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1
Tint buttercream desired color with gel-paste food color.
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2
For the bright green used on some of the cupcakes (opposite), use a mixture of leaf-green and lemon-yellow.
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3
Use forest-green for others.
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4
For a few of the creatures on page 231, mix in a small amount of black food color to make a gray color; leave some buttercream untinted for white.
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5
Make the candy features as shown on page 230.
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6
Using an offset spatula, spread cupcakes with plain or tinted buttercreams, as desired.
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7
To create the split and filled aliens (opposite), use a serrated knife (and a gentle sawing motion) to slice off the top of the cupcake (reserve top), then spread buttercream generously over bottom part and replace tops (leave unfrosted).
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8
To finish, attach candy features to frosted (or filled) cupcakes.
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9
Cupcakes are best eaten the day they are decorated; keep at room temperature until ready to serve.
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10
Use marshmallows (sliced rounds or minis) for whites, or cast an eerie glow with colored jelly beans and gumdrops.
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11
Make pupils with painted dots of melted chocolate, by pressing candy-coated chocolates to the sticky sides of marshmallows, or with licorice lace pieces.
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12
For antennae eyes, push mini chocolate chips, tips down, into mini marshmallows, then make holes underneath (with a toothpick) and insert a licorice lace into each.
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13
Half-moon shapes cut from sour belt candies make droopy eyelids.
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14
Cut mini marshmallows into pieces to resemble fangs.
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15
Bend licorice laces or gummy rings into mouths; use mini marshmallows or white jelly beans (whole or cut) for teeth.
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16
Cut taffy tape into tongues, fangs, or tentacles.
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17
Halve red gumdrops and turn on their sides for lips.
