Cupcakes -help please

[Kayc]

My grandson turning 16yr is having a birthday party for 20 people. They all go round to each others parties, so while the mothers are not trying to out do each other, the best thing is apparently decorated cupcakes
At at least $2 each and apparently they have 2 each this is rather expensive
So. Grandma to the rescue.  I am not good at making cakes, just as well as we would eat them!   Does anyone have a very fail safe cupcake recipe and how to do that beautiful icing.
How long would they keep.. if the party was on Saturday, and I am working all day Friday - could I make them Thursday??
I will do the magic bean cake for the glutenfree.
Any tips would be very very welcome!

[Jamberie]

I don't have a cupcake recipe I love, but the "Creamy Vanilla Frosting" from the forum is amazing!  Read through all the posts and you will see Maddy has posted many tips and tricks. I also found watching YouTube clips really helped me improve my piping

[Aussie Brenda]

I agree with Jamborie, Maddy is our Cup cake Queen, she also has a chocolate icing, titled "the perfect chocolate buttercream"  sorry i don't know how to connect it to,the post.  Someone will come on and get you on the right track.

[judydawn]

The perfect chocolate buttercream

http://www.forumthermomix.com/index.php?topic=14185.0

[EmeraldSue]

This cupcake recipe has been given good reviews. http://www.forumthermomix.com/index.php?topic=4486.0
My advice is to keep it simple and stick to one or two designs. Most supermarkets stock nice cupcake wrappers and disposable piping bags, but if you want to pipe large swirls, you will need a special large piping tube which might require a trip to a specialist cake decorating shop.
I think that it would be fine to bake them on the Thursday, but if you have time, I would recommend icing them on the Saturday. If you use a buttercream icing, you could make and colour it on the Thursday too. Have fun and take some photos

[cookie1]

I use the recipe that ES has linked. I find it tastes lovely and keeps fresh. Have fun with the icing. I'm sure the boys will enjoy it.

[CreamPuff63]

the 1M nozzle is perfect with the buttercream. You can get it from Spotlight and Matchbox. The brand name escapes me ATM, but it starts with a "W" off memory

[judydawn]

Wilton CP?

[maddy]

Do they need to be gluten free Kayc?  The reason I ask is that you would need GF flour in making the TM icing.

If they don't have to be GF...I think Emerald Sue's  quick mix dark chocolate cake is fantastic turned into cupcakes
http://www.forumthermomix.com/index.php?topic=11212.0

Or my cookies & cream cupcakes, which stay fresh for a few days, and you can easily hide piping flaws with the Oreo sprinkling, & Oreo topper 
http://www.forumthermomix.com/index.php?topic=11046.0

I'm not that fond of the no fail cupcake recipe....a vanilla version of  bimby's choc cake trumps it I think.  Omit cocoa & add 1 Tbsp. vanilla extract instead.

As for icing tips, it couldn't be simpler than by using the Wilton 2D star tip.  Just squeeze it out & you will have a pretty shape instantly.  You can keep it straight and just squeeze to get this effect



Or squiggle it out, top with sprinkles & a lolly



Or using. wilton 1m nozzle, swirl from outside to in, & top with a malteser.



You can keep icing plain & use fancy cupcake papers.

Regardless....don't enter into the cupcake wars  and I'm sure they will appreciate anything you make :-)

[Jamberie]

Maddy to the rescue!
-also, White Wings gf flour works well in the "creamy vanilla frosting" recipe

[cookie1]

Thanks Maddy. That is all helpful to me too.

[Aussie Brenda]

Our Cup Cake Queen.  Thanks for the info from me too.

[troupie]

I must look up that recipe because I usually find cup cakes to be dry; thanks Maddy.

Kayc if you cant find what you need there is a cake decorating shop in Balcatta WA called

http://caketinznthingz.com.au/

Hope this is of some use.

[Kayc]

Thank you for all those lovely formites who responded to my plea.  Lots of great recipes and Maddy those cupcakes look just gorgeous, you are so talented.      This forum is so informative and friendly. 

[troupie]

I wish I could decorate cup cakes like you Maddy; would love to do them for the GC.