Marshmallow Flower Cupcakes

 Is anybody else ready for Spring?  This winter has been so cold!  We find ourselves staying inside a lot of the time.  Such was the case a few days ago as I was trying to think of something to do other than watch TV.  When I asked Brynlee what she wanted to do she enthusiastically suggested a food craft.  I had seen these a while back and decided to give them a try.  I love the way they came together!  So bright and cheerful.  Almost like real flowers...almost.  These will have to do for the time being, but at least for a little while, we got a small taste of Spring.





Marshmallow Flower Cupcakes

Cupcakes-  Your choice.  I made mini Sugar Cookie Cupcakes, but anything would work.
White Frosting-  I used this Cream Cheese Frosting, but any white frosting will do.
Mini-Marshmallows
Sanding sugar- can be found in craft stores in the baking isle.
Food Coloring

Instructions:

Bake desired cupcakes according to directions.  Let cool.  While they are baking, use kitchen shears to cut the marshmallows on a diagonal and place in a bowl for future use.  How many you need will depend on how many cupcakes you make.  Start with at least 2 cups and go from there.  Make colored sanding sugar and place in several small bowls (instructions below).  Once the cupcakes are cooled to room temp. generously frost them with an even amount of frosting.  I like to pipe* the frosting on, but you could spread it on also.  Only do a few at a time so that the frosting doesn't set.  Take a cut marshmallow and place the sticky side in the sprinkles.  Then, starting on the outside of the cupcake, place the marshmallow white side down.  Once you've finished the outside circle, make a smaller circle inside, and then place one last marshmallow in the middle or just add some sprinkles for the center.  If there are gaps where the frosting is showing through, you can cover those by adding more sprinkles.  That's it!

Making colored sanding sugar:
Place a few TBSP of sanding sugar in a zip-lock bag.  Add 1-2 drops of food coloring.  Seal the bag then shake and rub the sugar together until it is all one uniform color.  Repeat, using a different bag if necessary  for the other colors.

*Tip-  You can easily make your own disposable piping bag out of a zip-lock bag.  To do this, get a large glass and place the zip-lock bag inside.  Fold the openings over the edges of the jar to open the bag.  Using a rubber spatula, scoop frosting into the bag until full.  Remove the bag from the jar, press the air out and seal the bag.  Snip a small corner from the bottom and twist the top above the frosting.  Hold the bag on the twist and apply gentle and even pressure while you frost.

Note:  I also like to use that method to place the cupcake batter in the liners!