How to Decorate Fancy Cupcakes

Whether you're hosting a birthday party or making cupcakes just for fun, decorations can add a fancy touch that will show everyone your creative side. There are numerous ways to decorate your cupcakes that will set them apart from the rest, and fondant, icing, edible pearls and glitter, and sprinkles are just a few ways to get started. Decorating fancy cupcakes may take some time and practice, but the results will add a fancy flair to any party. Add this to my Recipe Box.

Using the scissors, snip the end of the bag off, creating a hole just big enough for the decorating tip to poke about halfway out of the bag. Carefully insert the decorating tip into the bag, guiding it through the hole in the bag.

Add the buttercream icing to the disposable decorating bag. For colored icing, place the icing in a bowl, add a few drops of food coloring and mix thoroughly with a spatula before putting the buttercream icing into the disposable bag.

Push the icing into the bottom of the bag and securely tie the top of the bag in a knot or close the top of the bag with a rubber band or twist tie.

Holding the tip in your dominant hand, use your other hand to squeeze the icing carefully out of the bag. Hold the tip 1/4 inch above the cupcake and work in a circular motion, first applying icing around the outside of the cupcake and working your way in. Stop once the entire cupcake is covered.

Create a circle of icing in the center of the cupcake on top of the layer you just added. You want the center icing to be taller than the edges.

Allow the icing to set for 15 minutes. While the icing sets, make fondant decorations to place on top of the cupcake, if desired (pre-made fondant can be purchased at craft stores). Use a rolling pin to flatten the fondant and then use the cookie cutters to cut out shapes from the fondant. Be sure that the fondant pieces are small enough to fit on top of the cupcake.

Add sprinkles, edible pearls, edible glitter or fondant decorations to the cupcake, being sure not to ruin the spiral shape of the icing; these items may be placed strategically in a specific spot on the cupcake or sprinkled over the top, forming a random pattern. Edible pearls and glitter add a more formal-looking finish and increase the fancy look of the cupcakes. When finished decorating, store the cupcakes in a covered container.