PRESIDENT SNOW’S SNOWY ROSE CUPCAKES

MAKES 1 DOZEN

Katniss will always remember President Snow as reeking of (likely genetically engineered) roses. These cupcakes represent him well.

They take a little bit of time to make, but these cupcakes are very showy and will be a big hit for both their flavor and their symbolism.

CUPCAKES:

1 CUP WHITE SUGAR

½ CUP BUTTER, ROOM TEMPERATURE

2 EGGS

2 TEASPOONS VANILLA EXTRACT

1½ CUPS ALL-PURPOSE FLOUR

1¾ TEASPOONS BAKING POWDER

½ CUP MILK

FROSTING:

4 CUPS CONFECTIONER’S SUGAR

1 CUP SHORTENING

2 TABLESPOONS WATER

1 TEASPOON GOOD VANILLA EXTRACT

2 CUPS MOIST COCONUT FLAKES

12 FRESH WHITE ROSES (NOT TREATED WITH ANY CHEMICALS OR PESTICIDES) STANDING IN ICE WATER

CUPCAKES:

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Line one or two muffin pans with paper liners, enough for 12 cupcakes.

In a medium bowl, beat the sugar and butter with an electric mixer until fluffy and light.

Beat in the eggs, one at a time, and then stir in the vanilla.

Combine flour and baking powder, add to the creamed mixture and mix well on low speed.

Gently stir in the milk until the batter is smooth. Use an ice cream scoop or ladle to portion the batter into the muffin tins.

Bake for 20–25 minutes on the middle rack of the oven. Remove cupcakes from pan and allow them to cool on a rack.

FROSTING:

Mix together the sugar, shortening, water and vanilla and blend well with an electric mixer.

Add in all of the coconut and mix until well blended. It will be very coconut-y and lumpy.

Use a spatula to spread the frosting on each cupcake, mounding it up nice and big.

Just before serving, remove the roses from the water and snip the buds right at the very top of the stems. Place 1 rose firmly atop each cupcake.