Thursday, July 4, 2013

Alternatives to Frosting Cupcakes

Whether it's for your child's birthday celebration at school, a bake sale to raise money for charity or a family get-together, cupcakes are treats that fit the bill on many occasions. The next time you make a batch of cupcakes to share with family and friends, don't finish them with the same old frosting or icing. There are many different ways to top a cupcake, and each gives a different artistic result. Add this to my Recipe Box.

Chocolate Glaze

Melt chocolate chips or chocolate melting discs in a microwave. Heat for 30 seconds and stir, and then repeat until the chocolate is smooth and melted. Dip the top of the cupcake into the chocolate or use a spoon to drizzle the chocolate on in an attractive design. Melt another color of melting disc and drizzle it on top of the chocolate layer for a more artistic look.

Candies

Collect a variety of small candies or cookie decorations like sprinkles, colored sugar, minicandy-covered chocolates or any other favorites in your family. Mix powdered sugar and lemon juice together. Paint this mixture on top of the cupcakes. It will act as a glaze to hold the candies in place.

Fruit

Mix a glaze, and then slice fruits into attractive small shapes. Fan the slices out on top of a glazed cupcake. Mix different fruits for a more attractive look. Try strawberry slices with kiwi slices or a pinwheel of mandarin oranges. You may top the fruit with more glaze for a shiny look.

Snowflake

Purchase a fine doily or make a lacy snowflake by cutting one out of paper. Lay the doily on top of a cupcake, and then dust the doily with powdered sugar. The sugar will fall through the holes in the doily. Carefully remove the doily, lifting it straight up, so that you don't disturb the sugar design on the cupcake top.

Sundae

Top your cupcake like it was a sundae. Swirl on whipped cream to a pointy peak, and then sprinkle on chopped nuts and top with a cherry with a stem. For a more elaborate recipe, cap the whipped cream with a tiny amount of ice cream topping before adding the cherry. This version is messy but very tasty.

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