Sunday, January 30, 2011

Making Cupcakes for Christmas

By Anya Shiela Richards


The colder morning air and the shorter days can only mean one thing - Christmas is near! With all the anticipation, you probably have already planned where you will be spending this year's holidays. Along with these plans is what you will bring as a token to the host. Perhaps you will have a potluck party? Whatever the reason, you can't show up empty-handed.

If you know your way around the kitchen, you may volunteer to bring a cake, pie, or even an entre or two. But if you are one of the countless women who juggle career with having a family, you don't have the luxury of time. After all, the preparation of an elaborate dish can take up most of the day - you'll be too flustered to enjoy yourself when you get to the party.

Enter the cupcake - more specifically, cupcakes for Christmas - with all the decorations and trimmings that symbolize the occasion. Cupcakes are very simple to make. There are really only three steps: mix everything in a bowl, pour into little paper cups, and bake. It's as easy as that! But don't be deceived by the process, the amount of detail and effort you put into decorating and personalizing these baked goodies will determine the appreciation that you get.

In the fact, the other great thing about this is that there are plenty of cupcake recipes that you can make with your children - which will certainly keep them busy during their vacation while you bustle around getting ready. Decorating the finished product can also be a part of the fun. In fact, you would be surprised how creative young children can be when it comes to cupcake decorating ideas. And if you are open to their ideas and are not put off by bright green icing with purple swirls, for example, this can even be a lot of fun. Encourage your kids with ideas like making smiley faces from glace cherries and chocolate chips arranged accordingly on the tops of the little cakes.

In fact, as your children get older, you can find more sophisticated ideas. For example, there are great recipes for a snowman cupcake, or perhaps you could work out how to make a fairy. Another idea is to make enough cakes to spell out the words "Merry Christmas" and then write a letter on the top of each one in chocolate sauce or frosting before arranging them in sequence on the tray. This looks good and will be sure to impress your relatives and guests.

Cupcakes can also come in a variety of tastes. You could make several batches if you wanted - some from chocolate, some vanilla, and some with rum essence in them. The variety, especially if you decorate each kind in its own way, can be very appealing.

Making cupcakes for Christmas is not only a good way to make yummy dessert, it can be a fun bonding moment for the entire family. Children will love the fact that you will be serving something that they labored over. They will be so proud and so will you.




About the Author:



No comments:

Post a Comment