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Contents
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,
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)