"Clancy the Caterpillar" Cupcakes

This is hands down one of my favorite "kid birthday" cupcake themes.  My mom made this for me when I was in elementary school and it was always a success (although, I have to admit, a bit of a pain to transport).  It's easy, can be for a boy or girl, and no matter how many guests you plan to have, it can be made to be as long or short as needed.

"Clancy the Caterpillar" Cupcakes

Basic cupcake (any flavor, these happen to be strawberry and yellow cake) in matching wrappers.  By using solid colors it will make the design look less busy.

Frost with basic vanilla buttercream dyed with any color of food coloring.  Decorate using the decorating tip of your choice - I like the star tip because it looks fancy.

Wrap a cake board with wrapping paper and plastic wrap.  I like to use green in order to stick with the theme.  Press and Seal plastic wrap works well as a topper (less folding and sticking to itself).

Creating Clancy...


What you'll need
- Two M&Ms
- Shoestring licorice (or pull & peel)
- Gum drops
- Toothpick


On the first cupcake, use M&Ms for the eyes and either frosting or a piece of licorice for the mouth. 


Using a toothpick, make small holes in the side of each cupcake wrapper of the "body".


Cut licorice into pieces long enough to insert into the cupcake and hit the cake board.  About 2 inches

Match up gumdrops so that each cupcake will have a matching set of "shoes".  Using a toothpick, make a hole in the top of the gumdrop.  Insert a pice of licorice into each gumdrop.  Then insert the other end into the cupcakes. 

Arrange on the wrapped cakeboard. 

To make it a little more creative - arrange the gumdrops around the cake board and use frosting dyed green to make some grass.