Creating A Cupcake Wedding Cake: A Step-By-Step Guide

how to make a wedding cake out of cupcakes

Wedding cupcakes are a fun and unique alternative to a traditional wedding cake. They are a great option for couples who want to avoid the mess and formality of cutting a cake, and they provide a variety of flavours and colours to suit any wedding style. Cupcakes are also more affordable than a large cake, with an average cost of $3 per cupcake, and they create a beautiful display that guests will love. Whether you're having a rustic wedding or a modern celebration, cupcakes can be customised to fit your theme with different toppings, liners, and stands. They are a delicious and eye-catching addition to any wedding reception!

Characteristics Values
Pros More affordable than a traditional wedding cake; no need for plates and forks; a fun photo opportunity; can mix and match flavours and colours
Cons No traditional cake-cutting ceremony; can't freeze and eat on your first anniversary; need to order the perfect number
Cost Wedding cupcakes are typically $1.50-$2.00 each; traditional wedding cake is $4 and up per slice
Recipe Ingredients include: cake flour, baking soda, baking powder, unsalted butter, egg whites, vanilla extract, almond extract, buttermilk, whole milk, heavy whipping cream, granulated sugar, powdered sugar, salt
Preparation Preheat oven to 350°F/180°C; use paper liners; beat butter, sugar and almond extract; add egg whites and sour cream; add flour, baking powder and salt; divide batter between liners; bake for 17-20 minutes
Frosting Vanilla buttercream; can be coloured or flavoured; piped into roses or other shapes
Display Cupcake tower or tiered display; can be combined with a traditional cake; decorated with flowers, macarons, or other treats; can be arranged by flavour

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Choosing a flavour

  • Classic Flavours: Chocolate and vanilla are classic flavours that are sure to be crowd-pleasers. You can offer both options to give guests a choice, or mix and match with different icings and decorations to create a visually appealing display.
  • Seasonal Flavours: Consider the time of year for your wedding and choose flavours that complement the season. For example, pumpkin spice, peanut butter and chocolate, and cider-flavoured cupcakes are perfect for a fall wedding, while light and fruity flavours like strawberry or lemon might be ideal for a summer celebration.
  • Personal Favourites: Your wedding day is all about you and your partner, so why not choose flavours that are meaningful to you? Do you have a favourite dessert you could turn into a cupcake? Or perhaps there's a flavour that holds a special memory for you both.
  • Unique Combinations: If you want to surprise your guests, get creative with unique flavour combinations. Think outside the box with options like chocolate peanut butter, key lime pie, or even bacon bits and waffles for a brunch wedding!
  • Traditional Wedding Cake Flavours: If you want to stick with tradition, almond-scented cupcakes with buttercream frosting are a classic choice for wedding cakes. You could also opt for a simple vanilla cake, or spice it up with additions like edible gold leaf.
  • Guest Preferences: While it's impossible to please everyone, you can consider your guests' preferences when choosing flavours. For example, if you have many guests who prefer vegan or gluten-free options, ensure you have delicious alternatives for them.
  • Colour Themes: Think about your wedding colour palette and try to incorporate those colours into your cupcakes. This could be through icing, decorations, or even fresh fruit or flowers that match your theme.
  • Mix and Match: One of the benefits of cupcakes is that you can offer a variety of flavours, so feel free to get creative! You can have multiple flavours of cupcakes, or even combine cupcakes with other treats like macarons or mini cakes to give your guests a delightful surprise.
  • Local Inspiration: Draw inspiration from your wedding location or theme. For example, if you're having a beach wedding, consider tropical or sea-inspired flavours like key lime or coconut.
  • Fresh and Light: If you're having an outdoor wedding or hosting your celebration during the day, opt for fresh and light flavours that will be refreshing for your guests. Citrus flavours or even herbal touches like rosemary can be a delightful choice.

Remember, the most important thing is to choose flavours that you and your partner love. Cupcakes are a fun and flexible way to showcase your personality and treat your guests to a delicious variety of treats on your special day.

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Decorating your cupcakes

Cupcakes are a great way to showcase a variety of decorations, from simple to ornate. For a classic wedding, you could opt for intricate fondant flowers or simple greenery leaves. If you are having a modern celebration, cupcakes can be adorned with non-traditional additions like edible gold leaf.

