Cupcakes, cupcakes and more cupcakes – they seem to be everywhere I turn!!! I have always made and decorated cupcakes but I first came across cupcakes in large numbers when teaching in Australia last summer. Everywhere I visited seemed to have a cupcake shop just round the corner! On my return to the UK in September my publishers asked me to write another book – and yes, surprise surprise, it was to be on cupcakes! The book’s been a lot of fun, as there is so much you can do with the humble cupcake! There are already many books on the subject, but being me I am creating different and exciting designs, one of which I shared with my class last Friday, can you spot it?
Opinion is much divided on whether cupcakes should be decorated with sugarpaste or buttercream, so for Friday’s class I decided to show the students options with both mediums – as predicated some preferred the sugarpaste as it is very manageable but some also preferred the buttercream.
All the students completed three basic designs of cupcakes, two sugarpaste and one buttercream and then they experimented with the techniques they’d learnt to complete more. Some were new to cake decorating, so more experienced but all seem to thoroughly enjoy themselves.
Here’s a sample of their work….
We have another cupcake class scheduled in April and will definately add more to our summer and Autumn programmes so if you’d like to join us click here for more information.
Sarah Males says
Hi Lindy
Just wanted to say thankyou again for a great class on friday..i had the best time and learnt loads
Sarah x
Lindy Smith says
Click here to read another blog post about this class – it’s written by one of our students, it’ll give you a good insight into what it’s like being on one of our workshops!
Her photography is beautiful!
Rebecca says
Fantastic! Really enjoyed the workshop and learned so much. Thanks also to Sally and Jane who responded to the continual questions and were on hand to help with some rather strange looking roses!!
Cupcakes rule!
Rebecca
louise jarvis says
Hi lindy
Please could you tell me which tip you use on the plain cream cupcake 2nd row down?
I have been on a couple of your courses and today have baked the madeira cake, using most of the tips that Jane posted. It has come out of the oven like a perfect cake (unlike my last attempt that didn’t rise properly). Now I just have to carve it into Hello Kitty’s head!
Louise
Lindy Smith says
Hi Louise
The cupcakes in the second row are all made using different tips, we are currently trying to source a good selection of buttercream tips here at Lindy’s cakes and will post examples of each shortly
Becca says
Those rose petal cupcakes look absolutely fantasic Lindy, I’ve no idea how you manage to do them, will you be teaching this on your Summer Floral Cupcakes workshop?
Lindy Smith says
Hi Becca
Yes I will be teaching the rose cupcakes on the summer floral workshop, are you interested in joining us?
Cupcake Stand says
Lindy, your cake designs are very inspiring especially the cupcakes and wedding cakes. Thanks.
Selena Mitchell says
My idea of heaven – decorating cupcakes all day : )
They look gorgeous and the photography is superb.
Jane says
Thank you Selena, why not join us in “heaven” on 1st October for Autumn Cupcakes!
Jane
Maria White says
Hi
I am interested in coming to the cupcake class just got to get some time off work first! If I come to the class will I be expected to bring my own cupcakes? If so I wonder if you could help me with a small problem I have?
my last batch of cupcakes started to come away from the cake case, I have never had this happen before and it made the cupcakes look very strange looking!
thanks
Jane says
Hello Maria,
It would be great to see you on one of our workshops. You would need to bring cupcakes to our workshops and we provide you with a couple of recipes to try, although you can use any 8″ recipe you like.
Your problem with the cases coming away from the cakes could be for a few reasons. Sometimes it is the cases, or if your mixture is quite moist, or you put the cakes in an air-tight container for a while the moisture will make them come away from the cases.
Hope this helps.
Jane
Lindys Team says
Hi Suzanne,
I have spoken to Lindy about your enquiry and she recommends make the mix up as if you was making an 8 inch round cake and this should leave you with a few more than 40 cupcakes.
You will need to make the Madeira mix slightly runnier than usual by adding milk as it may be too stiff for the cupcakes.
Then half fill the cupcake cases and bake them for 20 minutes.
Practise making a small amount first to get the right levels needed for the cupcakes and to check the time your oven needs to bake them.
There is more information available in Lindy’s book Celebrate with a Cake that may help you.
http://www.lindyscakes.co.uk/CelebratewithaCake.htm
I hope that all this helps and you have fun with your quest.
Marina
suzanne says
I’m having great fun trying to perfect my cupcakes thank you for your advice. how long will these cakes keep for. thanks
Lindys Team says
Hi Suzanne,
Madeira lasts for 2 weeks normally if stored well.
Cupcakes tend to dry quite quickly unless they have the whole top covered in icing also baking them in foil cases also helps them last longer.
It would be best to decorate them as soon late as possible and then store them in an cardboard cupcake box rather than an airtight box.
Hope your practice ones are turning out well!
Marina
Christmas Hampers says
I always see these beautiful cupcakes online and in those expensive shops and so wish that I could make them myself. Imagine putting one of them in a box and then shaking it up – thats how mine look when Im finished 🙁
Sue Tookey says
Can you tell me why the cup cake cases are coming away from the cakes as they’re cooling, I always use the greaseproof ones as they hold their colour. I’ve never had it happen before but in each batch of 12 I’m getting at least 2 or 3 which I’m having to discard, which is such a waste, I’ve also noticed that I seem to be getting holes in the tops too after cooking which I never had before, I haven’t changed anything, so can’t quite understand why this is happening, they’re still very light though.
thanks Sue
Jane says
Hello Sue,
The cases can come away from the cakes sometimes if you store them before they are completely cool. You may be getting holes in your cakes due to over beating or too strong flour.
Jane
Sue Tookey says
Thanks Jane, that’s a great help, I’ve since baked some more but have not beaten them so much, and behold a perfect batch!
Sue