Animal Print Cupcakes

Just to let you know, this post was written before I started the paleo diet to help ease my psoriasis. Nowadays I eat a more allergy-friendly diet, but leave these older, non-paleo posts up in case they are useful to readers, as I know not everyone eats the same as I do. Thanks for your understanding.

Now, I'm not really very artistic, but these are actually really easy to make and they're great for a party or just something fun for the kids. All you need is a batch of cooled cupcakes, some ready-to-roll icing, a jar of jam and some cake decorating pens. I got mine online from Cakes, Cookies and Crafts. I think I could make these better next time, with a bit more practice and a steadier hand. Here's how I did it....

First, make a batch of your favourite cupcakes, and leave to cool. These are vanilla.

Using a spoon, spread a little jam over the top of the cupcake to help the icing to stick.

Dust a work surface with a little icing sugar and roll out the ready-to-roll white icing to about 3-4mm thick.

Cut circles out of the icing, just big enough to fit over the top of your cupcakes and carefully place them over the jammy cakes. Rub them with a fingertip once placed, which will help smooth out any tiny cracks in the icing.

Carefully start to draw your design on top of the cake with a cake decorating pen. These are just like a felt tip, only they have food colouring inside - be careful not to drag the icing - use light, stubby little strokes. It also helps to have a pattern to copy if, like me, you're not very artistic. Check out Google. These are the beginnings of leopard print cakes...