How to Make a Cupcake Giraffe
If you've set yourself the challenge to make everything yourself for your little ones birthday party this year, it can often be a challenge coming up with unique and interesting bakes that will look great out on the table and, most importantly, taste delicious. If your little one has a particular passion for all things animal related then this easy to make cupcake giraffe might just be the answer. It's perfect for beginner bakers as it uses Betty Crocker cake mix, all you need to add are the wet ingredients, and the frosting also comes ready made too. Simply melt down some Candy Melts to add the decoration, and arrange the cupcakes in the form of the giraffe, what could be simpler . . .
You will need
How to make
You will need:
Two boxes of Betty Crocker cupcake mix (to make 18 cupcakes)
One tub Betty Crocker vanilla icing
Wilton yellow food colour
Wilton piping set
Dark brown Candy Melts
Craft Essentials
Greaseproof paper
Cupcake tin
Pen
Cupcake cases
Bake the cupcakes according to the instructions and leave to cool completely before decorating.
On a piece of greaseproof paper draw the giraffe's horns (called ossicones) – approximately 10 centimetres long and 3 centimetres wide. Flip the paper over and put it onto a board or other flat surface.
Melt 150 grams of dark brown Candy Melts and use a teaspoon to fill in the shape. Apply the Candy Melts thickly to give the finished shape strength.
Top Tip!…Make extra horns for your giraffe just in case of any breakages!
Spread the remaining Candy Melts in a slab on a piece of greaseproof paper and use the back of a spoon or a palette knife to spread it thinly. Leave all Candy Melt pieces to set while you decorate the cupcakes.
Arrange the cupcakes into the shape of the giraffe's head and neck – 10 of the cupcakes form a triangle (4 by 4) at the top, with the remaining 8 cupcakes forming the long neck.
If any of your cupcakes have a domed top, use a sharp knife to remove it – it will make it easier to pipe the icing on.
Colour the buttercream icing a lovely bright shade of yellow and put into a piping bag fitted with Wilton nozzle 1M.
Hold the piping bag directly over the cupcake at a 90 degree angle and, starting in the centre, pipe a spiral anti-clockwise and slowly work your way around until you reach the outer edge of your cupcake.
Do this for all but one of the cupcakes – the giraffe's nose. Mix any remaining yellow buttercream with a little cocoa or melted chocolate or brown food colouring (whatever you have to hand) – I used a spoonful of Betty Crocker choc fudge icing – and pipe the last cupcake in the same fashion.
Peel off the giraffe's horns from the greaseproof paper, flip them over so the flat side is face up and insert into the cupcake at the top of the head.
Break up the remaining slab of Candy Melts into small pieces and use to decorate the cupcakes for the giraffe's markings. Use one Candy Melt button for the eye.
When displaying you cupcake giraffe, cut some leaves from various colours of green card and paper and position at the base of the giraffe's neck to make it look as if the giraffe is nestled among the trees.