Red, White, and Blue: 4th of July Cupcakes!

Ready for a new twist on the traditional 4th of July Cupcake? These babies include a backyard scene and some unusual designs! I wanted to work with some edible rice paper that I found on the Sugarcraft web site a while ago. I had ordered a multi-colored pack and stuck them away somewhere in my office and I practically tore it apart looking for them...and, luckily for me, the pack included blue and red!

I bought the little folks at a hobby store in Rockville. Normally, they are used for train sets! I love them because they are so tiny. First I just had them around the pool and then I decided to let them have an interaction with the other cupcakes. Hence, the blue stripe connecting to the 4th of July cupcake...Trust me, I was definitely getting carried away with this idea!

The cupcakes I whipped up from a yellow cake mix. The frosting Magnolia's Buttercream. It's very easy to work with...and easy to make! Here is the Magnolia Buttercream Frosting recipe: 1 cup unsalted butter, very soft, 8 cups confectioners' sugar, 1/2 cup milk, 2 teaspoons vanilla. To make the frosting, place the butter in a large mixing bowl. Add 4 cups of the sugar and then the milk and vanilla. Beat until smooth and creamy. Gradually add the remaining sugar, 1 cup at a time, until icing is thick enough to be of good spreading consistency (you may very well not need all of the sugar). The recipe should frost 24 cupcakes.

I got into trouble yesterday because most of my family thinks I'm torturing Layla everytime I do a cupcake shoot with her. I must admit that there is usually drool on the floor afterwards...and it's not mine! I always give her a treat afterward. But, she has become part of the cupcake world now...a cupcake queen in her own right...and I can't deny her admirers! What do you think? N E Waz...hope you all have a great 4th of July...Happy Birthday, America!