With much of the country still experiencing record low temps and record high snowfall, it might be HARD to believe that spring is really on the way. However, last night I noticed something and was beyond EXCITED. It was after 6:30 PM and there was still beautiful daylight outside of my window! Awesome, right? Um, this is certainly a sign that spring is just around the corner.
This easy tutorial for decorating Spring Flower Cupcakes is a great way to start thinking about spring yourself. They are easy to make and a great ending to any meal or the perfect touch to your Easter dessert table!
Supplies:
- 2 dozen regular size cupcakes - baked and ready to decorate
- Prepared buttercream frosting, colored green for grass (recipe below)
- Large icing bag with "grass" tip attached
- Fondant (or gum paste) colored to your choice for flowers (I used all yellow)
- Small flower fondant cutter or punch
Make sure your cupcakes are completely cool before starting. If they are still warm it will cause the buttercream to not hold when piped (not good, right?). Using your "grass" tip (this tip is a flat end with several small holes), begin piping in small bursts all over the top of the cupcake, lifting up and at an angle to create the grass.
Continue piping the grass onto the cupcake until the top is completely full. Repeat until all cupcakes are covered
When you've finished covering all of the cupcakes with the buttercream, begin rolling out your fondant and cutting small flowers with either a punch or a small cutter. I like to decorate in odd numbers and think it looks best on a cupcake of this size. Plan to cut 3 flowers for each cupcake (unless the flowers are large). The flowers do not have to be all the same color or same size. A variety would be beautiful!
After your flowers are cut, carefully place them into your "grass". As an added touch, I've used a little buttercream to attach a small edible pearl to the center of each flower.
Buttercream Frosting
Ingredients
- 4 cups sifted confectioners sugar
- ½ cup unsalted butter
- ½ cup shortening
- 1 Tbs pure vanilla
- 2 Tbs meringue powder
- ¼ cup water (+/-)
Instructions
- Using stand mixer, cream butter and shortening in mixing bowl. Once smooth, add vanilla and mix until blended.
- Gradually add 2-3 cups of sugar. Add the 2 tablespoons of meringue powder (this will keep frosting from falling or melting in warmer conditions and adds a nice flavor).
- Next add half of the water and continue mixing while gradually adding the remaining sugar.
- Continue adding water until you have the consistency you desire. You'll want slightly thinner for spreading and a bit thicker for piping.
- This is a very smooth, almost whipped frosting that you'll absolutely love!
And that's it! So simple and such a beautiful treat!
Link to this post:
<a href="https://mamaof3munchkins.com/2014/03/spring-flower-cupcakes-tutorial.html">Spring Flower Cupcakes Tutorial</a>
