Lamb and Ducky Cupcakes

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Makes: 24 servings 

Serving size: 1  cupcake

Start to Finish: 2 hrs

 

Ingredients:

• 12 2 1/2inches baked vanilla cupcakes or chocolate cupcakes in paper bake cups
• 4 cups Creamy White Frosting (see recipe below) or two 16-ounce cans creamy white frosting
• 2 1/2 cups shredded coconut
• 28 marshmallows
• 12 chocolate log-shape candies, such as Tootsie Rolls
• 48 miniature semisweet chocolate pieces
• 1 tubepink frosting (optional)
• Yellow food coloring
• 18 rich round crackers
• 12 2 1/2inches baked yellow cupcakes in paper bake cups
• 12 orange candy-coated milk chocolate pieces 

Directions:

 

1. For lamb cupcakes, frost the vanilla or chocolate cupcakes generously with some of the Creamy White Frosting and, if desired, sprinkle with coconut. Place 1 cup of the coconut in a pie plate. Spread 16 of the marshmallows with frosting to coat. Roll coated marshmallows in coconut. Place on a waxed paper-lined baking sheet. Place in the freezer for several minutes or until frosting is set. Cut four of the coated marshmallows into three slices each; cut each slice in half for the ears. Set aside.

2. For each lamb cupcake, place one of the whole coconut-coated marshmallows in the center of a frosted cupcake. For ears, attach two marshmallow half-slices on each marshmallow with some of the white frosting. Cut two small pieces from one of the log-shape candies for the hooves. Form a circle with some of the remaining piece of log-shape candy to form a muzzle. If desired, use a knife to score hooves and muzzle. Attach muzzle to the front of the whole marshmallow with white frosting. Attach two miniature semisweet chocolate pieces for eyes. If desired, pipe pink frosting onto the insides of ears. Attach hooves to the bottom front of marshmallow.

3. For ducky cupcakes, tint the remaining frosting with yellow food coloring. Set aside. In a pie plate toss the remaining coconut with yellow food coloring to combine.

4. Cut each of the crackers in half. Spread all of the cracker pieces and the remaining 12 marshmallows with some of the yellow frosting; roll marshmallows and crackers in yellow coconut to coat. Place on a waxed paper-lined baking sheet. Place in the freezer for several minutes or until frosting is set.

5. Frost the yellow cupcakes with the yellow frosting. Sprinkle with some of the tinted coconut. For each duck cupcake, attach a coated marshmallow to the top of cupcake with some of the frosting. Attach two of the remaining miniature semisweet chocolate pieces to each marshmallow for eyes. Create beaks by using a knife to make a slit in each marshmallow and inserting a candy-coated chocolate piece into the slit. Press one cracker half into frosting at back for tail. Insert two cracker halves into frosting on sides for wings. Sprinkle remaining yellow coconut over duckies.Makes 24 (2-1/2-inch) cupcakes.

Creamy White Frosting

Yield: 3 cups

 

Ingredients:

• 1 cup shortening
• 1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla
• 1/2 teaspoon almond extract
• 4 cups powdered sugar
• 3 - 4 tablespoons milk

Directions:

 

1. In a large mixing bowl beat shortening, vanilla, and almond extract with an electric mixer on medium speed for 30 seconds. Gradually add 2 cups of the powdered sugar, beating well. Add 2 tablespoons of the milk. Gradually beat in remaining powdered sugar. Gradually add milk until frosting reaches a spreading consistency. Makes about 3 cups.

 

Source: bhg.com