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Teddy Bear Beach Cupcakes

Fun and whimsical vanilla cupcakes decorated to look like a tiny beach, featuring graham cracker sand, candy towels, and relaxing teddy bears.
Prep Time 25 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 45 minutes
Servings: 12 cupcakes
Course: Dessert, Snack
Cuisine: American, Summer
Calories: 340

Ingredients
  

Cupcake Base
  • 1.5 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1.5 tsp baking powder
  • 0.25 tsp salt
  • 0.5 cup unsalted butter softened
  • 1 cup granulated sugar
  • 2 eggs large, room temperature
  • 2 tsp vanilla extract
  • 0.5 cup whole milk
Buttercream Frosting
  • 0.5 cup unsalted butter softened
  • 2 cups powdered sugar sifted
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract
  • 1-2 tbsp heavy cream or milk
  • 1 pinch salt
Decorations
  • 1 sleeve graham crackers crushed into fine crumbs
  • 12 Teddy Grahams honey or cinnamon flavor
  • 3 strips rainbow sour belts cut into 12 small towel rectangles
  • 12 red gummy rings like Life Savers
  • 12 paper cocktail umbrellas
  • 12 blue cupcake liners

Equipment

  • Muffin tin
  • Mixing bowls
  • Hand mixer or stand mixer
  • Food processor or rolling pin

Method
 

  1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a muffin tin with blue paper cupcake liners.
  2. In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt.
  3. In a large bowl, cream the softened butter and granulated sugar together until pale and fluffy (about 3 minutes).
  4. Beat in the eggs one at a time, followed by the vanilla extract.
  5. Gradually alternate adding the dry flour mixture and the milk to the batter, mixing until just combined. Do not overmix.
  6. Fill cupcake liners 2/3 full. Bake for 18-22 minutes until a toothpick inserted comes out clean. Cool completely on a wire rack.
  7. Pulse graham crackers in a food processor until they resemble fine beach sand. Place in a shallow bowl.
  8. To make frosting, beat softened butter until smooth. Gradually add powdered sugar, vanilla, salt, and cream. Whip until fluffy.
  9. Spread an even layer of buttercream over each cooled cupcake, then immediately dip the top into the graham cracker crumbs to coat completely.
  10. Decorate by placing a gummy rainbow towel on the sand, resting a Teddy Graham on it, placing a red gummy ring nearby, and inserting a paper umbrella into the cupcake.

Notes

Make sure cupcakes are completely cool before frosting, otherwise the buttercream will melt and your sand will slide off.