Decorating Ideas for Adult Cupcakes

Ideas abound for cupcakes for children, but adults are sometimes a trickier audience. While some adults like very sweet cupcakes, many prefer something that is not overly sweet. Candy decorations work well for children's cupcakes, but might not be appropriate in a workplace environment. Designs that are beautiful, easy and tasty will appeal to many adults -- even those attending bachelor and bachelorette parties. Add this to my Recipe Box.

Black And White

Chocolate ganache is an elegant and delicious way to decorate cupcakes. Made with chocolate, heavy cream and sometimes a small amount of liqueur, ganache is also easier to make than you may think. Make two separate batches, one with dark chocolate and one with white. Melt chocolate and cream in a ratio of 2 to 1, either in your microwave or on the stove in a double boiler so you don't burn the chocolate. Do not allow it to boil. Dip the top of each cupcake in one of the ganaches. When it cools, use a spoon to drizzle the other color of ganache over the top in a decorative abstract design, such as squiggles and dots.

Swirls And Flowers

Homemade buttercream frosting, whether flavored with vanilla or another flavor that complements your cupcakes, is an easy and classy way to decorate. Combine 4 cups of powdered sugar with a stick of softened butter, then drizzle in 6 tbsp. of cream and 1 tsp. of your selected flavoring. Mix thoroughly(adding food color if desired) and load into a pastry bag fitted with a medium star-shaped decorating tip. Start in the middle of each cupcake and spiral the frosting outward to create a ridged design. Sprinkle with tiny candy flowers for a touch of delicate whimsy that isn't too sweet for adult palates.

Bachelor/Bachelorette Themes

For another take on the word "adult," consider slightly naughty cupcakes for bachelor or bachelorette parties. Erotic designs, such as certain body parts made out of marzipan or fondant, can be sculpted and mounted on top of your cupcakes with frosting. Both marzipan and fondant can be sculpted in your hands like modeling clay then allowed to dry before using as decorations. If that's too risque, consider classic symbols of eroticism such as Andy Warhol's famous prints of Marilyn Monroe or the Playboy bunny as sources of inspiration. Although they may look pretty, avoid the temptation of using marabou feathers, such as those seen on feather boas, as cupcake decorations -- they are inedible and not safe for food use.