Bear Cupcakes – with Royal Icing Transfers
Are you ready for some cuteness? I sure hope so because ready or not here it is! Check out these cute bear cupcakes with royal icing transfers. I thought they would be cute when I planned the idea but, they turned out better than I expected. I think it because I love bears so much or maybe it is because I am excited that Template Tuesdays are back. Maybe it’s because cupcakes are faster to make than cookies. Or maybe it is because you can make the royal icing transfers ahead of time and have fun decorating these cute bear cupcakes with the kiddos.
Whatever the reason, I like them. Seriously, cupcakes don’t get any simpler than this. You squeeze a little icing, drop on a few pre-made transfers, add some candy eyes and you have yourself some really fun bear cupcakes.
As you know I am crazy about bears. I love them. I live in the woods and sometimes when I bake cookies, one will look at me through my kitchen window. Yes that really happened this summer and I will tell you more about it later but for now, let’s make some bear cupcakes.
Supplies for Bear Cupcakes:
For the Bear Cupcakes:
Cupcakes
Brown or Chocolate Frosting
Bear Transfers
Piping Bag
Decorating Tip #233
For the Bear Face
Royal Icing
Tan Icing in a piping bag fitted with a #2 decorating tip.
Brown Icing in a piping bag fitted with a #2 decorating tip.
Black Icing in a piping bag fitted with a #2 decorating tip or Royal Icing Transfers Noses.
Wax Paper
Tape
Royal Icing Eyes
Begin by printing off the bear template. This template is a little different than the ones I have made in the past. The pattern isn’t perfect but it works. Here, I will show you what I am talking about.
The ears on the template should have been full circles but I made a boo-boo. I don’t think it is bad enough to re-make them though. All you need to do is pipe the brown icing ears and pipe a circle.
Give the circle a bit of a base. The reason the half circles didn’t work is that it didn’t leave much room to place them on the cupcakes. If you make a circle it will work perfectly. They don’t have to be perfect because they will be stuck into the icing on the cupcake.
Before the brown ear dries, add some tan icing in the for the inner ear.
Let me say it one more time, “Thank you, Heather!” Heather from Sugar Nosh Treats mailed me some turkey lacers to use in place of toothpicks. They are great for knocking down those pesky little peaks in the icing. It is by far one of my favorite tools ever!
Repeat for the second ear.
With the tan icing, pipe the muzzle.
While it is wet, add the royal transfer nose or, pipe a black nose once the tan icing has dried.
If you drop the nose on and it doesn’t land exactly where you wanted it, you can gently move it with the turkey lacer or a toothpick.
Ah, that is better. Now let them dry completely. It may take a few days so be patient.
You don’t have to make all the noses the same. I think it gives them an individual personality when they are a little different.
After your transfers have dried you can make your cupcakes and icing and begin to decorate. I didn’t make these from scratch. I used a box cake mix and a canister of icing from the store, you know, something like Betty Crockers Rich and Creamy Milk Chocolate Frosting. If the frosting is too think to pipe the fur you can add a little powdered sugar to it to stiffen it up. I added 1/2 a cup and it worked beautifully.
To make the cupcakes look furry, use the Wilton tip #233.
Hold the piping bag at a 90º angle and squeeze the bag until the icing comes out. As you stop applying pressure, give a quick little jerk to make the fur. Squeeze the bag and lift it straight up. I usually say squeeze and lift, squeeze and lift, squeeze and lift the entire time I make the fur.
Once the bear cupcake is covered, apply the nose.
Next, add the eyes.
Then, add the ears.
Before you know it, these cute little guys will be looking at you. They look kind of confused, don’t they? Or is this the first time they have been worried about us eating them instead of them eating us? I guess we will never know.
Remember when I told you I would tell you about the bear that was looking at me through my kitchen window? Now it’s time to hear that crazy story!
Not long ago, I decided to bake a large number of cookies to decorate for the blog since summer camp was keeping me busier than I expected. I wanted to make things easy and I thought by baking 10 posts worth of cookies was a brilliant idea. So I planned the posts, grabbed the cutters and got to work. I noticed something moving outside. In the corner of the yard, I saw a bear starring at me. I opened the door and banged a pot with a metal spoon and scared it away.
I finished baking and made a batch of icing as I was excited to start decorating. As I sat down at the table and picked up a decorating bag, I heard the garbage can being knocked over. I stood up to see what was happening and a bear walked by the window. It was almost rubbing its side on the house.
