Basics
Cupcake: Either a cake mix or a “from scratch” recipe will produce the desired results, if the cake isn’t too light. Handling and decorating a dense cupcake is easier because it provides a firmer base. (Try the pound cake recipes found on cake mix boxes.)

Frosting: Ready-made or homemade frosting will work. Adding sifted powdered sugar stiffens most frostings. Some frostings may still be soft at room temperature and need to be refrigerated until just before serving to support the cookie and candy decorations. Keep this in mind when planning to transport cupcakes. You may want to test a finished cupcake to avoid disappointment if refrigeration is not available.

Mouse
• White ready-to-spread frosting
• Red food color
• Cupcakes baked in cupcake liners
• Vanilla wafers
• Small red gumdrops
• Red Hots candy
• Red candy laces

Tint frosting with food color to make pink. Frost cupcake, piling high to form a rounded top. Add vanilla wafers for ears. Cut gumdrop in half and add Red Hots for nose and eyes. Cut laces into four 1 Ό-inch pieces and one 3- to 4-inch piece. Add for whiskers and tail. Refrigerate to set frosting.

Ladybug
• White ready-to-spread frosting
• Red food color
• Cupcakes baked in cupcake liners
• Large black gumdrops< br> • Red decorating gel in tube
• Red candy laces
• Chocolate decorating icing in tube
• Dark brown M&M’s

Tint frosting with food color to make red. Frost cupcake, piling high to form a rounded top. Add gumdrop for head. Dot red gel for eyes. Cut laces into two 1 ½-inch pieces. Add for antennae. Pipe chocolate icing to outline wings. Add M&M’s for dots. Refrigerate to set frosting.

Turtle
• White ready-to-spread frosting
• Green and yellow food colors
• Cupcakes baked in cupcake liners
• Large and small gumdrops
• Pecan halves
• Chocolate decorating gel in tube
• Red decorating gel in tube

Tint frosting with food colors to make a yellowish green. Frost cupcakes, piling high to form a rounded top. Add a large gumdrop for the head and a small gumdrop for the tail. Add pecan halves for feet. Pipe design on back with chocolate gel. Dot eyes and a nose with red gel. Refrigerate to set frosting.

Cat
• White ready-to-spread frosting
• Yellow and red food colors
• Cupcakes baked in cupcake liners
• Small green breath mints
• Yellow jelly beans
• Red decorating gel in tube
• Chocolate decorating gel in tube
•Triangle-shaped snack crackers or candy corn

Tint frosting with food colors to make gold. Using star tip, pipe frosting around edge of cupcake, pulling frosting away from the edge to make fur (see photograph). Pipe another row closer to center. Pipe a circle of frosting in center. Add mints and jelly beans for eyes and nose. Pipe red gel for mouth. Pipe chocolate gel for whiskers. Add crackers or candy corn for ears. Refrigerate to set frosting.

Dog
• White ready-to-spread frosting
• Cupcakes baked in cupcake liners
• Chocolate sandwich cookies
• Chocolate decorating icing in tube with decorating tips
• Small white breath mints
• Black jelly beans
• Red decorating gel in tube

Frost cupcake, piling high to form a rounded top. Add cookies for ears. Using round tip, pipe chocolate icing for eyes. Insert mints in center. Add jelly beans for nose. Pipe red gel for mouth. Refrigerate to set frosting.

Butterfly
• White ready-to-spread frosting
• Yellow food color
• Cupcakes baked in cupcake liners
• Large red and orange gumdrops
• Granulated sugar
• Red and blue decorating gel
• Red Hots candy
• Red candy laces

Tint frosting with food colors to make yellow. Frost cupcake. Cut round slices from gumdrops with a sharp knife. Form thin circles on a sugared surface with a rolling pin. Arrange the circles on the frosting to make wings. Pipe with gel to make a pattern. Add Red Hots for body. Cut laces into two 1 1/2-inch pieces. Add for antennae. Refrigerate to set frosting.

Adapted from Cupcakes for Kids. Published by Current, Inc. Copyright 1991. Used with permission.