Cupcakes

FROM:  http://www.makeit-loveit.com/

different things you can do with them.

Buttercream or fondant? Filling or glaze? Blue or yellow?

So many options. Ok.........I might like cupcakes a little too much!

Not to mention the cute liners you can get these days.

Like these. Too cute, right?

There are a few tips that work for me that I want to share.

I am going to show you how I add a jam filling to cupcakes.

How to put a buttercream swirl on your cupcakes.

Also how to put fondant on your cupcakes.

Here are some of the supplies:

1. Buttercream --see recipe below

2. Piping bags

3. Jam

4. Piping tips

Many of you have asked for my buttercream recipe.

I haven't ever included it because I do not use my own recipe. I use the Wilton recipe.

Buttercream Frosting

Ingredients:

• 1 cup solid vegetable shortening
• 1 teaspoon Clear Vanilla
• 4 cups sifted confectioners' sugar (approx. 1 lb.)
• 2-4 tablespoons milk

Cream shortening with electric mixer. Add vanilla and milk. Add sugar, 2 cups at a time. Scrape sides and bottom of bowl often. Keep icing covered with a damp cloth until ready to use. For best results, keep icing bowl in refrigerator when not in use. Refrigerated in an airtight container, this icing can be stored for 2 weeks. Re-whip before using.

YIELD: 3 cups

Jam Filled Cupcakes

Bake cupcakes.

Cut tip off of piping bag and drop filling tip into the bag and fill the bag with any type of jam you like. Insert the tip halfway into the cupcake and squeeze a small amount of jam into the cupcake.

**Tip- you can use any type of filling you want.

Now you have a sweet fruit surprise in your cupcake.

Topping your cupcakes with a buttercream swirl.

First lets talk about putting buttercream into a piping bag.

Fold the bag back and spoon in the buttercream. Then fold the bag back into place and twist the top of the bag until the buttercream comes out of the end. This way you don't get buttercream on the outside of the bag while filling.

To put a swirl of frosting on a cupcake, use a 1M tip.

When making the swirl, start by squeezing a small amount of buttercream on top of the cupcake to make a frosting base. Then make a swirl around that base, then another swirl around the base. Then one more swirl will go on top of the base. When you get to the top, stop squeezing and lift straight up. You should have the base and three swirls around the cupcake.

Don't they look ready for a party?

Fondant Covered Cupcakes

Bake your cupcakes and then frost them with a layer of buttercream.

**TIP- -If your cupcakes ended up baking flat (without a dome on top), make a dome with the buttercream. Just make it thicker in the middle.

Roll out your fondant and cut out a circle that fits the top of your cupcake.

I used the smallest circle cutter from the same set I used in the Flag Cake post.

Place the circle of fondant on top of your cupcake and work it with your fingers to smooth it out and get it to fit to the edges.

Now add your decorations.

I just piped a dot border and cut out fondant flowers for the top.