You can also experiment with different colours and decorations to create a unique and eye-catching display. Consider using colourful frostings, ornate gold sprinkles, or elegant cupcake liners.

If you are looking for a more natural or rustic look, you can decorate your cupcakes with flowers, greenery, or even small fruits like strawberries or blackberries.

For a fun and interactive display, you can add individual signs or chalkboards to each cupcake, explaining the different flavour options.

Don't be afraid to mix and match different decorations and flavours to create a unique and personalised cupcake display for your wedding.

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Arranging your cupcake tower

Choose a Stand or Tower:

Select a stand or tower that will serve as the base for your cupcake tower. This can be a traditional tiered cupcake stand or something more unique like a tree trunk stand or a set of shelves. The stand should be sturdy enough to hold the weight of the cupcakes and tall enough to accommodate different levels of cupcakes.

Plan Your Layout:

Before placing the cupcakes on the stand, plan out the layout. Decide on the number of tiers you want and how many cupcakes will be on each tier. If you have different flavours or colours of cupcakes, you can arrange them in a specific order or pattern. For example, you can alternate chocolate and vanilla cupcakes or create a rainbow effect with colourful cupcakes.

Add Height and Dimension:

To make your cupcake tower more visually appealing, add height and dimension to your display. You can use cake stands or plates of varying heights to create different levels. Place some cupcakes on raised platforms or stands to give the tower a sense of depth. You can also use props or decorative items, such as books, crates, or flower pots, to add varying heights.

Incorporate Flowers and Greenery:

Flowers and greenery can add a romantic and elegant touch to your cupcake tower. Fresh flowers, such as roses, peonies, or baby's breath, can be placed around the base of the stand or tucked in between cupcakes. Greenery, such as eucalyptus, ferns, or ivy, can also be draped across the stand or used to fill in any gaps.

Include a Statement Piece:

Consider adding a statement piece to your cupcake tower, such as a small cutting cake on the top tier. This can be a single-tier cake that the couple can cut into for the traditional cake-cutting ceremony. Alternatively, you can include a large cupcake or a unique dessert, such as a macaron tower, as the focal point of your display.

Decorate with Care:

When decorating your cupcake tower, pay attention to the small details. Use elegant cupcake liners, such as lace or patterned liners, to add a touch of sophistication. Top the cupcakes with buttercream flowers, sprinkles, or edible gold leaf for a luxurious finish. You can also add personalised touches, such as monogrammed cupcakes or cupcakes topped with the couple's initials.

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Pros and cons of cupcakes vs. traditional wedding cake

Cupcakes are a fun and modern alternative to a traditional wedding cake. They can be a unique way to express the couple's personality and creativity, and they offer a range of flavours and designs to suit different tastes.

Pros of Cupcakes:

  • Variety: Cupcakes offer a wider range of flavours, colours, and designs than a traditional wedding cake. Couples can mix and match cupcake and frosting flavours to suit different tastes, and guests can choose their favourites.
  • Convenience: Cupcakes are easily accessible and convenient for guests to grab and enjoy without the need for plates and forks. They can also be easily transported and don't require cutting and serving like a traditional cake.
  • Cost-efficiency: Cupcakes can be a more cost-effective option, especially for larger weddings. They are typically less expensive per serving than a tiered cake, and there is no need to hire cake servers.
  • Decorative display: Cupcakes can be displayed creatively, such as on a cupcake tree or tower, adding to the reception decorations.
  • No cake-cutting ceremony: Cupcakes eliminate the need for a traditional cake-cutting ceremony, which some couples may prefer.

Cons of Cupcakes:

  • Tradition: Cupcakes may not be suitable for couples who want to follow traditional wedding customs, such as the cake-cutting ceremony and freezing the top tier for their first anniversary.
  • Serving size: Traditional cakes tend to serve more people per serving than cupcakes. For large weddings, cupcakes may not be a practical option, and it can be challenging to estimate the perfect number of cupcakes to order.
  • Leftovers: Ordering too many cupcakes can result in a large number of leftovers. While this may not be a significant issue, it is something to consider when deciding between cupcakes and a cake.
  • Cost: The final cost of cupcakes can add up, especially when factoring in the price of cupcake liners, decorations, and stand rental. In some cases, cupcakes may end up being more expensive than a traditional wedding cake.
  • Elegance: While cupcakes can be decorative, a beautifully designed tiered cake may be more elegant and impressive, especially for formal weddings.

