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7th January 2021 // 0 Comments

Beginner Cupcake Baking Essentials!

In 2020 lots of people picked up some new hobbies. We’re predicting that 2021 is going to be just the same. So we thought it’d be handy to put together a post listing some of the tools we can’t bake without. They’re also perfect for beginners. When people get really into a hobby they generally end up buying eevvverything to do with it. Then 5 months down the line they realise how much stuff they never even used! Our list includes the basics that are super useful. No crazy gadgets or odd contraptions… we’ve tried them all.

Cupcake baking tools for beginners!

1 Cupcake baking pan in rose gold

A good cupcake baking pan is definitely a must-have. It pretty much goes without saying that it’s going to keep your cupcakes in shape and mess free! This 12 cavity pan is also in the chicest shade of rose gold. Perfect for the on-trend baker. They’re also easy to clean and store away ready for your next tasty batch!

2 Cupcake cases

This handy set of pink and burgundy cupcake cases are so great. A lot of liners end up see through or flimsy once baked with. These keep the shape of the cupcake incredibly well and they’re a little larger than most (who is going to complain about more cake right?). You can also nab them in a range of cool colours.

3 Ice cream scoop

You wouldn’t think that ice cream scoops would be an essential when it comes to whipping up perfect cupcakes. They’re perfect for filling up cases with batter minus the mess. You’ll also get a more even separation of batter between liners too. This set includes three different sizes… great for baking up mini cupcakes. We’ve linked the set that we use, but if you’re looking around make sure to opt for the one with a release! That’s going to help push the batter out into your cases.

Beginner cupcake baking essentials!

4 Kitchen timer

A kitchen or oven timer is one of those essential purchases that a lot of people forget about. So… it helps to pick out a fun novelty design like this pink strawberry. Using one is easy just twist to the minutes you need and set aside to wait for the alarm. For the baker in your life this is going to also make the cutest little gift in a hamper.

5 Cupcake piping tips

We get asked all the time what tips we use for our cupcakes. Ateco is our go-to cupcake nozzle brand. Their tips are larger than most so no straggly looking swirls on top of cupcakes. These three are possibly our most used. An 809 plain round is perfect for a simple modern look. The 869 or pastry tip adds a cool texture. For a bolder linear look try the Ateco 828!

6 Sprinkles

Sprinkles are always a super fun and quick way to add the final touch to your cupcakes. Simply swirl your finished cupcakes with buttercream and add on top. They’re also perfect on top of cakes or as a little added texture with a fun fondant topper.

6th January 2021 // 0 Comments

Knit Hat Cupcake Tutorial!

With the cold winter months here AND a 3rd strict nation-wide lockdown (in the U.K. at least) we thought everyone would need a project or two! It’s easy to camp out on the sofa with a Game of Thrones box set feeling down, but why not make something fun? Like this cute winter cupcake decorating idea! Plus you get to eat it afterwards. Here is our super easy tutorial on how to pipe a knit hat cupcake. You can even watch a video version on our Instagram reels! It’s fun and pretty adorable too. Plus, like us, if you are missing Christmas you’re going to want to hold on to anything remotely festive.

You’ll need…

Cupcake(s)
Buttercream
Sprinkles
Piping bags
Plain round piping tip
Closed star piping tip
Grass piping tip

1: With a piping bag of buttercream fitted with a plain round tip pipe a ring of buttercream around the top of your cupcake. This is going to be the base of your cute knitted hat!

Note: This part doesn’t need to absolutely perfect because you’ll be covering it with sprinkles soon so don’t worry. You can even use a different piping tip if you like. We used a plain round as we think it gives a nice smooth buttercream surface to work with.

Winter cupcake decorating idea!

2: Pour your sprinkles or sprinkle mix onto a dish or plate. This is going to make it a lot easier for you to coat your buttercream with them. We created a sprinkle mix of our own with sugar pearls, sanding sugar, snowflakes, hearts etc.

Tip: Don’t like sprinkles? Why not op for chopped hazelnuts, desiccated coconut or dried fruit pieces? These will add a fun bit of flavour too!

3: Again, with your buttercream in a piping bag fitted with a round tip pipe a ‘blob’ in the middle of your sprinkled coated circle!

Note: This is going to be the foundation of your hat. If you want to have less buttercream then you can also use a tasty chocolate truffle, medium to large marshmallow or even a fresh strawberry instead.

How to pipe a knit hat cupcake!

4: Now using the ‘base’ you created in step 3 you can being piping your hat! Fit a piping bag with a closed star tip and then add your buttercream. Carefully pipe vertical lines up the ‘base’ to the centre of the top. Work your way around the cupcake until it’s covered.

