Confectionery Canary

If you're looking for a fun way to decorate cupcakes in honor of spring, look no further! I saw this idea on Pinterest and had to give it a try for myself.  This is so much easier than it looks and a great way to get the kids involved in the kitchen!

What You'll Need:
- 16 to 20 whole mini marshmallows per cupcake
- Colored sugar sprinkles
- Baggies or small bowls (one for each color you use)
- Scissors

Directions:
Hold mini marshmallow, on its ends, between your fingers and cut horizontally. Repeat this process for all of the marshmallows. You should end up with 32 to 40 bits for each cupcake.  Place marshmallow halves into colored sugar and stir or shake, shake, shake!  The colored sugar will stick to the cut ends of the marshmallows.  Take a cupcake and spread on a layer of frosting, not too thick, the marshmallows make them pretty rich.  Arrange marshmallow halves on cupcakes starting from the outside and work your way around to the center.  For the center, add a half of a different color to give the flower more character.

Need a great Vanilla Cupcake recipe? Click HERE
Need a great Buttercream Frosting recipe?  Click HERE

Who doesn't love cupcakes?!  I've actually always had difficulty making homemade cupcakes, but with this recipe, I finally had success!  That and lowering my oven temperature and not improvising ingredients.  I made this fun batch of cupcakes for Easter but this basic recipe works great for any occasion!  This recipe will give you about 20 delicious little cupcakes!

What You'll Need:
- 1 1/3 cup all purpose flour
- 2 tsp baking powder
- 1/8 tsp salt
- 1 cup sugar
- 1 stick unsalted butter, room temperature
- 2 eggs, room temperature
- 2 tsp vanilla extract
- 1/3 cup milk

Directions:
Preheat oven to 350 degrees and prepare cupcake pan(s).  In a large mixing bowl, cream together butter and sugar.  Add in eggs and vanilla.  Cream together until the mixture is smooth.  In a separate bowl, mix dry ingredients together then add to the butter mixture, mixing on low.  Scrape down sides and bottom.  Slowly add in milk.  Mix everything until it's just combined.  You don't want to over mix or else your cupcakes will become dense.  Spoon batter into cupcakes liners, (two tablespoons worth per liner worked for me), about half full because they will rise.  Reduce oven temperature to 325 when you put your pan in the oven.  This technique effects how they rise.  Bake for 20-25 minutes until a toothpick comes out clean.  Let cool completely then frost with your favorite frosting or a delicious buttercream! (click the word "buttercream" for my recipe!


**Canary Curve Ball: Click HERE for a fun floral cupcake decorating idea, perfect for spring! >>>>>>>>