Baking Tips

Making and decorating cupcakes can be so much fun. With today’s baking tips it can be easier than you think too. I am have been working on my skill sets and I have been practicing. Today I’m sharing just how to make and bake cupcakes for any party come out perfect every time.

You can see all our cupcake recipes

You can use your favorite cupcakes recipe to make your cupcakes or a box mix if your in a hurry. The tips I’ll be sharing are for getting that perfect looking cupcake every time no matter which batter you use. For today’s cupcakes I used this vanilla cupcakes mix Which makes this super quick and easy to do. Here’s a homemade vanilla cupcakes recipe

You can see all our cupcake recipes here.

I love baking so much I invested in some new baking tools. I thought I’d share what is making it way easier for me to end up with pretty cupcakes.

I invested in a new KitchenAid Mixer. It’s was my gift to our kitchen. It’s available in 42 color selections! I decided on champagne.

I am over the moon in love with it! I have been on the fence for ever about investing in a stand mixer for a long time. Did I have enough space on my counter? Would I use it enough? Was it worth it vs my hand mixer? Scratch that, make room! It’s so worth it. The Artisan model is affordable, and oh so pretty. But, you don’t have to have a hand mixer or stand mixer, you can always use the old fashion hand beating method, like my grandma used.

How to bake the perfect cupcake

Just make sure your batter is well blended, prior to adding them to your cupcake liners. But, do not over beat your batter.

One trick I love using to get perfect cupcakes every time is grabbing a scoop for adding your mixed batter into your cupcake liners. This ensures consistency.

It’s important that the batter is well blended and scooped evenly
Typically it will take 2 full – level scoops per cupcake
Pre heat oven
Do not put the cupakes into the oven prior to it’s being ready
Never rely on your oven timer to tell you when your cupcakes are done
I recommend checking several times towards the very end of the bake time

Make sure your cupcakes are fully cooked. I test them with toothpicks. When they come out clean they are done. Let them cool 100% prior to frosting your cupcakes. There is no rushing this tip! They must be all the way cool to get the cupcakes frosted properly.

Baking Tips

Cupcake Decorating tips and tools

I have tried cake decorating piping bags with tips. They can be a bit tricky. Squeezing out the icing evenly. Having the right frosting consistency is key, if your making your own frosting. Different consistencies will give you various looks. As will using various tips. Overly warm frosting is harder to control. So working in a cooler area will help you.

I recently invested in a Wilton Dessert Decorator Plus What I love about it is that it’s easy to fill and use. It’s really pretty great for consistency with it’s easy to use trigger-plunger. Just learning how to decorate baked goods? Here are the key features you’ll love.

It comes with 5 decorating tips.

Five tips to make it easy to get started decorating
Pull-out plunger makes it easy for anyone to decorate-left-handed or right-handed
Holds approximately 1-1/4 cups of icing or filling
Photos and instructions included to make learning to decorate easy
It’s easy to fill and clean
Good for pretty deviled eggs too!

Frosting and Cupcake Toppers

I used the rosettes tip from the decorator plus, holding the decorator at a 90 degree angle. I started from outer edge working inward. There are tips in a booklet included in the kit for various cake decorating designs and how to make them. I didn’t make homemade frosting. I used Key Lime Frosting which is a very spring flavor and color. But, here you go, if you want to try making a homemade butter cream recipe. (4 ways) And here’s a handy color guide for icings.

Ways to decorate cupcakes

Another way to decorate cupcakes is by grabbing a marshmallow frosting. This is a bit gooey and soft. You can spoon this on your cooled cupcakes. About 2 tablespoons full. Then top them with your favorite Peeps, or other sugared candy decorations such as: edible pansy flowers, sugared zoo animals, sugared sea shells….There are so many themes to pick from!

I think my little grand kids are going to love these cupcakes when I make them at their house. They all are learning to love baking. I just may let them top them with their favorite Cotton Candy Peeps. I happen to be watching them after Easter for I decided to treat them any way. Isn’t that what being a grandma is all about anyway?

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Stay tuned for our baking cookbook reviews for Buttercream Basics and Gravity Cakes. We’ll be reading through and trying a few recipes. We’ll share our thoughts on these two books as I prepare for Sammie’s 15th birthday!

Do you enjoy making cupcakes?