5: Pipe a small ‘blob’ of buttercream on top using your plain round tip. This is so you have something to pipe your cute pom-pom onto!

Easy winter cupcake decorating idea!

6: Now with a piping bag fitted with a grass piping tip add the fun pom-pom on top.

Tip: Simply pipe onto the ‘blob’ you made in step 5. Have a few practice tries at first if you’ve not used a grass tip before.

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You should now have one cute and winter-y treat in front of you. Or several if you’ve made a few. This tutorial is great if you want to add extra customisation too. Change the colours or sprinkles for different people. Add fondant decorations or characters for some added sweetness. However you decorate yours we hope you have fun!

3rd February 2018 // 0 Comments

Our Top Baking Supplies for Valentine’s Day!

Valentine’s Day has swung around again! So say hello to lots of heart shaped things, various shades of pink and red roses a-plenty too! If you’re planning on getting the love in your life something to whip up their passion for baking, or if you’re hoping to throw a glam GALentine’s Day party then you’ll need a few things (or everything) on this list! Keep reading for our top 10 baking supplies for Valentine’s Day!

Baking supplies for Valentine’s Day!

01: Heart shaped treats

Firstly, moulds are pretty fun and a little addictive. It’s like witnessing sudden magic once you’re ready to pop whatever it is you’re creating out of that silicone. This blush pink heart mould set is adorably sweet. It’s perfect for whipping up little heart mini cakes. One of our favourite ideas is heart shaped chocolate covered Oreos! Fill with pink candy melts or tempered Belgian chocolate, push an Oreo cookie into the centre and top with more melted chocolate. Set in your fridge for 15 - 20 minutes and carefully turn them out onto a clean surface. Then drizzle and sprinkle your decorations to your heart’s content!

Silicone heart mould for cupcakes and chocolates

02: Cookie time

Home made cookies are fun and cute to make. They’re also pretty fun to eat too of course! The best thing about good heart shaped cutters is that you can re-use them for birthdays, weddings or gifts! This set of 6 nesting heart cookie cutters comes in different sizes so you can bake everything from mini treats to large statement sweets!

Set of heart cookie cutters by Wilton

03: Think pink

Sprinkles are always fun, but what about coloured sanding sugar for a little hint of sparkle? Add on top of cupcakes for a shimmering look or mix with other themed sprinkles for your own cool sprinkle mix! One super easy and quick decorating idea is to dip sugar cookies into chocolate then add your sanding sugar!

Pink sanding sugar by Wilton

04: Utensil heaven

Extra spatulas are always handy in the kitchen. This cute set of three silicone spatulas in varying sizes are perfect for folding macaron batters, scraping buttercream out of the bowl and general baking fun!

Pink spatula set

05: Mix it up

How amazing are Mason Cash’s range of beautiful mixing bowls. We have a gorgeous French grey one, but this pale pink version is definitely on our wish list. We love the large hearts around the side too… which obviously means it’ll fit in this Valentine’s Day. These bowls are super sturdy and a great weight and size for making the perfect macarons!

Baby pink mixing bowl by Mason Cash

06: Roses

This silicone mould was just too cute to leave out. Make mini bundt-style cakes that are rosebud shaped for your Valentine this year. Why not add some red velvet batter to each and bake before pouring with a sour cream glaze? These little beauties would also look sweet on top of a mini cake or nestled into a pretty gift box!

Rose bud silicone mould

07: Edible confetti

We can’t get enough of sugar sprinkles, but when they’re as pretty and shimmery as these… we’re going to add them to everything! This type of sprinkle also looks amazing added to glasses of champagne. We’ve also been known to sprinkle the golden star version on top of festive cheese boards.

Pink heart edible confetti by Wilton

08: Cupcake cases galore

Themed cupcake cases are always an essential! For novice bakers they’re the perfect way to add a bit of colour or design quickly. We love LOVE these cute printed cupcake cases in various shades of pink. From tiny little hearts to fun stripes you’ll find the perfect Valentine print for your bakes.

Cute patterned cupcake cases by Meri Meri

09: Rollin’

This sweet rolling pin is actually for kids, BUT it’s too cute. It’s perfect for smaller work such as cupcake toppers, mini cookies or quick decorative elements for cakes! We’re also firm believers if your tools look nice then it won’t feel like work!

Pink rolling pin

10: Pick the best

Adding toppers and picks is a super way to instantly transform a cupcake into something seasonally sweet! Obviously, a little glitter too never hurt anyone! These picks would look dazzling in freshly baked cupcakes swirled with pink buttercream.

Pink glitter heart picks for cupcakes

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