Dress up Your Cupcakes!

'Tis the holiday season! Which really means the season of sweets and homemade treats. I love a tasty cupcake, but when everyone and their mother is making them, how can you make yours stand out? Here are 5 tips to make your simply delicious cupcake stand out among the rest. 

1. Go beyond the basic flavors. Try making a spiced gingerbread, peppermint, or even an egg nog inspired cupcake.


2. Upgrade your liners. Instead of using the ho-hum foil cupcake liners, try these new StayBrite Baking Cups! (I found them at my local grocery store). I loved the elegance of these black and white Victorian print liners, but there are several graphic prints to choose from!

3. Fancify your frosting. Use a piping tip and a disposable pastry bag to apply the frosting instead of a spatula. I used a #84 tip, which ads a nice ruffled look to the icing. It really amazes me how easily you can find these pastry products. Any craft store carries them these days. 


4. Add some bling. With a star linzer cookie cutter and rolled out gumpaste, I cut out mini stars to garnish the cupcakes. Then, I brushed them with some edible silver dust to add a touch of holiday flair. 


5. Show them off! Use a cake stand. I have quite an addiction to cake stands and would probably serve everything on them if I couldn't stop myself. If you are entertaining, displaying your sweets at different heights adds depth. So make sure you put those cupcakes up on that pedestal they deserve!