Under the Sea Cupcakes

[dropcap]O[/dropcap]nce upon a time, Friend R. and I were pregnant at the same time. My baby was due on Christmas day, and hers was due about a month later. Because my baby came late, and hers a bit early, our seven-year-old girls are only two weeks apart, which has been so nice. I love that they are growing up together.

This past weekend, we celebrated a seventh birthday, and I was able to help R. with the cupcakes.

I may make nice cakes, but R. has the ability to throw a nice, put-together party, something I don’t do. I make a cake and tell the children they can all play in the backyard. That is my version of a party. But R. always has pretty decorations and activities planned — her life is much more Pinterest-worthy than mine, if you know what I mean.

Anyhow, since I’m sick today {and wallowing in my own misery}, I thought some details concerning the cupcakes were in order.

Here’s the photo:

If you want to completely duplicate this project, I noticed you can even get the blue dot baking cups on Amazon! I think this is my first cake project where literally everything was available online, which is nice because I know that not all of you have access to cake and craft shops.

Because the candy and pearls were ready to go, and R. had basically made the frosting before I arrived, it only took us about an hour to tint the frosting, prep, and decorate them. I love projects like this, that are simple, yet pretty.

Updated to add: If you are trying to muster the gumption to frost cupcakes this way for the first time, I highly suggest this simple photo tutorial from Wilton. Using the 2D tip simply gives it a softer look.