Reader help free for all

Since we are by no means cupcake experts (though we are expert cupcake fans!), we often turn it over to you, our loyal readers, to help out people with specific questions. Several have piled up in our inbox so we're putting them all out here at once - please leave your answers in the comments section for everyone to see, and shoot us your questions, show off your cupcakes, and let us interview you at cupcakestakethecake at yahoo.com

I don't know if I totally hallucinated this, and just tell me if I'm crazy...but recently did you guys post link to a cupcake carrier that held 2 dozen cupcakes (one dozen on top of the other)? It was a clear plastic container with a black handle, I think. Did I totally imagine this? or see it somewhere else? Do you know what I'm talking about? Remember the link?

I was just taking a look at all the wonderful cupcakes on your website and I was wondering if you had any ideas for making "horse or pony" cupcakes. Any suggestions would be helpful.

I was wondering if you could help me? I am an interior design student in Nebraska and I am designing a cupcake bakery. Here in NE, I am sad to say, we don't have anything close to a cupcake bakery. So I don't have anything to reference as far as design precedents for this type of bakery. For example equipment lists required space ect. I have already
scoured the Internet eating up all of the great images.

What I am asking of you, is if you have any contact information as to who would divulge this type of information to me? I am sure you have run into kind hearted cupcake business owners somewhere, and if you could point me in their direction I would be ever so grateful.

not sure if you guys know this but do you know of any cupcake making or cupcake decorating classes in san Francisco?

Re: Victoria Gotti's cupcakes - Do you know where she get's the cupcakes she loves so much? Can they be ordered??

Any recommendations on where to buy a good cupcake (or three) in Soho?

I wanted to make a large cup cake for my friends son's first birthday, and I have no idea how to get the bottom portion of the cake to look like the wrapper on a true size cupcake!! I would so much appreciate any suggestions!!

Comments

Robyn said…
For the cupcake bakery info - email the people at www.sprinkles.com. They might send you info as they are building several new locations and may be willing to share some info for a project. But then again maybe not.

I've been inside their shop and I can say it is not huge up front. Back of the house doesn't look all that big either.
Kari said…
For the "extra large cupcake" idea, it would be quite simple to stack 3 or 4 round cake layers with icing between the layers, chill and then trim the lower portion at an angle to look like a cupcake. Be sure not to trim the top cake layer so it has a nice dome. Then use colored icing for the section of the "cupcake" that would be papered and a nice big swirl of icing on top.
Anonymous said…
For designing a business, you could call the city and ask what their zoning laws are for a restaurant. If you really want to get specific, go to a restaurant with a pastry chef and ask to talk to them when they have free time (there's not a lot of that though :) ) and ask them their thoughts on it. Maybe you can even check out a kitchen or two.

Most states have different requirements and things about sizes though, so you're best started with your city hall or government offices.
Anonymous said…
I know that Wilton has a cupcake carrier but I'm not sure if it's two layers. If I recall correctly, it'll hold 12 cupcakes or 24 mini cupcakes, depending on which way you have the tray oriented.
Anonymous said…
The 2 dozen cupcake carrier is made by Onieda, you can purchase it at Linens 'n Things and I also saw a huge stack of them at a Kitchen & Co store last week (couldn't find their website). They look cool but a high-iced cupcake would definitely get the smoosh.

I got one of these for Xmas - ABC Catalog stuff can be sketchy but this is great - it's a decent quality, with a high lid and I think it'll hold more that 2 dozen cupcakes. And it's only $6.95!
Anonymous said…
For the large cupcake, maybe you could make a circle of parchment paper for the bottom, and then accordian-fold some more parchment to line the sides. I think parchment paper for cooking is dark brown, but I've seen cupcake liners that color too. The cake batter should stick to the liner, so I'm thinking it'll come out OK - but I've never tried it so good luck!

