Bride and Groom Cupcakes

Who doesn't love a bitty bite of cake? For party-day ease, make the cupcakes 1 month before and freeze. Prep the accessories 2 days ahead and store at room temp. in an airtight container. Whip up the frosting and assemble all on the big day!



Prep: 1 1/2 hrs.    Bake: 20 min. + cooling   Makes: 2 dozen

• 1 pkg. (18 1/4 oz.) strawberry cake mix

Frosting:

• 1 c. shortening
• 1 c. butter, softened
• 8 c. confectioners' sugar
• 7 to 8 Tbs. 2% milk, divided
• 2 tsp. clear vanilla extract
• 1/2 c. baking cocoa
• 2 tsp. grated lemon peel
• 1/2 tsp. lemon extract

Decorations:

• 1 c. dark chocolate candy coating disks, melted
• 1/2 c. vanilla candy coating disks, melted
• 1 large marshmallow
• 1/2 c. green candy coating disks, melted
• white pearl dragees, flower sprinkles, white edible glitter and colored sugar
• small piece of tulle

1. Prepare and bake cake batter according to package directions for cupcakes. Cool completely.
2. Beat shortening and butter until light and fluffy in a large bowl. add the confectioners' sugar, 6 Tbs. milk and vanilla; beat until smooth.
3. Transfer half the frosting to another bowl. Add baking cocoa and 1-2 Tbs. remaining milk to achieve desired consistency. add lemon peel and extract to remaining frosting.
4. Pipe 12 bow ties onto wax paper using melted chocolate. Pipe a 1 1/4 in. ring with melted vanilla coating for bride's crown. arrange dragees onto ring immediately.
5. Spoon a 1/2 tsp. round of melted chocolate onto waxed paper into a 1 3/4 in. circle for groom's hat. Cut a 1/4 in. slice from top of marshmallow. Dip marshmallow in chocolate coating and place in the center of chocolate round.
6. Pipe 12 bouquet stems onto waxed paper using melted green coating. Attach with flower sprinkles immediately. Let decorations stand until set.
7. Pipe frosting onto cupcakes. Add crown to the top of a lemon cupcake and attach a piece of tulle for veil; add a bouquet and sprinkle with glitter for bride.
8. Add top hat to the top of a chocolate cupcake for groom. Attach a bow tie and pearl dragees for buttons.
9. Decorate remaining cupcakes with bouquets, bow ties, dragees, glitter and colored sugar as desired.

$ .48 per serving

TIPS:
For the Groom's hat:

• Form hat and brim by placing a chocolate-dipped marshmallow in the circle's center. Let stand until the chocolate is set.

For the Bride's bouquet:

• Pipe the bouquet stems onto waxed paper. Immediately attach sprinkles to the stems. Let the bouquets stand until set.