Mardi Gras Inspired Cupcakes

While we have never CELEBRATED Mardi Gras {I don't know much about it, it's just not something I grew up around}, I did want to make something FESTIVE. I love the colors; mainly the green, gold, and purple. So I pulled out some BAKING stuff and decided that since lil man LOVES CUPCAKES that I would make him some {it ashame he fell asleep so early, guess he'll have to be surprised in the morning instead}.

I wanted to do something QUICK, so I went in my pantry and saw that I had a box of Valentine's Funfetti CAKE MIX in there {hey, I can work with that}. I just followed the directions for it, divided it in three parts {unevenly I might add} and COLORED each part {green, purple, and yellow}. Then I layered them in a cupcake liner and baked according to the directions on the box {you could do this with your own favorite mix homeade or boxed}.

 

While the CUPCAKES were in the oven BAKING I went on to make the BUTTER CREAM frosting {the recipe follows}. I doubled the frosting from my recipe and then divided it into 2 equal parts {unlike my unequal batter} and colored one half PURPLE and the other half GREEN.

After cooling the cupcakes on my wire rack, I bagged my frosting {using my WILTON disposable bags} and piped it out using two different tips {still needs work}. Then I threw on some green SUGAR crystals and brown sugar cane CRYSTALS {for the gold}.

YUMMY!

{and you could see the pretty colors when you bit into the cupcake}

BUTTERCREAM FROSTING

Ingredients:

• 2 cups confectioners sugar (powdered sugar), sifted
• 1 tsp pure vanilla extract
• 2 tbsp milk, light cream, or whipping cream {I used whipping cream}
  
• Food coloring or gels

Directions:

• Using a mixer (hand or counter), cream the butter until smooth.
• Add the vanilla extract.
• On low speed, gradually beat in the sugar
  (scraping the sides).
• Add the milk (or cream) and beat on high speed until fluffy
  (3-5 minutes).
• Add more milk or sugar as needed
  {I added more cream to mine}.  
• Now you can add the coloring to your frosting,
  bag it, and you're ready to go!

*REMEMBER, I doubled mine

{so if you like frosting like me, double up}.

 

 

 

{Enjoy!}   

Parties I'm LINKED up to {you should check them out}

Whatever Goes Wednesdays - Someday Crafts

Creative Share Wednesdays - The Trendy Treehouse

We Did It! Wednesdays - Sew Much Ado

Strut Your Stuff Thursdays - Somewhat Simple

Friday Fun Finds - kojodesigns

Show and Tell Saturdays - Be Different...Act Normal

Great Recipe Exchange - While He Was Napping