How do you make the perfect frosted cupcakes?

Question

Hello, I’m arranging my baby shower (although its more of an American thing, I want a good excuse to get all my close friends and family together before the baby arrives). 

Anyway, I want to make some typical American style cupcakes for the party, you know the type soft vanilla sponge and creamy butter icing thick on top! …but haven’t a clue how to do it!

I have brought most the necessary items: deep paper cupcake cases, cupcake oven trays, cake decorations & toppers, Large icing bag with 8 different changeable heads for the frosting and the sponge ingredients (not yet got the frosting ingredients).

First off all. How do you make the perfect sponge for the base? I always seem to A) over cook them and B) put too much mix in the cases which makes them over rise! I want the sponge cooked but soft and fluffy, and I would like them to rise flat so they are easy to apply the frosting/icing at the end? Could you give me a good vanilla sponge recipe and method please?

Secondly. How do you make perfect butter icing/frosting for the top? I believe its basically just icing sugar and butter right? Or is there more in it? Also I wanted the icing/frosting to be pure white but obviously butter makes it a yellow colour – so how do you make it white?!?! Ingredients and a method for this would be really appreciated! Obviously I need it reasonably thick too in order to put it in the icing bag and curl on the top of my cupcakes.

Similar picture here of what I’m hoping to achieve: http://www.thecupcakeblog.com/tag/white-frosting/

Thank you so much in advance for any help/advise given!

Claire :) xXx

Anonymous · Accepted Answer

Perfect Cupcake Frosting and Filling

Whisk continuously until it starts to thicken. Let it cook, while stirring, until you can start to see the bottom of the pan. It should still be liquid-ish though, like this:


It’s okay if you have lumps, because we’re gonna strain those out right now. Place the mixture in a mesh strainer and stir with a rubber spatula to push it through.

Anonymous · Answer

The cake: it will rise but it actually makes it look better when frosted.

150g unsalted butter
150g caster sugar
175g self raising flour
3 eggs
A drop of vanilla extract or similar 

Cream the butter and sugar together until light and fluffy. Them add the eggs one by one mixing until smooth after each one. Then add the vanilla. Fold in the flour the put in the cases.

Bake for around 20 mins at 180 or 160 fan oven


I can't remember the butter cream if the top of my head.
Hope this helped!!xx

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How do you make the perfect frosted cupcakes?

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