Make Smashing Cupcakes for Your Next Wedding Shower
Save money and impress the guests with these wedding shower cupcakes
If you're hosting a wedding shower for that special bride-to-be, you want the shower to be just as special as she is. However, if you're on a budget, bridal showers can get expensive. To cut costs, consider making cupcakes instead of paying for an expensive wedding shower cake.
With these tips and a little practice, you can make professional-looking cup cakes that will impress everyone - especially the bride-to-be.
First Impressions
First impressions are important - even with cupcakes. You'll get that great first impression when you ice your cupcakes professionally. To do this you need to start with a great icing. For a great tasting icing and one that professional bakers use, make this buttercream icing. It's easy, tastes great and is less expensive than ready made icing.
Buttercream Icing
2 sticks butter (softened to room temperature)
2 cups shortening
1 teaspoon vanilla
1 teaspoon butter flavoring
1/2 teaspoon almond extract
2 pounds confectioner's sugar (sifted)
1/2 teaspoon salt
1. Mix softened butter, shortening, and salt for about 5 minutes
2. Add vanilla, butter and almond flavorings. Mix
3. Gradually add half of the confectioner's sugar. Mix
4. Add the rest of the confectioner's sugar gradually until well mixed adding a little milk if needed
Now that you have your icing made, let's ice the cupcakes. You can get a great look by using an icing bag and icing tip. Don't let this intimidate you - it's really simple. All you have to do is buy the supplies. You can get them locally at Wal-Mart, your favorite craft store or order them online. You'll need an icing bag and #1M Tip , or you can buy a starter kit that includes more icing tips for a wider variety of decorating.
Put your tip in your bag, load the bag with icing and decorate. For the best look, start near the edge of the cupcake and go in a spiraling circle. If you feel you need more detailed instructions, visit Wilton's website.
Once you have your cupcakes iced and looking great, don't stop there. Use pretty wedding shower cupcake papers. There's a wide variety of papers to choose from, just pick one that coordinates with the wedding shower colors or theme.
To top off your great looking cupcakes, use a special topping like sparkles or sugars. These toppings are the finishing touch that take your cupcakes from basic to beautiful.
So, now you have some great looking cupcakes. To show them off and make them the centerpiece of your wedding shower food table, display them on a cupcake stand or make an arrangement using different height cake plates. Either way, your cupcakes will look great and you'll make a great impression with your wedding shower cupcakes.