BB-8 Cupcakes – Easy Star Wars Cupcakes

Tips for Baking Cupcakes

Follow the recipe. Each cupcake recipe is different. It is important to follow the recipe as directed. all of our cupcake recipes have been tested multiple times to make sure they are perfect.

Bring ingredients to room temperature. Cupcakes will bake best when the ingredients are brought to room temperature before mixing the cupcake batter.

Allow cupcakes to cool completely. Before frosting the cupcakes let them cool completely. If you frost cupcakes while they are still warm then the frosting will melt.

Do not over mix. Over mixing the batter will lead to having tough and flat cupcakes. When making cupcakes you have to be careful that you don’t over mix the batter when you are folding in the flour mixture. If you over-mix your cupcake batter your cupcakes will turn out flat. You want to mix everything just until mixed, over mixing will cause you to have rough and tough cupcakes. We all know that the best cupcake are light and fluffy.

Fill the cupcake liners appropriately. You do not want to over fill the cupcake liners. Follow the directions for the specific cupcake recipe, if the recipe doesn’t tell you how full stick to the 2/3 full rule. Which is roughly 3 tablespoons of cupcake batter per cupcake liner.

Use the best kitchen tool for filling liners. If you are working with a thick cupcake batter then you want to use a spoon or a cookie scoop to fill the cupcake liners. If it is a thin cupcake batter then use a bowl with a spout or a glass measuring cup to pour in the batter.

Use quality cupcake liners. While you might not think it matters a cupcake liner but having a quality cupcake liner will make it so your cupcakes don’t stick to the wrapper and peel off nicely so you can see the perfect cupcake in it.

Bake one tray at a time. Using the center of the oven rack and bake one tray of cupcakes at a time. This will give you the best cupcake results.

Allow cupcakes to cool completely before decorating. If you frost cupcakes while they are still warm then the frosting or fondant will melt.

How to tell when cupcakes are done baking

I like to use the toothpick test when I am making cupcakes with the kids because it is easier for them to see and learn. But if you have been making cupcakes for a while you may not want to use that method.

If you are wanting an even easier method, the cupcake bounce done method as we call it is even easier. Pull the tray of cupcakes out from the oven and lightly press on a cupcake in the middle of the baking pan. If if bounces right back and no finger print is left behind then your cupcakes are done. If there is a finger print you need to bake them for a few more minutes.

How to Store Cupcakes

It is best to store cupcakes in an airtight container on the counter. Cupcakes are best to be enjoyed with in 48 hours of making them. They won’t be bad to eat after 40 hours but they will start to dry out and not be as fresh.

After frosting cupcakes you are ok to store them on the counter for a day or 2 but after that they should be stored in the fridge.

If you are storing them unfrosted you can store them in an airtight container or a plastic bag. If you are storing them with frosting on top I suggest using a cupcake storage container.

Tips for Decorating Cupcakes with Fondant

For these cupcakes you are going to be using colored fondant. You can use store bought fondant or homemade.

After making your shapes let the fondant harden. Allowing the fondant to sit out and harden a bit makes it easier to put on the cupcakes.

Use your finger or a small paintbrush to apply water. Water is what will make the fondant pieces stick to each other. You only need a tiny bit, I suggest putting it in a bowl near you and using your finger or a small paint brush to apply the water.

Use powdered sugar to dust your work space. When you are rolling the fondant to the thickness you need with the rolling pin, to keep it from sticking to your work area use a small amount of powdered sugar on the work space.

Make sure you work area is clean. Fondant can be sticky when working with it and can easily pick up crumbs that are on your work space so make sure the area is totally clean before getting started.

Keep the fondant moving when working with it. When you are rolling out fondant to the desired thickness you do not want to flip it, slowly move it by turning it slightly while rolling it out with the rolling pin.

Stop cracks. If the fondant starts to crack when you are working with it add a small amount of vegetable oil in a circular motion on the areas cracking.

How to soften fondant. Fondant dries out as it sits out. If you need to soften it some add a small amount of water to the fondant. You only need a really small amount, about 1/8 teaspoon for every 24 ounces of fondant.

How to stiffen fondant. If the fondant is to soft add a small amount of powdered sugar.

How to Color Fondant

Coloring fondant is easy using a gel food coloring just add the food coloring to the fondant and using your hands roll it in. Continue rolling the fondant around in your hands or on the counter until it is fully colored the color you want it.

I do suggest using gel food coloring as liquid food coloring adds more liquid to it and I find sometimes it is to much liquid. I like dipping a tooth pick into the gel food coloring and then dipping the food coloring on to the fondant.

I also suggest wearing plastic gloves when mixing the food coloring into the fondant so you do not get food coloring on your hands.