This is the second time I've made this design. (First time was 6 years ago; Ladybugs in the Grass) But this time the design has been improved. We added caterpillars and flowers (all made from fondant). And I used a sunny yellow liner for a more cheerful spring-time look.
The middle caterpillar in the picture below is one that my daughter made. Yes, I know it looks a bit like an emaciated alien caterpillar but I love it. She also made a lady bug with huge spots and a top hat. She said he was the "grandfather ladybug" and needed to have the top hat. I'm so bummed that I didn't snap a picture of it before it fell apart and got eaten.
Although many people make this cupcake design with vanilla batter, my daughter insisted that they should be chocolate, like dirt. (This entire cupcake adventure was her idea). I haven't cupcaked in a few years but I'm getting back into the teenycake mood so I may post a few more cupcakes soon.
The recipe I used was new to me. It was Martha Stewart's One-Bowl Chocolate Cake. For those of you who don't know, cupcake making usually requires several bowls: one for beating the eggs and sugar, one for sifting the dry ingredients, and one for whipping up the egg whites. This batter was so easy. Not my favorite for flavor and texture, but great for a kid's cupcakes adventure.
The frosting used must be Swiss Meringue Buttercream, also a Martha Stewart recipe. No other frosting will hold its shape in order to make the grass. The piping tip is a special grass-tip, found at most craft stores.
It takes a bit of technique to do the grass and it helps to have a paper towel on hand to wipe off the tip if it gets gummed up. The holes on the tip need to stay clean in order to make the strands of grass.
Definitely a fun cupcake design!
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