DIY LOVE BUG CUPCAKES

source: http://thecakeblog.com/2014/01/diy-love-bug-cupcakes.html

DIY LOVE BUG CUPCAKES
a tutorial by Carrie Sellman

Supplies

cupcakes, baked without wrappers or wrappers removed
buttercream icing
red fondant
heart-shapped cutters, big and small
lollipop sticks
candy eyes
pastry tip #233

STEP 1 :  Roll out red fondant and cut out hearts using the large heart cutter.

STEP 2 :  Repeat until you have one large heart for each of your cupcakes.

STEP 3 :  Roll out more red fondant and cut out hearts using the small heart cutter. Repeat until you have four small hearts for each of your cupcakes.

STEP 4 :  Place one small heart, pretty side down onto parchment paper.  Place lollipop stick onto heart.  Place second heart on top and press down to seal the two hearts together, lollipop stick inside.  If fondant is too dry to seal together, lightly wet the inside with a light dab of water.

STEP 5 :  Repeat until you have used up all of your small hearts.  You should now have two of these sticks for each of your cupcakes.  These are the antenna ears.

STEP 6 :  Place one large heart, pretty side up onto parchment paper.  Put a dab of icing onto the pointy end.  Place cupcake on top, positioning over the pointy end.

STEP 7 :  Fill a pastry bag with buttercream icing and attach pastry tip #233 (aka, the Grass Tip because you use it to make grass-like decorations).  Put the tip up against the cupcake and gently squeeze the bag while pulling straight out and away.  Release pressure to finish the strands.  Continue making short ‘hairs’ by moving just to the right of your first clump of hair and repeating the same motion to squeeze on more icing.  Pipe a complete circle of icing all the way around the base of the cupcake.

NOTE :  You may find it easier to gently hold the cupcake in one hand while piping with the other.

STEP 8 :  Continue piping to cover the entire cupcake with icing.  Circle up the cupcake, row after row.

STEP 9 :  You’re almost there!  Just a few more squeezes and your Love Bug will be completely covered in yummy icing.

STEP 10 :  Insert two ears into top of cupcake.

STEP 11 :  Gently push two candy eyes into place on the face area.  And now your Love Bug is complete!