Basket and Bows Cupcakes

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==Description==
Chocolate Cupcakes that look like baskets with bows.
* Makes: 14 jumbo cupcakes.
* Contributed by Catsrecipes Y-Group
==Ingredients==
=== Cupcakes ===
* 4 cups flour
* 2 tsp baking powder
* 1 tsp salt
* ¾ tsp baking soda
* 1¼ cups unsalted butter, softened
* 2 cups sugar
* 4 eggs
* 2 tsp vanilla
* 1¾ cups buttermilk
=== White frosting ===
* 1 pound confectioner's sugar
* ½ cup unsalted butter, softened
* ⅓ cup milk
* ¼ tsp almond extract
=== Chocolate Royal icing ===
* 1 pound confectioner's sugar
* ⅓ cup cocoa powder
* 7 tbs warm water
* 3 tbs powdered egg whites
=== Bows ===
* 7 oz tube marzipan
* assorted food coloring
==Directions==
=== Cupcakes ===
# Heat oven to 350 °F.
# Grease jumbo muffin pans with nonstick spray.
# Whisk flour, baking powder, salt and soda in a bowl to blend.
# Beat butter and sugar in a bowl until fluffy.
# Beat in eggs. Stir in vanilla.
# Beat in flour mixture alternating with buttermilk.
# Spoon batter into muffin cups.
# Bake for 24 minutes or until done.
# Cool in pan then remove cupcakes.
=== White frosting ===
# Beat butter, sugar, milk and extract in bowl until smooth. Cover.
=== Chocolate royal icing ===
# In a bowl, combine sugar, cocoa, water and egg whites.
# Beat until combined then beat until icing is shiny and thick.
# Cover icing with plastic wrap.
=== To decorate ===
# Ice the side of a cupcake with Royal Icing.
# Using tines of a fork, draw lines through the icing to resemble a basket.
# Set on wax paper to dry.
# Repeat with remaining cakes.
# Spread tops of cupcakes with 3 tbs white frosting.
=== Bows ===
# Unwrap marzipan.
# Divide in quarters.
# Tint a quarter with a single drop of food coloring.
# Knead until coloring is evenly distributed.
# Roll out to ⅛ inch thickness.
# Cut ¾ inch wide strips to form ribbon.
# Trim ends to resemble ribbon points.
# Cut another strip of marzipan 6 inches by ¾ inch, fold the ends to the center to make a bow.
# Wrap another thin strip around the center of the bow and press on the bottom to seal.
# Repeat with remaining marzipan and food coloring.
# Transfer ribbons to cupcakes, center bows on top of ribbons.
# Serve immediately.
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Category:Cupcake Recipes
Category:Recipes that need photos
Category:Cathy's Recipes
Category:Chocolate Recipes
Category:Valentine's Day Desserts
Category:Easter Desserts
Category:Almond paste Recipes