How to make a Cross from Cupcakes for Easter!

Ingredients needed

2 boxes of white cake mix, prepared as directed

2 cups butter, softened
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
8 cups confectioners' sugar (approx.)
3-4 tablespoons milk

I used the Pampered Chef Easy Accent Decorator with the large star tip, however, any piping bag fitted with the large star tip will work fine. You'll also need about 50 white or silver cupcake baking cups and artificial (or real) flowers.

Prepare cake batter as directed and evenly distribute between cupcake cups. I used a cookie scoop to divide the batter, it's important for the cupcakes to be uniform in size. Bake as directed.

In the meantime...

In a large bowl, cream together the butter, shortening, and vanilla. Blend in the sugar, one cup at a time, beating well after each addition. Beat in the milk, one TBSP at a time (you're looking for piping consistency) and continue mixing until light and fluffy. Keep icing covered until ready to decorate. Feel free to use your own butter cream frosting recipe. I do not recommend using the store bought stuff.

I covered a large cutting board with parchment paper and a decorative cake board.

Begin arranging the cupcakes. Make one row of 12, from top to bottom. Place another row beside it nesting the cupcakes together (setting them slightly askew.) The rows should be uneven. Cut a cupcake in half and place at the top of one row and at the bottom of the other row to even them out. About 1/3 of the way down from the top place 4 cupcakes on each side, side by side. Do not nest these together, just place them side by side. You should now have a cross.

To frost the cross. Begin at the bottom left side and start piping one star at a time (making sure to lift the bag before starting another star.) Pipe individual stars in a straight line from the bottom to the top. Repeat until the entire vertical part of the cross is covered. Then fill in the holes between the cupcakes on the horizontal part with icing. Begin piping stars from the inside of the cross, out. Finish by filling in any thin spots.

Cut small sprigs of flowers and decoratively place on the cupcake cake. VIOLA!!

Finish off the leftover cupcakes with the leftover icing. People will not want to take the first cupcake from the cross so use the extra's first!