Cupcake Sundaes

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Who’s in the mood for a little ice cream?

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And a little trickery!  These are actually cupcakes!!  I found this idea at Living Locurto, as a teacher appreciation gift (this week was Teacher Appreciation Week).  I thought they were so adorable, I had to make them.  Since Skylar has 8 (yes, 8!) teachers, this is a perfect budget-conscience treat.  I think it would also be great for a birthday party, or just because.

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So easy… First, bake some labor-intensive, complex, boxed cupcakes.  I happened to have some funfetti mix, which is always a good choice, but you can make whatever you like.  Even if it is labor intensive or complex.

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Once you’ve got the cupcakes baking, time to make some frosting.  If you are me, this is your first time ever making your own frosting. (Yay!)  I used the recipe from the original Living Locurto post.  You could certainly make your own favorite recipe, but I would recommend a thick frosting that can hold up to having melted chocolate poured on it. .

Ingredients for Frosting:

• 2 sticks softened butter
• 2 teaspoons vanilla
• 2 tablespoons milk
• 4 cups powdered sugar
• a few drops of ivory gel food color (optional)

Thoroughly combine the butter, milk, and vanilla.    I don’t have a fancy mixer, so I did this with a hand mixer.  Continue mixing while adding the powdered sugar a little bit at a time.  To give the mixture more of an off-white color, add a touch of ivory coloring gel.  Increase the mixer speed to medium and mix for about 2 minutes to really get it fluffy.  Let it cool in the fridge for about an hour.

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Once the frosting has set in the fridge for a while, it’s time to assemble!  Here’s the additional things you will need:

• Small Ice Cream Cups w/wooden spoon
• Chocolate Candy Melts
• Sprinkles
• Red Gumballs
• Free Printable Tags from Living Locurto, or create your own (optional)
• Clear Cellophane and ribbon (optional)

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My ice cream cups were just big enough to get a cupcake in, so I decided to pull the wrappers off so it can be eaten right out of the cup.  Place your cupcake inside the ice cream cup (I found mine at Michael’s, but they are also available at Sur La Table) Use a spoon or ice cream scoop to pile some frosting on top of the cupcake.  You will want it to look a little messy so it looks like ice cream.

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Then melt some of the chocolate candy melt in a measuring cup in the microwave.  Pour a bit of melted chocolate onto the top of the frosting.  I tapped the cup on the counter a few times to smooth out the chocolate, and let it run down the sides a bit.  You really do not want to use regular chocolate here, because it will not harden like candy melt will.

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Before the candy melt hardens, top with the red gumball, add sprinkles, and stick the wooden spoon in.  Set aside, or in the fridge, to harden.  And TADA!!!

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So cute!!  Now to make it a perfect teacher’s gift… Cut out some of the printables.  I used the round “Thank You Teacher” tags for the front, and the square “You’re So Sweet” tags for the back.  A little double stick tape, and it’s all decorated.

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Then I put each one in an extra small cellophane bag (and still cut a little off the top).  Tie it off with some bright ribbon, and you’re done!

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And with all the leftovers, you can make super cute cupcakes without the cup.

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I was glad to be able to make something fun and delicious for Skylar’s teachers.  They have done a great job of taking care of her, and making her the smarty-pants she is.  I hope you were all able to do something nice for a teacher you know.

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To all my teacher friends out there…I hope you had a wonderful Teacher Appreciation Week.  One week is not long enough to show gratitute for the amazing and difficult job you do.

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Have a great weekend!!

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Lizz

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