Easy Henna Cupcakes
Ever since my husband was hired by the Girl Scouts of America to do henna tattoos for a photo shoot I have been fascinated by the art form. It is so beautiful and the detail is amazing. I am always doing 'boy' things (for my two boys) and I decided this time to do something more girlish. Of course my boys didn't mind eating the cupcakes and the buttercream frosting!
It is sometimes overwhelming to look at photos and try to recreate what you see so I put in step-by-step details of how to make henna inspired cupcakes. This makes it easy to get exactly what you want. I used traditional buttercream frosting but you could use store bought frosting, which I think would give the same look. I have never used it for decorating so don't quote me on that!
These cupcakes would be great for a princess themed birthday party, a baby shower, or a tea party.
It is sometimes overwhelming to look at photos and try to recreate what you see so I put in step-by-step details of how to make henna inspired cupcakes. This makes it easy to get exactly what you want. I used traditional buttercream frosting but you could use store bought frosting, which I think would give the same look. I have never used it for decorating so don't quote me on that!
These cupcakes would be great for a princess themed birthday party, a baby shower, or a tea party.
Make Cupcakes and Buttercream
I made my own cupcakes and frosting but you could certainly use a store bought cake mix and store bought frosting to make the process faster. I used the following recipes:
Vanilla Cupcakes - adapted from the book Hello, Cupcake!
2 1/2 c. flour
2 t. baking powder
1/2 t. baking soda
1/4 t. salt
1/2 c. milk
1/2 c. olive oil
1 1/2 t. vanilla extract
1/2 c. butter
1 c. sugar
3 eggs
Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Line 18 muffin cups with paper liners.
In a large bowl sift together flour, baking powder, soda and salt. Set aside.
In a small bowl combine milk, olive oil and vanilla.
In the bowl of a stand mixer cream butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Add eggs one at a time mixing well after each addition.
Add in wet and dry ingredients alternately until well combined scraping down the sides as necessary.
Fill muffin cups 2/3 full and bake 18-20 minutes or until toothpick inserted comes out clean.
Let cupcakes cool completely on wire rack.
Buttercream Frosting
1 c. butter, softened
2 lbs powdered sugar
1/2 c. water
1 t. vanilla
In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with whisk attachment add all ingredients and whisk until smooth.
Using food coloring of choice - I like Wilton Icing Colors - color frosting to desired colors. Add frosting to piping bags fitted with Wilton piping tips. I used 2, round #2 and 2, round #3 tips for these cupcakes.
Tip:
After you have filled piping bags with frosting fold over the edges and secure with a piece of scotch tape. This will keep the frosting from leaking out of the top of the bag. I find it easier than twisting the top of the bag closed. This is a great way to do it if kids are frosting their own cupcakes or even cookies. It will be mess free!
Vanilla Cupcakes - adapted from the book Hello, Cupcake!
2 1/2 c. flour
2 t. baking powder
1/2 t. baking soda
1/4 t. salt
1/2 c. milk
1/2 c. olive oil
1 1/2 t. vanilla extract
1/2 c. butter
1 c. sugar
3 eggs
Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Line 18 muffin cups with paper liners.
In a large bowl sift together flour, baking powder, soda and salt. Set aside.
In a small bowl combine milk, olive oil and vanilla.
In the bowl of a stand mixer cream butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Add eggs one at a time mixing well after each addition.
Add in wet and dry ingredients alternately until well combined scraping down the sides as necessary.
Fill muffin cups 2/3 full and bake 18-20 minutes or until toothpick inserted comes out clean.
Let cupcakes cool completely on wire rack.
Buttercream Frosting
1 c. butter, softened
2 lbs powdered sugar
1/2 c. water
1 t. vanilla
In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with whisk attachment add all ingredients and whisk until smooth.
Using food coloring of choice - I like Wilton Icing Colors - color frosting to desired colors. Add frosting to piping bags fitted with Wilton piping tips. I used 2, round #2 and 2, round #3 tips for these cupcakes.
Tip:
After you have filled piping bags with frosting fold over the edges and secure with a piece of scotch tape. This will keep the frosting from leaking out of the top of the bag. I find it easier than twisting the top of the bag closed. This is a great way to do it if kids are frosting their own cupcakes or even cookies. It will be mess free!
Frost Cupcakes
Spread a smooth layer of buttercream onto the cooled cupcakes and let stand about 10-15 minutes to let the frosting harden slightly before decorating.
Decorate Cupcakes - #1
I made eight cupcake designs so I will outline each one in separate steps to make looking at the photos a little easier to understand.
Using #2 and #3 round tips gives the ability to make straight lines and dots with ease. You can write letters, make squiggles, and waves easily with these tips also. I chose to keep it very simple with dots and lines to best resemble henna tattoos.
Tips:
When you are making straight lines with buttercream frosting make sure the frosting is at room temperature to make squeezing the frosting out of the piping bag easy. Try to keep even pressure on the piping bag to get an even and straight line. Gently press down with the tip at the end of a line, onto the cupcake, to get the frosting to stick to the cupcake and not break short.
When making simple dot patterns gently squeeze a small amount of frosting as close to the surface of the cupcake as possible and press down slightly with the tip and release squeezing pressure. You will get a nice pointed dot each time!
Using #2 and #3 round tips gives the ability to make straight lines and dots with ease. You can write letters, make squiggles, and waves easily with these tips also. I chose to keep it very simple with dots and lines to best resemble henna tattoos.
Tips:
When you are making straight lines with buttercream frosting make sure the frosting is at room temperature to make squeezing the frosting out of the piping bag easy. Try to keep even pressure on the piping bag to get an even and straight line. Gently press down with the tip at the end of a line, onto the cupcake, to get the frosting to stick to the cupcake and not break short.
When making simple dot patterns gently squeeze a small amount of frosting as close to the surface of the cupcake as possible and press down slightly with the tip and release squeezing pressure. You will get a nice pointed dot each time!
Cupcake #2
Second cupcake details.
Cupcake #3
Third cupcake details.
Cupcake #4
Fourth cupcake details.
Cupcake #5
Fifth cupcake details.
Cupcake #6
Sixth cupcake details.
Cupcake #7
Seventh cupcake details.
Cupcake #8
Eighth cupcake details.