Tools, Tips and Tricks with Kari Haskell

Everyone always asks me, “HOW do you get the cupcakes to be equal in size EVERY TIME???”
My answer, “Practice.”

The REAL answer? I use an ice cream scoop (commonly called a Disher in the food world. WHO KNEW?!?!). I use a #16 filled about 3/4 of the way with batter for the perfect cupcake that when baked will rise just about the edge of the cake paper. It really DOES take practice though. Some people in my bakery STILL aren’t allowed to scoop simply because they’re too uneven. You have to have a steady hand and just bang them out…no resting! QUICK and EASY for perfect cupcakes.

Another tip? The perfect frosting that rises high at Retro require one thing: the plastic pastry bag. I don’t use a tip. I use scissors. I cut the bag at my desired point (I like the frosting large and in charge), and just swirl around the cupcake. Now THIS technique takes more practice than the scooping and requires a thicker buttercream. I know it LOOKS easy, but it really isn’t (especially when you want it as high as I get Retro’s frosting). I do start in the middle of the cupcake and swirl counter-clockwise. Now YOU try it…

The last tip I got? It’s for EASY party-theme decorating. You can make your own fondant discs to celebrate any occasion with cupcakes!

I roll out fondant and cut it up with 1 1/2″ or 2″ round cookie cutters (squares or retangles work too, as long as they fit on the top of a cupcake), and then your party theme can be matched with ANY rubber stamp you can find that fits the theme. Got a baby shower? Color the fondant blue or pink, find a baby feet rubber stamp from ANY craft store, stamp on the fresh fondant, and let dry. In Vegas, there’s no humidity, so our fondant dries VERY quickly and when they harden, I press them right on top of a freshly-frosted cupcake. Any stamp that can fit inside your cookie cutter will work. We do this for all kinds of events, but weddings and baby showers are the most popular.

You can also airbrush stencils on top of the discs too…but that requires a little more skill, and airbrush, and a husband who loves to cut out the stencils for you and knows how to work the airbrush…luckily, I got one of those.

Thanks so much for the tips of the trade Kari! I don’t know about you all, but I am HUNGRY for cupcakes now!!!