Creative Ways to Decorate Cupcakes

Here's a bunch of creative ways to decorate cupcakes that you'll want to try. If you've just baked a batch of homemade cupcakes and are wondering how to decorate them, or you need a dozen prize-winners for a bake sale, DO NOT panic! Simply look below for some inspired ideas.

Easy Creative Ways to Decorate Cupcakes

You don't have to be a Martha Stewart to create some amazing looking homemade cupcakes. The following creative ways to decorate cupcakes will give your creativity an edge.

Using Fondant Shapes on Cupcakes

If you're wanting a very specific design or shape, you can do what the professional bakery chefs have done for years to decorate cupcakes without frosting — choose a fondant.

Select a store-bought fondant, or you can make your own fondant in the colors you want. The dough-like fondant lets you mold a variety of shapes or cut out specific shapes, and more.

Using Royal Icing Accents on Cupcakes

Sometimes just a little icing accent can make a cupcake stand out dramatically. These are examples of the royal icing decorations you can purchase ready-made at your local cake decorating shop, or you can make your own using candy molds.

Using a Simple Glaze on Cupcakes

In a hurry? Look for creative ways to decorate cupcakes that are simple and easy. Just a little bit of warm glaze placed on a cupcake and allowed to set creates a beautiful and tasty masterpiece.

Glazes are pretty simple to make. Just a little icing sugar, butter, and milk are needed. Try adding a favorite flavoring like vanilla or almond to your glaze to compliment the taste of your cupcake.

Sometimes Less IS More on Cupcakes

Most of the homemade cupcakes above are very simply decorated. Just use a swirl of icing, or some gel, or piped icing to attract the eye.

Often, the most creative ways to decorate cupcakes don't need to be complicated to produce mouthwatering results. Everybody loves the swirled icing when it's piled high!

Using a Bright Frosting Color

If you're in a hurry and there isn't time to think about fancy designs, just use a swirl of brightly colored icing to make your homemade cupcakes really stand out.

You can color your homemade icing or use a decorator's icing spray to get the bright colors you want.

Just Release Your Creativity

The sky's the limit with cupcakes. Each cupcake in your batch can be made to look different if you want, and you have the time. Try a rocky road theme with chocolate, marshmallows and graham crackers.

Maybe you'd prefer to top your cupcake icing with shredded coconut. Or, go for the simple look and just add a little frosting and colored sprinkles, or chocolate flakes. People love a choice.

Go for the Unusual

Turkey drumsticks with mashed potatoes and butter, and green peas? Now that IS different. However, it's perfect "cupcake combo" for Thanksgiving Day!

Isn't it just amazing what you can do with a little icing, some marshmallows, store-bought candies, and chewing gum?

The unusual cupcakes in the above photo were inspired by the creative ways to decorate cupcakes featured in the popular cookbook, "Hello, Cupcake!" by Karen Tack and Alan Richardson.

Watch the above YouTube video, as the book's authors demonstrate How to Make Corn On the Cob Cupcakes. Then, visit Amazon and get the "Hello, Cupcake!" book in either paperback or kindle version. Treat yourself. You'll love it!

The book describes different ways to decorate cupcakes using candies commonly found in local stores, and ordinary utensils found in your home kitchen.

As you can see, there's really no end to the creative ways to decorate cupcakes when you take the plunge and release your imagination.

No fancy equipment or special skill is needed aside from a simple icing bag an a few easy tips. You will be amazed at what you can accomplish, and you'll have loads of creative fun doing it.