You can find parchment paper in the supermarket aisle with tin foil and plastic wrap. If it turns out we want pictures!
Anonymous said…
For the horse/pony cupcake idea I will share the one I came up with for our horse fan. Regular cupcake with light green frosting for grass. Then just put a dollar-store plastic horse on top of the cupcake. It can be the cake decoration and a party favor all in one.
Anonymous said…
to make the top of the giant cupcake (the dome), you could put some batter in a pyrex bowl. then invert it on top of several stacked round cakes. and cut the bottom of stacked cakes like grommie suggested.
Anonymous said…
I wanted to make a large cup cake for my friends son's first birthday, and I have no idea how to get the bottom portion of the cake to look like the wrapper on a true size cupcake!! I would so much appreciate any suggestions!!

Wilton makes a giant cupcake shaped pan!!!! I got one for Christmas. I've seen them at various craft and baking supply shops (including Joann Fabrics).
Anonymous said…
As for starting a cupcake business I would also recommend talking to the owners of Sugar Sweet Sunshine Bakery. They have been really nice about helping out people in the past, and are willing to share information to get you started. I also just started my own bakery (doing wholesale though, not retail, and no cupcakes) and you can ask me anything you'd like. My website is http://www.amainyc.com. Good luck!
Anonymous said…
RE: Cupcake B-day Cake -
Use corregated paper to mimic the wrapper. It often comes on rolls and in many colors. Try looking at a classroom supply, art store or paper and party retailer. I've also seen a machine (perhaps at Michael's or Archivers?) for corregating scrapbook papers. Sending vellum through one of those would create a very authentic looking wrapper.
(BTW, your son is very lucky! My mom made me custom birthday cakes -castle, merry-go-round, a 'warm fuzzy'- and I remember how excited I would be to have something so special. Kudos to you for going the extra mile!)
Anonymous said…
For the HUGE cupcake cake, after you trim it the shape of a cupcake, simply lift it into a large coffee filter. Frost a few places on the inside to help it stick, and it looks really cute!
Anonymous said…
here is a link to a photo of the huge cupcake that i made for my daughter's 2nd birthday. (sorry, don't know how to put it right into the blog!)http://colleenbanman.spaces.live.com
go there and then look under photos and then the folder called "my cakes" it is the 14th photo.."madison's giant cupcake"

i used a glass mixing bowl for the bottom (actually, baked two of them and cut the top off and stacked them to make the bottom part taller..) and two 9 in. rounds for the top. the top was strawberry cake and icing, bottom was chocolate/chocolate. the flavor combo was divine. people are still asking me how i did it, they all loved it.
christine said…
preThat sounds like such a fun project to me. I am an interior designer- I have been primarily residnetial. My advice- I wouldn't go too "cute". Cupcakes are "in"- as much as fancy coffee. Make the place look fresh and hip. Combine cool dark funriture like from "Buus" or something similar, and great dark woodwork- perhaps painted a khaki color- that will give it a feeling like it is in downtown NYC, with fresh fun custom painted canvasses from an artist like Karen Salee. http://www.rocsolidsolutions.com/ks/illust/index.htm. Keep your art in good proportion to your wall space. Paint your walls above the paneling an aged pink. Keep your floors rugged with a gray concrete finished and sealed floor, with the addition of a custom cupcake mosaic made of glass- see ann sacks- http://www.annsacks.com/onlinecatalog/program.jsp?cat=272104&coll=279004&prg=1450904. Keep the ceiling high- and finish it with plaster ceiling tiles- http://www.aboveview.com/- again- painted a khaki color, finishing with a large crown molding, and fabulous lights- lights are key- pick out someting great- here is one idea- http://niermannweeks.com/content/index.php?option=com_ponygallery&Itemid=31&func=detail&id=147- there are a lot of fun ways you can go with your lighting- maybe make it pink.- Good luck!
Christine
Anonymous said…
About the horse cupcake: I found a page online from Wilton showing some cute animal cupcakes, including a horse. Its in the Wilton 2009 Yearbook.

http://www.wilton.com/publication/2009-Yearbook

http://www.wilton.com/idea/Cupcake-Critters