Cupcakes are always a good treat, but for most of us, it’s not practical to have them every day. With the recession still kicking, we can’t afford to indulge too much in anything—especially those sweet treats. But who said cupcakes had to be expensive? They don’t—in fact, they’re one of the most affordable options for snacks and desserts. Unlike cakes, they have small, controllable portions, so you don’t waste anything. They all work for all occasions, whether it’s an everyday meal or a large formal dinner.
So how do you make cupcakes on a budget? Although they’re pretty cheap to begin with, there are several ways to cut down on costs without compromising their taste or quality. With a bit of creativity, you can even customize your cupcakes for the occasion, turning it from an everyday dessert to a special after-dinner treat—and still stay within your budget.
Still not sure how to do it? Here are some tips on making unique, stylish cupcakes without breaking the bank.
Put a twist on old classics.
Classic flavors like chocolate, vanilla and caramel are great for regular dinners and lunches. But when you’re serving for a party, or simply want something different, you’ll want to spice up the menu a little. For example, instead of your usual chocolate cupcakes, try a chocolate mint cupcake recipe. The contrast between the soft, rich chocolate and the sharp mint makes it a really unique flavor. It takes a bit more work than the original, but the results are often worth it.
You can use natural mint flavoring if you have some, but after-dinner mints make an excellent alternative. Thin mints usually work best because they don’t crack as much while you’re cutting. To make it even more special, finish off with a chocolate-peppermint mousse—it’s like giving guests a hint of what’s underneath. Just make sure the cupcakes are completely cooled before frosting, so that it doesn’t melt and get all soggy. You can make the mousse a day in advance if you’re making a large batch.
Whip up some frosting.
Some people call it frosting, others call it icing. The main difference is that frosting is more of a flat covering, while icing is stiff and light. One thing’s for sure, though: when it comes to cupcakes, the topping is half the fun. If you want to jazz up your cupcakes in an instant, some simple cupcake frosting recipes might do the trick. You can get some ready-made at most cake decorating shops, or even some groceries. If you have time, you can add some food color or flavor and make it match the cupcakes.
Again, make sure to let the cupcakes cool completely before adding the frosting. If you want a smooth top, brush off any crumbs from the top so they don’t make bumps under the cream. Use a piping bag to create swirls and other designs. A star tip would be ideal for thick icing, while a fine round tip works well for drawing pictures or messages. If you’re using more than one color, use separate bags so they don’t get mixed up.
Decorate your cakes.
Sometimes a frosted cupcake is good on its own. But sometimes you also need a little extra—something to finish off the design and make it suit your party theme. If your cakes seem to lack a certain flair, consider getting some decorations for cup cakes such as chocolate drops, jelly beans, or candy sprinkles. The best thing about cupcake decorations is that they’re edible, so nothing gets wasted. If you have kids over, they’re sure to appreciate the extra treat they get with every bite.
You can also get non-edible decorations, which can give you more creative control. Scrapbook decorations, for example, may be ideal for weddings or bridal showers where you’ll want some personalized messages. You can also use a decorated cupcake as a centerpiece for each table. Just look for decorations that match the color scheme, and you have the perfect finishing touch for your party.
Finish off with a topper.
Toppers are those little pieces that go on top of fancy cakes for weddings, baptisms, and other special occasions. These days, you can also find them in smaller sizes (usually one inch tall) specifically for use with cupcakes. You generally have two choices when it comes to toppers: plastic and edible. Plastic toppers are cheaper in the long run, since you can wash and reuse them anytime. Edible toppers, on the other hand, are made of hard icing sugar and can be eaten along with the cake.
Toppers are a great way to customize your cupcakes for the occasion. Most shops carry decorating sets that include seasonal-themed toppers, such as bunnies for Easter, fir trees for Christmas, or pumpkins for Halloween. Just use a dab of frosting to stick them onto the cake, and they’ll be ready to serve.
on a budget? Although they’re pretty cheap to begin with, there are several ways to cut down on costs without compromising their taste or quality. With a bit of creativity, you can even customize your cupcakes for the occasion, turning it from an everyday dessert to a special after-dinner treat—and still stay within your budget.
Still not sure how to do it? Here are some tips on making unique, stylish cupcakes without breaking the bank.
Put a twist on old classics.
Classic flavors like chocolate, vanilla and caramel are great for regular dinners and lunches. But when you’re serving for a party, or simply want something different, you’ll want to spice up the menu a little. For example, instead of your usual chocolate cupcakes, try a chocolate mint cupcake recipe. The contrast between the soft, rich chocolate and the sharp mint makes it a really unique flavor. It takes a bit more work than the original, but the results are often worth it.
You can use natural mint flavoring if you have some, but after-dinner mints make an excellent alternative. Thin mints usually work best because they don’t crack as much while you’re cutting. To make it even more special, finish off with a chocolate-peppermint mousse—it’s like giving guests a hint of what’s underneath. Just make sure the cupcakes are completely cooled before frosting, so that it doesn’t melt and get all soggy. You can make the mousse a day in advance if you’re making a large batch.
Whip up some frosting.
Some people call it frosting, others call it icing. The main difference is that frosting is more of a flat covering, while icing is stiff and light. One thing’s for sure, though: when it comes to cupcakes, the topping is half the fun. If you want to jazz up your cupcakes in an instant, some simple cupcake frosting recipes might do the trick. You can get some ready-made at most cake decorating shops, or even some groceries. If you have time, you can add some food color or flavor and make it match the cupcakes.
Again, make sure to let the cupcakes cool completely before adding the frosting. If you want a smooth top, brush off any crumbs from the top so they don’t make bumps under the cream. Use a piping bag to create swirls and other designs. A star tip would be ideal for thick icing, while a fine round tip works well for drawing pictures or messages. If you’re using more than one color, use separate bags so they don’t get mixed up.
Decorate your cakes.
Sometimes a frosted cupcake is good on its own. But sometimes you also need a little extra—something to finish off the design and make it suit your party theme. If your cakes seem to lack a certain flair, consider getting some decorations for cup cakes such as chocolate drops, jelly beans, or candy sprinkles. The best thing about cupcake decorations is that they’re edible, so nothing gets wasted. If you have kids over, they’re sure to appreciate the extra treat they get with every bite.
You can also get non-edible decorations, which can give you more creative control. Scrapbook decorations, for example, may be ideal for weddings or bridal showers where you’ll want some personalized messages. You can also use a decorated cupcake as a centerpiece for each table. Just look for decorations that match the color scheme, and you have the perfect finishing touch for your party.
Finish off with a topper.
Toppers are those little pieces that go on top of fancy cakes for weddings, baptisms, and other special occasions. These days, you can also find them in smaller sizes (usually one inch tall) specifically for use with cupcakes. You generally have two choices when it comes to toppers: plastic and edible. Plastic toppers are cheaper in the long run, since you can wash and reuse them anytime. Edible toppers, on the other hand, are made of hard icing sugar and can be eaten along with the cake.
Toppers are a great way to customize your cupcakes for the occasion. Most shops carry decorating sets that include seasonal-themed toppers, such as bunnies for Easter, fir trees for Christmas, or pumpkins for Halloween. Just use a dab of frosting to stick them onto the cake, and they’ll be ready to serve.
Tags: chocolate mint cupcake recipe | chocolate mint cupcake recipe | decorations for cup cakes | decorations for cup cakes | cupcake frosting recipes | cupcake frosting recipes | edible toppers | edible toppers