Graduation Cap Cupcakes Recipes

GRADUATION CAPS

Steps:

• Remove paper liners from peanut butter cups; place upside down on waxed paper. Place a small amount of frosting on each peanut butter cup; center a mint on each. Using frosting, make a loop for each cap's tassel. Place an M&M on top of each loop.

GRADUATION CAP CUPCAKES

Steps:

• Heat oven to 350ºF.
• Prepare cake batter as directed on package. Blend in dry drink mix; spoon into 24 paper-lined muffin cups. Bake 20 to 25 min. or until toothpick inserted in centers comes out clean; cool completely. Meanwhile, spread 1 tsp. melted chocolate onto each graham square to completely cover top of graham; place in single layer on baking sheet. Refrigerate until firm.
• Remove liners from cupcakes; place cupcakes upside-down on plate. Use wooden spoon handle to poke deep hole in center of each cupcake, being careful to not poke through to bottom of cupcake. Spoon COOL WHIP into resealable plastic bag. Cut small piece off one bottom corner of bag; use to pipe COOL WHIP into holes and onto tops of cupcakes, reserving small amount of COOL WHIP for later use. Top cupcakes with grahams, chocolate sides up, to resemble graduation caps.
• Use fruit rolls to make tassels for caps. (See tip.) Add 1 tassel and jelly bean to top of each graham square, securing each with dab of remaining COOL WHIP.

GRADUATION CAP CUPCAKES

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350; line muffin tins with cupcake holders.
• Prepare the batter according to the directions on the box. (Duncan Hines' classic yellow cake mix calls for the measures of liquid and eggs I listed in the ingredients.).
• Pour batter into the muffin tins; be sure not to over-fill the cups, because you want the tops of the cupcakes to be somewhat flat.
• Bake at 350 for 20 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Cool in pans for 15 minutes; remove and let cool completely.
• Peel the paper liners from the cupcakes; invert cupcakes onto a foil-lined tray. Spread 1/4 teaspoon of chocolate spread on the bottom (now top) of each cupcake; top with a graham cracker square.
• Cut the Twizzlers rope into three equal pieces. Separate into individual strings. Dip the end of each string into chocolate spread, and gently press into the center of the graham cracker.