Turtle Cupcakes

My youngest Hungry Puppy just turned 4, and I can't believe it.  When she was a baby, I called her my little turtle occasionally, so I made her a turtle birthday cake when she turned 1.  This year, she told me that she had to have a turtle cake.  So, my mission was to find something that would be super cute, yet different than what she had before.  I think we have a success here.  These cupcakes are super easy to put together, and you change the candy or flavors however you'd like.  So get creative!  And Happy Birthday to my Hungry Puppy!

Turtle Cupcakes

12 cupcakes
2 cups frosting
12 green gummy fruit slices
4 green tootsie rolls
12 green apple gummy rings
24 green gumdrops
24 mini chocolate chips


Cut each green fruit slice gummy in half (so you will have 2 fruit slice wedges).  Lay the 2 fruit slices sticky side down and cut in half (you will now have 4 halves).  Cut the non-rounded corner piece diagonally off of each gummy piece to create 4 turtle fins (1 gummy fruit slice will equal 4 turtle fins).  Cut the tootsie rolls into thirds.  Roll each third into small pointed tail shape.  You may have to trim off the fat part of the tail to make the tail proportional to the turtle.  

To assemble the cupcakes, spread the frosting on the cupcakes, reserving about 1/2 cup (for attaching turtle shell and eyes).  In the center of each frosted cupcake, place a gummy apple ring.  Place a green gumdrop in front of the apple ring, and a tootsie roll tail in back of the apple ring.  Place a bit of frosting on a second gumdrop and place on top of the hollow of the apple ring.  Place the gummy fruit slice turtle fins on the cupcake, coming out from the apple ring.  Finish by attaching the mini chocolate chips to the front gum drop for eyes.  Makes 12 cupcakes.

Enjoy!  -Cardamommy