Bake Me I'm Yours … Cupcake Fun - over 25 cute cake characters. Carolyn White

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      Contents

       Introduction

       Tools & equipment

       Recipes

       Cupcake recipes

       Topping recipes

       Techniques

       Applying frostings

       Using sugarpaste

       Creating features

       Special finishes

       Presentation & display

       Storage & transportation

       Barnyard fun

       Little lambs

       Porky piggies

       Mooing cows

       Playful pups

       Busy blackbirds

       Spaced out

       Blast off!

       Space explorers

       Celestial sensation

       Alien invasion

       Dressing up

       Red alert!

       Cops & robbers

       Super troopers

       Doctors & nurses

       Pop idols

       Fairytales & adventure

       Wicked pirates

       Magical mermaids

       Fabulous fairies

       Gallant knights

Sugarpaste quantities & colourings

      Have some Cupcake Fun!

      When I started my cake-making company 10 years ago, every order was all about having fun with different sizes of cake and icing in order to make the celebration in question memorable. Over the following years, customers have continued to challenge my team in their desire to see their varied hobbies and interests re-created in sugar and popped on top of a cake or cupcake. So this book brings lots of those simple, interesting ideas together to create delicious cupcakes for every occasion that really will make both kids and adults smile. These little cakes make great party centrepieces or gifts to show how much you care, or simply an entertaining family treat. The cake bases and frostings can be mixed and matched and used for any project you choose to decorate them with, or eat them just as they are for an everyday bite.

      This book has been devised for those new to making cupcakes as well as those who are looking to expand their skills, whether with new flavours, designs or decorating techniques, and as a helpful guide each project has a skill rating indicated by one,

two

or three

cupcake symbols.

      I hope you enjoy learning some new recipes to bake and experimenting with tasty toppings to create, and don’t forget to sample them along the way – cook’s perks!

      Have fun!

      Tools & equipment

      Before you start, it’s a good idea to check you have everything to hand that you might need. Included in this section is a list of essential equipment for making and baking your cupcake sponge bases and to whip up your frostings; a basic decorating toolbox; and key specialist tools. Don’t feel you need to have all the latter kit to create fun cupcakes, but if you are making a large quantity or get really hooked, these are the items I find really useful. Specific tools required beyond the basics are listed under ‘you will need’ at the start of each project.

      Baking essentials

       Kitchen scales/measuring cups and measuring spoons – for accurately weighing ingredients

       Electric stand mixer with paddle attachment (flat beater) – to make the sponge cake bases and toppings

       Muffin and mini muffin trays (pans)

       Wire rack – to cool cupcakes

       Flexible plastic spatulas – for scraping out bowls

       Muffin baking cases (liners) – keep a variety of the many fantastic designs available, both paper and foil, on hand for spontaneous events

       Large disposable plastic piping (pastry) bags – for piping your mixture into cases (liners)

       Oven thermometer – a must if unsure of your internal oven temperature

       Microwave or double boiler – for melting chocolate

       Plastic or glass microwave-safe bowls – for melting chocolate and butter

       Sieve (strainer)

      We usually use muffin or mini muffin-size baking cases (liners)