Cheeseburger Cupcakes

This recipe has made its way around the cooking blog world and I am late getting on the train. But these were too damn cute to keep to myself. So bear with me as I show off. Please visit Bakerella's Blog. She has an excellent tutorial, which is paraphrased below, along with cake pops, which I am dying to make.

1 package brownie mix
1 package yellow cake mix
1 container white frosting

Prepare the cake mix, according the directions for cupcakes. One box should make around 24 cupcakes. Be sure to spray the cupcake tray before baking and watch them carefully so they don’t get too brown on the sides. Cool completely and remove from the tray.

Prepare the brownie mix, per the directions. Bake in a 9x13 dish and cool completely.

Time to assemble! Cut each cupcake in half to make two bun circles. Using a small circle cookie cutter, cut out 24 hamburger patties from the tray of brownies and place in between the cupcake bun.

IMPORTANT: Dispose of the scraps appropriately. May I suggest with a tall glass of milk?

For the frosting, divide the container into 3rds in three separate bowls. Use red food coloring for the ketchup (a little purple helps darken it a bit), yellow for the mustard and green for the lettuce. You can also substitute green-dyed coconut for the lettuce.

Place each color in a ziploc bag and snip a small tip off one corner.

Gently squeeze out the mustard and ketchup first. Then the lettuce in more of a squiggly design. Place the top of the bun on and press gently.

Optional: Brush a very thin layer of water over the top of the bun or either dab a few drops of water on with your finger. Sprinkle sesame seeds on top and they’ll stick.