Lamb Cupcakes

Recipe from Land O' Lakes

Ingredients:
Cake:
1 - 18.25 oz pkg white cake mix
1 cup milk
1/2 cup butter, softened
3 eggs
2 tablespoon fresh squeezed orange juice
2 teaspoons fresh grated orange zest
1 - 1.5 oz bottle flower shaped sprinkles
Frosting:
1 1/2 cups butter, softened
2 cups powdered sugar
2 teaspoons vanilla
2 - 7oz jars marshmallow creme
Decorations:
1 - 10.5 oz pkg mini marshmallows
24 black gum drops
Decorator candy eyes
Licorice pieces or nibs

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

Combine all cupcake ingredients except sprinkles in large bowl; beat on low speed until combined. Increase speed to medium; beat until well mixed. Stir in sprinkles.

Divide batter evenly among paper liners. Bake for 18 to 22 minutes or until toothpick inserted in center comes out clean. Cool 5 minutes in pan; remove to wire cooling rack. Cool completely.

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

To create lamb faces, flatten gumdrops to 1/4-inch thickness, using palm of hand. 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.

Tips & Tricks:

Black gumdrops can be found in candy stores or in the bulk bins or in mixed packages at discount, grocery or drug stores. You can also use 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.