Gingerbread Man Cupcakes

One of the best things about the holidays is creating treats in the kitchen. There are so many magazines and displays showing just the most imaginative confections that it gets my creativity flowing. I still like to keep things simple, so using easy ingredients is a must for most things that I bake. These Gingerbread Man Cupcakes are made from a packaged cake mix and frosting.

Recently I found a package of gingerbread flavored marshmallows on the shelf at Walmart. They were even shaped like Gingerbread Men.

Just a little frosting to make faces and buttons gives these gingerbread marshmallow some personality. I did not worry too much about being perfect with it because the marshmallows have a rustic texture that I liked.

To make these jolly little cupcakes, you will need just a few ingredients.

Ingredients:

1 box yellow cake mix, prepared into batter

1 TBSP Pumpkin Pie Spice

1 tub cream cheese ready-to-spread frosting

1 bag gingerbread man marshmallows

Crushed peppermint sticks to decorate (optional)

12 toothpicks

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees or to package directions for cupcakes.  Grease a muffin tin or line with cupcake cups.

Make cake batter according to package directions. After done mixing, add 1 TBSP pumpkin pie spice to the batter and mix again until spice is completely blended.

Fill each muffin cup about 1/4 full. Then, into each cup, add 1 gingerbread man marshmallow. Continue filling each muffin cup to 2/3 full.

Bake according to package directions, or until golden brown and cake springs back from the touch. Cool completely on wire rack.

While the cupcakes are cooling, decorate the remaining marshmallows with frosting faces and buttons. Place a small amount of cream cheese frosting into a sandwich bag, pressing the frosting down into one corner. Cut a small hole in the corner of the sandwich bag. Squeeze small amounts of frosting onto marshmallow to decorate. (you can also use a pastry bag and fitting). Skewer each marshmallow man onto a toothpick.

When completely cool, frost the cupcakes. I used a round tip and pastry bag to pipe on the cream cheese frosting.

Decorate each cupcake by placing a Gingerbread Man marshmallow skewer into each cupcake. (optional – sprinkle with crushed peppermint sticks)

NOTE: This was the first time that I added a marshmallow to the cupcake batter before baking. The marshmallow did not stand up to the heat, it melted. But it did add a nice flavor to the cupcake. So I will probably do it again. I just wanted you to know!