Let's Cake It – cupcake decorating parties

Just found these edible candy diamonds serious bling for cupcakes!

Might be another contender for my wedding cakes

Available from Amazon
clear edible diamonds

I recently joined the Cupcake Forum, to talk to like minded people who are as fanatical about all things cake as I am!

It has given me many topics about cupcake decorating to comment on and offer advice on which I thought you will want to know the answers to also.

One post in particular was asking how do you get cupcakes to look like this:

White Rose Swirl Icing

This effect is achieved using some of the open star and closed star Wilton icing tips, this is a selection of the ones I use:

Also to achieve these techniques  I found it is best to use a stiff butter icing, one that has been prepared with lots of icing sugar. Frosting icing unless prepared correctly, (I have yet to perfect the technique myself) will have a too much of a fluid consistency and will not hold the shape the piping tip makes, leaving more of a neat puddle of icing on the cake, than a strong swirl shape.

I have also found it is necessary to use a good quality butter, it can be tempting to use a cheaper vegetable fat, however the cheaper vegetable fat tends to melt a lot quicker. I have found the icing melts even before you have finished piping the icing and then the effect is lost, a bit like this example I found from the thymeismoney blog, the butter has melted and the swirl shape is almost lost.

And then the sprinkles:

I have found it is best to lightly sprinkle the sparkling sugar crystals on the cupcake, less is definitely more in my book, so you don’t cover up the pretty technique the piping tip has made. I always think of how my mother used to decorate the christmas tree, she would spend hours putting on the tiny baubles, lights and icicles, and then completely wrap it up in tinsel, hiding everything! So my advice would definitely use the sprinkles sparingly to highlight the icing than coat it completely.

I recently did a cupcake decorating hen party where the group had hired out a house for the weekend in Oxfordshire. The cupcake party was a great afternoon activity before the big night out.

It was ideal location as there was lots of space in the house and it was a much cheaper alternative than hiring a space for few hours.  Everyone was able to stand around a big table while I did the  icing technique demonstration for each of the styles.

Cupcake Party Oxfordshire – lets cake it

Finished Masterpieces

I would highly recommend hosting a party this way, it was lots of fun, a perfect girly bonding activity.

To find out more about the party please visit the about party page.

Parties can run on either a Saturday on Sunday or weekday evenings by special request, we will do our best make sure we accommodate you.

Please give us at least a week’s notice to book the party.

Timings for parties are 11am – 1pm or 2pm – 4pm
or 8pm – 10pm for an evening party.

Check availability of dates on the Cupcake Party Diary

Home Parties are charged at £27 per person – a slightly less expensive option, but make sure you have lots of space!

How to Book:

Booking a party is very easy, simply check the date and time you would like the party is available on our cupcake party diary and then fill in the form on the Book a Party/Contact page.
We will then be in touch to confirm details with you.

Need anything else?

For any more information you need please contact us

People always ask me how do I get my cupcakes to cook  completely flat?

Flat cupcakes are much easier to ice, and cutting the tops off doesn’t look great when handing them out at parties or when trying to create cut-out cupcakes that need flat tops -

 

Flat topped heart cupcakes

So my one tip – it’s all about the temperature.

Most cupcake recipes will tell you to cook your cupcakes at around 180 celsius – for about 20 mins – Turn it down!

It is all about getting to know your oven and turning the temperature down.

Too keep the cupcake flat, the cake mixture needs to be cooked evenly. If the oven is too hot, it causes the top of the cupcake or any type of cake to cook first, which seals it with a crust. What happens then is the rest of the cake will continue to cook, but has nowhere to rise and expand, so it pushes through the top crust, creating the undesirable bump!

If the temperature is lower,  the cake has more chance to cook evenly, without the top cooking first and then should stay flat. Cupcakes will need a bit more time to ensure they are cooked properly, you can check this with usual skewer or checking the cake bounces back when pressed technique – I find that the cakes are much lighter and fluffy in texture if cooked slower.

I find 150 celsius works for me, but you will need to experiment with your own oven.

Image borrowed from kabukikreations.blogspot.com – I will be trying this cutout technique out for myself soon! they are very cute.

Review of a very special and complete surprise cupcake party,  taken from her own words Looky Loo’s Life blog…

The cupcake decorating party was courtesy of Michelle’s new hobby and business venture …….It was so much fun!  The cakes and icing were already prepared so all we had to do was fill the icing bags and learn to pipe the icing using different techniques.

Decorations and tiaras were provided along with a bottle of champagne! I don’t drink but what a luxurious way to party?!  The techniques are relatively simple and I would recommend this style of party for nearly any occasion!

I will, of course be buying my own piping tips and bags and will be baking copious amounts of cakes just to practice!  Just a word of warning: The temptation to aim the icing directly in to your open your mouth is immense!