FLOWER DECORATIONS FOR CUPCAKES RECIPES

Steps:

• Heat oven to 350°F. Line a 12-cup muffin pan with paper liners. In medium bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, and salt.  In bowl of electric mixer, beat granulated sugar and butter on medium-high speed until light and fluffy, about 3 minutes. Reduce mixer speed to medium and add eggs 1 at a time, beating each until incorporated before adding the next. Beat in vanilla.  Reduce mixer speed to low and add flour mixture in three parts, alternating with milk and beating just until incorporated.  Divide batter among muffin-pan cups (about 1/4 cup each) and bake until a wooden pick inserted in center of each cupcake comes out clean, 18 to 22 minutes. Transfer to wire rack and let cool. Tint buttercream desired colors. Fit pastry bag with large star tip and fill with colored buttercream. Frost cupcakes, then decorate with flowers.
  To make the flowers, follow the easy steps below.

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Grease 8 muffin cups or line with paper liners.
• Combine 6 1/2 tablespoons butter, sugar, and vanilla sugar in a bowl; beat with an electric mixer until light and fluffy. Add eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition. Add 1 teaspoon vanilla extract and beat until smooth.
• Mix flour, baking powder, and salt in a separate bowl and add to the batter. Beat for another 5 minutes. Spoon batter into the prepared muffin cups, filling each 3/4 full.
• Bake in the preheated oven until tops spring back when lightly pressed, about 14 minutes. Cool in the tin for 5 minutes. Transfer to a wire rack and let cool, about 20 minutes. Cupcakes sink slightly after baking, which is fine as it creates a flat surface for the flowers.
• Combine 1/4 cup butter and cream cheese in a bowl and beat with an electric mixer until well combined. Add confectioner's sugar, 1/4 cup at a time. Beat in 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract after half the confectioners' sugar is incorporated. Set aside.
• Pour colored sugar into different small bowls. Cut each large marshmallow into 5 slices. Dip marshmallow pieces with the cut side down into one of the colors so the sugar will stick to the marshmallow. Repeat with the other marshmallows and different colors.
• Spread a layer of frosting over each cupcake. Arrange 5 marshmallow slices on each cupcake in the shape of flower petals. Place a candy-colored chocolate piece in the middle.