Using Cake Toppers

• Many craft and cake stores sell plastic toppers for almost every occasion. These make a quick and easy way to decorate a cake. They can also double as party favors for kids to take home. Edible candy toppers are made from sugar and are a pretty alternative to the plastic, but they can be a bit more expensive. Find simple designs and letters to more elaborate flowers. Create your own toppers using plastic candy molds. There are hundreds of molds available for any occasion. To make your own, melt the candy and fill the candy molds. Once hardened, place them on the cupcake. Lastly most craft stores sell scrapbook embellishments that work great as cupcake toppers. They can be found for any occasion and provide the opportunity to make your cupcakes unique.

Decorating With Candy

• Do not overlook the convenience of using everyday candy. Marshmallows are a great way to make flowers. Cut three small marshmallows in half, pinch the ends and dip the sticky half in colored sugar. Place all six "petals" on top of the cupcake and place an M&M, gumdrop or candy of your choice in the middle. Candy corn and banana-shaped Runts candies make great bird beaks. Gumdrops cut in half work well for eyes, adding M&Ms or similar candy to the middle with a little icing. String black licorice can easily be made into animal whiskers or spider legs. Simply cut to the length you need and stick deep into the icing.

  M&Ms come in various sizes, from minis to peanut sized. For a fun, whimsical cupcake, place a variety of sizes evenly arranged on a cupcake. For a fun kid project, fill a variety of bowls with different candies and allow kids to create their own masterpiece.

Decorating With Icing

• Working with icing does not have to difficult or messy. You can now find canned buttercream icing that is ready to use in almost any supermarket or craft store and comes in a variety of colors. These ready-to-use icings can come in gel or buttercream tubes; some come with their own writing and decorating tips.