Nutcracker Cupcakes

Makes 12 Cupcakes

Ingredients

• 12 vanilla Cupcakes {use your favorite mix or recipe}
• 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, softened to room temperature
• 16 oz. confectioner’s sugar
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• Pinch of salt
• 1-2 tablespoons milk or cream
• Pink gel food coloring
• Mini candy canes
• Starlight candies
• Candy pearls
• Crushed candy cane bits.

Instructions

1. Make frosting – Cream butter in the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with a paddle attachment or in a medium bowl using a hand mixer. When light and fluffy, add confectioner’s sugar bit by bit until fully combined. Add vanilla extract and a pinch of salt. Add 1 tablespoon cream or milk. If it seems too thick, you may add another tablespoon of milk or cream. If it seems runny, you may add more confectioner’s sugar. Tink pink and stir thoroughly to combine.

2. Decorate cupcakes – Fit a pastry bag with a large round tip and fill with pink frosting. Top cupcakes with frosting. Top each cupcake with a starlight mint, a mini candy cane, and pearl candies. Dust with crushed candy cane bits.