Spring Cupcakes

Our college hosted two visiting poets this week: Kathleen Sheeder Bonanno and Frank X Walker. In addition to events surrounding their work, a reception was held last night featuring readings of works by students published in this year’s college literary magazine.

© June Scroggin, All Rights Reserved

When asked to bake cupcakes for the event, I envisioned butterflies flitting above flower cupcakes. So butterflies were made using one of Martha Stewart’s punches.

© June Scroggin, All Rights Reserved

I glued each butterfly onto a 4.5-inch lollipop stick, bending the butterfly wings slightly to emulate flight.

© June Scroggin, All Rights Reserved

Wilton’s flower cups are lovely, but do not bake in them as the sides spread and lose their form. I baked lemon cupcakes in plain white baking cups and inserted them into the flower cups later.

© June Scroggin, All Rights Reserved

Vanilla-flavored buttercream frosting was made and piped on using a 1M tip. The color is a combination of Wilton’s Rose and Burgundy coloring gels.

© June Scroggin, All Rights Reserved

My test cupcake—I quite like how it looks.

© June Scroggin, All Rights Reserved

The cupcakes were packed in Cupcake Couriers and the butterflies ensconced in a large mug to carry to the event site in another town. I drove over there about an hour before the event, set out the cupcakes, inserted the butterflies, and zipped back to my town to teach a class. I hope the attendees liked my springtime offering.