Owl Birthday Cupcakes

Occasion

Sophia Leach turned one this week!  Her party theme was owls, so I followed a similar strategy to the skeleton and went with a piece-together item instead of individual decorations.  Larger items are definitely easier, and that’s always a plus as I am approaching the end of pregnancy.

Cupcakes: White Almond Wedding Cake

Frosting: Chocolate Buttercream.  Four of the cupcakes had a standard vanilla buttercream: the two green ones and the two white ones for eyes.

Filling: Chocolate Filling

Toppings: Nabisco Chocolate Wafers (thanks to Nate for finding these!), pretzel rods, coconut (dyed pink), 2 gummy rounds, 2 M&Ms, 6 orange Starbursts.

Decoration idea from Hello! Cupcake.

Chocolate Buttercream Frosting

A very rich chocolate frosting.

Ingredients

• 1 cups butter, softened
• 4.5 cups confectioners' sugar
• 1 1/4 cups baking cocoa
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1/2 cup milk or half and half

Cream butter in stand mixer. Gradually beat in confectioners’ sugar, cocoa, and vanilla. Add enough milk for desired consistency. Beat frosting until fluffy; use whisk attachment and cream for a more whipped result.

Chocolate Filling

Ingredients:

• 6 tablespoons granulated sugar

• 3 tablespoons all-purpose flour

• 1/2 teaspoon salt

• 1 cup half & half

• 5 egg yolks

• 2 teaspoons vanilla extract

• 2 square (2 ounces) semi-sweet chocolate, finely chopped

In small saucepan, blend sugar, flour, salt, half & half and egg yolks with wire whip. Stirring constantly, heat over medium heat until mixture is thickened, about 5 minutes. Remove from heat; stir in vanilla and chocolate. Continue stirring until chocolate is melted. Cool quickly. To prevent a skin from forming, brush surface with melted butter. Stir before using.

Fills about 24 cupcakes.

Recipe from Wilton.com.