Happy Birthday On A Budget Mini Cupcakes

Here is an easy, yummy and special way to celebrate a birthday for someone you care about.

 

Assemble The Following:

 

cake mix (grocery store)

candy cake decorations (grocery store)

sprinkles (grocery, Michaels, Hobby Lobby)

icing tip #1M (Michaels, Hobby Lobby)

disposable 8" x12" cake pan with cover (Walmart $.97)

mini cupcake pan (grocery, Michaels, Hobby Lobby)

mini cupcake papers (grocery, Michaels, Hobby Lobby)

empty Pringles can (for holding icing bag while loading icing)

2 disposable icing bags (Michaels, Hobby Lobby)

 

 

Use first disposable icing bag to add cake mix to mini muffin cups without spills or mess.  Make 40 muffins.

 

 

Bake cupcakes at 350 degrees for 10 minutes.  When they are still warm, squeeze muffins into the disposable cake pan.  Ensure that at least one row has 8 cupcakes across so that you have enough individual muffins to add the letters "birthday." 

Wait for cupcakes to cool completely in pan.  Apply icing.

 

Basic Cream Cheese Icing Recipe:

 

16 oz. cream cheese, softened (two packages)

2 tbs. milk or cream

2 tsp. vanilla

8 cups powdered sugar (one package)

 

Slip 1M tip into second icing bag, load icing into bag using Pringles can and begin to decorate leaving cupcakes in pan. 

Keep bag perpendicular to pan and squeeze gently until star shape emerges. You can go back later and apply another star on top of the first one for a fuller look. 
 

(It's always a good idea to practice on a plate or an extra cupcake before applying icing to final cupcake.  You may need to add more powdered sugar to thicken or a drip or two of water or milk to thin icing.  Should be as firm as possible and still go through the tip.)
 

 

Add sprinkles and candy decorations.

 

 

 Add plastic lid for easy transportation.  When ready to serve, add candles.

 

 

 

Voila! Now you have a delicious, beautiful, hand-crafted and unique Happy Birthday on a Budget celebration cake for a special person in your life.