I want to make it known right up front. I am highly trained at EATING cupcakes, not DECORATING cupcakes. But I have learned a few tricks since embarking on my 52 cupcakes series this past summer. I am willing to share anything I’ve learned, including my mistakes.
My Tools:
Kitchen Aid Mixer with Paddle/Whisk Attachments
24 Cupcake Pan
Large cooling rack
Gallon size ziploc bags
Kopykake large decorating bags $.25/each from ABC Cake Decorating
Cuisipro and Ateco Corers
2 main decorating tips: Ateco 807 tip & Bakery Crafts 6ST (less than $2/each)
Assorted cupcake liners
Use a gallon sized bag to fill your cupcake liners. I found it to be an easy way to prevent having batter all over your cupcake pan before baking. I simply snip the end off and fill the liners.
Cupcakes with round tips…
Jumbo carrot cake cupcakes with cream cheese frosting
Dainty vanilla cupcakes with raspberry filling
Cupcakes with star tips …
Red velvet cupcakes with mascarpone frosting
After taking cupcakes out of the oven, I let them cool 5-10 minutes in the pan and then I put them on the cooling rack. And let them cool completely. Don’t cut corners here! Softer frostings, like those that contain cream cheese, will run off your cupcakes if still warm. It’s not pretty.
If cupcakes need fillings, you can use one of four methods/tools. I can cut out the centers and then pipe in the fillings using either a sharp knife, a cuisipro corer, an ateco corer, or pipe directly into the cupcake.
The cuisipro corer is on the left and is a deeper and wider hole. I recommend using this for a bulkier filling like that in the chocolate chip cookie dough cupcakes.
The ateco corer is on the right and uses less filling. It looks just like my apple corer. I recommend using this for a filling that you don’t want to overpower the cupcake, like in the Dainty vanilla cupcakes with raspberry filling. One of my favorites!
Or if the cupcake filling is thin enough, you can just insert the tip directly into the cupcake and plump them right up, like I did in the Hostess Cucpakes. It was super simple and worked great.
Use the paddle attachment on your Kitchen stand mixer, unless it specifically tells you to use your whisk (meringue).
Wait for your butter and cream cheese to soften. And don’t cheat and put it in the microwave. It won’t turn out very well. Believe me, I’ve tried every shortcut and I’d let you know if it worked.
And after many requests, here it is. A video of how I frost my cupcakes. Note how professional and precise I am.
Blessings sweet friends.
-Jenny
Story of the 52 cupcakes:
I am making 52 cupcakes this year in honor of my chemotherapy buddy. When we were undergoing chemotherapy, people would bring cupcakes and other treats to the chemotherapy “lounge”. We would smile, laugh, and talk about how we were so nauseous and that all we could eat was saltine crackers and Sprite. We were glad that our family and friends were comforted by them though.My friend said, “If we survive this disease, we should eat a different cupcake every week for the rest of our lives.” My friend did not survive. So in honor of him, I am making a different cupcake every week for a year. Every time I make a new cupcake and lick my fingers, I think of him and his zest for life. So in honor of my friend and all cancer patients, I challenge you to eat a cupcake today and remember to always lick your fingers.
If you are new to my site, welcome! I’m so glad you’ve joined me on my 52 cupcake journey.Like what you see? I would love for you follow along on this crazy adventure of mine by subscribing to my blog and joining me on facebook, twitter, and pinterest.
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Comments
Ellie A.
ROFL.. well I deserve the biggest of crowns for eating cupcakes.. I am the weakest and never meet a cupcake I wouldn’t eat as a matter of fact I was at cupcake place today getting cutie little ones. I do bake then here but my frosting well lets just say NOT CUTE. ha.. I don’t have a mixer yet I have a hand held one but I dream of being having one day to have a mixer OH I think I would do a wiggle & record my dance that day! Ha…
I do have those tips but getting my icing into the bag & not having it spill yeah not happened yet! lol. I guess I just need to make more cupcakes and practice HUH? Thank you so much for posting this .. hmm NOW I want a cupcake.
Jenny
Have your daughter open the decorating bag wide for you while you spoon it in. That helps a lot. And a hand mixer works just as well too, but a happy dance will happen when you get a stand mixer. I guarantee you will. But honestly, the best tip I can offer is to keep practicing. Have fun decorating!-J
Lisa Muniz
Loved the ending…you are too much!