All I saw was a nose up in the air sniffing like a dog would do as if it was trying to catch the scent of something. Then, it stood up on its hind legs and was looking into my kitchen. I was face to face with a big black bear and I froze. Thank goodness I was inside and it was outside. I was only frozen for a second because I remembered if you make noise it will scare the bear and make it go away. It didn’t so I grabbed the phone to call my husband at the office to come and help me, but there was no answer so I was on my own.
I decided to get the pot and spoon to bang again. I grabbed it and the bear started walking away. Thank goodness. He was leaving without inviting himself to have a few cookies in my kitchen. I didn’t want him to come back so as he walked away, I opened the door and clapped and screamed and he ran away.
Maybe next time he comes over I will set up a picnic in the back yard and serve him some bear cookies and these bear cupcakes. Boy, I sure must be lonely in these here woods if I am planning a picnic with a bear.
Bear hugs,
These are adorable! I am going to have to make these sometime. Are bears from your kitchen window a regular occurrence? I don’t even have a window in my kitchen. :/
Hi Sarah,
I have my tool belt on and a drill in my hand. Where do you live ’cause I am going to install a window in your kitchen! LOL
The bears started showing up about a year or so ago. We had an outside dog and it passed away from old age. Once he was gone, the bears seem to get closer to the house. This is the first one that actually scared me. There wasn’t any food outside because the trash can was empty but, it was still looking for something to eat. I know it smelled the cookies I had been baking. If the bears see you or if you make noise, they usually run away.
Look at the picture of this bear. He came pretty close to the house but was afraid of us http://thebearfootbaker.com/2011/12/george/. Since we live at a camp that has children here most of the time, we called the TWRA and they capture bears that get close or don’t seem scared of humans and they relocated them. The guy I saw the other night is about to make the “please move this bear far away from here” list. If we have to relocate him, I will take lots of pictures for you. It is a neat process.
PS-I asked my sweet hubby for a puppy for Christmas and he said yes! I think the barking dog will help keep the bears away from my window even if they do smell cookies.
LOL. Condo living and previous apt living means I’ve never had a window in my kitchen. It’s a must have for my future house…that I day dream about. 🙂
Wow! I am not sure I could handle the bears. I think they would always scare me. I wouldn’t describe George as ‘little’. Also, LOVE the polar bear cookies! 🙂
It’s good to be back, Lisa even if only as a reader and not yet a blogger. Soon, I hope! Until then, I’m happy to enjoy all your cute posts! I’ve been really into cupcakes and cakes lately and these are just so cute! Love a fast and easy design that turns out so sweetly 🙂
These are just the cutest cupcakes ever!! So glad you were inside when your real bear friend stopped by!!
Thanks Glory.
You have seen a bear in action here! They can get really creative when they want food. I wish this one would have stayed close to the dining hall dumpster! 😉
Would love to make the bears! I have never made royal icing. I do not have a stand mixer either. Do you have suggestions on making with a hand held mixer? Are there secrets to the royal icing? It is warm and humid where I live. So many times I will spend time and money on cupcakes and decorating. If I put the “accessories” on the night before, the frosting makes everything soft. Made beautiful bunny faces — with fondant ears at the top of the cupcake — by morning they had folded down — at least then I had pigs!! Will the royal icing soften/melt into the fur?? I really would appreciate any thoughts you have…….sue
Hi Sue,
I have a tutorial and video for How to Make Royal Icing with a hand mixer and here is the link: http://thebearfootbaker.com/2014/06/make-royal-icing-with-a-hand-mixer/. Royal icing is a bit difficult to make until you get the hang of it. Humidity does affect the icing and will cause the colors to bleed (run together). That is one reason I use royal icing transfers. You can make them ahead of time and let them dry for several days before you add them to cookies or cupcakes.
I usually don’t add the transfers (eyes, ears and nose in this case) until minutes before the event so it will reduce the chance of the cupcake icing making them soft. I have done it a day in advance and didn’t have any issues but, I like living a little on the safe side so I wait.
If you want to make the ears, snout and nose out of buttercream you can. Use the template and pipe it on the wax paper, freeze it and add it to the cupcakes. Let me know if you need help.
Omg! That was so close, I’m glad you’re okay. Btw, the cupcakes are amazing <3 so cute!! You did a fantastic job.
These are adorable! Love the easy to follow steps in making the transfers. Umm..bears are really cute, but you might want to rethink the whole picnic thing. 😉
I agree Karen. A teddy bear picnic might be better! LOL
Wow, how scary that must have been, I really don’t know what I would have done, yes, it really does put a new meaning to the Teddy Bear Picnic! However, if I were a bear and I smelled your cookies, I would have come on over too – and those cupcakes? Wait until he knows you’re baking cupcakes too…you better keep your doors and windows locked!
