When acting as the hostess for a bridal or baby shower, one of the keys to the party's success is the main dessert. But what to serve? Cupcakes? A cake? How do you choose and how will each choice be viewed by your guests? Depending on your budget, the time involved, and the guest of honor's preference, here's a look at which option is best for your party.
Cupcakes Vs. Cakes
It's very trendy these days to pass up the detailed, expensive, tiered party cakes and opt for stylish, designer cupcakes for guests. Which is better?
In favor of cupcakes...
- They are thought to be a money saver
- They can be baked and designed at home
- They can be displayed in a variety of manner - stand, shelves, shapes
- They can act as a personalize, individual dessert
- You can add decorations, theme items to store-bought cupcakes
- They can be fun and memorable
- They can be more flavorful and natural than a fondant cake
- They can have special cups to match theme or colors
Cupcakes are small and cute. You can decorate them in so many ways and if you have a cupcake stand, they make a great centerpiece.
In favor of cakes...
- They are still traditional for most parties (birthday, bridal or baby shower, holiday event)
- There's an elegance to a tiered cake that cupcakes don't offer
- Easy to make tiered cakes at home with simple ingredients and store bought decorations
- They have a larger "canvas" to fulfill any theme or color design
- Tradition is in favor of cakes; cupcakes being almost too casual or quirky
- They can be simple or can be decorated to the hilt to impress
- More leftovers for guests and guest of honor to take home
Cakes are a traditional treat for any party and come in a variety of flavors. They can be decorated with fruits, chocolate, and many other toppings that your guests will love.
Results?
Honestly, in today's world, there really are no rules that you absolutely have to follow when you plan and execute at party. Cupcakes and cakes are both a delicious way to entertain your guests. Depending on the theme, style, and budget of your event, either provide elegance to your table and no matter the choice, people will take away from the shower, event, or party what you put into it. In the battle of cupcakes versus cakes, there are no losers.
Criss White is a professional writer that writes about food, babies, and other party planning topics like baby shower cupcakes and other baby shower ideas. Criss enjoys hosting parties and baking when not writing.
Showing posts with label Cupcakes. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Cupcakes. Show all posts
Thursday, August 18, 2011
How to Make Miniature Cupcakes
There’s a new rage in the baking world today. You see them in magazines, on TV cooking shows, and in the bakery: miniature cupcakes. These one-bite yummy treats are not only fun to eat, but they’re easy to make and are guaranteed to be a hit at your next family get together, birthday party, or baby shower.
Here’s how to make miniature cupcakes:
You’ll need…
Your favorite cake mix
1 can of your favorite frosting (if you’re using a vanilla cake, use vanilla frosting, same with chocolate)
Miniature cookie cutters in the shape of flowers, stars, geometric figures, etc.
Dark and white chocolate bark
Sprinkles, Jimmies, candy, Gummy bears, M&Ms, Reese’s Pieces, etc.
Cake pan(s)
Large bowl
Cookie sheet with wax or parchment paper lining
Lollipop sticks (from bake or arts and crafts store), optional
Prepare the cake mix according to the directions on the box. When it’s finished baking, let it cool. Remove cake from the pan (or pans) and place into the large bowl. Using a fork, break the cake up, crumbling it into tiny pebble-sized pieces.
Take the can of frosting and spoon it all in over the crumbled cake. Mix the cake and frosting together until it forms a dough texture. Using your (clean) hands, take small amounts of the mixture and roll it into a Ping-Pong sized ball and place on the lined cookie sheet. Keep doing this until all of the mixture is used. When the tray is full, cover with a dry kitchen towel and place in the refrigerator for 1-2 hours. After that time, the cake and frosting mixture will have become completely bound together.
Remove from the fridge and get your cookie cutters to start shaping them. Press the chosen design into the ball of dough about three-fourths of the way, leaving a rounded muffin top to the miniature cupcake. Do this for all of the dough balls you have made. Put them back in the refrigerator while you melt your dark and white chocolate bark either in the microwave (don’t overdo it and burn it!) or a double boiler on the stove.
The side of your miniature cupcake that has been shaped should be dipped first in the dark chocolate and placed upside down on the cookie sheet for the chocolate to dry. If you’ve like to put your miniature cupcakes on sticks, now is the time to insert the lollipop sticks into the bottom. Once this half is dry, then dip into the white chocolate to “ice” the top of the miniature cupcake. At this point, you can add sprinkles, candy, Gummy bears, or any other decoration to the top. Make sure you do it before the chocolate has completely dried so the toppings will stick.
Now, serve them up to the guests at your party and wait for the accolades to rain in. If you’re using this recipe for a baby shower or themed party, you can buy colored white chocolate to match the appropriate theme colors.
Criss White is a professional writer that writes about food, babies, and other party planning topics like baby shower cupcakes and other baby shower ideas. Criss enjoys hosting parties and baking when not writing.
Here’s how to make miniature cupcakes:
You’ll need…
Your favorite cake mix
1 can of your favorite frosting (if you’re using a vanilla cake, use vanilla frosting, same with chocolate)
Miniature cookie cutters in the shape of flowers, stars, geometric figures, etc.
Dark and white chocolate bark
Sprinkles, Jimmies, candy, Gummy bears, M&Ms, Reese’s Pieces, etc.
Cake pan(s)
Large bowl
Cookie sheet with wax or parchment paper lining
Lollipop sticks (from bake or arts and crafts store), optional
Prepare the cake mix according to the directions on the box. When it’s finished baking, let it cool. Remove cake from the pan (or pans) and place into the large bowl. Using a fork, break the cake up, crumbling it into tiny pebble-sized pieces.
Take the can of frosting and spoon it all in over the crumbled cake. Mix the cake and frosting together until it forms a dough texture. Using your (clean) hands, take small amounts of the mixture and roll it into a Ping-Pong sized ball and place on the lined cookie sheet. Keep doing this until all of the mixture is used. When the tray is full, cover with a dry kitchen towel and place in the refrigerator for 1-2 hours. After that time, the cake and frosting mixture will have become completely bound together.
Remove from the fridge and get your cookie cutters to start shaping them. Press the chosen design into the ball of dough about three-fourths of the way, leaving a rounded muffin top to the miniature cupcake. Do this for all of the dough balls you have made. Put them back in the refrigerator while you melt your dark and white chocolate bark either in the microwave (don’t overdo it and burn it!) or a double boiler on the stove.
The side of your miniature cupcake that has been shaped should be dipped first in the dark chocolate and placed upside down on the cookie sheet for the chocolate to dry. If you’ve like to put your miniature cupcakes on sticks, now is the time to insert the lollipop sticks into the bottom. Once this half is dry, then dip into the white chocolate to “ice” the top of the miniature cupcake. At this point, you can add sprinkles, candy, Gummy bears, or any other decoration to the top. Make sure you do it before the chocolate has completely dried so the toppings will stick.
Now, serve them up to the guests at your party and wait for the accolades to rain in. If you’re using this recipe for a baby shower or themed party, you can buy colored white chocolate to match the appropriate theme colors.
Criss White is a professional writer that writes about food, babies, and other party planning topics like baby shower cupcakes and other baby shower ideas. Criss enjoys hosting parties and baking when not writing.
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