Simply Decorated Cupcakes

Name: Simply Decorated Cupcakes
Prep time: 30 min
Cook time: 20 min
Total time: 50 min
Yield: 2 dozen (3 cups frosting).
Ingredients: 1 package chocolate cake mix (regular size); BUTTERCREAM FROSTING:; 1/2 cup butter, softened; 4-1/2 cups confectioners' sugar; 1-1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract; 5 to 6 tablespoons milk; Halved large marshmallows and gumdrops

With a pretty martini glass, a frosted cupcake and a ribbon, you can dazzle your guests with a fancy, yet fuss-free dessert. "I made these cupcakes for my grandparents' 60th wedding anniversary," says Angela Miller from Cloverdale, Indiana. "It's a great way to bring elegance to a simple dessert everyone loves."

Ingredients

1 package chocolate cake mix (regular size)
BUTTERCREAM FROSTING:
1/2 cup butter, softened
4-1/2 cups confectioners' sugar
1-1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract
5 to 6 tablespoons milk
Halved large marshmallows and gumdrops

Directions

Prepare cake batter according to package directions. Fill paper-lined muffin cups two-thirds full. Bake at 350° for 20-22 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean. Cool for 10 minutes before removing from pans to wire racks to cool completely.
For frosting, in a large bowl, cream butter until light and fluffy. Beat in confectioners' sugar and vanilla. Add enough milk to achieve spreading consistency.
Cut a small hole in a corner of a pastry bag. Insert #20 star pastry tip. Fill bag half full with frosting. Beginning with the outer edge of each cupcake, pipe frosting in thin concentric circles about 1/2 in. apart. Tie a ribbon around each cupcake if desired.

Originally published as Cupcake in Taste of Home April/May 2007