Jenny
Totally in response to someone saying she was sure my kitchen looked like something off of pinterest, that I had perfect hair and makeup, and no mess when baking my cupcakes. I wanted to assure her that was not the case. We should have included the outtakes to this video. Hilarious.
Karen
That is the best video I have seen in a long time.
Jenny
I’ve made more videos the past 7 months of my life than the other 21 years (37 really). It’s been a lot of fun.
Janet Carr
JENNY!!!!!!!! You are something else!!!!! hahahahhahaha!!!!!!!!! You ALWAYS make me SMILE!!!!! AND I have to say… I have NEVER wanted to learn to bake and ice cupcakes MORE!!!!!! YUUMMMOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!! Now… which one to start with????!! My family will sure be thanking YOU!!!!!!!! HA!!!!!!! You’re the BEST my friend!!!!!!!
Jenny
Well Janet I hope you enjoy this new journey. I’m certain that your family will be thrilled and showering me with praise. Can’t wait to see pictures.
Jennifer Henson
You are awesome. I didn’t know my eyes would get misty over cupcakes today!
Love the tips-will be more adventurous with cupcakes! 
(not just a mix from a box plopped into the pan 
)
Jenny
I will never by store bought frosting again. The homemade frosting is definitely key. The decorating tips and bags are so inexpensive that it’s definitely worth the time and effort. Let me know how your third batch turns out (it takes a little practice). And there is no crying (or misting) allowed over cupcakes. -J
Jenny A
Haaahaaa! The ending is perfect!!! I’m not much of a baker but you make it look so easy! I can’t wait to try this with y daughter!
Jenny
It really becomes rather easy after some practice. But it took me about 3-4 times before it just clicked and I got it. I promise it doesn’t take much longer than that. Have fun baking and decorating with your daughter!-jenny
Jodie
Thank you thank you sooooo much, the video is so great, Emily is adorable, I can’t wait to get started on my own cupcake journey.
Jenny
Thanks Jodie. Glad you enjoyed it and can’t wait to see pictures of all your creations in the kitchen. You will enjoy it a lot, and your family will love it even more.
Heather
Thanks to your inspiration, my daughter and I baked the red velvet cupcakes together last night in preparation for Valentine’s Day. I was exhausted after working three 12-hr night shifts in a row, and almost didn’t make them. But I rallied after (several) cups of coffee, and am so glad I did…we had a great time over licking beaters of frosting and deciding which sprinkles we would put on the tops. Definitely an evening we’ll both remember!
Jenny
Hooray for coffee and cupcakes! Heather, I am thrilled that you and your daughter made cupcakes together, and good ones too! Thanks for sharing this with me – just made my night. So glad you had that time and memory together. Blessings Heather – thank you for having my link on your blog. I’m humbled and thankful. -Jenny
Heather
ps. LOVED the end of the video…I’m still smiling
Judy R
I simply adore your fabulous sense of humor! And a BIG THANK YOU for sharing this…I’m not very proficient in the kitchen and hadn’t realized how doable this was! I made & frosted my first cupcakes yesterday…thanks to you. (I chose the red velvet w/ the drool-worthy mascarpone frosting. They are getting rave reviews at the office today.;-)
MANY Thanks!
Jenny
Hooray Judy! I love that cupcake from Liz (she’s one of my favorite bakers in blog land, too!). And I love how you and others are trying new things. I seriously was a hot mess when I started this process and feel so much more comfortable as I have practiced more and more.
I have found this to be the case with everything so far – making jam, frosting cupcakes, piano, hot yoga… it all is about practice and the improvement comes rapidly.
And I’m a serious wise butt so keep coming back and I’m sure it will continue to shine (or annoy!). Thanks Judy and I’m so excited your office mates enjoyed the cupcakes. – J
Jennifer
Loved your tips on this post, the Ziploc bag, priceless! Finally your grand finale at the end made me giggle and as I read the comments I kept giggling knowing that it was your little exclamation point showcasing your sense of humor. It did make you very relate-able and was just what gave the notion to leave a comment! You have a wonderful blog, spirit and I enjoy checking in!
Jen
I don’t understand how the tip stays on the frosting bag. I am new to this, so maybe I just need to try it myself.