Cupcake Pet Parade Recipes

CUPCAKE PET PARADE

Steps:

• Heat oven to 350°F (325°F for dark or nonstick pans). Place paper baking cup in each of 24 regular-size muffin cups. Make and bake cake mix as directed on box for 24 cupcakes. Cool in pans 10 minutes; remove from pans to cooking rack. Cool completely, about 30 minutes.
• For cats, stir together 1/2 cup of the frosting and the chocolate syrup. Spread chocolate frosting over tops of 8 cupcakes. Cut small pieces of fruit snack for ears. Cut additional fruit snack into 1x1/4-inch strips for whiskers. Use chocolate chips for nose and eyes. Arrange on frosting to make cat faces.
• For rabbits, spread half of the remaining vanilla frosting over tops of 8 cupcakes. Flatten large gumdrops with rolling pin; slightly fold and shape to form ears. Use pink gel to make inner ears. Cut fruit snack or flatten gumdrops and cut into 2x1/4-inch strips for whiskers. Use baking bits for eyes and nose. Arrange on frosting to make rabbit faces.
• For dogs, spread remaining vanilla frosting over tops of remaining 8 cupcakes. Break or cut cookies in half; press 2 halves in each frosted cupcake for ears. Use black gel for spots or streaks on face. Use small gumdrops for eyes and nose. Flatten additional gumdrops for tongue. Arrange on frosting to make dog faces. Store loosely covered.

"PARADE" CUPCAKES

Steps:

• Heat oven to 350 degrees. Line two twelve-holed muffin pans with baking cups; set aside. In a medium bowl, sift together the flour, baking powder, and salt; set aside.
• In the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, beat the butter and sugar on medium speed until pale, light, and fluffy, 3 to 5 minutes. With the mixer running, add the eggs, vanilla extract, and almond extract; beat until combined.
• With mixer on low speed, add 1 cup reserved flour mixture; mix until combined. Add 1/2 cup buttermilk; combine. Alternate adding flour mixture and buttermilk, ending with flour, until all has been incorporated.
• Fill each baking cup with 1/4 cup batter; batter should almost reach tops of cups. Bake until a cake tester inserted into the middle comes out clean, 25 to 30 minutes. Transfer tins to a wire rack to cool.
• Remove the cupcakes from tins, and frost with cream-cheese frosting. If desired, use a pastry bag fitted with a plain writing tip to pipe letters or designs onto cupcakes. Decorate with berries, sprinkles, and nonpareils.