Birthday Greetings

Since today is my birthday, it seems like a good day to post an easy cupcake decorating technique that anyone can do, no artistic skill required.

This ice cream Sunday cupcake is so cute and seriously easy. All you need is a cake mix and ingredients to prepare, cute paper cupcake liners, frosting (click for a link to my favorite strawberry Swiss meringue buttercream as pictured, but fancy frosting is not required), hot fudge ice cream topping and cherry sour candies.

1. Bake cupcakes as directed on cake mix package. Cool.

2. Prepare frosting if you are making your own. OR If you plan to use store bought frosting, you will probably need more than one container. For best results, put store bought frosting in a bowl and whip with an electric mixer for a few minutes to fluff it up.

3. Using a two tablespoon cookie scoop (mine is pampered chef, but you can buy them at any kitchen supply store or even your local target), place a rounded scoop of frosting on top of each cupcake, pressing down into the cake top just enough to cause a small amount of frosting to squish out around the rim of the scoop before pressing the lever to clear the frosting from the scoop. (should look like a scoop of ice cream.)

4. Spoon a small amount of slightly heated fudge. I make my own, but store bought ice cream hot fudge works just as well. Heat it enough so it will drip down the edges a bit, but not so much it flows right off the frosting.

5. Top each cupcake with a cherry sour candy. Add a pinch of sprinkles, too, for a more festive look.

So easy and super cute!

Follow the links above in red for the blog where I found the idea for these cupcakes and the seriously amazing strawberry frosting I use. Enjoy!