Recipe: Pumpkin Patch Cupcakes (using cake mix and mini doughnuts)

PUMPKIN PATCH CUPCAKES
"Place a mini donut atop a cupcake to transform it into a dome shape. With a decoration of orange-tinted frosting and gum drop stems you'll have a bumper crop of mini pumpkins."



1 package (2-layer size) white cake mix
1 teaspoon McCormick Pure Vanilla Extract
McCormick Assorted Food Colors & Egg Dye*
1 (16 ounce) container vanilla frosting
24 mini donuts
24 green gum drops

Prepare cake mix as directed on package, adding vanilla. Tint cake batter orange with 1/2 teaspoon yellow food color and 1/4 teaspoon red food color.

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

Tint frosting orange using 1/4 teaspoon yellow food color and 1/8 teaspoon red food color.

Attach a mini donut to cupcake with some frosting. Frost entire donut and top of cupcake. Press ridges into the frosting with a small knife to resemble a pumpkin. Use a gum drop for the stem.

*For easier measurement, 1/4 tsp. Food Color = 20 to 25 drops

VARIATION:

EASY JACK-O-LANTERN CUPCAKES:
Omit mini donuts. Frost cupcakes with orange-tinted frosting. Use candy-coated pieces to decorate the face and green gum drops for the stems.

Makes 24 (1 cupcake) servings
Source: McCormick