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Back to School Cupcakes Recipe

2012
By 23 Comments

Can you believe back to school season is upon us already? Some of your kids have already started but for us, school begins in less than 2 weeks. This week, I wanted to make a special treat for the kids. But, like many of you, I didn’t have time to do super fancy, yet still wanted something fun. So I thought of this simple Back to School Cupcakes idea.

It’s not as fancy as it sounds or looks. Which is exactly what I wanted. In this busy time of year, who has time for complicated treats that are going to be gobbled up in seconds anyways?

Here’s the quick version of this recipe.

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Back to School Apple Cupcakes

Back to School Apple Cupcakes

Ingredients

  • boxed cake mix + required ingredients (usually oil, water, eggs)
  • buttercream or vanilla frosting
  • if desired, a tube of Cake Mate green frosting
  • food color(I recommend Americolor for rich, deep colors)
  • 6-12 tootsie rolls

Instructions

Mix up the cake mix as directed and spoon into 24 regular-sized, paper-lined muffin cups. Bake according to package directions for cupcakes.

Cool completely.

For the frosting - make your favorite buttercream frosting or use the canned variety. The canned variety probably won't look as pretty, but it's easier. Save a small portion to tint green for the leaves (you won't need much) or you can go the easy way and buy a tube of Cake Mate green frosting. Your choice.

Frost the cupcakes with red. Cut the tootsie rolls into small piece and roll into the shape of a stem. Put those in the center of the cupcakes, then pipe in green "leaves."

Enjoy!

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When it comes to food color, I can  never say enough about how awesome the AmeriColor food color is. It provides such deep, rich colors and a little goes a long ways. You could never get these colors with regular food color from Target. Totally awesome.

Want to do really simple? Just frost with a knife.

Or you can use a decorator’s bag and tip, like I did for the rest of our cupcakes. (I can never resist a bit of decorating! I just wish I had more time for it!)

For the green food coloring, you can make your own or buy a Cake Mate icing tube. Your own will taste better (personally I don’t like the taste of Cake Mate) but Cake Mate is much quicker.  In this case, I bought the icing when I was still figuring out how to work these cupcakes, but ended up using my own green frosting as you can see here:

Don’t forget that frosting colors will deepen overnight, so if it’s not quite as green as you’d like, you’re probably still okay. See the above frosting in the bowl? It’s lighter than this photo below.

You can get the kids involved with rolling the tootsie rolls and putting them on the cupcakes.

My children totally loved these Back to School Cupcakes. I was happy they were a hit, yet I didn’t have to spend hours making them. It’s win-win in my book!


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About Erika

Erika, the founder of Musings From a SAHM, is happily married and a homeschooling mom to four children. She lives in New Hampshire and has a passion for writing, encouraging other moms, her family, and most of all, Jesus. She also enjoys baking, spending time with friends, and is an aspiring photographer.

Comments

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  1. CinnyBBS
    Twitter:
    says:
    August 16, 2012 at 1:13 pm

    Wow, those look absolutely amazing! WIsh I had your talents…
    CinnyBBS recently posted..Integrating #Technology with #Monopoly zAPPed #ReviewMy Profile

    Reply
  2. Angela
    Twitter:
    says:
    August 16, 2012 at 1:32 pm

    These are the cutest cupcakes ever and so very clever!
    Angela recently posted..My Job Chart Teaches Kids Valuable Life SkillsMy Profile

    Reply
  3. Saph
    Twitter:
    says:
    August 16, 2012 at 1:56 pm

    Those are so cool! Such a cool idea with the tootsie rolls! Wish I could reach through my computer and grab one! LOL
    Saph recently posted..Switching to Real FoodMy Profile

    Reply
  4. Amber Edwards
    Twitter:
    says:
    August 16, 2012 at 2:09 pm

    Seriously those are so stinking adorable! i love them! This is so getting pinned!
    Amber Edwards recently posted..Really? There are Fun Things To Do in Utah?My Profile

    Reply
  5. melissa says:
    August 16, 2012 at 2:26 pm

    These look delicious! I love the colors!

    Reply
  6. Nichol
    Twitter:
    says:
    August 16, 2012 at 2:32 pm

    Oh these are just adorable and perfect for the kiddos!
    Nichol recently posted..The Day My Favorite Kitchen Item BrokeMy Profile

    Reply
  7. Deanna U
    Twitter:
    says:
    August 16, 2012 at 4:29 pm

    Love these, they turned out great! I pined them, too :)
    Deanna U recently posted..Simple Mom Hacks: DIY No Slip Closet HangersMy Profile

    Reply
  8. Holly (Woman Tribune)
    Twitter:
    says:
    August 16, 2012 at 4:30 pm

    Wow, those cupcakes look incredible. Perfect for back-to-school, and even more perfect considering that they didn’t take you hours to make and weren’t a chore to decorate. Thanks for the recipe, I love this!
    Holly (Woman Tribune) recently posted..Polly Pocket Hangout House Playset and Stick N Play Room ReviewMy Profile

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  9. Donna says:
    August 16, 2012 at 5:28 pm

    I love these!! How did you get the frosting so red without it tasting bitter? When I make mine that red it always has a bitter taste and I use the americolor food color.

    Reply
  10. Raffa says:
    August 30, 2012 at 9:14 am

    These look good too.

    Reply
  11. Ari
    Twitter:
    says:
    February 22, 2013 at 10:15 pm

    These are just the cutest! I wouldn’t mind receiving this apple if I was a teacher!

    Reply