Now...it's time to Graduate!

Graduation Cap Cupcakes 
Inspired from this Kraft recipe

With the end of the school year fast approaching, I’ve been asked to make some graduation inspired cupcakes. I liked the concept of this cupcake on the Kraft website, but I didn’t like all the food colour and additives in this recipe.  I also wanted it to be one colour, like real graduation hats.  So, here’s my adaptation.

Bake and make the cupcakes and icing (recipe below). In the meantime...

Trim chocolate wafers into squares.

I used Mr. Christie's Chocolate wafers...
they're used to make Oreo cakes or crumbs.

Cut and splice licorice string (you could also use fruit roll ups)

When cupcakes are cooled, turn upside down, and spread the butter cream 

icing on the bottom part of the cupcake.  

I piped my icing...it makes it easier than spreading.
Do you like my nod to this blog?

Attach cookie, then with remaining icing, attach the 
licorice string to the top of the cookie.

Happy Graduation!

Cake and Icing Recipes

Chocolate Cupcakes
(to save time, you can always use organic cake mixes).

• 1 1/3 cups all-purpose flour
• 1/4 teaspoon baking soda
• 2 teaspoons baking powder
• 3/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
• 1/8 teaspoon salt
• 3 tablespoons butter, softened
• 1 1/2 cups white sugar
• 2 eggs
• 3/4 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1 cup milk

Directions

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Line a muffin pan with cupcake liners. Mix together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, cocoa and salt. Set aside.
• In a large bowl, cream together the butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Add the eggs one at a time, beating well with each addition, then stir in the vanilla. Add the flour mixture alternately with the milk; beat well. Fill the muffin cups ½ full.
• Bake for 15 to 17 minutes in the preheated oven, or until a toothpick inserted into the cake comes out clean.

Buttercream Icing

(or to save time, you can use pre-made frosting)

• ½ cup butter
• 1 cup icing sugar
• 2 tsp. milk or whipping cream
• 4 tbsp. cocoa powder (to make a chocolate icing...leave it out or add 1 tsp. of vanilla for white icing).
• Blend (with a whip attachment…hand blenders are great for this) above together in blender.

Hats off to the graduates!