How to decorate cupcakes

Cupcake trees—that tower of cupcakes you see at parties—seem to have gotten more popular lately. The set-up is practical, after all: cupcakes can serve as dessert and, at the same time, because of their size, it’s easy to just box them up individually and give them to guests as take-home goodies. 

The best part is, it’s a lot of fun to let loose your creativity and prettify a batch of cupcakes to make them match your party’s theme or even your personality. It’s not a problem if you can’t bake, or have no time to bake. You can just buy a batch of cupcakes in the flavor that you want and then breathe some unique life into them. A degree in culinary arts is not required.

Here are several ideas (and tools) to get you started:

Sprinkles and edible glitter
If you’re throwing a rainbow-themed party, decorating your cupcakes with sprinkles or glitter is the easiest and quickest way to go. Major supermarkets, as well as baking goods shops, sell rainbow-colored sprinkles by the bottle. Edible glitter can be found in specialized bake shops. You could shower these over your frosted cupcakes; or even make designs, such as stripes, polka dots, or an actual arc for a rainbow. 

Baking cups
Find wax baking cups (where you pour the cupcake batter) in a wide range of colors, designs, and sizes at stores dedicated to baking goods. Supermarkets also carry these, but in limited colors and sizes. If you don’t have time to bake your own cupcakes, just plop store-bought cupcakes in the cups that will go better with your party’s theme. Celebrations Party Central (www.celebrationsph.com) has these cups, and many other items.

Toppers
Glued to toothpicks or to re-hashed coffee stirrers, cupcake toppers are like little banners that add character to cupcakes. Several party-planning blogs offer free images that you can print and cut into toppers. These printables have already been laid out and sized for clients’ convenience. All you have to do is download them, print out, cut, and stick on toothpicks or stirrers. Each cupcake gets one topper; the over-all effect will be truly festive.

Stands
Both a decorative and space-saving tool, cupcake tree stands are usually three-levels tall and circular, sort of like a champagne fountain. Instead of placing your cupcakes all on the table, in one layer, use a stand to give your guests a better view of your creations. Also, you could dress up a stand like how you’d dress up a tablesetting, with floral sprigs on top or colorful doilies, if that’s your kind of thing.

Jelly beans, edible flowers, chocolate kisses
Does your daughter like candy? Top her cupcakes with jelly beans. Edible flowers, usually available in weekend markets all over Manila, are perfect cupcake toppers for a celebrant with a green thumb. Chocolate lovers will appreciate a dusting of chocolate kisses all over their cupcakes. 

Piping
If you’re a serious baker, you’ll probably have piping tools ready. Depending on which tip and frosting you use, you can turn your cupcake tops into a flower, a toddler’s face, a seashell, a baby bird, or any other design you can think of. There is no limit to creativity!