That title should read… “How to Make Wedding Cupcakes when You’re Not Really a Professional Cupcake Baker!”
Since I’m always bringing treats to people, those people occasionally ask if they can hire me to make treats. Not really wishing to create a business of making and selling food, I typically decline- however, a very sweet, young teacher at my son’s school was getting married last weekend and asked if I would do the cupcakes for her wedding. (In case you’re not in on the latest, apparently cupcakes are a hip alternative to a fancy wedding cake nowadays). We met and discussed the project, and I found myself agreeing to make 96 cupcakes!
Here are the details:
The bride wanted white and chocolate cupcakes with buttercream frosting. I tested out some recipes and frosting patterns in the weeks prior to the wedding.
All Recipe Links for Cupcakes and Frosting are at the BOTTOM of this post.
The bride also wanted a combination of white, light blue and light yellow frosting. She chose two different frosting patterns and wanted some with pearls and some without.
Here are some of the pictures…
I used a 1G Tip by Bakery Crafts for this simple swirl. The chocolate cupcake recipe used was excellent. It was really easy to make and it stayed pretty flat on top, making it easier to pipe the frosting.
I used a 2D Wilton tip for this more funky pattern.
I loved the white cupcake… though I’m a little embarrassed to tell you about the recipe. It was a doctored-up cake mix recipe (gasp!!) I know that’s not very gourmet, and it’s completely atypical of how I usually bake, but I’m telling you that these cupcakes were GOOD!! And again, a really easy recipe to make- the tops stayed nice and flat & easy for frosting.
My kitchen and dining room were a sea of cupcakes for the better part of a day!
The bride requested that I make a dozen completely sugar-free cupcakes for a few guests who were not able to eat sugar.
This recipe for sugar free chocolate cupcakes with sugar free chocolate frosting uses a monk fruit alternative sweetener. They turn out pretty delicious!
The bride also asked that I make her a small cake for the top tier of her cupcake display. They wanted to be able to cut into a little wedding cake.
I made a 6-inch two layer cake. I used the same cake recipe as the cupcakes- same frosting recipe too. The tip used for the edging was the Wilton 2D. The bride placed flowers on top of the cake for additional decor.
Though it was a ton of work, it was a fun project to do. And I actually feel pretty good about how they turned out (having never, ever done fancy cupcakes before!) Now that I’m a “paid cupcake-baking professional,” I’m sure that it won’t be quite as difficult to do next time.
If you’re looking for the right supplies to make these cupcakes, here are my suggestions (these are affiliate links to Amazon):
- 12-cup muffin pan
- My suggestion for the cupcake liners is to visit a local baking supply shop where you live. They should carry a good, white liner that won’t have the cupcake turning out greasy.
- Edible sugar pearls
- large plastic disposable pastry bags for piping the frosting
- For icing the cupcakes, I recommend trying either the Wilton Open Star 1M tip or the Wilton Closed Star 2D. Both of these you can usually find at craft or baking supply stores. Or just order a whole decorator tip kit and try out different ones!
- These disposable cupcake boxes are great… because you can bake and decorate your cupcakes, then store them in the boxes and refrigerate them overnight!
Here are all of the recipes:
Chocolatey Cupcakes (not dipped in the ganache)
White Wedding Cupcakes
White Wedding Buttercream
White Wedding Cake
Sugar Free Chocolate Cupcakes
Sugar Free Chocolate Frosting
If you can have a little bit of sugar in the frosting, I prefer this chocolate frosting recipe
how far ahead did you make the cake. does it
freeze well? how far ahead did you frost the cupcakes???? thanks
@cindy, I had to make about 125 cupcakes, so I was able to make them the night before & then frost the day of. I purchased special cupcake boxes at a bakery supply store that held them and kept them safe, and I was able to put those into the refrigerator to keep fresh until serving later in the day (on a hot day). I did keep a few though and didn’t refrigerate those at all. They were still good a couple of days later. I haven’t tried freezing them. I’d suggest testing it out to see if the quality is what you expect.
How do you think the white wedding cupcakes would work with mini-choco chips added? For a kids “wedding party.”
@K.E., That seems like it would work out ok, and then do a sprinkle of mini-chips on top too!
I shopped yesterday for my supplies and I got little pearl balls like yours for topping…but in a light green (for color). I’m sure the little ones haven’t seen sprinkles like those. The mini chips will just have to be the surprise waiting on the inside! Thanks for your reply!
Absolutely awesome. I live in south africa and searched 4 a recipe that gave me a flat top, and i came across yours for domed ganache, which i also needed. made them – they are simply ‘divine’. also made your ganache – hmmmm – now i need a recipe for a vanilla fail safe and moist – with a flat surface that will allow me to pour on fondant or dip – i keep getting little points on mine.
txs
How did the bride display them at the reception?
Not sure… I boxed them up and sent them along with the groom.
How did you manage to get such a good (and consistent!) shape for the cupcakes? They’re amazing! Makes them look a lot more classy and professional. What sort of tray do you use?
Steady hand! I used a special cupcake box with inserts for transport.
I was just wondering, what was the recipe for the chocolate cake mix that you used?
There are links to all of the recipes mentioned at the end of the post. Mixed reviews on the chocolate cake recipe though as it is baked w/ Splenda. If you’re used to baked products w/ Splenda it will taste good to you.
I love the simple and elegant designs and colors. You are my inspiration for my baking adventure for my sister’s wedding coming up. Some ?s: How far in advance did you make the cupcakes? How did you store them (wrapped or not)? How long can the cupcakes be left out frosted?? Thanks!
Anne- I had to make about 125 cupcakes, so I was able to make them the night before & then frost the day of. I purchased special cupcake boxes at a bakery supply store that held them and kept them safe, and I was able to put those into the refrigerator to keep fresh until serving later in the day (on a hot day). I did keep a few though and didn’t refrigerate those at all. They were still good a couple of days later.
The small 6inch cake using Wilton 2D is beautiful!
1. Could you pls tell me if the tip was used for both the top and bottom edging
1. How did you use the tip to create the edding? I’m new to decorating, would appreciate it, thank you!
Ruby- I’m no expert at cake decorating, believe me! That was the very first wedding cake I had ever done. I pretty much just picked a tip and squeezed away without really thinking about strategy. The same tip was used for both edge and bottom.
As far as practice, it would be good to get some of the cheap frosting in the can and put it into a disposable piping bag (or plastic baggie) with the tip placed into the corner. Practice piping to see what you like best. Good luck!
can you tell me what size the little balls are on the cupcakes? Thanks
Alyson- ummm, no idea. They’re just little sugar pearl balls that are sold in baking shops.
This may very well save my life this weekend! I’m headed out of town for my dear friend’s wedding, and we are making cupcakes the NIGHT before the wedding!! Scary I know… but having stumbled across this made me feel more confident in my abilities. **fingers crossed**
THANK YOU!!!!