Spring Baby Shower

 So, here's to the first of my events and goings on of Spring and Summer.  This was for a dear friend who is leaving Bethel for their new assignment as...... Parents!  Exciting! 

We had an intimate baby shower for her and these were the little confections I came up with.  Everyone figured out they were "ducks" but had a hard time deciphering the little "lambs" I got puppy and teddy bear most.  But our new Mommy loved them :D

This was the MESSY part!!

How to

• 24 Baked Cupcakes (any flavor) in paper baking cups
• 4 cups White Buttercream (or frosting of choice)
• 2-1/2 cups shredded coconut
• 28 Marshmallows
• 12 Tootsie Rolls
• 48 miniature semisweet chocolate chips
• Yellow, orange and pink food coloring
• 18 wafer cookies

Directions

1. For lamb cupcakes, frost the vanilla or chocolate cupcakes generously with some of the White Frosting and sprinkle with coconut. Place 1 cup of the coconut in a pie plate. Spread 16 of the marshmallows with frosting to coat (MESSY). Roll coated marshmallows in coconut. Place on a waxed paper-lined baking sheet. Place in the freezer for several minutes or until frosting is set. Cut four of the coated marshmallows into three slices each; cut each slice in half for the ears. Set aside.

2. For each lamb cupcake, place one of the whole coconut-coated marshmallows in the center of a frosted cupcake. For ears, attach two marshmallow half-slices on each marshmallow with some of the white frosting. Cut two small pieces from one of the Tootsie Rolls for the hooves. Form a circle with some of the remaining Tootsie Roll to form a muzzle (I think this is where I went wrong with the mistaken identity.....to make the nose - instead of a muzzle - cover a mini chocolate-chip with a dab of pink frosting). Use a knife to score hooves. Attach them to the front of the whole marshmallow with white frosting. Attach two miniature semisweet chocolate pieces for eyes. Pipe pink frosting onto the insides of ears. Attach hooves to the bottom front of marshmallow.

3. For ducky cupcakes, tint the remaining frosting with yellow food coloring. Set aside. In a pie plate toss the remaining coconut with yellow food coloring to combine.

4. Cut each of the wafers in half (I was forced to eat all teh ones that didn't cut exactly in half :D). Spread all of the wafers and the remaining 12 marshmallows with someof the yellow frosting; roll marshmallows and crackers in yellow coconut to coat. Place on a waxed paper-lined baking sheet. Place in the freezer for several minutes or until frosting is set.

5. Frost the yellow cupcakes with the yellow frosting. Sprinkle with some of the tinted coconut. For each duck cupcake, attach a coated marshmallow to the top of cupcake with some of the frosting. Attach two of the remaining miniature semisweet chocolate pieces to each marshmallow for eyes. Create beaks by using a knife to make a slit in each marshmallow and inserting a candy-coated chocolate piece into the slit. Press one cracker half into frosting at back for tail. Insert two cracker halves into frosting on sides for wings. Sprinkle remaining yellow coconut over duckies.

Adapted from Better Home and Gardens Cupcakes