Really adorable! I have never tried this technique, you explained and showed it so well. I will try it! Thanks so much for sharing!
First of all you are amazing! Always adorable cookie ideas and this cupcake is adorable. Glad the bear didn’t steal them away. I have a question when adding royal icing transfers onto buttercream. Should you only add the transfers the day you plan to serve (as opposed to the night before)? I’m good with royal icing, but not as good with decorating buttercream cakes. I would love to use RI transfers, but I’ve been told they will bleed and get ruined by the buttercream. Thanks for any input. BTW, I preordered your book. CONGRATS!!!!
Hi Janis,
Thank you so much! 🙂
I add my RI Transfer to the cupcakes just before the event that way they are fresh and look good. Depending on what type of icing you use, it can melt your transfers. For best restults add them at the last minute.
Hi Lisa
Your work is amazing! You inspire me 🙂
If you make your RI transfers in advance, do you place it in a Tupperware container in a cupboard once it has dried?
Thank you.
Hi Dianne!
I store the eyes and transfers that don’t break easily in jars. If some are delicate I lay them flat in an airtight container with pieces of parchment paper in between the layers. Just be sure to store them away from sunlight because it will make the colors fade.
Hope this helps.
Great thank you for getting back to me Lisa! I can’t wait to get started this weekend 🙂
Hello Lisa:
I am really interested in the ‘long necked” reindeer cutter. Where can I find one? Looking forward to your response. slp
What “long necked” reindeer are you referring to? If you tell me the link or the title of the tutorial, I will be able to help. 🙂
thank you so much for this tutorial. I made these for my daughter’s camping themed party and they turned out amazing. She was thrilled and so were all her friends!
I began a cake decorating class last month and I have found your information is very helpful.
Thanks Helen! Next time you make a cake, send me a picture. I would love to see what you make!
Could you clarify what you did to add the tan icing to the brown ear while still wet? I’m a little confused because if piping a black nose to the muzzle the tan icing needed to be dry first. Also, how do I use a toothpick to make it cute and even like yours? I am new to RI transfers, and I can see how understanding he rules of two colors (like on the ears) could be a big help for the project I have in mind. Thanks!
Hi Monique,
Adding one color of icing to another color of icing that is still wet is called a ‘wet on wet’ technique and that is how to make the bears ears. Just pipe the dark brown royal icing and then add the tan royal icing immediately. The colors will sink into each other for a nice flat smooth design.
When working with royal icing it is hard to use the piping tip to get the icing into small places or to pipe it out smoothly. If you use a toothpick or other tool with a sharp point, it will allow you to move the icing around into small places and get a nice smooth surface. Hope this helps! 😉
Hi Lisa! I’m going to attempt to make these for my daughter’s teddy bear picnic party this weekend. Do you mind if I ask what kind of icing you used for the fur? You mentioned adding the transfers right before the event.. Can I ice the “fur” the night before and add the transfers in the morning or should I wait to do both in the morning? Thanks for your help!
Hi Jennifer!
I want to come to the teddy bear picnic! It sounds like so much fun!
I used Duncan Hines Milk Chocolate Frosting but I added about a cup of powdered sugar to it so it would be stiff enough to pipe. You can frost the cupcakes the night before or you can do it before the kiddos arrive. If you are worried about the royal icing transfers, you can always make them with fondant. If you do use the transfers, I would make them tomorrow and place them in front of a fan so they will have plenty of time to dry.
Add them just before the guests arrive and they should be fine! I live in a humid climate so I like to wait as long as possible before adding them. Another good thing about waiting is you will probably have a few little helpers that want to make some bear cupcake faces with you. Kids in the kitchen is a beautiful thing! 😉
I’ve never done transfers before. Can I make these bear face transfers with chocolate and white chocolate? I already have chocolate on hand, but I’d have to go buy ingredients for the colored royal icing. I would think I would want to add a little coconut oil to the chocolate to make more liquid, but it seems like this would work. (I bake, but never decorate — so any insight would be much appreciated!)
I thing chocolate and white chocolate would work really well! Let me know how it turns out!
How do you make the royal icing different colors?
These are so cute! Making them this week, I hope!
Bom dia!
O que usou para fazer os pelos do urso?
Qual creme para os pelos?
