Flower Cupcakes Recipe 455

FLOWER CUPCAKES

Steps:

• Heat the oven to 350 degrees F. Line muffin pans with paper liners.
• Cream the butter and sugar in the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the paddle attachment on high speed, until light and fluffy. On medium speed, add the eggs, 2 at a time, then add the sour cream and vanilla. Scrape down the sides and stir until smooth.
• Sift together the flour, cornstarch, salt, and baking soda in a bowl. With the mixer on low speed, add the flour mixture to the butter mixture until just combined. Fill the cupcake liners to the top with batter. Bake in the center of the oven for 20 to 30 minutes, until a toothpick comes out clean. Cool to room temperature.
• For the icing, mix the butter, cream cheese, sugar, and vanilla in the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, on low speed, mixing just until smooth. Spread the frosting generously on top of each cupcake.

EASY FLOWER CUPCAKES

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Grease 8 muffin cups or line with paper liners.
• Combine 6 1/2 tablespoons butter, sugar, and vanilla sugar in a bowl; beat with an electric mixer until light and fluffy. Add eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition. Add 1 teaspoon vanilla extract and beat until smooth.
• Mix flour, baking powder, and salt in a separate bowl and add to the batter. Beat for another 5 minutes. Spoon batter into the prepared muffin cups, filling each 3/4 full.
• Bake in the preheated oven until tops spring back when lightly pressed, about 14 minutes. Cool in the tin for 5 minutes. Transfer to a wire rack and let cool, about 20 minutes. Cupcakes sink slightly after baking, which is fine as it creates a flat surface for the flowers.
• Combine 1/4 cup butter and cream cheese in a bowl and beat with an electric mixer until well combined. Add confectioner's sugar, 1/4 cup at a time. Beat in 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract after half the confectioners' sugar is incorporated. Set aside.
• Pour colored sugar into different small bowls. Cut each large marshmallow into 5 slices. Dip marshmallow pieces with the cut side down into one of the colors so the sugar will stick to the marshmallow. Repeat with the other marshmallows and different colors.
• Spread a layer of frosting over each cupcake. Arrange 5 marshmallow slices on each cupcake in the shape of flower petals. Place a candy-colored chocolate piece in the middle.

FLOWER-POWER CUPCAKES

Steps:

• Heat oven to 350°F (325°F for dark or nonstick pans). Place paper baking cup in each of 24 regular-size muffin cups. Make, bake and cool cake as directed on box for 24 cupcakes.
• Spread cupcakes with frosting.
• Cut licorice into desired size pieces. Create flower shapes with licorice; arrange on cupcakes. Sprinkle candy sprinkles in center of each flower. Store loosely covered.

ORANGE FLOWER CUPCAKES

Steps:

• For the cupcakes: Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Line a 12-cup muffin pan with paper liners. Whisk together the flour, baking powder and salt in a medium bowl; set aside. Beat the butter, granulated sugar and vanilla bean seeds together with an electric mixer on medium-high speed until light and fluffy, about 3 minutes. Beat in the eggs one at a time until blended, then beat in the vanilla extract. Reduce the mixer speed to low and beat in half the flour mixture, followed by the milk and then the remaining flour mixture until smooth.
• Divide the batter among the prepared muffin cups and bake until the tops are lightly browned and spring back when pressed, about 25 minutes. Cool in the pans for a few minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.
• For the frosting: Beat the butter and confectioners' sugar together in a large bowl using an electric mixer on medium speed until smooth. Increase the speed to medium-high and beat until fluffy, 2 to 3 minutes more. Beat in the milk and vanilla extract until smooth and creamy. Transfer to a piping bag with a plain round tip (about 3/8-inch).
• Frost each cupcake evenly and top with a circle of overlapping mandarin segments that touch in the middle and curve in the same direction. Place a raspberry in each center. Combine the jelly with 1 tablespoon water in a microwave-safe bowl and heat in the microwave until warm but not hot, about 30 seconds. Using a pastry brush, lightly coat the mandarin and raspberries with the jelly.

FLOWER CUPCAKES

Steps:

• Heat oven to 350°F (325°F for dark or nonstick pans).
• Make, bake and cool cake mix as directed on box for 24 cupcakes. Frost cupcakes with frosting.
• Spray blades of kitchen scissors with cooking spray. Cut each marshmallow crosswise into 4 slices; sprinkle slices with colored sugar. Arrange 5 slices on each cupcake in flower shape. Place candle in center of each flower. Store loosely covered.

WHIMSICAL FLOWER CUPCAKES

Steps:

• Frost the cupcakes with the buttercream.
• To pipe the flower: Place the grapefruit-tinted frosting in a pastry bag with a #10 round tip. Hold the bag straight above the cupcake. To create a 5-petal flower, start 1/2 inch from the edge, and squeeze and release while dragging toward the center of the cupcake to create a tear-shaped petal. Rotate the cupcake slightly after each petal.
• Place the egg yolk-tinted frosting in a pastry bag with a #2 small round tip. Hold the bag straight up, and pipe a small dot into the center of the flower.
• Repeat with the remaining cupcakes.