V-Day Cup Cakes

Today is Valentines Day, Okay I lied. Really were celebrating V-day at work today and what better to have than cup cakes!

These were actually fairly easy to make but give yourself 2 days to do this why? because the hearts are made of gum paste (the stuff they use to make flowers for wedding cakes). You first have to make the gum paste and then let it set for at least 8 hours. Now don't be scared it does make a lot of gum paste but you can freeze whatever you don't use. Once you have made your shapes you then have to let them set for about 24 hours. Yes its a lot of time so don't expect to go out and do this today. I got the idea for Craft Magazine Vol 10 but you don't have to go out and buy it do learn how to use gum paste the Wilton website has lots of information on it on how to use decorating products.

I did however go out and buy the decorating tips for the icing because I didn't have any. This is something that is very easy to learn it just takes practice. I had about 5 years of practice decorating cakes for an ice cream store I worked for in High School and in College. Don't get frustrated with the writing practice on anything cookies the table top you will get used to it and better at it. It took me 5 years to get my chicken scratch readable. Another hint is to make the icing that is suggested by Wilton to use with the bags and tips. Once you get an idea of what different kinds of icing do you will have a better idea of what kind works for you ( you don't want it to runny but you don't want it super stiff its a balancing act). Other than that have fun and don't worry about the mess its just sugar!