During the first few weeks of quarantine, I got really into decorating pop culture-inspired cupcakes. To the point that some of my friends probably contemplated staging an intervention, but it was my small attempt at bringing a little joy to people’s feeds—while also entertaining myself in my downtime.

That’s why you’re suddenly seeing so many posts featuring Peppa Pig, Elmo and Cookie Monster treats. And now, Winnie the Pooh. I made the cupcake just after Easter, when I had bags of Hershey’s Eggs lying around—which formed the bear’s snout—but you could easily use peanut M&M’s, dying your frosting a bolder shade of yellow instead of the pastel I used.

Whatever you do, if you make one of these treats, tag @lifebetweenweekends, @candacebd (or @betweenweekends on Twitter), so we can see them too. Those little moments of connection go a long way in these isolating days.

Print Recipe

Winnie The Pooh-Inspired Cupcakes

So easy, kids of all ages can get in on the fun! (But first, a disclaimer: I have no affiliation with A.A. Milne or Disney; these are just a fan tribute to the classic character.)

Course: Dessert

Keyword: cupcakes, disney, kids, winnie the pooh

Servings: 18 cupcakes

Ingredients

• yellow food coloring
• 1 16-ounce container vanilla frosting
• 18 baked chocolate cupcakes, cooled
• 36 yellow Hershey's Eggs or peanut M&Ms
• 48 brown M&M Minis
• 1/4 cup chocolate frosting (or 1 tube black gel frosting)

Instructions

• Add 5-7 drops of yellow food coloring to the vanilla frosting, stirring until combined. Gradually add 2-3 drops at a time, stirring until mixed, until the frosting matches the color of the Hershey's Eggs or Peanut M&M's, depending on which one you're using. (Hershey's Eggs are more of a pastel yellow, so the frosting will need less dye to match.)
• Cover the top of the cupcake with yellow frosting. Place one Hershey's Egg/Peanut M&M lengthwise in the lower third of the cupcake, forming the snout. Cut another one in half, placing each half cut-side down on the top edge of the cupcake, forming the ears.
• Place two brown M&M Minis just above the snout to form the bear's eyes. Dab a tiny dot of yellow frosting on the snout, then stick a brown M&M Mini atop it, creating Pooh's nose.
• Using a toothpick, swipe a little chocolate frosting over the eyes to form eyebrows, and another just below the nose to create Pooh's smile.

Notes

One medium-sized bag of Peanut M&M’s—or full-size bag of Hershey’s Eggs—should have enough yellow treats to complete this project. A medium-sized bag of M&M Mini’s should have enough brown M&M’s.