Looking Smart Cupcake

Cute cupcakes conjure up the beaming faces that crossed the stage to pick up diplomas. Decorating is a breeze, with fondant mortarboards and buttercream features.

Ingredients:

• Black Icing Color
• Brown Icing Color
• Copper Icing Color (light skin tone)
• Red-Red Icing Color
• Christmas Red Icing Color
• Ready-To-Use White Rolled Fondant
• Ready-To-Use Rolled Fondant Primary Colors Multi Pack
• Buttercream icing
• Gum-Tex™
• cornstarch

Makes:

Each cupcake serves 1.

Tools:

• Standard muffin pan
• Tip: 2
• Tip: 3
• Square Cut-Outs™
• Rolling Pin
• Roll & Cut Mat
• Brush Set
• Graduation Themed Standard Baking Cups
• Cake Board

Instructions:

step 1

Several days in advance: Make mortarboards. Mix a 1 1/2 in. ball of white fondant with 1/2 pack of blue fondant. Add 1/2 teaspoon Gum-Tex each to 3 in. balls of blue and white fondant. Roll out 1/16 in. thick. Cut squares using largest Cut-Out. Let dry on cornstarch-dusted boards.

step 2

Ice cupcakes smooth. Pipe tip 3 dot eyes, pupils, nose and cheeks (flatten and smooth with finger dipped in cornstarch). Outline and pipe in tip 3 mouth. Pipe tip 2 bead tongue. Add tip 3 swirl hair.

step 3

Attach mortarboard with icing. For tassel, roll out yellow fondant 1/16 in. thick. Cut a 1 1/2 x 1 in. rectangle; cut slits 1/2 in. deep on one long side. Roll up to form tassel; shape a rounded top just above fringe. For cord, cut a strip 1/4 x 2 in. long; press tassel on cord. Attach to mortarboard with damp brush. Roll a 1/4 in. fondant ball for button and attach to top with damp brush.

*Combine Red-Red with Christmas Red for red shown.