they were going to be too small for the Bella Cupcake Couture Wraps. Looking down into the wrap, the top of the standard size cupcake was a good 1/2″ below the edge of the cupcake wrap, and the cupcake had at least 1/4″ of breathing room all around it. I knew that even if I mounded on giant swirls of frosting, the cupcake would still look sunken and inset from the wrap.

Standard Size Cupcake in Wrap

My options were to place the cupcakes on some sort of stilts to raise them up so that the top of the cupcake would be level with the edge of the wrap, to go ahead and frost the cupcakes using as much frosting as possible so that the problem wouldn’t be as noticeable or to bake new larger cupcakes. The stilt idea seemed clunky and complicated and I knew I wouldn’t get the results I wanted by frosting the cupcakes I already had made, so I baked new cupcakes. The next size up that I had in baking cups was a 1-7/8″ wall by 2-1/4″ diameter base baking cup. This is the size in between standard and giant (Texas sized), and if you don’t fill it too full you can use a standard size muffin baking pan.

Cupcakes in a Row

Just for reference, a standard size baking cup has 1-3/8″ walls (sides) and a 2″ diameter bottom. Note: 1-3/8″ walls and 2″ diameter bottom measurements must be approximations because although these are the dimensions that are called out on the packaging, when I measure the baking cup it seems closer to 1-1/2″ wall and 1-7/8″ diameter base. These are the most common size and the kind that people generally use. They come in a variety of different colors and patterns, and you should be able to find some variety of these size at your local grocery store.

Large Baking Cups in Pan

Using the new larger baking cups I baked some new cupcakes. These larger cupcake liners stuck up way above the edges of my cupcake pan. I filled each cup with 1/2 cup of batter (next time I would use 1/3 cup because this was too much) and baked them for 35-40 minutes at 350 degrees F. When these cupcakes emerged from the oven I could tell that they were much much bigger, but the question now was… are they too big? Unfortunately the answer was yes. Bigger than the standard size cupcakes but too big for the cupcake wraps, these cupcakes would not do. Now I was determined that I would make a cupcake that was not too big, not too small, but just right.

Large Cupcake in Bella Wrap

Because I didn’t have any other in between size baking cups, I had to create my own by cutting approximately 3/8″ off of the entire rim of the larger baking cups. They originally had a 2″ wall (the packaging again read 1-7/8″ wall, but when measured was closer to 2″) so this brought them down to a 1-5/8″ wall. This may not seem like a big difference being that the standard baking cup was only 1/4″ shorter, but because of the differing base diameters, the overall size was quite different. I continued to cut the baking liners three at a time until I had 12. I placed them in the standard size muffin pan and filled them with approximately a level scoop (I use a 56 mm scoop) and a half of batter (this is approximately 1/4 cup), and baked them for about 25-30 minutes at 350 degrees F. After letting the cupcakes cool on a wire rack, I dropped one into the wrap and found that to my relief and delight these cupcakes were the perfect size.

Medium Cupcake in Bella Wrap

Now the fun part! Decorating the cupcakes. My idea for decorating was simple… Pipe frosting on the cupcakes using a large decorating tip and then sprinkle with black sugar pearls and place in cupcake wraps. This part of the project went pretty much according to plan.

I wanted a vibrant contrast color that wouldn’t fade in the background or be drowned out by the black, so I chose electric pink. I put approximately 5-6 cups of buttercream icing in the bowl of a six quart Kitchen Aid mixer and using the whisk attachment I mixed in almost a whole bottle of electric pink gel paste to get this shocking pink. Hint: The frosting will become darker as it sets. If you want to make sure that your frosting is the color you are hoping for, color it the night or day before you want to use it and color it just a shade lighter than you want. By the next day, your frosting will have developed to its final shade.

Decorating Supplies

I used a 14″ pastry bag and Ateco tip 825 to pipe frosting on the cupcakes. Start piping from the outside edge of the cupcake and end up with your swirl ending in the center.

Next use your fingers to sprinkle black sugar pearls onto the cupcakes.

Pink Cupcake

Now gently place the cupcakes in the Bella Cupcake wraps. I found that the best way to do this is to hold the cupcake directly over the assembled wrap with one hand. Bring your other hand under the wrap and up through the opening in the bottom of the wrap to grap the cupcake and gently guide it down into place.

Now you can add additional decorations to your cupcakes such as the chocolate skull toppers we added here, or place them on a pedestal for an elegant display.

Recap – To do this project at home you will need the following:

~Bella Cupcake Couture Lu Lu Black and White Cupcake Wraps (1 pkg-12wraps)

~12 Large Baking Cups (1-7/8″ wall and 2-1/4″ diameter base)

~14″ Pastry Bag/Decorating Bag

~Ateco Tip/Tube 825

~Black Sugar Pearls

~1 Bottle Americolor Electric Pink Gel Paste

Optional:

~12 Chocolate Skull Toppers

Cupcakes on Cake Stand

All dressed up in Bella Cupcake Couture Wraps, these cupcakes make a wonderful centerpiece for any celebration. I love that these cupcakes are very versatile and can look elegant and chic or a bit edgy and punk when you add the skulls.

