Everyone loves cupcakes. They’re delicious and delightful, and being single serve makes them perfect for picnics and parties. Cupcakes are also adorable because, with the right decoration, they can really make a statement. However, this is where transporting cupcakes can be a problem.
You’ve got beautifully decorated cupcakes for a Valentine’s picnic or lush Carrot Cake Cupcakes with Cream Cheese Frosting, and you think – how can I transport cupcakes so they arrive looking magnificent? We have the solutions.
Best Ways To Transport Cupcakes
Use A Cupcake Box
Consider using a cupcake box if you’re looking for a simple, economical way to transport cupcakes without making a mess.
Moretoes cardboard cupcake box set with 8 boxes and 8 inserts. Each insert holds 12 cupcakes.
Cupcake boxes are sturdy, providing a safe way to transport cupcakes while keeping your cupcakes moist and fresh. I also love using cupcake boxes because you can choose a style that gives your cupcakes an extra element of finesse like you get from a fancy bakery. You can also add a ribbon which creates a gift box look for a birthday picnic or romantic picnic.
When choosing a cupcake box, be sure to select one that is the right size for your cupcakes, including their decoration, so they don’t move or get squashed. Look for cupcake boxes with inserts that will hold each cake in place. Also, look for the number of cakes it needs to hold – Most cupcake boxes will come in packs of 5 up to 25 and can hold 12 cupcakes, four cakes or even a single cupcake for a special gift.
Be Eco Friendly: While you can buy plastic disposable cake holders to transport your cupcakes, we recommend more environmentally friendly cardboard boxes. They also look nicer than plastic.
Use A Cupcake Carrier
A cupcake carrier is a must-have if you frequently bake cupcakes for parties or picnics.
They protect your cupcakes from being squashed, but they also make it easy to transport a large number of cupcakes at once, which is perfect for kids’ picnics and parties. Cupcake carriers come in various sizes and styles, so you can find one that fits your needs. There’s even a collapsible one that doubles as a cute display stand.
Sweet Creations 3 Tier, Collapsible Cupcake Carrier and Display Stand
How To Transport Cupcakes Without A Carrier
While cupcake boxes and carriers are the best way to transport cupcakes, there are other DIY ways to transport your cupcakes.
Here are some clever alternatives to safely transport your cupcakes, preventing them from sliding around or getting crushed.
Use A Muffin Baking Tray
The trick with transporting cupcakes, especially lavishly decorated cupcakes, is to prevent them from sliding around. This is why a muffin tray is a perfect DIY cupcake carrier.
You can place your cupcakes straight in the tray. If needs be, bunch Aluminum foil around the edge of the tray to create a barrier and platform to keep the foil off the top of the cakes. You can also place the muffin tray inside a shoebox or high sided roasting dish as per our suggestion below.
A stainless steel non-stick muffin pan holds 12 cupcakes securely
Use A Baking Dish
A roasting dish is a clever alternative if you don’t have a carrier. A roasting dish is large enough to fit a dozen cupcakes and has raised edges so you can cover the dish without squashing the icing. You can place your muffin tray loaded with cupcakes inside the roasting dish and then cover the dish without crushing the frosting.
A ceramic baking dish makes a more attractive cupcake carrier than your old roasting pan.
Use Non-Skid Shelf Liner
If you don’t have a muffin tray to place inside your roasting dish, non-skid shelf liners are perfect for the task. You can also use them inside a shoebox or any plastic container to prevent your cupcakes from sliding around. This is a very inexpensive and effective way to transport cupcakes without carriers.
You can cut non-slip liners to size to suit your carrier.
Use a Cake Tin
The same idea as a baking dish, a high sided cake tin can make a perfect cupcake holder. Think a high sided round tin or even a loaf tin. A high sided sheet pan with a cover is ideal for transporting cupcakes.
The Nordic Ware Natural High Sided Sheet Pan is 3.1 inches deep with a raised lid – perfect for keeping cupcakes and their frosting from being crushed.
Use Tupperware Or Plastic Containers
Transporting cupcakes in plastic storage containers or Tuppawear is a great way to keep frosting from being ruined. They will also keep your cupcakes fresh and moist. They’re light and easy to carry, but you need to consider the size. Make sure your cakes fit snugly inside – without being squashed. If they don’t, try the non-skid liner trick to ensure your cupcakes arrive safely.
Use an Egg Carton for Mini Cupcakes
If you’ve made mini cupcakes, an egg carton is an ideal container to transport cupcakes in. Pop the mini cupcakes into each egg holder and close the lid to the carton.
How to Wrap Cupcakes Without Ruining Frosting?
Use Toothpicks
The simplest way to cover or warp cupcakes without ruining the frosting is to use toothpicks. By placing toothpicks in a few of your cupcakes, you can create a tent with aluminium foil to keep your cupcakes fresh without compromising the frosting.
Tips For Transporting Cupcakes Safely
While cupcake carriers and boxes make life easier, some preparation will make transporting your cupcakes much easier.
Use the Right Size Container
Even if you use non-skid liners, make sure your container is not too large. They may not slip but could fall over if they have too much room to move.
Prevent Slipping with Icing
Use leftover icing as glue to hold your cupcakes in place. Place a dot of icing on the base of the carrier under each cupcake and pop the carrier back in the fridge for 10 minutes. This will help keep your cupcakes in place while transporting them.
Let The Frosting Set Properly
Make sure you let any frosting or decoration on your cupcakes set completely before transporting cupcakes. Allowing icing to set properly will prevent it from sliding off or collapsing. If it is properly set, it also has less chance of squashing. I recommend leaving your cakes in the fridge until you are ready to go.
How to Transport Cupcakes in Hot Weather
We give you tips for keeping food cold at a picnic or party here. Many of the same principles apply. There’s no need to resort to dry ice; these simple ideas will keep cupcakes cool on a hot day.
Don’t leave your cupcakes in a hot car – place them in a shady spot in the car with the aircon running. Use cooler bags such as this Picnic at Ascot Insulated Pie and Cake Carrier, perfect for round cupcake carriers or plastic containers.
Food cooling mats and small soft ice packs are a great way to keep cupcakes cool. Simply place them underneath your carrier or box. Just remember to wrap cooling mats of ice packs in plastic if placed under a cardboard box.
Transporting cupcakes doesn’t need to be a stress. From cupcake carriers and boutique worthy boxes to some very clever DIY cupcake transport ideas, there are lots of simple and inexpensive solutions for how to transport cupcakes.
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