How To: Ice cupcakes

Do your attempts at frosting cupcakes come out messy? Wondering how to make your cupcakes look like they were frosted by a bakery? Follow these steps for a beautiful finish to your scrumptious cupcake treats.

You Will Need:
• Cupcakes
• Icing
• A butter knife or spatula
• Colored sugar
• Candy sprinkles
• Chopped nuts
• A pastry bag (optional)

Step 1: Allow cupcakes to cool
Allow freshly-baked cupcakes to cool to room temperature, about a half an hour. Remove the cupcakes from the pan, and place them on a level surface.

Step 2: Remove icing from the refrigerator and stir
Remove the icing from the refrigerator and stir it with a butter knife or a small spatula. The icing should be creamy, but still thick.

Step 3: Scoop icing on the center of the cupcake
Scoop a dollop of icing onto the center of the top of the cupcake using the knife or spatula.

Step 4: Spread icing from the center out
Spread the icing in a circular pattern on the top of the cupcake, starting at the center and working out toward the edges.

Step 5: Evenly cover the entire top of the cupcake
Continue to spread the icing in a circle until you have covered the entire top of the cupcake evenly with a layer of icing.

Step 6: Add additional decorations
Add decorations, such as colored sugar, sprinkles, and chopped nuts.

Trivia: In 2009, a 1,224 pound cupcake set the record for the world's largest. It took 12 hours to bake, and contained 800 eggs and 200 pounds of sugar.