Filled Cupcakes: An excursion in tip futility

[whyintellectual]

I had two occasions to bake cupcakes this week and after viewing some videos on youtube I managed to bite off more than I could chew. It all started with a birthday party. I offered to bring German Chocolate cupcakes. As I am a terrible cupcake froster, I watched numerous videos on using tips in an attempt to make a more picturesque cupcake. While

Comments

[merlynspen]

It's hard to tell from your first pic, but it actually looks like your frosting might be too soft to hold a good shape for frosting with a tip. Is it from a can, or did you make your own? (What's the recipe?)

Because other than that, from what it looks like, you have the general idea down. (Again, hard to see, especially with the coconut.)

[whyintellectual]

I used a can of frosting for this and it held the shape just fine, my technique was more of the issue.

[merlynspen]

Have you ever tried doing it with a stiffer/homemade icing?
Even good cupcake frosters sometimes struggle with canned ones for frosting cupcakes using a tip, because it's not really the right consistency.

[whyintellectual]

do you happen to have a recipe that you like? i have never done frosting at home only glaze.

[merlynspen]

Sure!
For a simple but delicious quick vanilla buttercream, I like this recipe: http://savorysweetlife.com/2010/03/buttercream-frosting/

And she does a good job talking about different consistencies/stiffness depending on what type of decorating you're doing.

For chocolate, this is my usual: http://leeneessweetestdelights.blogspot.com/2010/07/chocolate-chip-cookie-dough-cupcakes.html

Let me know if you give them a try, I really think you might be selling yourself short on your cupcake frosting skills. :)

[whyintellectual]

When I make cupcakes next I will try the buttercream recipe. Another poster left a link with a simple tip frosting technique that I might like to try so I will see how it goes.