Friendly Flyers & Cupcakes for Spring

Here's a fun idea if you are planning on making cupcakes. They are from a website called Bright Ideas.com. I posted the original picture from the website because it is so cute and it was a little hard to see from the picture I took. (Unfortunately black string licorice is nowhere to be found so my little flyers have red antennaes). I also did a simple little flower with regular m and m's and some others just for fun.

Friendly Flyers

2 bags M&M’S® Peanut Chocolate Candies (May substitute with 2 bags M&M’S® Brand Dark Peanut Chocolate Candies or 2 bags M&M’S® Brand Almond Chocolate Candies)
1 18.25-oz. box yellow cake mix
1 16-oz. can vanilla frosting
Green and yellow food coloring
Black licorice laces
3 12-cup mini cupcake pans
36 mini paper cupcake liners
Resealable plastic bag
Spatula

1. Preheat oven to 350°F. Line 3 (12 cup) mini cupcake pans with paper liners.
2. Prepare cake mix according to package directions.
3. Divide batter evenly between prepared cupcake pans. Bake approximately 15 to 18 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in center comes out clean. Remove from oven, transfer to wire rack and let cool completely.
4. Meanwhile, spoon 1/4 cup white frosting into resealable bag. Tint remaining frosting green and use to cover cupcakes.
5. Use photograph as decorating guide for cupcakes. Arrange four M&M’S® Peanut Chocolate Candies for Easter, as photo shows. Pipe white frosting body in center and use licorice for antennae.

*The recipe said it made 36 but I got 48 minis and 10 regular sized.*