Sunflower Cupcakes

 
Aren’t they pretty?  Really easy to make too. 

Especially if you can talk your lovely daughter-in-law into doing the frosting part for you b 

(Cuz I stink at piping icing). 

(And she’s nice like that).

First, make your cupcakes 6

Perfect Cake-Mix Cupcakes K

• 18.25-ounce box cake mix
• 1 cup buttermilk, in place of the water called for on the box (the box will call for more water than the buttermilk you are using)
• Vegetable oil (the amount on the box)
• 4 large eggs (in place of the number called for on the box)

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees.  Line 24 muffin cups with paper liners.

Using substitutions above, follow the box instructions to mix all ingredients in a large bowl.  Beat with an electric mixer at low to medium speed until moistened, about 30 seconds.  Increase speed to high and beat until thick, 2 minutes longer.

Fill the paper liners 2/3 full.  Bake 15 to 20 minutes until tops are golden and a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.  Remove cupcakes from baking pans, place on a wire rack.  Cool completely.

Yield: 24 standard cupcakes

Now for the frosting.  Use your favorite buttercream recipe.  This is the one I used: 

Bakery Buttercream Frosting

• 1/2 cup white Crisco shortening, softened
• 1/2 cup butter, softened (can use margarine)
• 4-6 tablespoons cream (can use heavy cream, half and half cream or milk)
• 1 pinch salt 
• 2 teaspoons vanilla
• 5 cups confectioners' sugar, sifted (or as needed)

In a large bowl beat together the shortening and butter with cream, salt and vanilla until smooth (about 3 minutes).  Add in sifted confectioners sugar starting with 4-1/2 cups; beat very well until smooth and fluffy, adding more confectioners sugar or cream until you achieve desired consistency.  Add in food coloring (if using) until the desired shade is achieved.

Makes approximately 4 cups. 

Okay.  Now the fun part.  Put some frosting in the icing bag fitted with a leaf tip.  

Starting from the center of the “sunflower” and working out, pipe the petals. 

Handsome son #1 is standing at the ready with the complicated ingredients for making the sunflower centers. 

(AKA hot fudge sauce). 

Using 2 spoons, drop some hot fudge sauce straight from the jar into each flower center. 

 

Please do not heat the sauce first. 

(It melts the frosting). 

(Not that I would know). 

Please visit the links in the sidebar for lots more recipes, crafts and tips 9