Cupcake Extravaganza! (Part II)

Welcome to Part II of my Cupcake Extravaganza! I hope you enjoyed Part I and are ready for more cupcake fun! And now, without further ado, cupcake presentation...

Food presentation can be as simple or complex as you want. I try to always remember the fact that people eat with their eyes first so presentation really does matter! One of the first things I bookmarked for this post were these laser cut cupcake wrappers. ShopBakersNook offers 16 different varieties including baby, graduation, wedding, floral and many generic pretty designs. This week, I noticed that Hostess with the Mostess also featured cupcake wrappers on her post, Gorgeous Cupcake Wrappers.

Who can resist a cupcake on a cupcake plate? Here are two adorable options: Shaped Cupcake Set and Hand-drawn Scalloped Edge Cupcake Plate Set.

Giving your cupcakes as favors? Try these perfectly sized boxes by Sprinkles Cupcakes. Easily take your cupcake for lunch with these Cup-a-cakes from Williams-Sonoma.

Serve cupcakes at your next party with a lovely cupcake stand. This simple, white 4 tier stand will work for any event theme. Or try making your own to acheive the exact look you want. This cute pink polka dot cupcake stand was handmade by Louise at CakeJournal. She even includes a supply list and full instructions (with pictures!) If you're looking for a more horizontal presentation, use this bright blue cupcake tray. I love how it has little cutouts for each cupcake.

My last tip for food presentation is about cupcake flags. There are literally tons of decorated flag options. To personalize your cupcake try these baby shower flags from Notepolish.

Who says all cupcakes have to be edible? If you love cupcakes, accessorize your life with these cupcake-themed items:

- Cupcake notecards from FineStationery.com
- Pink bordered cupcake note pad from FineStationery.com (you can never have enough note pads, especially if they're this sweet!)
- Lime green cupcake gift tags from FineStationery.com (with the adhesive back these could also be used as party favor labels)
- Cupcake pincushions
- White cupcake apron
- Cupcake bowls (the icing is the lid- how cute!)
- Pink vintage-styled cupcake apron
- Cupcake spatulas
- Cupcake timer (unfortunately this is sold out, but they have many other food-shaped timers)
- Pink cupcake themed rain boots (currently out of stock -they're that popular)
- Cupcake coin purse (only $1.98!)

I hope you've enjoyed reading Cupcake Extravaganza as much as I have enjoyed creating it! I encourage you to go and bake some cupcakes or better yet gather some friends for a cupcake party. Send invitations asking your guests to bring one dozen of their favorite cupcakes undecorated and any decorating tools they own. As the host, you will supply the frostings and adornments. You each will have 12 trial runs to learn new decorating techniques. Share tips and tricks with each other and above all enjoy some good times with your friends. Oh, and don't forget to take pictures of all your creations! If you host a cupcake party, send me pictures of your groups' cupcakes and they may be featured in a future post!

Cupcake Extravaganza! (Part I)

Today's post begins a special feature on Tastefully Entertaining entitled Cupcake Extravaganza! You'll see the first part of this cupcake celebration below and the second part tomorrow (that's right- on a Saturday!) And now...on to the cupcakes!We'll start with the beginning of a cupcake- inspiration. There are so many resources available with recipes and design ideas for cupcakes. I've gathered a few of my favorites:

Books-
Hello Cupcake!
Bake Me I'm Yours Cupcake
Vegan Cupcakes Take Over the World
Tempt: Cupcakes to Excite
Betty Crocker Decorating Cakes and Cupcakes

Blogs-
Cupcakes Take the Cake
Bakerella
Cupcake Blog
Cake Journal
All Things Cupcake

Every baker needs to have a good set of supplies to make and decorate cupcakes (and any desserts). To start, acquire a full set of mixing bowls. I'm a fan of these multi-color melamine mixing bowls by Martha Stewart- they're fun, durable and useful for all your cooking/baking needs. Next, select your baking essentials. The baking set shown above includes a 12 cup cupcake tray, a 24 cup mini cupcake tray, a cooling rack and 12 silicone baking cups (can stand alone or be used in the pan.)

There are tons of baking cup options in many different styles and shapes. I've shown pink stripes baking cups and springtime floral baking cups (with matching toppers) above. For both simple and sophisticated designs, cupcake aficionados should have a decorating set. The 52-piece set pictured above is by Martha Stewart and is a great combination of a little of everything. You can learn to use many different tips and colorings all from one kit. Plus it comes with instructions!

A quick and easy decorating option is stenciling. This collection of spring shape stencils is very sweet but don't feel limited to specific cupcake stencils. Really, any craft store stencil could be used as long as it's small enough to fit the top of a cupcake.

Lastly, for those who want to bake one cupcake on a larger scale, try the giant cupcake pan. Put your batter in both parts of the pan and join together with a thin layer of icing.

I hope you enjoyed part one of Cupcake Extravaganza! I have to say that part 2 is my favorite half so be sure to stop by on Saturday to see the grand finale to this delicious feature.