Pretty Presentation: Packed With Love

What's better than a delicious cupcake? Why a delicious cupcake that looks pretty, of course! Here's a quick and easy way to take dress up those cupcakes for your next party, to give as a thank you gift, or just as a special treat for the kids! It's all in the presentation, right?

Creating these cupcake picks is easy and can be easily adapted to any theme.

Wplus9 Supplies:
Dies: Clear Cut Stackers: Pinking Squares | Stamps: Country Charm, Fresh Preserves | Cardstock: White, Green Acres

Instructions:

1. Die cut 2 pinking squares and cut a small 1 1/8" square.
2. Stamp background onto smaller pinked square. Adhere to large pink square. Stamp message and image onto smallest square and adhere to front of pinked squares.
3. Adhere lollipop stick to back using Scotch tape.

Quick Tip: You can find lollipop sticks at your local craft store, like Michael's, in a variety of sizes. To save money, buy the longest length to use on multiple projects and just cut them to your desired length using kitchen shears.

Finish the picks off by tying a little piece of ribbon around the lollipop stick.

This is a really fast way to add a little WOW! factor to your everyday cupcakes. Optionally, you can display or package your cupcakes for gift giving in a little berry container.

How cute would these look lined up on the candy buffet at a birthday party?! I created a berry tray that holds up to 3 cupcakes using the Silhouette Cameo.

Free Download: You can download the Berry Tray file here.

Once the pieces have been cut out, use a strong adhesive, like Score Tape to assemble for sturdy construction.

So, where's the love, right? It does say packed with love. Each cupcake is filled with a fresh strawberry compote. YUM!

These cupcakes are absolutely divine! They taste amazing with either a cream cheese or buttercream frosting. And the strawberry filling is deceptively easy to make.

Strawberry Cupcake Filling:

3 cups fresh or frozen strawberries (thawed, drained and quartered)
3/4 cup sugar
2/3 cup water
3 tblsp cornstarch

Combine all ingredients in a medium sauce pan and cook over medium heat until thickened. ***If using a piping bag to fill your cupcakes, break up any large chunks of strawberry by mashing with the back of a spoon.***

This is also delicious as a waffle topping, filled between cake layers, or spread on toast.

Enjoy!

Other Supplies:
ink colors of your choice, ribbon, lollipop sticks, easter grass, Berry Tray Cut File, scotch tape, jute twine, cupcake liners, Scotch tape, wooden veneer hearts