WHEN it comes to cupcakes, I’m definitely more of a consumer than a creator.

Despite my best efforts, any type of culinary activity I attempt generally tends to end in complete disaster, so it was with some trepidation that I approached a cupcake decorating workshop.

The event was run at the Corfe Mullen home of keen baker Sadie Smith as part of the Great Dorset Bake Sale, organised by disability charity Diverse Abilities Plus.

Sadie, 43, has been an avid supporter of the charity since her son James, 16, started attending Langside School aged two after being diagnosed with cerebral palsy.

She now works in the fundraising office and her love of baking inspired the charity’s cookbook Scrumptious Home Baking, as well as the Great Dorset Bake Sale.

Having already sampled some of Sadie’s cakes, I was not expecting to produce anything like her beautiful creations.

But Sadie assured me it was much easier than it looked.

Thankfully, she had already prepared some cakes for us to decorate, and began the workshop by talking us through the different types of icing and how to use them.

Our first task was to colour some sugar paste and then use a range of cutters and moulds to create flowers, stars, hearts and birds.

I had always imagined these were painstakingly created by hand, so it was a revelation to be able to produce some equally professionally looking decorations.

Next up, Sadie showed us how to create butter cream swirls and roses on top of the cakes, and I was delighted with the results.

Literally all that is required is a steady hand and the right nozzle!

Amazed by how easy I found the whole process, the hardest part was actually deciding which decorations to use on the cakes.

By the end of the evening, I was thrilled to have produced half a dozen professional looking (even if I do say so myself!) cupcakes.

The fruits – or should I say cakes – of my labour were quickly devoured by my daughter and her friends, but not before I had managed to take a quick snap for posterity.

With said daughter’s birthday party coming up, I’ve been inspired to try out my new skills – the only trouble is I have to actually make the cakes this time!

l Sadie will run cupcake courses from September as part of her new business Sadie’s Cake House.

The sessions will cover the decorating of cupcakes, iced biscuits, Christmas cakes and sugar craft.

She will also run an annual session in aid of Diverse Abilities Plus once a year.

To find out more call Sadie on 01202 603534.

To find out more about Diverse Abilities Plus visit www.diverseabilitiesplus.org.uk.