Cheery marzipan ladybugs nestled in a piped buttercream lawn make adorable cupcakes. Once you get the hang of piping the frosting into blades of grass, the work moves very quickly; meanwhile, you can enlist children to help form the bugs.

　　

Ingredients

makes 24

　　24 Yellow Buttermilk Cupcakes (page 26)

　　Swiss Meringue Buttercream (page 304)

　　Green, red, and black gel-paste food colors

　　7 ounces marzipan

　　Cornstarch, for work surface

　　

Step 1

Tint buttercream green with gel-paste food color. Transfer to a pastry bag fitted with a small multi-opening tip (#233). Starting at the center and moving outward, pipe rows of grass on top of cupcakes: With tip on surface of cupcake, squeeze bag, then release while quickly pulling up to form 1/4-inch-long blades, making some slightly longer than others.

　　

Step 2

Form ladybugs: Divide marzipan in half. Working on a surface lightly dusted with cornstarch, tint one portion red and the other black with gel-paste food colors. Form a 1/2-inch ball of red marzipan for each ladybug body, and a 1/4-inch ball of black marzipan for each head. Flatten the red ball slightly into an oval shape, and press the head onto the body. Pinch off black marzipan to make tiny balls for the spots, and press onto the body. Repeat to make additional ladybugs with remaining marzipan. Place one or two ladybugs on top of each frosted cupcake, gently pressing them into the buttercream grass. Refrigerate 30 minutes to allow frosting to set. Cupcakes are best served the same day they are decorated; keep at room temperature.

　　Martha Stewart's Cupcakes