Vintage Wedding Cupcakes: A Step-By-Step Guide To Baking Bliss

Wedding cupcakes are a fun, non-traditional alternative to a wedding cake. They are also a more affordable option and can be enjoyed without the mess of cake cutting. If you're looking to make vintage wedding cupcakes, there are a few things to consider. Firstly, think about the display – a vintage cake stand can add a charming touch. You could also use a unique stand, such as a marble and copper stand, or a rustic log stand. For a true vintage look, take inspiration from the past. For example, individually displaying each cupcake layer connected by columns can give extra height. Fresh flowers, lace, and intricate sugar motifs were also popular in previous decades. Finally, don't forget to consider flavours and ingredients – fruit cake was the most popular choice for weddings in the 1950s, 60s, and 70s.

Use fresh flowers between every tier

To make your vintage wedding cupcakes stand out, consider using fresh flowers between every tier. This was a popular choice for brides between the 1950s and 1970s, and it adds a romantic and authentic touch to your wedding cupcakes.

When choosing flowers, opt for those that are edible and non-toxic. You can use flowers like roses and orange blossoms, which symbolise love, marriage and fertility. If you're unsure about which flowers to use, consult a professional baker or florist.

To ensure the flowers stay fresh, assemble your cupcakes as close to the wedding as possible. You can also ask your florist to provide you with treated flowers that will last longer. Another option is to use sugarcraft flowers, which are a longer-lasting alternative to fresh flowers.

When placing the flowers, be mindful of the overall composition and balance of the cupcake tower. You want the flowers to enhance the display without overwhelming the cupcakes themselves. Play around with different placements and varieties of flowers until you find an arrangement that suits your taste and theme.

Using fresh flowers between every tier of your vintage wedding cupcakes will undoubtedly add a touch of elegance and charm, creating a delightful display that your guests will admire and enjoy.

Create a towering display with individually stacked layers

Create a towering display with individually stacked vintage wedding cupcakes for a unique and elegant look at your wedding. Here's how to achieve this show-stopping presentation:

Firstly, consider the trays or stands that will hold your cupcakes. The overall effect will be influenced by these, so choose wisely. Look for trays that complement each other and ensure you have enough to hold all your cupcakes. The trays come in various shapes, sizes, and colours, so you can create a beautiful arrangement. A vintage-style option could be a wooden cupcake tower, or you could cover a basic cardboard stand with vintage-style paper, such as maps, and line it with ribbon.

Next, think about the cupcakes themselves. You can get creative with colours and display by using vintage-themed cupcake liners and decorations. Perhaps choose a colour scheme that matches your wedding colours or vintage theme. You could even add some sparkle with glitter or gold sprinkles.

Then, decide on the flavours. With cupcakes, you have the option to mix and match, so consider choosing flavours that fit your wedding theme. For example, if you're having a vintage garden party wedding, you could opt for floral-flavoured cupcakes, or if it's a vintage beach wedding, maybe go for mango cupcakes with cream cheese icing.

Finally, assemble your towering display by stacking the trays or stands on top of each other, creating a layered effect. Place your vintage cupcakes on the trays, and you're done! Your guests will be impressed by this elegant and unique presentation.

There you have it! A towering display of individually stacked vintage wedding cupcakes, sure to be a talking point at your wedding and a delicious treat for your guests.

Decorate with lace

Decorating vintage wedding cupcakes with lace can be done in several ways, and it's a great way to add a touch of elegance and sophistication to your big day. Here are some ideas to get you started:

Choosing Your Lace Design

Firstly, decide on the lace design you want to use. You can choose a classic design from your chosen era and recreate its intricacy with a sugar motif. This can be a time-consuming but rewarding process, allowing you to add delicate and intricate details to your cupcakes. Alternatively, you could use actual pieces of lace as a template for your decoration. This method may be quicker, but it won't give you the same level of detail as the sugar motif technique.

Working Lace into the Decoration

Once you have chosen your lace design, it's time to work it into the decoration of your cupcakes. You can either apply the lace to every tier of your cupcakes or just small sections, creating a subtle and elegant effect. If you want to keep things simple, consider using lace-inspired cupcake wrappers. These can be a quick and easy way to add a vintage touch to your cupcakes without too much fuss. You can even find reversible wrappers with different designs, giving you more options for your big day.

