I am going to make my first cupcake cake. I am making pumpkin cupcakes, so will do a Halloween theme. It is just for practice, will take to work. But would like tips. I know I read to secure the outside cupcakes on board with a dot of icing. Any other advice, how much icing to get it smooth like a cake top. Do you just slap it on or pipe it, how bout filling in gaps between cupcakes? All the tips helpful!!
you can line them up like bricks, (off set) so there is hardly any gaps between them, or in rows and columns and the gap will be larger. not a problem either way. you can secure the end ones if you wish. if you do off set them then the outside shape will be irregular which again is ok. then forget they are cupcakes and ice directly over the top getting it as smooth as you can with your spatula, wait for the icing to crust and smooth with a paper towel. if any of the cupcakes have doomed too high cut it off alittle before icing.
Ok this was a mess. I was using cream cheese icing, that just fell between the gaps badly. I could not get it to crust even after putting in fridge. Finally mixed up some buttercream put on top to try to smooth, at least this would crust some. Still could not get it smooth. I really am not liking this at all. I tried to get the cupcakes close together, but there were still some gaps. Someone suggested putting marshmellows in the gaps. I guess you never know until you try.
Here is the thread where I show how I do cupcake cakes:
http://forum.cakecentral.com/cake-decorating-ftopict-597891.html
I would never use cream cheese icing because I always have the same probelm you do, it never crusts! As you can see in the picture, I smoosh the cupcakes together very closely. As for smoothness, use whatever method works for you when smoothing cakes.
Good luck, and I hope this helps.
sorry, meant to post this sooner, but been busy. Here is my sorry attempt at my first cupcake cake.
I think you did a wonderful job. How did you pipe the ghost on the outside for a border. They look great. 
I have seen those ghosts here on some other cakes. I just used a tip 12 and did the bodies first, then went thru and used tip 2 and did arms and the eyes. I tried to make them go in different directions some. There are much better ones here, but it really helped change up the normal border thing.
Sltoklahome--You did a great Job! I love the cake. Looks like it tastes yummy!
I think you did a wonderful job. How did you pipe the ghost on the outside for a border. They look great.
DITTO DITTO DITTO! 
And thanks for posting how you did the border. It was what totally made the whole thing POP!
OMG! sorry attempt? woman you are blind! that cake is so adorable and so colorful. i love it! I love the border too. very creative. you did an amazing job.
I second, third, and fourth what everyone has said! You did an amazing job.. I would not have thought this was your first cupcake cake...
I hope my attempt at anything is that "sorry."
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