Royal Wedding Cupcakes: Baking And Decorating Tips

Royal weddings are a grand affair, and what's a wedding without cupcakes? If you're looking to add a touch of royalty to your next batch of cupcakes, there are a few ways to go about it. You can opt for a classic Victoria sponge cupcake, a lemon and elderflower cupcake inspired by Meghan Markle and Prince Harry's wedding, or even a boozy cupcake with a splash of champagne in the batter. Decorations can be as simple or intricate as you like, from a dusting of gold sanding sugar to elaborate fondant crowns and Union Jacks. So, whether you're celebrating a royal wedding or simply want to feel like royalty, these cupcakes are sure to impress.

Royal cupcake ingredients

The ingredients for royal wedding cupcakes will vary depending on the flavour and style of cupcake you wish to make. Here are some ingredient lists for different types of royal cupcakes:

Royal Vanilla Cupcakes:

• 1 box vanilla cake mix
• 1 cup champagne (or Prosecco)
• 1/3 cup vegetable oil
• 2 sticks butter, softened
• 1/2 tsp pure vanilla extract
• 1/2 tsp kosher salt
• Gold sanding sugar, for garnish

Royal Lemon Elderflower Cupcakes:

• 1 cup granulated sugar
• 1 tablespoon finely grated lemon zest (from 1 lemon; reserve the juice for the frosting)
• 1 stick or 8 tablespoons unsalted butter, softened
• 3 large eggs, at room temperature
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1/2 teaspoon fine salt
• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 2 teaspoons baking powder
• 1/2 cup elderflower cordial
• 1 teaspoon St-Germain or other elderflower liqueur (optional)
• 1 cup chilled heavy cream

Victoria Sponge Wedding Cupcakes:

• 1 stick or 115g room temperature butter
• 1/2 cup or 115g sugar
• 1/4 tsp baking powder
• 1/2 tsp good vanilla extract
• 1/2 cup of jam (you can make a quick jam with raspberries, sugar, and lemon)
• Milk
• Flour

Union Jack Royal Wedding Cupcakes:

• 250g self-raising flour
• 250g unsalted butter
• A pinch of salt
• 250g red icing
• 250g white icing
• 250g yellow icing
• 250g blue icing
• Jam, boiled and cooled

How to make the batter

To make the batter for your royal wedding cupcakes, you'll need the following ingredients:

• 250g self-raising flour
• 250g unsalted butter
• A pinch of salt
• 2-3 Eggs
• Milk
• Sugar (optional)

You will also need a mixing bowl and a whisk or electric mixer.

Firstly, preheat your oven to 190°C / 374°F / Gas Mark 5. While the oven is heating up, you can start preparing the batter.

In your mixing bowl, add the butter and beat it until it is softened. If you are using sugar, add this to the bowl now, and mix until the mixture is pale and fluffy. This should take around 5 minutes with an electric mixer.

Next, add the eggs to the mixture one at a time, mixing well after each addition. You can also add a small amount of vanilla extract at this stage if you wish.

In a separate bowl, sift together the flour and baking powder (if using). Then, gradually add this to the wet mixture, a little at a time, stirring well after each addition.

Finally, add the milk and any additional flavourings (e.g. champagne or elderflower cordial) and stir until the batter is smooth and has a droppable consistency.

Your batter is now ready to be scooped into your prepared muffin tray and baked in the oven!

Baking the cupcakes

To make Royal Wedding Cupcakes, start by preheating your oven to 350°F/180°C/Gas Mark 5. Line two cupcake pans with cupcake liners. If you're using a regular tin, line it with paper cases.

In a large mixing bowl, beat together the butter and sugar until the mixture is soft and fluffy. Add the eggs a little at a time, whisking until fully incorporated. Then, add the flour, baking powder, and a pinch of salt, and stir until combined. Finally, mix in the milk and vanilla extract until you have a smooth batter.

