Cheap Cupcake Decorating Ideas

I love making cupcakes, so it’s nice to see that they’ve made kind of a “comeback” of sorts in the baking world. They are in fashion now. Besides, there is something about eating them that is just really fun.

But now that they are a stylish thing to make, I have noticed that a lot of baking and craft supply places offer cupcake decorations. It’s a great idea to put a design or decoration on top of cupcakes, but the prices these people charge are pretty outrageous. And most of the time, the decoration you use will just get thrown away. So here are a few ideas for adding decorations that won’t break the bank.

The Dollar Store
Check out your local dollar store for things like plastic toy soldiers, bugs, army men, or princess rings. These all make great toppers and you can usually get a bag of 20 of them for $1.

Craft Paper
Use your computer to print off small designs that can be stuck onto a toothpick. These are usually sold in craft stores for several dollars a bag. But if you make them at home, you can personalize them with your child’s name and save a lot more money in the process. For example, print off a picture of a spider, cut it out in a round shape and cut another piece of paper the same size. Glue them together and put a toothpick in the middle. Instant cupcake decoration!

Cookies
Even if you purchase small cookies to use as a decoration on top of your cupcakes, it will still be cheaper than purchasing actual cake decorating supplies. (And will probably be tastier besides.)

Candy
Get creative with candy, like putting licorice in a cupcake to make it a “handle” for Easter cupcakes, or using candy to create a face on top of your cupcake.

Coconut
Dried and colored coconut has lots of possibilities for cupcake toppers. Green coconut can become the basis for a mini football or soccer field, brown coconut can become a bird’s nest, and yellow can be the body or face of a duckling.

Paperclips
Clean paperclips can be used to place a small paper message or even photo on top of a cupcake.

Swizzel Sticks
I don’t know about you, but I always end up with too many swizzle sticks or drink toppers. I get them here and there at places like the $1 Target bin, and think that they are so cute. The trouble is, we tend not to serve that many drinks! So I’ve used them as markers for cupcakes, and gotten some use out of them.

Stencils
They make stencils especially for cupcakes, but if you have small ones that haven’t been used yet, you might want to consider using them to help make a cupcake decoration. I got some in a scrapbooking kit years ago and could never figure out a use for them until one day when I decided to make some decorations for my cupcakes. Just sprinkle powdered sugar or cocoa across the stencil, and viola! Instant decoration.