Simple Celebration Cupcakes | How To

 If you come here often then you'll know that I post A LOT of cupcake recipes, and if you don't hello to you, you can find some of my latest cupcake recipes here and here. Making cupcakes is so simple and easy and just by using the right tools and tricks you can make any cupcake look pretty and professional. So i'm going to show you how to create simple celebration cupcakes that you can make for any occasion! It was my sisters 7th birthday this week so I made her these princess cupcakes you can see in the pictures, however they can be adapted to suit your needs. All you need to do is find cupcake toppers to suit your theme, which you can find in pound shops, kitchen shops and online. One more thing you'll need is a food colouring of your choice and a 2D piping tip, which is only a couple of pounds online.

I'm going to start with a plain vanilla cupcake however, you can adapt these for lemon cupcakes by adding the zest and juice of one lemon. Also, I always use ready made frosting (I know.. it's cheating) because it's easy and it will not go wrong. If your a first time baker then using ready made frosting takes away from the stress of making your own and saves you time too.

Vanilla Cupcakes

(Makes 12)

125g Self raising flour 

125g Caster sugar 

125g Butter 

1/4 Tsp Bicarbonate of soda 

2 Eggs 

1 1/2 Tbsp Milk 

1/4 Tsp Vanilla extract 

Preheat the oven to 170C, Gas Mark 5. Line a cupcake tin with 12 cases.

In a large mixing bowl place all of the cupcake ingredients inside and whisk together using an electric hand mixer until smooth. This should take around 3/4 minutes. If you are doing a lemon cupcake then add in the zest and juice with all the ingredients and mix together accordingly.

Equally distribute the mixture between the cupcake cases, filling them three quarters of the way full. Place in the oven for 18 minutes until golden brown or if a skewer comes out clean. Leave to cool in the tin for 5 minutes before transferring onto a cooling rack and leave to cool completely.

Attach a wilton 2D piping nozzle inside a piping bag. Using a paint brush, paint three strips of food gel or colouring along the side of the piping bag, then carefully place the frosting inside. Discard the first bit of frosting until you see the food colouring appear on the sides then place the piping nozzle in the centre of the cupcake, squeeze down and then swirl around until all the cupcake is covered, pulling away gently. This will create a pretty rose effect with the colouring rippling in-between the frosting. Place a cupcake topper or any decorations you have on top of the frosting.