Monkey Cupcakes

Total Time Prep: 30 min. Bake: 20 min. + cooling
Yield 2 dozen
Test Kitchen Approved
Kids' eyes will light up when they see these cute jungle goodies. The cupcakes never fail to make my grandkids smile, and they're always a huge hit at bake sales. —Sandra Seaman, Greensburg, Pennsylvania

Ingredients

  • 1 package chocolate cake mix (regular size)
  • 1 can (16 ounces) chocolate frosting
  • 24 vanilla wafers
  • Black and red decorating gel
  • 48 pastel blue and/or green milk chocolate M&M's
  • 12 Nutter Butter cookies

Directions

  1. Prepare batter and bake according to package directions for cupcakes; cool completely.
  2. Set aside 1/4 cup frosting. Frost cupcakes with remaining frosting. With a serrated knife, cut off and discard a fourth of each vanilla wafer. Place a wafer on each cupcake, with the rounded edge of wafer near edge of cupcake, for face. Add dots of black gel for nostrils. With red gel, pipe on mouths.
  3. Place M&M's above wafers for eyes; add dots of black gel for pupils. Using reserved frosting and a #16 star tip, pipe hair. Carefully separate cookies; cut each in half. Position one on each side of cupcakes for ears.

Nutrition Facts

1 each: 265 calories, 12g fat (4g saturated fat), 27mg cholesterol, 247mg sodium, 36g carbohydrate (24g sugars, 1g fiber), 3g protein.

Kids' eyes will light up when they see these cute jungle goodies. The cupcakes never fail to make my grandkids smile, and they're always a huge hit at bake sales. —Sandra Seaman, Greensburg, Pennsylvania
Recipe Creator

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