Mini Menagerie Cupcakes

Name: Mini Menagerie Cupcakes
Yield: makes 24 per recipe
Ingredients: 24 Yellow Buttermilk Cupcakes (page 26) or One-Bowl Chocolate Cupcakes (page 152); Swiss Meringue Buttercream (page 304); Pink gel-paste food color; 48 mini brown candy-coated chocolates, such as mini M&M’s; Bubblegum tape; 24 Yellow Buttermilk Cupcakes (page 26) or One-Bowl Chocolate Cupcakes (page 152); Swiss Meringue Buttercream (page 304); 4 ounces semisweet chocolate, melted and cooled (see page 323); 24 black licorice buttons (or brown candy-coated chocolates, such as M&M’s); 1 small bag (about 5 ounces) black licorice laces, cut into 2-inch pieces; 48 chocolate-covered sunflower seeds (see Sources, page 342); 48 chocolate candy wafers, such as Necco; 24 Banana-Pecan Cupcakes (page 41); Swiss Meringue Buttercream (chocolate variation; page 305); 48 chocolate candy wafers, such as Necco; 12 ounces rolled fondant; Yellow gel-paste food color; Cornstarch, for work surface; 24 Yellow Buttermilk Cupcakes (page 26); Swiss Meringue Buttercream (page 304); Pink gel-paste food color; 2 ounces semisweet chocolate, melted and cooled (see page 323); 48 mini brown candy-coated chocolates, such as M&M’s; 24 white gumdrops, halved crosswise; 1 small bag (about 5 ounces) black licorice laces, cut into 1-inch long pieces; 1 package (7 ounces) sweetened shredded coconut, toasted (see page 323)

January 24, 2012

Decorate a batch (or two) of cupcakes with pig, mouse, monkey, or lion faces, or make a few of each animal for a sweet set. You can use most any cupcake flavor for these creatures; try banana-pecan cupcakes (page 41; nuts can be omitted) or roasted banana cupcakes (page 141) for the monkeys. Before adding the facial features, lightly mark the placement in the frosting with a round cookie cutter (or use a skewer or toothpick).

Recipe notes

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Fully loaded, meal-prep friendly, and ready to be dressed up, down, or sideways.