Page 28 - Cupcakes

places the resulting goo in a pastry bag. Then she pipes the warm melted wafers

between the lines of the pattern, right onto the parchment paper. Once the pattern
is filled, she carefully slides it to a clear spot under the parchment and pipes
again. You can do this all over a sheet of parchment and turn out enough
decorations for a batch of cupcakes. Let the designs harden on the parchment.
Lucille makes letters, musical notes, even fan-shaped tails for little turkey
cupcakes.

PRESENTING CUPCAKES

Cupcakes really need no dramatic presentation, because they are head-turners on
their own. But I do think they are stunning all lined up on over size flat platters,

interspersed with fresh flowers. And they look whimsical and garden-party ready
when you stack them on a selection of cake stands. Place one smaller stand on a
medium stand, and the medium on a large stand, and you create a tiered,
wedding-cake effect like the one in the color section of the book. Place cupcakes
on the stands, add flowers, berries, cherries, and ribbons, and let the party begin!

HAVE CUPCAKES, WILL TRAVEL

Unless the gathering is taking place at your house or unless you are planning to

stock your freezer, there’s a good chance you’ll be toting those cupcakes and
muffins to the office, school, or a party.
I used to pack cupcakes in cardboard shirt boxes that had been lined with
waxed paper, but then, that was in the dark ages before plastic carrying cases and
pans with matching lids! I have learned that some cupcakes are better travelers
than others. Choose frostings or glazes that harden, not those creamy, buttery
frostings that are delicious but seem to smear on just about anything. If you must
travel with cupcakes with creamy frostings, pack a plastic knife for repairing
smudges once you get to the party. And bring along extra toppings and garnishes
to sprinkle on top.

Here are some useful ways to transport your little cakes:

A plastic 13-by 9-inch carrying case with matching, locking lid. Tupperware
makes one of these with a handle. One side is flat for a sheet cake, and the other
side has indentations to keep cupcakes from sliding.