My daughter is planning a last minute bridal shower for one of her best friends, and of course, asked me if I would make a cake. She wants a sheet cake!!! (I guess because it's easier to cut than a tiered cake). What do you all think about cupcakes instead? I've seen such pretty ones with pretty wrappers. I'm thinking easier to transport, easier to serve, less clean-up, etc. Have any of you done this?

I made cupcakes for a couple of bridal showers recently. They liked them a lot. For one of them I made a cupcake stand out of foamcore.

While cupcakes aren't bad, some people can view them as childish- even when decorated beautifully. I am in no way bashing cupcakes, just sharing some views that have been shared with me.

Petit fours may be a bit fancier, and they can be displayed on almost any type of plate or stand and still look pretty.

If they are concerned about how to cut, what about a square cake?

i think that's a great idea...you could even put the cupcakes on plates and make a 6" for the top like this:

http://www.blogcdn.com/www.slashfood.com/media/2006/01/wedding-cupcakes.jpg

I like using the 4 oz. souffle cups to make them look a little more chic. They're also slightly bigger than the standard cupcake.

Is it because the cakes are stacked or that they are round that she finds the hard to cut. If it's because they are stacked, she should disassemble them before cutting. If you still want to do a cake and don't like the look of the sheet cake, square is also a great way to go. Sheet cakes can look really good too (check out ThanhThanh's cakes).

http://www.cakecentral.com/cake-decorating-photos-by-ThanhThanh.html


I also think cupcakes can look elegant too, just depends on how they are decorated.


Here are some pics to give that might give you some inspirations if you choose to go this route:
http://images.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http://cupcakeideasforyou.com/wp-content/gallery/elegant-wedding-cupcakes/wedding-cupcakes-with-butterfly.jpg&imgrefurl=http://cupcakeideasforyou.com/wedding-cupcake-ideas/elegant-wedding-cupcakes/&usg=__0ESwd9rBswH1wtamwcczp-q4GOo=&h=500&w=348&sz=113&hl=en&start=32&um=1&tbnid=GIO1OFb0WcOjjM:&tbnh=130&tbnw=90&prev=/images%3Fq%3Dcupcake%2Bpics%2Belegant%26ndsp%3D18%26hl%3Den%26client%3Dfirefox-a%26rls%3Dorg.mozilla:en-USfficial%26hs%3DqLK%26sa%3DN%26start%3D18%26um%3D1
http://cakecentral.com/modules.php?name=gallery&file=displayimage&pid=1256188
http://images.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v142/odetteganda/IMG_9183.jpg&imgrefurl=http://mylittlekettle.blogspot.com/2008/12/black-and-white-cupcakes.html&usg=__-irBj2MuXACyQ5el2hQA6ZPI624=&h=426&w=640&sz=90&hl=en&start=147&um=1&tbnid=6YLs8esKlix5VM:&tbnh=91&tbnw=137&prev=/images%3Fq%3Dcupcake%2Bpic%2Belegant%26ndsp%3D18%26hl%3Den%26client%3Dfirefox-a%26rls%3Dorg.mozilla:en-USfficial%26sa%3DN%26start%3D144%26um%3D1
http://images.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http://static.flickr.com/90/225666235_5403f09096.jpg&imgrefurl=http://design-wedding-cakes-pictures.blogspot.com/2006/12/picture-of-beautiful-flower-cupcake.html&usg=__pZ6qBVlOnS1brYJ6zhzAOZuzu6o=&h=500&w=424&sz=98&hl=en&start=144&um=1&tbnid=4dEqco6d0oeWuM:&tbnh=130&tbnw=110&prev=/images%3Fq%3Dcupcake%2Bpic%2Belegant%26ndsp%3D18%26hl%3Den%26client%3Dfirefox-a%26rls%3Dorg.mozilla:en-USfficial%26sa%3DN%26start%3D126%26um%3D1
http://images.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http://cupcakeideasforyou.com/wp-content/uploads/ivory-dogwood-rose-wedding-cupcake-ideas-300x300.jpg&imgrefurl=http://cupcakeideasforyou.com/&usg=__nGVAri3IzvbdMzPkzJPmceYfoPM=&h=300&w=300&sz=23&hl=en&start=232&um=1&tbnid=QF82X1eMhB-kkM:&tbnh=116&tbnw=116&prev=/images%3Fq%3Dcupcake%2Bpic%2Belegant%26ndsp%3D18%26hl%3Den%26client%3Dfirefox-a%26rls%3Dorg.mozilla:en-USfficial%26sa%3DN%26start%3D216%26um%3D1
http://images.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http://www.cakejournal.com/wp-content/uploads/karen-davies-cupcakes-copy.jpg&imgrefurl=http://www.cakejournal.com/archives/cupcake-fondant-moulds&usg=__WEVZe-FJoZhxGKePkM2G5m2tztc=&h=393&w=525&sz=59&hl=en&start=348&um=1&tbnid=fCfWECacP9-ydM:&tbnh=99&tbnw=132&prev=/images%3Fq%3Dcupcake%2Bpic%2Belegant%26ndsp%3D18%26hl%3Den%26client%3Dfirefox-a%26rls%3Dorg.mozilla:en-USfficial%26sa%3DN%26start%3D342%26um%3D1

Thanks for your ideas! I'll let you know what she decides.

I think cupcakes would be great for an event like this!

I did a bunch of cupcakes, with RI flowers on top, for my daughter's shower. I also make a cake that looked like a watering can, and we spread it all over a green tablecloth. Lots of fun!

Hey emccle,
You could do Petit fours with some icing booties, bows, or rosebuds. Very elegant and light, perfect for a baby shower.
Goodluck,
Mrcake01

I just did cupcakes for my sister's baby shower. It was an upscale event held at her friend's house, which is a very large, stunningly gorgeous custom built home. I mention this for no other reason except so you get the idea of the grand open rooms and elegant decor. In keeping with the upscale theme and knowing the baby's room will be lavender, this is what I did...

White cupcakes (using her favorite recipe);
White buttercream icing;
Lavender wrappers around the cupcakes (two shades used);
Topped with a large gumpaste rose (done in white, light lavender, and lavender).

Her friend had a special place all set up for the cupcakes, with glass cake stands and everything. Once everything was assembled and set up, the overall effect was really quite amazing. It didn't look kiddish at all; it fit the overall theme and decor. Everyone loved them ~ especially my sister. In fact, after the event, when I saw my brother-in-law, the first thing he said to me was "I heard your cupcakes were a hit!"

So my point is, don't dismiss cupcakes as an option. (No, jillmakescakes, I'm not arguing with ya here! ) I think it's definitely do-able if you plan and execute carefully. One thing to note, though, is that I spent 20+ hours working on all of the gumpaste roses I needed for the party. So this particular sugar medium may not work for you, if you are under time constrictions.

Good luck and have fun with this project!

Sugarlover3 do you have any pictures of those cause they sound really nice.

in2cakes2, I will check and see what I can do to post. (You can guess I'm not the most electronic technically inclined person, as I have no photos up. ) One of my sister's friends who was at the shower is a photographer (as a serious hobby). So I hardly took any photos myself, knowing her pics will simply blow mine away! I received the photo album on Shutterfly and have to go through and purchase some. THEN figure out how to get them up here. ..... (Please don't hold your breath, though, and I am sorry that I don't have something to post for you right now.)

Thats ok Sugarlover3 the setup just sounds so nice