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What Are the Different Types of Cupcake Designs?

G. Wiesen
G. Wiesen

Different types of cupcake designs are often based around a theme, which can range from particular colors to images or characters that represent a certain holiday. One simple design is the use of a color scheme, often connected to an event the cupcakes are being served at, through the use of colored frosting. There are also a number of designs that can be conceived and implemented based on holidays or certain events, such as the use of “creepy” decorations for Halloween cupcakes. Many cupcake designs also use frosting and other decorations to make the treat look like something else, such as a cartoon character or animal.

The idea behind many cupcake designs is the creation of a particular image or theme that matches the rest of an event. If someone is serving cupcakes at a birthday party, for example, then the decorations used at the party often influence such designs. A party that features purple and red as the main color scheme might have cupcakes served in purple wrappers with red frosting, for example. While this type of cupcake design is not always adhered to, it can create a more cohesive feel at an event and make decorating simpler.

A cupcake decorated with marzipan roses.
A cupcake decorated with marzipan roses.

There are also many cupcake designs that are based around a particular holiday or similar event, usually including decorations and frosting that reinforce the idea of it. Cupcakes served at a Halloween party, for example, might be iced with orange frosting and then topped with black sprinkles, the traditional colors for Halloween. Someone might create more elaborate cupcake designs, however, and instead make treats that look like something spooky. This could include cupcakes that resemble monsters, or that are topped with a fake candy eyeball. Different holidays can then include a variety of themes and decorations that allow these treats to reinforce the event.

A frosted cupcake.
A frosted cupcake.

Some cupcake designs are not based on a particular event or occasion, but are instead simply intended as a creative outlet. A small cake can, for example, be decorated to look like a certain animal, such as a pig or frog. Pieces of candy, frosting, and other decorations can be used to make the treat seem like something else.

These types of cupcake designs can be used to reinforce a theme, however, such as a child’s birthday party. If the child is a fan of a particular cartoon character or comic book, for example, then cupcakes could be decorated to resemble that character or to feature the symbol for that comic. Such decorations can combine multiple designs, including color schemes and the use of frosting and candy to make a cupcake unique.

Discussion Comments

KoiwiGal

@Iluviaporos - Actually, you can still make gorgeous cupcake designs even if you are a beginner. It's just a matter of finding the right design.

One cute idea I saw a few months ago was a bunch of different colored cupcakes arranged as balloons, with licorice strings. They were very simple cupcakes, but the presentation was beautiful.

Another thing to consider is that there are plenty of pre-made favors to put on cupcakes. I've seen edible paper butterflies and marzipan figures that could double as art for sale online. Or you could have a go at making chocolate leaves or lace.

With the right accessories, you don't have to be fantastic at decorating cakes to make beautiful designs.

lluviaporos

@irontoenail - I would recommend that beginners start with beginner cupcakes rather than trying to make the very fancy ones, especially if the cupcakes are for a particular occasion. I know the complex designs are very popular but really the most important thing is what they taste like and that's surprisingly difficult to get right. I rarely have a cupcake that's really worth eating, probably because too much goes into the frosting and not enough into the batter.

irontoenail

There are some adorable designs for cupcakes online. Basically anything you could possibly want for a cupcake design has been done, because they have been so popular for the last few years.

The main advice I would give people if they are planning to try and make cupcakes for the first time is to make absolutely sure that the cake is cool before applying the icing. There are a lot of pictures of "failed" cupcakes online as well and they almost always seem to have failed because the icing melted when it was applied too soon, so the design was ruined.

I know it's difficult to wait but ideally the cake will be room temperature or even cooler before you put the icing on.

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    • A cupcake decorated with marzipan roses.
      A cupcake decorated with marzipan roses.
    • A frosted cupcake.
      By: Ruth Black
      A frosted cupcake.