Toppings for cupcakes

Cupcakes have been very popular for about a decade now. It is no wonder really; they are small, portable and downright delicious. While they may be eaten plain most people prefer to have them decorated. They can be decorated with a variety of toppings, and whether it is for an afternoon treat or a birthday party, a cupcake is a fun alternative to a large cake. Toppings for cupcakes are only limited by your imagination.

Cream cheese frosting

One of the most popular frosting for a cupcake is cream cheese frosting. It is traditional with red velvet as well as carrot cake. It also is a good match for a spice cupcake or banana. Cream cheese frosting is a simple combination of cream cheese, butter, vanilla and powdered sugar. Using a piping bag allows for a fancier application but is not necessary; it tastes just as good when applied with a simple bread knife.

Chocolate icing

Who doesn’t like chocolate? It is the perfect topping for chocolate or yellow cupcakes. There are so many different kinds of cupcakes that are perfect with chocolate, banana, and chocolate chip, orange and of course coconut. A simple chocolate frosting can be made with sour cream, melted semi-sweet chocolate chips and a pinch of salt. For children, this may not be sweet enough but for adults, it’s perfect.

Coconut

Coconut is one of those decorations that people either love or they hate. It is perfect with a chocolate cupcake with chocolate frosting, this makes it takes mike a Bounty candy bar. It adds the perfect touch to a tropical cupcake made with pineapple or other tropical fruit on a sticky white frosting.

Whipped cream

While store made cupcakes don’t usually use whipped cream because it is somewhat fragile, at home it can turn a plain cupcake into something very special. Picture a yellow cupcake with whipped cream and a strawberry slice or a chocolate cupcake with whipped cream and an Oreo cookie crumble on top. When using whipped cream to decorate, keep the completed cupcakes refrigerated until ready to serve.

There are a variety of decorations that can be added on top of the frosting or whipped cream. These included colored sugars, jimmies, candies and ground nuts. For parties, holidays and special occasions there are always special decorations offered in the grocery or party store. Jelly beans are perfect for Easter cupcakes, in black and orange they become ideal for Halloween. Red and green sugars are traditional and simple options at Christmas time.

Cupcakes are the perfect little piece of cake and can be decorated in a wide variety of ways. It is quite simple to frost and decorate them to fit just about any occasion. Your skill as a decorator is all that stands in the way of the amazing cupcakes that you can create.