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No-one can resist a beautifully made cupcake, and the good news is that they’re really easy to make. After you’ve baked a batch of homemade cupcakes from an easy recipe, it’s time to get to the really fun part: decorating them. Invest in a good icing kit, and make sure that the cupcakes have time to cool after you take them out of the oven before you get to work.

The ice is right

Make the perfect icing for your homemade cupcakes and you’re halfway to decorating them in a way that’s gorgeous to look at and to taste. Go for sugar icing if sugary sweetness is what you want, or use butter icing for a richer, more decadent taste. Flavouring your icing is another way to make things interesting – try lemon or coffee.

Good, old-fashioned

For pretty, nostalgic treats, try decorating with hundreds and thousands, chocolate sprinkles, or cherries. Coloured icing can make these sweet treats look especially cute.

Add some sparkle

To add a glamorous, decadent touch to your homemade cupcakes, ice them with rich chocolate icing and then sprinkle them with gold edible glitter, and top with a gold decoration. For a pretty, girly look, use white or pink icing with edible glitter in silver or a colour.

A problem halved

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Cupcakes that are cut open and then stuck back together with icing, cream, or ganache look beautifully extravagant and are perfect for a tea party with fruit or fruit jam added. These ones won’t need cupcake cases.

Good taste

When choosing your kinds of cupcakes, consider the occasion, who they’re for, and your budget. If they’re just for you, of course, you can make them exactly how you want to. Whatever the occasion, don’t be afraid to get creative with your cupcakes.

Tags: baking, baking ideas