Oct 4, 2012 >> Nature Calls! The Cakegirls share their woodland cupcake how-to.

We see a lot of cool stuff here at Glossed & Found. But to date, nothing has quite charmed us like our most recent G&F Interview with the Cakegirls. After a little hiatus, the Chicago-born sisters are back, having recently launched a site with everything (and we mean, everything!) you may need to bake a cake and throw a party. They shared with us their Terrarium Cupcake project—complete with plastic deer standing stately among fondant ferns and meringue toadstools. Inspiring and delish.

But what’s great about their new site is that they’re sharing their industry secrets with you and giving you all the tools to make the most out of your next sweet affair.

Below, we’ve got the Cakegirls step by step for this charming woodland cupcake terrarium (you can also buy every single thing needed as well—from a fondant rolling mat to finely crushed oreo crumbs). Go ahead, knock yourself out.

STEP ONE>> MAKE LEAVES AND MUSHROOMS (one day in advance)
Tint the pastel green fondant three shades of green as follows: Green Paste = Kelly Green; Yellow Paste + Green Paste = Lime Green; Yellow Paste + Green Paste + Brown Paste = Forest Green.

On a lightly sugared fondant mat, roll the fondant as thin as possible and use the leaf cutter set to cut out multiple leaves. Leave to dry overnight. Next, melt the white candy coating in the microwave in 30 second intervals until partially melted. Remove and continue to stir until completely melted. Fill the mushroom mold and tap on the counter to remove any air bubbles. Place in freezer for 15 minutes. Pop out mushrooms and let them come to room temperature. Use additional melted coating to assemble.

STEP TWO>> BAKE AND ICE CUPCAKES
Using the panettone, solid and mini baking cups, bake your cupcakes. (Note: If you are using a box mix for this recipe, we would recommend using a denser mix such as a pound cake). Cool and ice cupcakes using the storebought dark chocolate buttercream and the 4″ spatula. Refrigerate.
*A G&F note: If you don’t have time or aren’t the best baker, you can always dress up store bought chocolate cupcakes.  

STEP THREE>> ARRANGE & DISPLAY (the most important part!)
Sprinkle each cupcake with cookie crumbs. Arrange cupcakes on the cake stand, making sure the cloche dome fits over the arrangement. Place leaves and deer on the cupcakes. Using a toothpick, dab dots of dark chocolate buttercream on the mushrooms and place on the cupcakes. Use additional buttercream to adhere mushroom in places on the cake stand.

The finished product? We can’t even begin to tell you how happy it makes us.

For more fun projects and products, visit TheCakeGirls.com.