Skull Cupcakes

Ducky Cupcake Tree

This cupcake tree is perfect for a baby shower or baby birthday. Guests will be in awe that the ducky cupcake toppers are cute and edible too!

You will need about 30-32 cupcakes to fill the cupcake tower. The three tier cupcake stand will fit approximately 28-40 cupcakes depending on how far your frosting and decorations extend beyond the cupcake. For the photo I fit 28 cupcakes on the stand.

To make the cupcakes you will need the following –

~Ducky Suckers (follow this link for directions and materials needed to make the Ducky suckers)

~Pastel Fluted Baking Cups (if you want all of the baking cups to be the same color (as shown in the picture) you will need two packages of these baking cups because they are an assortment and contain 20 each of the three colors shown.

~One batch of Buttercream Icing or other firm frosting or icing recipe (you need a frosting that will hold its shape).  You will need about 9 cups.

~Disposable or Reusable Pastry Bag

~Tip 1M

~Orange Gel Paste

~Three Tier Cupcake Stand

Cupcake Setup

Step 1 – Use your favorite recipe or a box mix to make the cupcakes. You will need a recipe that makes at least 30 cupcakes to fill the tree. If you are using box cake mix you will need two boxes. Use a ¼ cup scoop to fill each baking cup. These fluted baking cups are slightly shallower than a regular baking cup so they take a bit less batter. Bake as directed.

Step 2 – Cool the cupcakes fully. If you don’t wait for the cupcakes to cool completely, the frosting will melt off of the cupcakes. If you haven’t already made your icing you may want to do this at this time. Color your icing with orange gel paste to get the desired shade.

Step 3 –Set up your 3 tier cupcake stand. This way you will have a place to put your decorated cupcakes. If you are traveling you will want to set the stand up once you get to your location and place the cupcakes on at that time.

Ducky Suckers

Step 4 – Prepare your pastry bag for decorating. Drop tip 1M (this is a large tip and does not work with a coupler) into the bottom of your decorating bag and fill the bag with frosting. Take one cupcake in your hand and begin piping blossoms all over the cupcake. Hold the tip close to the surface of the cupcake. Squeeze the bag firmly to make sure that the frosting will adhere to the cupcake. Stop squeezing and pull the tip away from the cupcake to form a blossom. Continue doing this until the cupcake is completely covered. I find that it is easiest to work from the center outward. Repeat this process to decorate all of the remaining cupcakes.

Step 5 – Place the Ducky Suckers on the cupcakes. Simply stick the lollipop stick into the center of the cupcake so that the ducky is resting atop the frosting. Remember – Ducky Lollipop sticks must be cut down by an inch to an inch and a half so that they will be the right height for the cupcakes.

Ducky Closeup

Step 6 – Place cupcakes on the three tier cupcake stand. When loading, be careful to place cupcakes on either side to balance the stand. Do not place all of the cupcake on one side as the stand may tip. Also remember this when unloading the stand. Slide cupcakes into the nooks in the center of the stand. Continue placing until all cupcakes are on the stand.

It is best to place the cupcakes on the stand once the stand is in its final position. This is because moving the fully loaded stand is difficult. If you have to move the stand lift from the legs not from the bottom tier as the bottom tier will rise up and smash your cupcakes.

Step 7 – Add a decorative border such as an eyelet ribbon to the sides of the tiers or leave as is for a beautiful display.

Buttercream Recipe

2 lb Bag Powdered/Confectioners’ Sugar
1 ½ tsp Clear Vanilla Extract (You can use regular vanilla if you don’t need the frosting to be white)
½ tsp Salt
1-1/3 Cups Boiling Water
1 ½ Sticks Unsalted Butter (12 oz) Cut into ½” cubes
3 Cups Shortening

Sift the powdered sugar and place in the bottom of a mixing bowl. Put whisk attachment on mixer. Add boiling water, vanilla, and salt.  Mix until the sugar is dissolved and the mixture is warm not hot. Add remaining ingredients and mix on high speed for about ten minutes.

Duckies

Ducky Suckers

These Ducky Suckers are adorable favors for a baby shower, Easter party or other celebration. They can also be used to construct our Ducky Cupcake Tree.

