Father's Day Cupcakes {With Handyman Tools}

Easy Father's day cupcakes, homemade with simple ingredients. Use gum paste with candy molds to make edible handyman tools to decorate Guinness beer chocolate cupcakes.

This Father's Day Cake (Tool Box Cake) from a few years ago inspired the design for today's cupcakes. I used a candy mold to make these tools but I know some very talented cake decorators who can make these freehandedly! The tools included here are all edible and made with gum paste. There are pliers, screw drivers, wrench, hammer and a weird ruler tool. Seriously, what is that even called? I don't think we even own one of those things but then again, I have never had the urge to check out my husband's tool box.

How to make Father's Day cupcakes from scratch?

1. Bake cupcakes- Guinness beer chocolate flavor appeared to be the best choice.
2. Let them cool- Until room temperature.
3. Make chocolate icing- Add some beer in that too, if you like.
4. Make gum paste tools– Using a candy mold.
5. Add details- With edible markers and paints.
6. Let them dry- Until hard.
7. Assemble- Pipe a swirl of frosting on top of cupcakes and place one edible tool on top of each one.

Variations for Dad cupcakes

Try different color combinations- I kept the tool colors classic with yellow, black and silver but you can get creative with any use any colors you like.

Try other cupcake flavors– Such as Yellow Cupcakes or Mocha Cupcakes (Coffee Cupcakes).

Try other frosting flavors- Such as Caramel Frosting or Peanut Butter Frosting.

Fill cupcakes- With jams and preserves, Homemade Dulce De Leche or nut butters (peanut butter, almond butter, Nutella, Biscoff), candies and sprinkles or Homemade Caramel Sauce.

Tips and Techniques for dad birthday cupcakes

Don’t frost or decorate warm cupcakes- Because the warmth will cause the icing and fondant to melt and make a sticky mess.

Melted chocolate vs. Gum paste for molds- Either can be used. Chocolate will obviously set and harden quicker than gum paste. However, I find it harder to paint details on chocolate.

Do not use fondant in the mold- Because it’s hard to remove from molds and it also takes very long to dry.

Grease or dust powdered sugar in cavities of molds- Because this allows the pieces to be easily removed. If you are greasing, use shortening and not oil.

Allow the tool pieces to completely dry- This is very important because if they are still soft, they will bend and break.

Drying time for gum paste pieces will vary- Because it depends on the moisture in your area. Higher moisture and humidity = slower drying time. A table fan pointed at the edible pieces can help to speed up the drying process.

Use clear extract to make silver paint- If you use regular extract with brown tinge, the end result will be awful.

Use gel colors to tint gum paste- Because regular liquid food coloring will make it sticky and tacky.

Storage

Room temperature- Decorated cupcakes can be left at room temperature for 24 hours as long as there is no fruit filling that requires refrigeration.

Refrigerate- Leftovers can be stored in a sealed container in the fridge for up to 3 days. However the fondant decorations will become slightly sticky and tacky from the moisture in the fridge.

Freeze- Unfrosted cupcakes and frostings can be stored separately in a sealed container for up to 1 month. When you are ready to enjoy this treat, let it thaw in the fridge overnight and then, decorate as per instructions below.

Make ahead instructions- These cupcakes can be baked and decorated 1 day in advance and stored at room temperature until you are ready to serve.

More Father's Day Ideas

• Sports Cookies (Basketball, Baseball, Soccer, Tennis, Volleyball)
• Tie Dye Shirt Cake
• Shirt Cupcakes
• Spicy Chocolate Fudge Footballs
• Pull Apart Football Cupcake Cake
• Shirt Cake

More Decorated Cupcakes

• Watermelon Cupcakes (Pull Apart Cupcakes)
• Easy Flower Cupcakes (Fondant Pansy)
• Ladybug Cupcakes

Recipe