Graduation Cap Cupcakes

I probably should have gotten this out last week but I was in Disneyland!

Some of you still have graduation parties to celebrate and might need a really cute idea for the dessert.

I made these cuties a few weeks ago for my daughters boyfriend who graduated this year from high school.

These are super simple to make and just take a little planning to get them ready.

I actually made them just a few hours before the party.

Here's what you need:

cupcakes, baked and cooled, as many as you need for your party
frosting, I use my No Fail Buttercream recipe for all my cupcakes, 1 recipe will frost 24-48 cupcakes depending on how thick you frost the cupcakes
1 Tbs. cocoa powder
mini Reese's peanut butter cups, the original small ones not the new miniature size, the same number as cupcakes
Ghirardelli chocolate squares, the same number as the cupcakes
Reese's pieces or M&M's, brown only, the same number as the cupcakes
1-2 fruit roll ups, cut into 1-1/2 - 2 inch long pieces and 1/8 - 1/4 inch wide, as many as cupcakes


Bake and cool all the cupcakes you need.  I used my funfetti cupcake recipe (I'll link it as soon as I post it).

Make a batch of No Fail Buttercream frosting and put 1/2 cup in a separate bowl.  In the bowl with 1/2 cup frosting add 1 Tbs. cocoa powder and mix well.  You will use this to adhere the chocolate candy together.

Make the graduation caps first.  Unwrap all the chocolates and set them in piles.  Cut the strips of fruit roll ups for the tassels.

Place a small dab of frosting (chocolate) on the top of the Reese's peanut butter cup then place the chocolate square on top with the writing side facing down.

 

Next, place a teeny dab of frosting in the center of the chocolate square then press the fruit roll up tassel into the frosting a little bit.  Place a brown Reese's pieces or M&M on top of the fruit roll up and press down lightly to adhere.

 

Frost the cupcakes either with a mound of frosting or like I did and spread it out in an even layer over the entire cupcake.

 

I used a piping bag but if you are spreading it evenly over the cupcakes you could just use an offset spatula.

Press the graduation cap into the frosting until it feels secure.   Let set for a couple of hours to firm up before serving.

Tada!  You're all done and they are amazing!

Happy Graduation to all the Pre-schoolers, Kindergarteners, Elementary School, Middle School, High School, College, and Beyond!  You are amazing!

Enjoy!