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Truffle Football Cupcakes

Peanut butter and chocolate never tasted better together than in these luscious truffles! Shape them into balls for a holiday treat tray or make into snappy footballs to top cupcakes for a tailgate party or any gathering to cheer on your favorite team.

—KIM BARKER RICHMOND, TX



PREP: 25 MIN. + STANDING MAKES: 3 DOZEN


ounces white candy coating, coarsely chopped, divided

2/3 cup creamy peanut butter

1/2 cup confectioners’ sugar

teaspoons vanilla extract

2/3 cup crushed granola cereal with oats and honey

ounces semisweet chocolate, chopped

tablespoons shortening

cans (16 ounces each) vanilla frosting, divided

Green paste food coloring

36      cupcakes of your choice

1. In a microwave, melt white candy coating at 70% power for 1 minute; stir. Microwave at additional 10- to 20-second intervals, stirring until smooth. Stir in peanut butter until smooth. Add the confectioners’ sugar, vanilla and cereal. Chill for 2-3 hours or until easy to handle.

2. Shape into 1-in. balls; form each ball into a football shape and set aside. In a microwave, melt the chocolate and shortening; stir until smooth. Dip footballs in chocolate; allow excess to drip off. Place on a wire rack over waxed paper; let stand until set, about 30 minutes.

3. Pipe frosting laces onto footballs. Tint the remaining frosting green. Using a #233 or #234 tip, pipe grass over cupcakes. Just before serving, insert a toothpick into each football. Insert toothpick into cupcake to position the football.