Recipe: Easy Lemon Daisy Cupcakes (using cake mix, marshmallow petals)

EASY LEMON DAISY CUPCAKES
"Brighten up your springtime celebrations with a batch of daisy cupcakes. They're as fun to make as they are to eat."



1 package (2-layer size) white cake mix
1 tablespoon plus 2 teaspoons McCormick Pure Lemon Extract , divided use
1 (8 ounce) package cream cheese, softened
1/4 cup (1/2 stick) butter, softened
2 tablespoons sour cream
1 package (16 ounces) confectioners' sugar
10 drops McCormick Yellow Food Color
18 large marshmallows
Decorating sugar
Jelly beans
Green sprinkles

Prepare cake mix as directed on package, adding 1 tablespoon of the lemon extract. Spoon into 18 paper-lined muffin cups, filling each cup 2/3 full.

Bake as directed for cupcakes. Cool cupcakes on wire rack.

For the Frosting, beat cream cheese, butter, sour cream and remaining 2 teaspoons lemon extract in large bowl until light and fluffy. Gradually beat in confectioners' sugar until smooth. Stir in food color until evenly tinted.

Frost cooled cupcakes.

To decorate cupcakes, cut each marshmallow crosswise into 5 slices. Sprinkle 1 side of each marshmallow slice with decorating sugar. Arrange 5 marshmallow petals on top of each cupcake to resemble a daisy, pressing the marshmallows into the frosting. Place jelly beans in the center of the petals. Garnish with sprinkles.

VARIATION:

FOR FILLED CUPCAKES (after baking):
Spoon about 1 cup of the frosting into resealable plastic bag. Cut a small piece off one of the bottom corners of bag. Make an indentation in the center of each baked and cooled cupcake using the handle of a wooden spoon or a straw, making sure not to break through bottom of cupcake. Pipe about 1 teaspoon frosting into each cupcake. Spread top of cupcakes with remaining frosting. Decorate as directed.

Makes 18 cupcakes
Source: McCormick