Stewart Martha - Martha Stewarts cupcakes: 175 inspired ideas for everyones favorite treats

Copyright 2009 by Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia, Inc.

All rights reserved. Published in the United States by Clarkson Potter/Publishers, an imprint of the Crown Publishing Group, a division of Random House, Inc., New York.

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CLARKSON POTTER is a trademark and POTTER with colophon is a registered trademark of Random House, Inc.

Some photographs and recipes originally appeared in Martha Stewart Living publications.

Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data
Stewart, Martha.
Martha Stewarts cupcakes / Martha Stewart Living magazine. 1st ed.
p. cm.
Includes index.
1. Cupcakes. I. Martha Stewart Living. II. Title.
TX771.S758 2009
641.8653dc
2220008050645

eISBN: 978-0-307-88568-5

Cover design by William van Roden

v3.1

Acknowledgments

Many people contributed to the creation of this wonderful book, particularly food and entertaining editorial director Jennifer Aaronson; special projects group editors Evelyn Battaglia, Ellen Morrissey, Sarah Rutledge Gorman, Christine Cyr, and Stephanie Fletcher; art directors William van Roden, Matt Papa, Yasemin Emory, and Amber Blakesley; editorial and creative director Eric A. Pike; and photographers Con Poulos and Raymond Hom, along with photo assistants Marc McAndrews and Christina Holmes. Others who provided ideas, guidance, and support include:

The talented team at Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia

Mary Cahill
Denise Clappi
Marissa Corwin
Alison Vanek Devine
Lawrence Diamond
Catherine Gilbert
Katie Goldberg
Heloise Goodman
Elizabeth Gottfried
Julie Ho
Marcie McGoldrick
Heather Meldrom
Sara Parks
Ayesha Patel
Dawn Perry
Lucinda Scala Quinn
Megan Rice
Gael Towey

Our partners at Clarkson Potter

Rica Allannic
Amy Boorstein
Angelin Borsics
Doris Cooper
Jenny Frost
Derek Gullino
Mark McCauslin
Marysarah Quinn
Lauren Shakely
Patricia Shaw
Jane Treuhaft
Kate Tyler

At the end of a dinner at my home, while we were all devouring a very rich and lovely chocolate cupcake topped with chocolate glaze poured over a thick coating of ganache and served with a dollop of whipped cream and a quenelle-shaped scoop of caramel ice cream, I asked my guests to describe what cupcakes meant to them. Their remarks were charming, and given the wild popularity of cupcakes as a dessert or a snack, not surprising. Adjectives like mouthwatering, rich, moist, dense, and flavorful were tossed about. Decadent, with lots of frosting, filled, cute, covered with sprinkles, pretty, and evocative of childhood were also offered up as descriptive and appealing words and phrases relating to the subject under discussion, the now ubiquitous cupcake.

What is it, really, about these small cakes that is so appealing that people stand in line at certain bakeries, waiting for their favorite cupcake to come out of the oven and cool before its ready to go through the decorating process? The patience displayed by these aficionados, while the next batch of freshly baked cakesin pretty and practical fluted or pleated paper wrappers, some specially designed for that bakeryemerges from tiny or vast ovens, is not typical, especially in New York, where everyone is usually in a hurry. But for a cupcake, a special reserve of patience is somehow dredged up, and smiles and idle conversation with other customers ensue, while the reality of biting into the cupcake of choice, the favorite, nears.

A cupcake is, indeed, a small and perfect indulgence for those of us who love something sweet and pretty and unique. Magnolia Bakery, Billys Bakery, Cupcake Caf, BabyCakes Bakery, Karas Cupcakes, SusieCakes, Happy Cakes, Violets Cakes, ChikaLicious, Crumbs Bake Shop, and Sprinkles Cupcakes are just a few of the bakeries that have brought their little cakes to my television show and demonstrated how to create their distinctive and special decorations. And now, we at Martha Stewart Living have collected all of our favorite techniques and recipes175 of themin one volume to inspire you to bake and decorate your very own cupcakes at home.

You dont have to wait for a special occasion to enjoy a cupcakealthough you might find that sharing a batch makes even an ordinary day seem that much more sweet. The cupcakes in the first half of this book are suitable for just about any gathering, but they are also fuss-free enough to bake and enjoy as a mid-morning snack, an afternoon companion to a cup of coffee or tea, or a tasty finish to dinner any night of the week. And their potential as heartwarming gifts cannot be overlooked. Whether you are looking for a friendly way to welcome a new neighbor or a surprise treat to tuck into a lunch box, youre sure to find just the thing in the five chapters that follow: Swirled and Sprinkled, Dipped and Glazed, Simple and Sweet, Filled and Layered, and Piped and Topped. Turn to these any day options whenever you want something comforting and sure to please.

). Decorating the cupcakes in this section requires no special trainingfor the most part, the frostings come together quickly, and can cover a cake in one fell swoop. Many are sprinkled with a little something on top, such as nonpareil candies or toasted coconut flakes. Although optional, these finishing touches contribute additional texture and flavorand a memorable bit of charm.

Kids of all ages are bound to adore white cupcakes studded with chocolate morsels. Whipped egg whites folded into the batter produce a light and airy crumb. Tossing the chocolate chips with a bit of flour helps ensure they will be distributed throughout, rather than sink to the bottoms as they bake. The chocolate frosting is so rich and satiny, youll want to pair it with other cupcakes in this book, especially .