Lollipop Cupcakes

Not really lollipops but the vibrant colors definitely remind me of them :). My aunt recently made these cupcakes and I thought they were so cute and creative! Don't these look so fun for any occasion?! I could see these at a birthday party, baby shower (pastel colors of blues or pinks), Easter celebration (pastel), Fourth of July (red, white, and blue) and a summer barbecue! All you need is a simple vanilla or white recipe!

Here is one of my favorites:

1 cup white sugar

1/2 cup butter

2 eggs

2 teaspoons vanilla extract

1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour

1 3/4 teaspoons baking powder

1/2 cup milk

CREAM together the sugar and butter. BEAT in the eggs, one at a time, then stir in the vanilla. COMBINE flour and baking powder, add to the creamed mixture and mix well. STIR in the milk until batter is smooth.

Now separate the batter into 5 bowls. Add the coloring generously (a different color in each bowl) to make bright and strong colors (use 'no flavor' coloring). Fill each cupcake layer by layer with the colors. This is time consuming but I think it would be worth it!

BAKE 20 to 25 minutes. Make sure it doesn't get too brown on the top to keep the colors bright, but it also needs to spring back when you touch it. Carefully monitor these!

You can top it with a simple buttercream frosting so the colors really stand out:

1 cup butter (no substitutes), softened

8 cups confectioners' sugar

2 teaspoons vanilla extract

1/2 cup milk

In a mixing bowl, cream butter. Beat in sugar and vanilla. Add milk until frosting is the consistancy you want!

Wouldn't these be so cute with different colored M&M's to decorate the top?!

 Pictures by google.com