cupcake
cupcake

If you are looking for a super cute cupcake idea then look no further than these ADORABLE Panda Cupcakes! They are just too cute! They are easy to make using the easy recipe and tutorial below and the kids will be delighted!

Speaking of cute cupcakes ideas, did you see the fun Ninja Cupcake we wrote about the other day? It is another kid favorite!

Makes 24 cupcakes
Prep time 20 minutes
Bake time 22 minutes
Decorating time 10 minutes

Chocolate Cupcakes Ingredients

1 box chocolate cake mix
Ingredients as listed on the back of the cake mix box
Muffin pan
cupcake liners

Directions

Preheat oven as per directions on the box,

Put the liners in the muffin pan. Set aside.

Following the directions add ingredients.

Mix all ingredients as instructed.

Fill cupcake liners 2/3 full.

Put in the oven and bake for 22 minutes.

Check for doneness. (Insert a toothpick into the center of a cupcake, it should come out clean.)

If they are not done, check again every three minutes until they are done.

Remove from oven and allow to cool. Transfer to a cooling rack and allow to cool completely before frosting.

Vanilla Frosting Ingredients

3 C unsalted sweet cream butter, softened
6 C powdered sugar
5-7 tbsp. heavy whipping cream
2 tsp. vanilla extract
1 large ice cream scooper
1 mini angled spatula
1 disposable piping bag

Directions

Using a standing mixer combine the butter, powdered sugar, heavy whipping cream, vanilla, and mix on medium speed until combined and smooth

Set aside 1/2 C of frosting in the piping bag

Chocolate Ganache Ingredients

1 C semi sweet chocolate chips
1/3 C Heavy Whipping cream
1 Small pot
1 Squeeze bottle

Chocolate Ganache Directions

Using a small pot, pour the heavy whipping cream into it and place on medium heat

Pour the chocolate chips into a medium heat safe bowl

Once the heavy whipping cream starts to simmer, remove from heat and pour onto the chocolate chips

Allow to sit for 1 minute before whisking until smooth

Pour the chocolate ganache into the squeeze bottle

Decoration ingredients

1 8oz bag of Ghirardelli melting chocolates

Decorating Directions

Using the large ice cream scooper, scoop out some vanilla frosting and place it on top of the cupcake

Use the angled spatula and smooth out the frosting to where it is a flat dome on top

Using the ganache pipe two large ovals for the eyes

Cut the tip off the piping bag with the vanilla icing and pipe the pupil in the middle of the eyes

Take the ganache again and pipe a dot in the middle of the white to complete the eyes

Using the ganache again, pipe the detail of the nose and mouth

Place two of the chocolate melts into the upper sides of the frosting for ears.

Enjoy!