5 Easy Cupcake Decorating Ideas

I am not a Super Mom but I might look like it at birthday parties because I have fun thinking up creative cupcake decorating ideas for my kids.

And really, you can make cute cupcakes too with the right tools and by giving yourself permission to make mistakes.

Start with a box

Yes, I use a box mix for the cupcakes and then scoop it into the liners using a large cookie scoop. This way, I know the cupcakes will taste great and each one is filled with the same amount of batter.

As for the frosting, I can make a pretty decent buttercream icing but my chocolate frosting comes from a can… and there is nothing wrong with using a can of frosting. I promise.

Search Pinterest for inspiration

Some of my ideas come out of my head but most of my ideas come from Pinterest. By browsing through ideas for cakes, gourmet apples, and of course… cupcakes, I can come up with some great ideas.

Find embellishments at Amazon

I have never been able to make a flower from icing and I do not plan to start now. Instead, I would rather go to Amazon and purchase sugar flowers or gummy butterflies to adorn my cupcakes. If you can create a swirl of frosting, you can sprinkle your heart out and add a simple candy to finish your masterpiece.

Look in your pantry

I have used Twinkies, marshmallows, chocolate chips, and candy coating to decorate my cupcakes and no one thinks less of me. Actually, they think I am pretty brilliant.

If I cannot find a way to make a decoration from food, I will use paper because printing a figure on cardstock, cutting it out, and taping it to a toothpick is so much easier than stressing over how my cupcakes will look.

When all else fails

If you still have an overwhelming fear that you will never be able to decorate a cupcake, just create a cupcake bar where everyone is responsible for decorating their own.

As you watch people walk away with their creation, you will realize that no one at your party is a cupcake design expert and that should arm you with enough confidence to try something new next year.

Inspired Family Dinners Giveaways

Don’t forget to enter for your chance to win $800 worth of All-Clad Cookware (courtesy of Favado) and a $5 Dinners Cookbook gift basket!

Now you can have some fun in the kitchen with your kids by creating some cupcake of your own with this Inspired Family Dinners giveaway.

Choose from the options in the Rafflecopter widget below enter for your chance to win this cupcake gift set including, Wilton Cupcake Decorating Set, Wilton Cupcake Liners Assortment, and Wilton Sprinkles Assortment.

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Disclaimer: US Only. No purchase necessary. Void where prohibited. Giveaway ends 2/23/2014 at 12:00 AM CST. To view complete rules, read my disclosure.