Adding Extra Details

To enhance the vintage lace look, consider adding some extra details to your cupcakes. For example, you could use fresh flowers or sugarcraft versions of flowers between each tier, as flowers are a vintage favourite. Pearls and ruffles are also a great way to add a vintage touch, especially if you're going for a more rustic or romantic style. Finally, don't forget to choose cupcake cases that complement your lace design and overall wedding theme.

Use lots of frosting and royal icing

To create vintage wedding cupcakes, it's important to note that after food rationing ended in 1947, bakers embraced excess, piling on mountains of frosting and royal icing. To achieve this vintage look, here are some tips:

First, decide on the flavour of your cupcakes. While modern weddings often feature a variety of flavours, vintage weddings from the 1950s to the 1970s almost exclusively featured fruit cake. If you want to stay true to the vintage era, opt for a fruit cake base. Use the finest muscovado sugar, premium dried fruits, and high-quality liquors to create a decadent and authentic vintage flavour.

Now, let's talk about the frosting. For a true vintage look, don't hold back on the amount of frosting. Generously pile on the frosting to create a luxurious and abundant appearance. You can use a simple vanilla or buttercream frosting, or get creative with flavours like chocolate, peanut butter, or even pistachio. Don't be afraid to experiment with flavours that complement your chosen cake base.

Once you have your frosting, it's time to pipe or spread it onto your cupcakes. Create swirls, rosettes, or any pattern that adds height and drama. If you're feeling adventurous, you can even create different piping designs on each cupcake to add interest and variety. Remember, the key is to be generous with the amount of frosting you use.

After frosting, you can further embellish your vintage cupcakes with royal icing details. Royal icing is perfect for creating intricate lace-like patterns, delicate flowers, or elegant scrollwork. It dries hard, making it ideal for creating decorative borders, monograms, or even miniature wedding scenes on your cupcakes. You can pipe royal icing by hand or use stencils to create consistent designs.

Don't be afraid to experiment with colours in your frosting and royal icing. While vintage cupcakes often feature white or ivory frosting, a hint of colour can add a unique touch. Soft pastel colours like blush pink, mint green, or pale yellow can be elegant and romantic. You can also match your icing to your wedding colour scheme for a coordinated look.

Finally, remember that presentation is key. Display your vintage cupcakes on a tiered cake stand, rustic wooden ladder, or a beautifully decorated table. Arrange them at varying heights to create visual interest and don't be afraid to fill the entire table with an abundant display of cupcakes. Your guests will be delighted by the sight of a grand and generous dessert spread.

Make a fruit cake

Vintage wedding cupcakes can be a unique and fun alternative to a traditional wedding cake. Here's a guide on how to make fruit cupcakes for your vintage wedding:

Ingredients:

• 140g unsalted butter
• 140g golden caster sugar
• 2 eggs
• 2 tbsp orange flower water
• Zest and juice of 1 orange
• Zest and juice of 1 lemon
• 100g undyed glace cherry, chopped
• 50g shelled pistachios
• 50g (3 balls) stem ginger
• 250g plain flour

Method:

Firstly, preheat your oven to 160C/140C fan/gas 3. Grease a deep 15cm cake tin and double line the base and sides. Wrap greaseproof or brown paper around the outside of the tin and secure with string.

Using an electric whisk or tabletop mixer, cream the butter and sugar together until light and fluffy. Gradually beat in the eggs. In a separate bowl, mix the orange flower water with the orange and lemon zest and juice.

Fold the flour, dried fruit, pistachios, and ginger into the creamed mixture, followed by the orange and lemon juice and zest. Spoon the batter into the prepared tin.

Bake for 30 minutes, then reduce the oven temperature to 150C/130C fan/gas 2 and bake for a further 1 hour and 45 minutes, or until a skewer inserted comes out clean.

Allow the cake to cool for 15 minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely. The cake will keep well, wrapped, in a cool place for up to one month.

For a vintage feel, consider decorating the cupcakes with edible flowers, gold leaf, or even a simple dusting of powdered sugar. You could also add a small bunch of grapes or a single rose as a finishing touch.

Fruit cupcakes are a delicious and colourful addition to any vintage wedding, and your guests will love them!

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