Page 271 - Cupcakes

batches.) Run a dinner knife around the edges of the cupcake liners, lift the

cupcakes up from the bottoms of the cups using the end of the knife, and pick
them out of the cups carefully with your fingertips. Place them on a wire rack to
cool for 15 minutes before frosting. (If you are baking in batches, refill the
cupcake cups with the remaining batter, and bake the second batch. You will use
only 42 cupcakes for this presentation; freeze the extras for eating later.) 4.
Meanwhile, prepare the frosting.

5. Place a heaping tablespoon of frosting on each cupcake and swirl to spread it
out with a short metal spatula or a spoon, taking care to cover the tops
completely. Place the blueberries on 9 of the cupcakes, dividing them evenly
among the cupcakes and placing at least 5 on each. Place either a large capped
strawberry stem-side down or a strawberry half cut-side down in the center of
the remaining 33 cupcakes. Arrange the cupcakes on a large flat serving board in
the form of the American flag by placing the 9 blueberry-topped cupcakes in the
top left-hand corner in 3 rows of 3 cupcakes. Complete the rows by placing 4
strawberry cupcakes next to each row of blueberry cupcakes (each row should
total 7 cupcakes across). Finish the flag by placing the remaining cupcakes in 3
rows of seven each. You should have 6 rows total. Make sure that the
strawberries are straight so that they resemble the red stripes of the flag. The
cupcake flag is ready to serve.

Store this platter of cupcakes, lightly covered with waxed paper, in the
refrigerator for up to 2 days. If you are preparing them in advance, add the fruit
1 hour before serving. The unfrosted cupcakes may be baked ahead and frozen
for up to 6 months. Thaw the cupcakes overnight in the refrigerator, then frost
and decorate.

FIREWORKS CONFETTI CUPCAKES

• • • • •

Festive is the word for these fun red, white, and blue cupcakes. From the inside
to the outside, they are bursting with colorful sprinkles, and are topped with a
glittering American flag. The cake batter is a rich vanilla-scented white, and the

frosting is a classic buttercream, the perfect neutral backdrop for fireworks of