Hi All

I am very very new to cupcake baking,

I am after advice on how to decorate them

With the festive season fast approaching i would like to to put some edible decorations on top, cut out xmas trees, stockings, bells etc

To give to family and friends as gifts

I do not know what would be best to use for this purpose

Thanking you in advance for the help and support

Linda X

In the past, I have used mini cookie cutters to cutout shapes for the top of cupcakes. I got mine from either TJ Maxx, Marshalls or Home Goods years ago. I think either Michael's or AC Moore would carry them too.

Use fondant or gumpaste for with the cutters. Both need drying time but would work well. You can add decorations once they dry with either edible markers, royal icing, coating chocolate, candies, etc.

Happy Baking!

I would suggest fondant over gumpaste as gumpaste is not really pleasant to eat it's more for decoration only.

I agree-use fondant. It's edible. Gum paste is too but in very small quantities. It's more for decorating. You can use mini cookie cutters or plunger cutters. You can look on Amazon, Ebay, or google "plunger cutters". Joanns and Michaels sells ready-made fondant. Some of it is colored as well. Otherwise I use Wilton's fondant recipe (marshmallows, powdered sugar, water). It tastes pretty good too.

In the past, I've piped Christmas decorations directly on the cupcakes...wreaths, snow men, tree, candy cane...I'm sure there are others. I believe there are pictures in my pictures here on CC. If not, there are pics on my website (in my signature).

~Chelle

thank you all for your advice, you are all super x

My vote is for marzipan. It tastes way better than fondant, and the texture is similar. You just have to be careful for those who may have nut allergies. Also marzipan is off-white.