Make PEEP Cupcakes

As you may remember, I made some cupcakes for the Iron Craft week 15 challenge “Bunny or Chick?” I shared the printables with you, so I decided I should share the recipe and tutorial too!

Here’s the cupcake breakdown: Vanilla bean cupcake, Creme brulee cream filling, Vanilla bean buttercream frosting and Roasted PEEPs marshmallow fondant. It seems like a lot of work, but you can just do the parts you want, and get store-bought for the rest!

Directions

	Step 1: Make Creme Brulee Cream Filling Creme Brulee Cream Filling [PDF] (This needs to chill for a few hours or overnight)

	Step 2: Bake Vanilla Bean Cupcakes Vanilla Bean Cupcake Recipe [PDF]

	Step 3: Make Vanilla Bean/Creme Brulee Buttercream Icing Buttercream Icing Recipe [PDF] (Make while the cupcakes are cooling)

	Step 4: Prepare the Cupcakes for Filling Using a knife or apple corer, take out the middles of the cupcakes. Cut this part in half. The top part will be used as a plug after you fill the cupcakes. The other part can be eaten!

	Step 5: Fill the Cupcakes There are three ways you can do this – use a spoon, put it in a Ziploc and cut off a corner and then squeeze it out, or put it in an icing bag with a round tip. I used an icing bag because it gave me the most control.

	Step 6: Plug the Cupcakes Now you put the little plugs on top. This helps keep the filling in, and provides a better surface for the frosting.

	Step 7: Frost the Cupcakes You can be as creative as you want here. If you are going to put fondant over a majority of the frosting, you don’t need to be too detailed (you can just use a spatula or a large round tip with your icing bag). If you are going to put on smaller fondant shapes, then you can be as decorative as you want (I just used a large star tip with my icing bag). The batch of frosting made just enough for the cupcakes. You may decide you want to make another batch; it’s up to you.

	Step 8: Make Roasted PEEP Fondant Fondant Recipe [PDF]

	Step 9: Decorate Cupcakes As I made the fondant, I broke it up into batches to create different colors. Then I created some circles from biscuit cutters and flowers using fondant cutters as the base for my cupcake toppers. [“Stay Calm and PEEP On” Cupcake Toppers PDF] Other ones I left fondant-free to I could stick on a PEEP or a disc of sugar I put under the broiler. Since I made 4 really big cupcakes, I rolled out fondant into an egg shape (I marbled two colors together for a dyed-egg effect), then used my fondant roller to add decorative patterns. [Pictured right]

	Step 10: Decorate the Cupcake Tower I had a plastic Wilton cupcake tower in my closet, so I decided to use it to showcase my PEEPs cupcakes. I went to my local craft store and bought some ruffles in coordinating colors. I think it really turned out well!

	Step 11: Eat and Enjoy! This is my favorite step! Even my dog liked the little piece of fondant she licked off the floor! Disclaimer: No dogs were harmed in the making of this photo. We cannot say the same for complete and utter embarrassment though. What’s your favorite PEEPs recipe? Share it in the comments below!