LAMB CUPCAKES RECIPE FOR TODAY

LAMB CUPCAKES
Cupcakes
1 (15.25- to 16.5-ounce) package white cake mix
1 cup milk
1/2 cup Butter, softened
3 Eggs
2 tablespoons freshly squeezed orange juice
2 teaspoons freshly grated orange zest
1 (1.5-ounce) bottle flower-shaped cake sprinkles

Frosting
1 1/2 cups Butter, softened
2 cups powdered sugar
2 teaspoons vanilla
2 (7-ounce) jars marshmallow crème

Decorations
1 (10.5-ounce) package miniature marshmallows
24 black gumdrops
Decorator candy eyes
Licorice pieces or licorice nibs

DIRECTIONS

Heat oven to 350°F. Place paper baking cups into 24 muffin pan cups; set aside.

Combine all cupcake ingredients exceptsprinkles in bowl; beat on low speed until combined. Beat at medium speed until well mixed. Stir in sprinkles.

Spoon batter evenly into muffin cups. Bake 18-22 minutes or until toothpick inserted in center comes out clean. Cool 5 minutes in pan; remove to cooling rack. Cool completely.

Combine 1 1/2 cups butter, powdered sugar and vanilla in bowl. Beat on medium speed until creamy. Add marshmallow crème; continue beating until well mixed. Set aside.

Create lamb faces by using palm of hand to flatten gumdrops to 1/4-inch thickness. Poke holes into gumdrops for nostrils. Attach candy eyes and licorice pieces for ears, using frosting to adhere. Set aside.

Frost cupcakes, creating mound of frosting in center. Attach 1 lamb face on front 1/3 of each cupcake. Place miniature marshmallows onto cupcakes, pressing into frosting to adhere. Attach licorice pieces or licorice nibs for tails.

RECIPE TIPS

Black gumdrops can be found in candy stores or in the bulk bins or in mixed packages at discount, grocery or drug stores. The recipe has also been tested using other colors of gum drops (white, pink) or a large marshmallow cut in half for the face. The “eyes” for the lambs can be purchased in discount chain stores, craft stores or cake decorating stores in the candy and cake decorating section. Dark cupcake liners and the candy flowers can also be purchased in this area. Other colors of cupcake liners could also be used.