Merry Christmas … Looking for something different?
A cupcake wreath is definitely something different from the usual wreath. It’s mouthwatering and simple. A couple cupcakes, buttercream, and viola! A simply beautiful wreath made from delicious min-cupcakes ensemble. Unfortunately, you can’t hang this Christmas wreath on your door or wall. Not to worry, it will look gorgeous on your dining table and your family and guest will love them.
What is it about wreaths?
How do you feel when you come across certain words, traditions or events? Do you feel like knowing more about it? Well! Here’s some background information on the meaning, origin and significance of wreaths especially the Christmas wreath.
Etymology of the word wreath
Wreath comes from an Old English word ‘writha’, whose literal meaning is ‘that which is wound around’. It is related to the verb ‘writhe’ and originally referred to something that was wound into a circular shape. The meaning of ‘a circle of flowers or leaves that you hang up for decoration’ dates from the 16th century. https://www.macmillandictionaryblog.com/wreath.
Wreaths are part of many ancient traditions dating back to the earliest civilizations. The circle is a symbol of immortality and throughout history wreaths have been associated with life, rejuvenation, and renewal. Originally wreaths were worn around the head, neck, or waist. https://www.almanac.com/story-behind-your-holiday-wreath.
But perhaps the most widespread and well-known use of wreaths comes in connection with Christmas and with Christianity, as their circular shape is said to symbolize eternal life and the unending love of God. In the 16th century, the use of wreaths during Yule was adopted by Christians and became a custom in the form of Advent wreaths. These wreaths were traditionally made of evergreens, which also symbolize eternal life, holly oak, and red berries. https://www.santasquarters.com/origins-christmas-wreaths/, liturgical seasons https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wreath.
Steps To Follow
Step 1
Gather ingredients and tools.
Cupcakes: For the cupcakes recipe and instructions . Instead of a regular cupcake pan you’ll need a mini-cupcake pan. You’ll need 15 mini-cupcakes for this Christmas wreath. You can increase the quantity but you’ll need to use a different board.
Buttercream: For the recipe and instructions how-to-make-buttercream-rich-and-tasty/. Three colors (leafy green, dark green and red).
Chocolate Cake Topping
- Fondant: A red ball of about 175 grams of will be enough.
- Piping Tips and bags: grass tip #133 (dark green buttercream), star tip #21 (leaf green buttercream), leaf tip #68 (leaf green buttercream), leaf tip #69 (dark green buttercream), round tip #7(red buttercream), leaf tip #4 (red buttercream).
- Cake Board: 11 inch cake board. You can use a different size of board. It depends on the size of wreath you want to make.
- Gold Sprinkles (you can use other colors of sprinkles).
Step 2
Prepare the piping bags with the tips and fill bags with buttercream colors (red, leaf green and dark green) and set aside.
Step 3
Arrange the cupcakes around the outer rim of the cake board. Leave at least ½ inch space between the rim and the cupcakes. Remove the cupcakes from the cake board when you are okay with the arrangement.
Step 04
Use tip #133 and pip around the cake board (keep at least ½ inch away from the rim of the board).
Step 5
Pipe swirls on each mini-cupcake and set on carefully set them on the cake board one at a time.
Step 6
Go around with #tip 133 to fill in the gaps between the base of the cupcakes in front and behind. Then tip #69 (dark green buttercream) continue to fill the gaps around and in between the cupcakes. Aim to layer up with the buttercream. Alternate the process with tip #68 until the buttercream reaches the height of the cupcakes but not to cover them.
Step 7
With tips #7 and #4, pipe three red drops (holly flowers) on top of each of the cupcakes. When completed, use tip #69 and pipe three leaves in between the holly red flowers.
Step 8
Prepare the bow with fondant and place on the wreath. Voila!
Step 9
Don’t forget to sprinkle drops of gold sprinkles on the wreath.
Step 10
Don’t forget to sprinkle drops of gold sprinkles on the wreath.