Having a cake tasting is a traditional event when planning a wedding. While it is usually reserved for a wedding planner and bridal party, we decided it was high time that someone hosted a modern take on a traditional cake tasting. That is why we came up with the idea to create a cupcake tasting bridal shower event with five different cupcakes all using only one vanilla cupcake recipe.
- For Vanilla Cupcake Recipe:
- 1 1/2 c. All-purpose Flour
- 1 t. Baking Powder
- 1/2 c. Milk at Room Temperature
- 1 t. Pure Vanilla Extract
- 1/2 c. Butter, at room temperature
- 1 c. Sugar
- 2 Large Egg, at room temperature
- 1 c. Butter, softened
- 1 t. Pure Vanilla Extract
- 3-4 c. Powdered Sugar
- For Vanilla Buttercream:
- 1 c. Softened Butter
- 1 t. Pure Vanilla Extract
- 3-4 c. Powdered Sugar
- 1 Container Gold Star Sprinkles
- For Lemonade Buttercream:
- 1 c. Softened Butter
- 1 t. Pure Vanilla Extract
- 3-4 c. Powdered Sugar
- 1 Jar Lemon Curd
- For Chocolate Buttercream:
- 1/2 c. Softened Butter
- 8 oz. Cream Cheese
- 1 t. Pure Vanilla Extract
- 1 Tbsp. Milk
- 3/4 c. Unsweetened Cocoa Powder
- 3-4 c. Powdered Sugar
- 1 Jar Raspberry Cake Filling
- 1 Box Fresh Raspberries
- For Strawberry Buttercream:
- 1/2 c. Fresh Strawberries
- 1 c. Softened Butter
- 1/2 t. Pure Vanilla Extract
- 3-4 c. Powdered Sugar
- 1 Bag White Chocolate
- For Coconut Cupcake:
- 1 c. Softened Butter
- 1 t. Pure Vanilla Extract
- 3-4 c. Powdered Sugar
- 1 Container Coconut Flakes
To start our Vanilla Cupcake recipe, preheat your oven to 350 degrees. Line a cupcake tin with 12 cupcake liners and set aside.
Divide the batter evenly into your cupcake liners. Bake the cupcakes until they are just barely done-- 22 to 25 minutes. Take the cupcakes out of the pan and let cool before frosting.
The 5 different flavors of cupcakes that we were able to create from our vanilla cupcake recipe were: Vanilla Vanilla cupcake, Lemonade cupcake, Chocolate Raspberry + Vanilla cupcake, Coconut cupcake, and White Chocolate + Strawberry cupcake. See how we made each in the steps below!
For the Vanilla Vanilla Cupcake, top a vanilla cupcake with vanilla buttercream for a traditional cupcake everyone will enjoy! We added a few golden stars to add a little flair to our vanilla vanillas.
Vanilla Buttercream: Beat the butter and vanilla extract until light and fluffy. Slowly add the powdered sugar until the buttercream becomes the right consistency. If your buttercream becomes a little too thick, add a little of milk to thin it out.
For theLemonade Cupcakes, these are always a hit at a party. People love the look of the bright yellow in the center surrounded by delicious white vanilla buttercream.
To make these cupcakes, simply core out the center out of the cupcakes. Pipe vanilla frosting (Step 6) around the cored center. Pipe your favorite lemon curd in the cupcake center as well as all the way up to fill in the hole created by the vanilla frosting.
For the Chocolate Raspberry and Vanilla Cupcakes, you first need to core out your vanilla cupcakes. Use a pre-made raspberry cake filling and pipe the filling into the cored cupcakes. Then top your cupcakes with chocolate buttercream and a fresh raspberry on top!
Chocolate Buttercream: Beat the butter, cream cheese, vanilla extract, and milk together until light and fluffy. Slowly add the unsweetened cocoa powder. After that is all mixed, slowly add the powdered sugar until you reach your desired consistency. If the buttercream becomes too thick, simply add a little more milk to thin it out.
For the White Chocolate and Strawberry Cupcakes, melt white chocolate as per directions on the bag. Then, carefully dip each cupcake into the white chocolate and let harden before topping them with this delicious strawberry buttercream.
Strawberry Buttercream Recipe: Puree the strawberries in a small food processor. (Strain if it has too much pulp). Mix the butter, vanilla together. Slowly add 3 1/2 cups of the powdered sugar. Add 3 tablespoons of your strawberry puree and mix until blended. Use the remaining powdered sugar if it's too thin. If it becomes too thick, simply add a little milk.
For the Coconut Cupcake, this cupcake always takes center stage at a party. It’s simple elegance with a nice texture of coconut makes it one of everyone’s favorite. And, as one of the easiest cupcakes to put together, these are a must at your cupcake tasting bridal shower event!
To make these gorgeous little cupcakes, take a vanilla cupcake and top it with some vanilla buttercream (Step 6). Smooth out the buttercream in as much as a dome shape as possible. Dip the buttercream topped cupcake in a bowl full of coconut flakes.
There you have it! Five delicious different cupcakes!This could easily be put together by the bridal party as a fun DIY event, or you could even ask your cake baker if they would provide you with a variety of cupcakes to taste in lieu of cakes. For those of you who are bakers at heart, you can easily make up 5 different flavors of cupcakes, all with using one traditional vanilla cupcake base. If you don’t have a favorite vanilla cupcake recipe, use our step by step recipe above!
And, this isn’t the end of our fabulous cupcake tasting bridal shower. Be sure to head over to see our Tips and Tricks for creating a Flower Arrangement, DIY Personal Acrylic Trays, and see the full party put together at our Cupcake Tasting Bridal Shower Event!