I recently received a request for cupcake garden. 18 dozen cupcakes that look like a beautiful floral arrangement. My initial reaction was NO but then I took a deep breath, and the conversations began. Bride: Is that possible? Me: Anything is possible. The real question is… Can I create them?

I still do not know the answer to that question. I can do beautiful roses and rose buds, but can I actually create a garden of cupcake flowers? Roses, Hydrangeas, Pansies, Daisies and Sunflowers all in pastel colors of lavender, peach, pink, yellow and blue. My mind’s eye can see the vision, but do I have the talent to make it come to life.

This question pops up a lot when someone challenges me to create something I don’t feel confident in creating. However, if I don’t challenge myself on occasion I will not grow as a baker. No one ever does anything perfect without practice.

Today begins the journey of a cupcake garden. There will be mistakes, bloopers and fun. Follow along as I become a cupcake garden expert. Encouragement is welcome. I will take all the help I can get!

There are many different ways to add dimension to decorated sugar cookies. Adding texture, shading, and royal icing transfers can bring life to your creations.

My favorite way to add dimension to my cookies is by using royal icing transfers. These can be flowers, small seasonal images or in the case of this cookie, Easter Eggs.

Instead of piping the eggs onto the cookie itself you pipe them onto parchment paper. They are then left over night to dry. I “speckled” these eggs by using edible gold paint and a brush to splatter them.

Why transfers? They allow you to create several items at one time. You can then come back and add details with edible paint or marker. After the transfers are dry you “glue” them to the cookie using royal icing.

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