Scoop the batter evenly into the cupcake liners, filling each liner about three-quarters full. Place the pan in the centre of the oven and bake for 20-25 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the centre of a cupcake comes out clean.

Remove the cupcakes from the oven and let them cool for two minutes in the pan before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.

Making the buttercream

Buttercream is a type of frosting that is often used on cupcakes and cakes. It is made with butter, sugar, and other flavourings. The process of making buttercream involves beating butter until it is fluffy and then gradually adding in the other ingredients. Here is a step-by-step guide to making buttercream for Royal Wedding Cupcakes:

Ingredients:

• Butter (softened)
• Powdered sugar
• Heavy cream
• Vanilla extract
• Lemon zest
• Salt

Method:

• In a large bowl, use a hand mixer or a stand mixer to beat the butter until it is light and fluffy. This will take a few minutes. Make sure your butter is softened beforehand so that it is easier to mix.
• Gradually add in the powdered sugar. It is important to do this slowly so that it incorporates fully into the butter.
• Once the sugar is added, mix in the vanilla extract, lemon zest, and salt. These ingredients will add flavour to your buttercream.
• Pour in the heavy cream and beat the mixture until it is smooth and creamy. You may need to scrape down the sides of the bowl to ensure all the ingredients are fully incorporated.
• Transfer the buttercream to a piping bag. This will make it easier to pipe the buttercream onto your cupcakes in a neat and controlled manner.
• Pipe the buttercream on top of each cupcake. You can create a swirl pattern or any design of your choice.
• If desired, sprinkle gold sanding sugar or other decorations on top of the buttercream for added sweetness and presentation.

Buttercream is a versatile frosting that can be adapted to your taste preferences. You can experiment with different flavour extracts, food colourings, or even add alcohol for an adult twist. Enjoy decorating your Royal Wedding Cupcakes!

Decorating the cupcakes

Once your cupcakes are baked and cooled, it's time to decorate! Here are some ideas for decorating royal wedding cupcakes:

Crown Decoration

Knead the red icing on a clean, dry surface until it is pliable. Dust your work surface with icing sugar and roll out the icing to 3-4mm thick. Cut out a circle using a round cookie cutter and place it on top of the cupcake. Smooth it down with your palm. Next, knead the yellow icing and roll it out to 1-2mm thick. Cut out a crown shape and place it on top of the red icing, attaching it with a little water. Use the back of a knife to mark a detail line 0.5cm from the base of the crown. Finally, create three small balls and attach them to the top of the crown points with a little water.

Union Jack Decoration

Brush the top of the cupcake with a small amount of jam. Knead the blue icing on a clean, dry surface until pliable. Dust your work surface with icing sugar and roll out the icing to 3-4mm thick. Cut out a circle and place it on top of the cupcake, smoothing it down with your palm. Next, knead and roll out the white icing to 1-2mm thick. Cut the icing into thin bands and apply them to the blue icing with a small amount of water. Remove any excess icing where the bands cross over. Finally, shape the red icing into a thin rope and apply it on top of the white bands with a little water.

Rings Decoration

Brush the top of the cupcake with a small amount of jam. Knead the white icing on a clean, dry surface until pliable. Dust your work surface with icing sugar and roll out the icing to 3-4mm thick. Cut out a circle and place it on top of the cupcake, smoothing it down with your palm. Use the back of a knife to mark lines across the surface to create a diamond pattern. Use the end of a paintbrush to create a small indentation where the lines meet. Push a silver ball into each cavity. Next, knead a small amount of yellow icing and roll it into a thin rope. Divide the rope in half to create two rings. Shape each piece around your finger and attach the ends with a little water. Smooth over the seam to neaten. Apply the rings to the cupcake with a small amount of water.

Other Decoration Ideas

If you're looking for something simpler, you can always sprinkle your cupcakes with gold sanding sugar or edible glitter. You can also buy glitter crown cupcake toppers or other royal-themed toppers. Fresh, edible flowers are another elegant option for decorating your royal wedding cupcakes.

Frequently asked questions