To make the ducky suckers you will need the following –

~Ducky Mold (if you are making a large quantity I recommend you use at least two molds. The more molds, the faster the process will go.)
~4 bags yellow candy melts (this will make about 40 duckies – 1 bag makes approximately 10   duckies)
~2 white melts for the eyes
~2 black melts for the eyes
~2 orange melts for the beaks
~40 four and a half  inch lollipop sticks

Tools needed for this project are as follows –

~12oz or 6oz squeeze bottle
~Very fine tipped paint brush
~Candymelter palette (optional)
~Electric Skillet (optional)
~Toothpicks

Candymelter Palette

While the candymelter palette and electric skillet are optional I highly recommend these tools especially if you plan on doing other chocolate projects. If you can get just one, get the candymelter palette first and the electric skillet second. The candymelter palette is one of those tools that once you get you will never be able to live without. It has made my candy projects so much easier! You plug the palette in, drop in one or two candy melts/wafers in each of the tiny aluminum cups and it melts them and then keeps them warm while you work. When I first started trying to do chocolate projects I would get all of the different colors I wanted to use melted and then just as I would begin to work I would realize that the first color I melted had already set up. This is so frustrating. The candymelter palette solves this problem and makes colorful candy projects much easier.

The electric skillet is also very useful and you may even have one of these at home already. You can use it to keep small cups of melted candy warm. I put mine on the lowest setting, put a couple of terrycloth dishtowels directly onto the skillet and then place my candy filled squeeze bottles on top of the towels. This keeps the chocolate warm so you don’t have to reheat it while you’re working.

Now that you have everything you need, it’s time to begin making the duckies.

Yellow Melts

Step 1 – Put the white candy melts, black candy melts and orange candy melts in individual cups of the candymelter palette and plug in. If not using the candymelter palette, melt these in small cups and keep warm in electric skillet or re-warm as needed.

Step 2 – Melt 1 bag of yellow candy melts. I do this in the microwave. I put the candy melts in a microwave safe bowl and melt on defrost setting in 30 second increments stirring each time. You want the melts to melt evenly and not get too hot or they may seize up and become difficult to work with.

Funnel & Squeeze Bottle

Once the candy is melted, I use a funnel to get the candy into my squeeze bottle. Some people prefer to melt the candy directly in the squeeze bottle. This is an option that I have tried but I find that it can be difficult to get all of the candy completely melted and if it is not fully melted, candy globs will plug the tip of the squeeze bottle.

You should have leftover candy in the bowl. I place this in the electric skillet to keep it warm until I need to refill my squeeze bottle.

Paint Black Eye & Beak

Step 3 – Use a very fine tipped paint brush to paint the ducky eyes. Begin by putting a small dab of black on the eye of the mold to serve as the pupil. Do this for all of the eyes on the mold. If you are using more than one mold, complete the pupils for all of the eyes on all of the molds before moving on.

Step 4 – Use a very fine tipped paint brush to paint the ducky beaks. If you have just one paint brush use a dry paper towel or cloth to wipe the bristles before changing to another color. Do not use water to wash the brush. Bringing water in contact with the candy melts will cause them to seize and become unworkable. Use the orange candy melts to paint the beaks. I try to get a droplet of orange candy and place it on the beak so that the beak is solid and not see through. You can also achieve this by doing multiple coats.

Paint White Eye

Step 5 – Make sure that the black has set up before painting the white over it to complete the eye. If you are using just one mold, you probably need to wait a few minutes. If you are using more than one you can probably proceed because by the time you are finished the first mold is probably dry. To test, just touch the black and if it is still liquid it is not set up enough.

Once the black is set, paint the white directly over the black and all around to form the iris. You will want to put a significant amount of white candy on the eye so that it will not be see through.

Frontview Ducky

Step 6 – Make sure that the eye is fully set as described in step 5. This will take about 5 minutes at room temperature. Now you can go ahead and fill in the rest of the mold with yellow candy melts. Use the squeeze bottle to fill each ducky cavity. Fill all of cavities in the mold. Keeping the mold level, tap the mold on the counter to fill in the cavities and to get the air bubbles to rise to the top. Note: Do not tap excessively as this may cause the colors to bleed together. You can hold the mold over your head to check and see if this is happening.

Fill Molds

Now insert the lollipop sticks. Poke the lollipop stick into the candy surface and then rotate to get it fully embedded. If necessary you can cover the lollipop stick with some additional candy using the squeeze bottle.

If you are using multiple molds, follow the above process for one mold at a time. If you fill the cavities in all of the molds the candy may have set up a bit before you come back to tap and insert the lollipop sticks.

Insert Lollipop Sticks

Tap Out Bubbles

Step 7 – Place the mold in your refrigerator until set. In my refrigerator this takes about ten minutes. The molds can also be set a room temperature on a cool day, but this will take a lot longer.

Step 8 – Release the duckies. If the duckies do not release easily and part of the eye or candy is left behind, the mold has not set long enough and you need to refrigerate it for a longer period of time.

Duckies in Mold

Step 9 – Enjoy! The chocolate ducky suckers will keep for a very long time (I have kept some for months). A benefit of making things with chocolate and candy melts is that they are stable and almost non-perishable. If you are using the duckies for the Ducky Cupcake Tree you will need to cut about an inch to an inch and a half off of the bottom of each lollipop stick so that they will be the right height for sticking in cupcakes. If you are making the ducky lollipop favors you will need 3”x4” Clear Treat Bags and approximately 12” of ribbon per lollipop to tie in a bow.

Duckies with Ribbon