How to Make Cupcake Wedding Cakes

Cupcake wedding cakes are very in right now. Why? They're quicker and easier to make than a regular wedding cake, so you don't have to be an expert in baking to make them. If you want to, you can make them yourself (or force the bridesmaids into it). They can be cute or elegant. You can make cupcake wedding cakes in any size you need, from a party of two to a wedding of four hundred without altering much except quantity. Still not sure? Check out my article and see whether a wedding cake made of cupcakes is for you.

Things You'll Need

• Cake mix
• Cupcake pans
• Cupcake Liners
• Platters and supports
• Cupcake tree(opt)
• Frosting
• Decorations
• Small shallow boxes to move the cupcakes in
• Toothpicks
• Cling Wrap or foil

Instructions

1. The first thing to do is figure out how many cupcakes you'll need. This will depend on a few things. Who will be at the wedding? You don't have to have exact numbers but should at least have an idea of a range. Do you come from a family of big eaters or chronic dieters? Plan to have enough cupcakes to match. For some weddings only one cupcake per person is needed, others three per person is more realistic. If your families are composed of linebackers who bankrupt buffets, plan accordingly. Finally, how many extra cupcakes do you want to have? Things happen. Dropping a few cupcakes while you're putting the cake together is very likely. As is having some not turn out well. Is your nephew going to stick his fingers in a half dozen? There's no reason to panic at the wedding if something does happen, simply plan to have extra so that you can fix anything that might go wrong. You can't have a backup wedding dress or flower girls, you can have back up cupcakes. Just in case.

2. The next thing you need to think about is who is going to be making all those cupcakes? Are you going to make the cupcakes or is this a job for bridesmaids? Grandma? Soon-to-be mother-in-law with too much time on her hands? It doesn't have to be all one person either. Several people to bake and several people to frost will make it easier for everyone. Just remember to not be too unreasonable in your demands. If you need several thousand cupcakes, don't put it all on dear, old Nana's shoulders. Another option is to order cupcakes from a bakery to be delivered unfrosted. Then you can host a frosting party and everyone can have fun decorating. Even store-bought cupcakes that are already decorated can work.

3. Now it's time for the fun part-designing the cake itself. One tall tower looks very elegant. Or there's the option of having two small towers with a big one in the middle. That's great for big weddings. A small two-tiered tower is perfect for small weddings. Really small weddings may just want a cupcake tree. How many cupcakes you'll have will help in the decision. You could even mix cupcakes and layer cakes. Also consider if you want a small separate cake for the top layer. Many people do this so that they have something to cut during the cutting of the wedding cake or so they can keep it in their freezer until their first anniversary. Going to the craft store and seeing what supports and supplies they have available will help. Draw out the design you want, taking into account that you will need to leave room for the cake supports if you're making a tower.

4. Figure out what flavor cake you want. The great thing about cupcakes is that you can make several flavors just as easily as one.

5. Next decide what color the frosting should be and whether all the cupcakes will get decorative touches or just a few. Your wedding colors and style will help you here. You want the cake to stand out and look gorgeous yet match at the same time.

6. Now figure out how many of everything you'll need. One box of chocolate cake mix or thirty? A box of cake mix is supposed to make 20-24 cupcakes, but most people actually get about 17 out of them. So two boxes of mix would make about 34 cupcakes, three boxes 51, four 68, and so on. Usually ¾ of a tub of frosting coats a boxes' worth of cupcakes. It's easier to have few more boxes of cake mix and tubs of frosting than you think you'll need instead of running to the store in the middle of baking. An alternative is to make the cupcakes and/or frosting from scratch. It's not hard to do, but may not be a good option if you don't feel you are a competent baker.

7. After the entire cake is planned out write down all of the design elements and ingredients needed. You don't want to forget or get confused when you have so much going on and if someone else is making the cake they'll need a drawing and description to be accurate.

8. Either use cake plates that you have or go get the necessary wedding cake supports from the craft store. Also get any necessary doilies or decorative elements such as frosting bag tips or candies.

9. Bake the cupcakes. Unfrosted cupcakes freeze really well if covered tightly, so one option is to make the cupcakes over a week or so and freeze them after they are cooked. If not, consider borrowing cupcake pans from people so you can put in a lot of cupcakes at once and also switch pans out quickly.

10. Frost the cupcakes and decorate. If decorating the cupcakes differently, know how many of each cupcake are going to be frosted which way so that this part goes smoothly.

11. As you decorate and frost the cupcakes set them into small shallow boxes. Use small boxes to transport all the cupcakes to the wedding. That way they won't be too heavy and if a box gets dropped it's not a big deal. (You do have all those extras just in case, but there's no sense in pushing your luck) The boxes should be tall enough that something set on top of them will not smear the cupcakes but should be shallow enough that the cupcakes are easy to get out of them. After each box is done push a few toothpicks partway into a few of the middle cupcakes in the box. Then wrap the box with cling wrap or aluminum foil. The toothpicks will help prevent the cling wrap from touching the icing. They do sell cupcake transportation boxes and these may be a good idea if your budget allows or you know enough people to borrow some from.

12. When everything is ready and it's time to go, transport the cupcakes to the wedding. It is not a good idea to put the cake together at home, it will almost certainly get ruined. Instead move the cake platters or supports and all the cupcakes to the wedding and then put the cake together. Leave any extra cupcakes in their boxes and set them in a safe place near the cake so if you need to make emergency change outs you can. If setting up the cake far in advance, bring extra foil or cling wrap and toothpicks so that you can cover the cake after it is put together.

13. Finally, the last step. Wait for the ooohs and awwws when you reveal your cupcake cake.

Tips & Warnings

• Cupcake cakes are great for bakesales and birthday parties too.

• Planning is everything. Know how the cake is going to look long before it's time to set it up.