For my sister’s baby shower I decided to go with a baby duck theme. Just a side note, I will have a separate blog post on the actual event with more details and photos.   Today, I would like to share with you how I made these easy but super cute duckling cupcakes for the event.  These would also be perfect for a farmyard themed party and Easter, which will be here in no time.  

Ingredients for ducklings:

  • Yellow Peeps
  • Orange jelly beans
  • Yellow coloured granulated sugar

I separated the Peeps and noticed a sticky side where each Peeps was stuck together in the package. I then applied the sugar to the sides, creating an illusion of a little wing. I took the Jelly beans and cut them in half. I made a small cut with a knife where the beak would be on the Peeps and stuck a Jelly bean there.   

I used the Betty Crocker lemon cake mix for my cupcakes, while those baked in the oven I prepared my icing.  I knew that a cream cheese icing would go very well with my lemon cupcakes, so that’s what I made.

Ingredients for cream cheese icing:

  • 1/2 cup or 1 stick of salted butter softened
  • 8 ounces cream cheese softened
  • 3 to 4 cups icing sugar
  • 2 tsp pure vanilla extract

I used my mixer to beat the butter and cream cheese together then slowly added the powdered sugar and vanilla. This recipe will make approximately 3 cups of icing. Keep in mind the more powdered sugar the sweeter the icing. Once mixed I filled a piping bag and generously covered the cooled cupcakes. Then I added a duckling to each and placed them neatly on trays with lids.  You can serve them that day or store in refrigerator for a day or two.

 

On the day of the event, it was easy to transport the trays. When it was dessert time I simply transferred the cupcakes onto a plastic four tiered stand that my sister had. Once again I was very pleased with the outcome of these cupcakes. Not only did they fit the theme perfectly but I was able to take a popular Easter treat and transform it into a cute duckling.