Diaper Pin Bear Cupcakes

by Julie M
(Penfield, Rochester, NY)

Bear Cupcakes

I started with vanilla cupcakes (regular size) baked with no liner. I used a serrated knife to cut off a little of the dome on top. Then, I placed the cupcake upside down on my turntable or counter, to ice it in vanilla buttercream. It's a little tricky to frost cakes so small, but with practice it gets better. I've also done them frozen, which sometimes helps. Also I put a dab of icing on the bottom of the cupcake so it adheres to the surface to allow for frosting.
After getting the base coat on, I use my small spatula to transfer the cake to a flattened cupcake paper or small doily. Then, I use a yellow pastel icing to make top and bottom shell borders (with a small shell tip, such as #16).
To make the bear diaper pin on top, I start with making the pin shape with grey buttercream. Then, for the bears head, I use my round tip (like #5) to make a round, flat ball, and two little round ears. The snout is another little ball on top of the face. Then I use black to make two little eyes, and for the little triangle nose and little line down the snout. Voila! Individual size baby shower cupcakes. The guests love them!!