Barnyard Buddies

1. 1

   Baking time: 30 min.

2. 2

   Decoration time: 84 min.

3. 3

   Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Line the cupcake pan with the paper cupcake liners.

4. 4

   Prepare the cake mix according to the package instructions. Divide the batter into the prepared pan and bake for 25-30 minutes. Remove from the oven, transfer to a wire rack, and let cool completely.

5. 5

   Fit one resealable plastic bag with the star tip. Divide the frosting into 5 cups. Tint four of the cups: 1 green, 1 red, 1 yellow, and 1 pink. Spoon the green frosting into the bag fitted with the star tip. Spoon the remaining colors into the other resealable plastic bags. Snip a corner from each bag. Pipe frosting on all the cupcakes. Spread smooth.

6. 6

   Sandwich 2 unwrapped SNICKERS(R) Brand Eggs together using a dab of vanilla frosting, creating one complete egg. Make one complete egg for each cupcake, and place them on top of the cupcake. Then, using the photograph as guide, decorate the animals!

7. 7

   For the bunny: Dot the entire egg with pink frosting. Cut a marshmallow in half, and flatten it slightly. Sprinkle pink decorator's sugar on the sticky areas of the marshmallow pieces. Arrange them on top of the egg. Add two blue M&M'S(R) Brand Milk Chocolate Candies for eyes, one red M&M'S(R) Brand Milk Chocolate Candy for a nose, and two pink M&M'S(R) Brand Milk Chocolate Candies for feet.

8. 8

   For the piggy: Dot the entire egg with dark pink frosting. Arrange two M&M'S(R) Brand Milk Chocolate Candies for eyes, two pink M&M'S(R) Brand Milk Chocolate Candies for ears, one pink M&M'S(R) Brand Milk Chocolate Candy for a snout, one pink M&M'S(R) Brand Milk Chocolate Candy for a tail, and four pink M&M'S(R) Brand Milk Chocolate Candies for feet.

9. 9

   For the little chick: Dot the entire egg with yellow frosting. Arrange three red M&M'S(R) Brand Milk Chocolate Candies for a crown, two dark M&M'S(R) Brand Milk Chocolate Candies for eyes, one orange M&M'S(R) Brand Milk Chocolate Candy for a beak, and four orange M&M'S(R) Brand Milk Chocolate Candies for the feet.

10. 10

    For the lamb: Dot the entire lamb with white frosting. Arrange one DOVE(R) Brand Smooth Milk Chocolate Egg for the face; then place two M&M'S(R) MINIS(R) Milk Chocolate Candies for eyes, four M&M'S(R) Brand Milk Chocolate Candies for feet, and two mini marshmallows for ears.

11. 11

    Quick Tip: Spread the tinted frosting over the eggs with a small palate knife instead of making the dots, then continue to decorate each one as described above.

12. 12

    Decoration idea: Use these buddies as Easter place-cards. Write the name of each guest on a small card and then lean it against the base of the cupcake.

* Per serving · 4 servings · Values may vary.