I am just a hobby baker. PLanning on making cupcakes for my cousin's bridal shower in 2 weekends. Basic chocolate cupcakes with buttercream frosting. I'll do a simple buttercream swirl. However, I use a pure butter buttercream with butter, powdered sugar, vanilla, and about 2 tablespoons of milk. I'm wondering how I would frost these in advance. I'm worried that if I put them in the fridge to keep the frosting from getting runny and ruining the swirl, the cake will dry out. If I leave them out to keep the cupcakes moist, the buttercream may melt. Is my only option to make the buttercream and frost like an hour before the shower itself??? Any advice is appreciated. I'd like to keep them as "all natural" as possible, which is why I don't use shortening, etc.

I use a total butter buttercream. It is not hot right now in Michigan, I don't know wher you are from, but unless you are in a hot area, they should be ok during the night in a container on the cupboard. I do refrigerate mine over night too, and not had problems with cupcakes drying out. I don't use powdered sugar though, I use a meringue based frosting, and add butter to it. I love the frosting, and it is not too sweet.

It should be fine left out unless your house is really warm. If you are worried I would use 1 TBSP milk instead of 2 TBSP. You can also add a little more powdered sugar.

Great! Thank you!!!

I use only butter in my buttercream as well and I normally just frost my cupcakes the day of delivery/pickup and make my cupcakes the night before and I store them in my cupcake carrier. I have frosted cupcakes/cakes the night prior and kept them in my container overnight and have not had any problems. I personally do not put my cupcakes in the fridge because I feel they do get dried out. I would suggest if you have the time to frost them the day of the party to do that otherwise keep them in an container overnight should be fine