Grad Cap Cupcakes

I made these ADORABLE graduation cap cupcakes to celebrate my sister Jess finishing her Master's degree! 

(and I'm a tad proud of myself because I'm usually not so great at getting the step by step pics!)

It was a busy busy week and there just wasn't "made from scratch" kind of baking time in my schedule, so I started out with an easy breezy (and DELICIOUS) Lemon cupcake recipe. 

(the pudding added so much moisture- I  love that in a cake!)

INGREDIENTS

1	package (2-layer size) white cake mix
1	(3.4 ounce) package JELL-O Lemon Flavor Instant Pudding
1	cup water
4	egg whites
2	tablespoons vegetable oil
1	(16 ounce) package powdered sugar
1	(8 ounce) package PHILADELPHIA Cream Cheese, softened
1/4	cup butter
2	tablespoons lemon juice

INSTRUCTIONS

1. Heat oven to 350 degrees F. Beat cake mix, pudding mix, water, egg whites and oil in large bowl with mixer on low speed until moistened. (Batter will be thick.) Beat on medium speed 2 min. Spoon batter evenly into 24 paper-lined 2-1/2-inch muffin cups.
2. Bake 21 to 24 min. or until toothpick inserted in centers comes out clean. Cool in pans 10 min.; remove to wire racks. Cool completely.
3. Meanwhile, beat sugar, cream cheese, butter and juice with mixer on low speed until well blended. Frost cupcakes.

the freshly baked cupcakes

Topped with Lemon Cream Cheese Frosting

 the decorating supplies

Start by topping with upside down peanut butter cup

 Dot of frosting on top for "grip"

 Top with upside down dark chocolate square 

(and another dot of frosting)

 Mini M&M, upside down

 Again, no time for fancy stuff so I wasn't getting into food coloring and piping- this edible writing gel served my purpose just fine!

 Ta-da!

These little guys were a perfect little decorative touch to the graduation party, not to mention YUMMY!

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