Make it; Graduation Cupcakes

So today James graduated and I thought I'd make some cupcakes to match! Hope you give these a bash :)
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What you'll need (other than cupcakes and icing) are things to make the graduation hats. You can use what ever you'd like but I have round chocolates, square Lindt chocolate and sour straps. But, for example, you could also use peanut butter cups, after-dinner chocolates and licorice.





So bake yourself up some cupcakes!

I'm using butter-icing so here's a quick run-down of how I make it...

First I grab my whisking head for my Kitchen-Aid and put 200g of softened butter in. Then, I put half a cup of icing sugar in, give it a mix, and continue until I'm satisfied with the look and taste (usually about 2 cups of icing sugar) it should be a really pale yellow and all light and fluffy like this;



This mixture will be enough for 12 cupcakes.

So, once your cupcakes are cool, ice 'em. You might want to do this in a fancy way with a piping bag/syringe but I prefer this look just using a knife to spread the icing. 

Here's where a piping tool comes in handy but is in no way necessary. I've used the smallest tip here.



Now the fun part. Push your round base into the center of the cupcake. Then put a dab of icing on top, then add your square top on top! Almost done!



To make the tassels you can cut (or rip) lengths of your long lolly, with one end looking frayed.

Then add a dab of icing and put your tassel on top!



And there you have your graduation cupcakes!



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Let me know if you make these or have any other graduation themed treats!