Ice Cream Sundae Cupcakes

The photo of these adorable cupcakes was found at Living Locurto. Originally designed at Teacher Appreciation gifts, these ice cream sundae cupcakes feature little tags that read "Your are Sweet" and "Thank You Teacher" (you can get the free printable design by clicking on the above link). Personally, I think they would be great birthday party favors for a child of any age or a fun alternative on a wedding dessert buffet. Either way they are clever little treats that teachers or party guests would love.

To make these sweet treats, you need the following items:
Cake Mix (and ingredients needed to mix cupcakes like eggs and oil)
Frosting (see recipe below for ingredients)
Chocolate Candy Melts
Sprinkles
Red Gumballs or Red Malted Milk Balls
Small Ice Cream Cups - Paper or Styrofoam (not so eco-friendly so I like paper better)

This easy cupcakes start with your favorite cake mix. Follow the package directions to bake up a batch of 24 cupcakes baked in paper liners. After the cupcakes have cooled, place each one inside one of the small paper ice cream cups. Then, top each one with a scoop of "ice cream" frosting. The KEY to these cupcakes is the frosting that when scooped, truly looks like a big scoop of vanilla ice cream (check out these fun ice cream scoop favors). See the recipe (from Living Locurto) below. Next, melt the chocolate candy melts in the microwave according to the package directions and spoon over the top each frosted cupcake. Before the chocolate hardens, be sure to put on candy sprinkles and the "cherry" gumball. Wrap in cellophane and attach the free printable teacher party favor tags click here for tags.

Ice Cream Frosting Recipe

2 sticks butter, softened
4 cups powdered sugar
2 teaspoons vanilla
2 Tablespoons milk
a few drops of ivory gel food color

In the bowl of a mixer, mix butter, vanilla and milk until well blended and smooth. Slowly add powdered sugar and mix on low until just combined. Increase speed to medium and beat for a minute or two, until fully combined and fluffy. Place frosting in the refrigerator for an hour to chill. Remove the frosting from the refrigerator and spoon it on top of cupcakes. It looks just like ice cream!

These Brownie Sundae Cupcakes from Confessions of a Cookbook Queen utilize the same "ice cream" frosting recipe that was presented above to get this look. In addition, you can bake a batch brownie cupcakes (prepare your favorite brownie mix according to box directions for cake-like brownies and fill baking cups halfway, baking at 350 until done) and then utilize a tub of vanilla frosting, Maraschino Cherries (or red gumdrops, etc), and Sprinkles to get the look shown in the photograph.

Photo from The Tomkat Studio.

The Swell Life uses sculpted fondant to make the cupcakes look like sundaes and the cherries are crafted from royal icing. The addition of a piece of waffle cone is an extra special touch.

The Sweetest Kitchen has presented these delicious looking sundae cupcakes on their blog. Just visit their site to get the recipes for the chocolate cupcakes that hold a chocolate ganache surprise in the center, vanilla butter cream icing, and a chocolate ganache glaze. Yummy!