Graduation Cupcakes Recipes

SURPRISE GRADUATION CUPCAKES

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 cake batter as directed on box. Divide batter evenly among muffin cups (about two-thirds full). Press 1 milk chocolate drop in center of each muffin cup.
• Bake and cool as directed on box for 24 cupcakes.
• In medium bowl, beat powdered sugar, butter, melted baking bar and vanilla with electric mixer on low speed until blended. Gradually beat in milk until smooth and creamy. Frost cupcakes; pipe year with melted dark chocolate onto each cupcake. Store loosely covered.

GRADUATION CUPCAKES

Steps:

• Cut fruit snack rolls into 12-inch pieces. Cut each piece lengthwise into 4 strips, using knife and straightedge. Roll each strip in a spiral around handle of wooden spoon. Store at room temperature at least 8 hours to set curl.
• Bake cake mix as directed on box for cupcakes, using water, oil and eggs. Cool completely, about 1 hour.
• Tint half of frosting with food color. Frost cupcakes with frosting. Write "Congratulations" or "Congrats" and the graduate's name on cupcakes with decorating gel. Decorate other cupcakes with candy sprinkles and colored sugar. Unwrap fruit snack streamers from spoon handles. Reshape into desired curl; place on cupcakes. Cut additional fruit snack into small pieces and flower petal shapes; arrange on some of the cupcakes.
• Top some of the cupcakes with candy graduation caps. To make, place small amount of frosting on bottom of peanut butter cup. Press graham cracker onto peanut butter cup. To make tassel, tightly roll up small square of chewy fruit snack; cut fringe in one end and press other end to center of graham cracker.