Christmas Cupcakes

Book excerpt: CHRISTMAS BOOKS. After the fantastic Decorating Cakes & Cookies, baking queen Annie Rigg is back with gorgeous and achievable ideas for Christmas cupcakes. If you are a novice baker and would like to make something pretty but un-fussy to bring to a festive party, why not look at the Simple chapter for inspiration? Try the gingerbread cupcakes, which will fill the house with the warming, spiced smells of Christmas. Cute cupcakes will appeal to the little kid in all of us - make a basket of adorable snowmen, complete with marzipan noses and ribbon scarves, or even a flock of robins, and put a smile on someone's face. Decorative cupcakes are that little bit more sophisticated and bound to impress. There are imaginative ideas, such as little cakes topped with miniature gifts or 'glass' stars. There's something in this delightful book to suit every occasion.