Devoted to Dad- The Golfer

Father's Day Tee-Time Cupcakes

courtesy of Martha Stewart Cupcakes

Present Dad with a bunch of golf-themed cupcakes, complete with putting greens and sand traps, on his special day. The mini greens are adorned with colored sanding sugar, a candy golf ball, and a ribbon flag; graham-cracker crumbs stand in for sand.

Ingredients:

Makes 24

• Yellow Buttermilk Cupcakes, or One-Bowl Chocolate Cupcakes
• Swiss Meringue Buttercream for Cupcakes
• 1 to 2 cups green sanding sugar
• 18 round white candies, such as candy-coated mint balls
• 1/2 cup graham cracker crumbs (3 to 4 sheets finely ground in a food processor)

Directions:

1. Using an offset spatula, spread each cupcake with a smooth layer of buttercream. Pour green sanding sugar into a small bowl. Dip tops of frosted cupcakes in the sugar, then sprinkle more on top to coat completely.
2. To create putting greens, make flags (you will need 18): Cut out lengths (3 to 4 inches) from white grosgrain ribbon. Fold each length around one end of a wooden skewer, and adhere folded sides together with hot glue or double-sided tape. Cut ribbon into a triangle shape, and plant the skewer into a cupcake. Place a small white candy "ball" near the flag.
3. To create sand traps, spoon about 1 teaspoon graham-cracker crumbs in the center of each of 6 cupcakes. With your thumb, make an indentation in the middle of each pile of crumbs, shifting it to one side to form a steeper side or to form an irregularly shaped trap. Refrigerate 30 minutes to allow frosting to set.