Obrigada
Hi Maria,
I used buttercream frosting to make the hair and uses a grass tip to apply it. Let me know if you need anything else! 😉
I just finished making a dozen of these little guys for my great grandson’s first birthday party that is being held tomorrow. I struggled a bit with the royal icing for eyes, nose, and ears..but managed to finally get the knack of it. Q royal A thinner icing was the key. They will be a huge hit tomorrow. I, also, found a bear cake..Head only) did that too. Such a cute theme for a Lumberjack b’day. Your step by step instructions helped so much. The templates were amazing…I so appreciate that you took the time to show in detail how to make these adorable cupcakes. 🙂
Just curious how they held up when you made them a day in advance? Also how did you store them after putting them together?
*oopsy, should read “A thinner royal icing was the key
Hi there ?
Can they be refrigerated before eating or will the royal icing dissolve?
Hi Nic,
So sorry it took me such a long time to answer your question. I’ve been sick but I’m much better now and trying to catch up on everyone’s questions.
You can bake the cupcakes ahead of time but I wouldn’t add the royal icing transfers until right before the party. Sometimes the cake icing can cause the royal icing transfers to melt. So bake them and place them in the refrigerator and then add the transfers right before you serve them.
Thanks,
Lisa
Hi there,
These are stunning! Can’t wait to make them.
I’m probably just missing it but which receipe do you use for the fur frosting?
Thanks!
So sorry it took me such a long time to answer your question. I’ve been sick for quite some time but I’m much better now and trying to catch up on everyone’s questions.
I used Betty Crocker Rich and Creamy Milk Chocolate Frosting and I added 1/2 cup of powder sugar so it would be stiff enough to pipe the fur. My husband likes Betty Crocker frosting! LOL
Hello! Planning to make these cupcakes for a first birthday party. What type of icing do you suggest for the fur? Thanks!
So sorry it took me such a long time to answer your question. I’ve been sick but I’m much better now and trying to catch up on everything.
You’re not the first one to ask this question so I added it to the tutorial. I used Betty Crocker Rich and Creamy Milk Chocolate Frosting and I added 1/2 cup of powder sugar so it would be stiff enough to pipe the fur. My husband likes Betty Crocker frosting so I used that brand for him! LOL
These are so cute! I want to make them for my sons first birthday party. I’ve never piped frosting or done royal frosting. Be honest, is this too ambofor my first project? Also, what size eye sprinkles did you use? 1/4”?
Hi Jackie,
So sorry it took me such a long time to answer your question. I’ve been sick but I’m much better now and trying to catch up on everything.
I think these cute little guys would be a great first project for you to work on. Just don’t add the royal icing face until it’s time for your party. Sometimes the cake frosting can make the royal icing transfers melt.
The fur on these bears is quite simple to make if you have the right decorating tip. Just place the tip close to the cupcake, apply pressure and pull the bag straight up. Once the fur is as long as you’d like, stop applying presser and quickly pull the bag straight up and you’ll have cute bear fur.
I made the eye candy myself and here’s the pattern for you:
https://thebearfootbaker.com/2014/08/candy-eyes/
If you want the patterns for the head and nose you can find them here:
Here is the face:
https://thebearfootbaker.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/08/Bear-Face-for-Cupcakes.pdf
Here is the nose:
https://thebearfootbaker.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/08/Royal-Icing-Transfer-Animal-Nose.pdf
Have fun baking!
Lisa
Hi Lisa,
I LOVE your bear cupcakes and am making them for my daughter’s baby shower. The cupcakes are made and the fur is on them but I am wondering if I can download your transfer paper with the bears on it so I cam make the ears and nose??
Thank you!
Julie
j.reim33@gmail.com
Sure, Julie. The patterns are under the supply list.
Here is the face:
https://thebearfootbaker.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/08/Bear-Face-for-Cupcakes.pdf
Here is the nose:
https://thebearfootbaker.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/08/Royal-Icing-Transfer-Animal-Nose.pdf
Here are the eyes:
https://thebearfootbaker.com/2014/08/candy-eyes/
Have fun baking!
Lisa
Hello, I’m so excited about making these for a party. I’ve finished with all the transfers. i saw in one comment where you mentioned to not add the transers until right before the party. Would you say you shouldn’t add the frosted fur until you’re ready to add the transfers as well. How far in advance do you think you can put them all together? I have 45 to assemble. Thanks for your help!
How far in advance can you make up the ears and nose?
Hi Diane,
You can make them months in advance. Just be sure not to put them on the cupcakes until you’re ready to serve them because the moisture in the frosting may make the ears and nose melt since they’re made with royal icing. Last minute works best for these.