• 1/2 cup butter, softened
• 3/4 cup sugar
• 2 eggs
• 2 tsp. vanilla extract
• 1-1/2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1/2 tsp. baking powder
• 1/4 tsp. salt
• 2/3 cup milk

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees and line your cupcake tin with paper or foil liners. Cream the butter and sugar together. Add the eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition. Stir in the vanilla extract. Sift together the dry ingredients and add to the butter mixture one third at a time, alternating with the milk. Pour into the prepared cupcake pan and bake for 18 to 24 minutes, or until an inserted toothpick comes out clean. Makes 12 cupcakes.

• 3 cups powdered sugar
• 1/3 cup butter or margarine
• 1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract
• About 2 tablespoons milk

1. With an electric mixer at low speed, mix the powdered sugar and butter together. Once combined, add vanilla and milk. Increase speed of mixer to medium and beat for 1 to 2 minutes or until smooth and of spreading consistency.
2. To frost a cake, first brush away any loose crumbs from cooled cake. If frosting layers, place the bottom layer rounded side down on a plate. Spread about 1/3 cup of frosting to with 1/2-inch of cake’s edge. Place the top layer rounded side up. Coat the side of the cake first with a thin layer of frosting to seal in the crumbs, then frost the side making a rim about 1/4-inch high around the top. Finally, spread remaining frosting on top, just to the frosting-made rim.

Supplies Needed

• paper cups
• food coloring
• plastic spoons

The idea here is to let the kids decorate their own cupcakes. Give each a cup with a little bit of icing, and a spoon and help them add a few drops of color. Allow them to stir the color in and then ice their own cupcake. This is a great activity and by adding sprinkles and other small items like gummy bears, dried fruit (I like strawberries) and mini M&M’s.. The possibilities are truly endless.

This is a SIMPLE activity to put together and with some supervision it doesn’t have to be to messy. During the party this activity can take between 10 - 20 min depending on how many addon decor you have available.