Ultimately, the decision between cupcakes and a traditional wedding cake depends on the couple's preferences, the wedding theme, and their budget. Some couples choose to incorporate both, having a small cake for the traditional cake-cutting ceremony and cupcakes for guests to enjoy.

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Making your cupcakes from scratch

Ingredients:

For the cupcakes, you'll need:

  • Cake flour: Using cake flour is highly recommended for the lightest and fluffiest results. It has a lower protein content than all-purpose flour, preventing the development of too much gluten and keeping the cupcakes airy.
  • Baking soda and baking powder
  • Unsalted butter, softened
  • Large egg whites: Using only egg whites helps keep the cake light in texture and color.
  • Vanilla extract: Clear vanilla extract is preferable to maintain a light color.
  • Buttermilk: Using actual buttermilk is best for a light and fluffy texture. Alternatively, you can substitute with equal parts Greek yogurt and milk or make your own by curdling milk with a teaspoon of vinegar.
  • Whole milk: Whole milk is preferred for a richer-tasting cake.

For the fluffy vanilla buttercream frosting, gather:

  • Unsalted butter, softened
  • Heavy whipping cream
  • Confectioners (powdered) sugar
  • Vanilla extract

Instructions:

  • Preheat your oven to 350°F/180°C and line a cupcake pan with liners.
  • In a medium bowl, whisk together the dry ingredients: cake flour, baking powder, baking soda, and sea salt (if using).
  • In a separate microwave-safe cup or bowl, combine the buttermilk and whole milk and gently warm them in the microwave for about 15 seconds.
  • Using an electric mixer fitted with a paddle attachment, beat the softened butter and sugar together on medium-high speed for 3-4 minutes until light and fluffy. Scrape down the sides of the bowl as needed.
  • Add the egg whites, vanilla extract, and almond extract (if using), and continue beating on medium speed for 1 minute until you have a smooth and creamy batter.
  • Turn the mixer to low speed and add half of the flour mixture, then all of the milk mixture. Beat until mostly blended.
  • Add the remaining flour mixture, then turn off the mixer. Use a flexible spatula to gently fold in the remaining flour until just combined. Be careful not to over-mix the batter.
  • Divide the batter evenly among the cupcake liners, filling each about 2/3 full. You may have some batter left over.
  • Bake the cupcakes for 18-20 minutes, or until they are just set. To check for doneness, gently touch the tops, which should spring back when done. Avoid over-baking!
  • Allow the cupcakes to cool for about 10 minutes in the pan before transferring them to wire racks to cool completely.
  • To make the frosting, add all the frosting ingredients to the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the paddle attachment. Begin mixing on medium-low speed to combine, then increase to medium-high speed.
  • Whip the frosting for around 4 minutes, or until it becomes very light and fluffy. Scrape down the sides of the bowl as needed.
  • Use a piping tip or a knife to frost the cooled cupcakes. Get creative with your piping designs or keep it simple—the choice is yours!

Your wedding cupcakes are now ready to be arranged into a beautiful tower or displayed however you wish. Enjoy the process of creating these delicious treats, and congratulations on your special day!

Frequently asked questions

Cupcake wedding cakes are a fun alternative to a traditional wedding cake, offering a variety of flavours and colours to suit your theme. They are also more affordable, with cupcakes costing between $1.50 and $2 each, compared to $4 per slice for a traditional wedding cake.

Cupcakes can be decorated with intricate fondant flowers, simple greenery, or non-traditional additions like edible gold leaf to suit any wedding style. You can also arrange cupcakes by flavour on different tiers for a neat display.

A fluffy vanilla buttercream is a popular choice for wedding cupcakes, but you can also experiment with other flavours and colours to match your theme.

Most bakers recommend ordering enough cupcakes for each guest to have an average of one and a half cupcakes. For example, order 60-70 cupcakes for 50 people and 220 cupcakes for 200 people.

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