Memorial Day falls on May 25th this year, and most people are preparing for celebrations by stocking up on hot dogs, hamburgers, potato salad and chips. These barbecue musts make you almost set for the perfect backyard get together.

But…don’t forget about dessert. Try making these miniature ‘BBQ grill’ cupcakes to score some major bragging rights.

cupcakes

Photo by Dorothy Ballowe

Easy

Prep Time: 10 min
Cook Time: 15 min
Total Time: 25 min

Servings: 24

Ingredients:
For cupcakes:
1 box Betty Crocker milk chocolate cake mix (*or your favorite cake mix)
3 eggs
1 ¼ cups water
½ cup vegetable oil

cupcakes

Photo by Dorothy Ballowe

For decorations:
1 can vanilla frosting (*or your favorite frosting)
1 box Hot Tamales
1 bag gummy bears
1 Wilton black writing pen or frosting pen
Yellow and red food coloring
Toothpicks

cupcakes

Photo by Dorothy Ballowe

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 350°F and line cupcake pans.

cupcakes

Photo by Dorothy Ballowe

2. Prepare cake mix according to box and evenly distribute into 24 cupcakes.

cupcakes

Photo by Dorothy Ballowe

3. Place in oven for about 12-15 minutes, or according to recipe. While the cupcakes bake, prepare candy decorations. Gummy bears should be cut in half and placed on a toothpick like a shish kabob. Draw black ‘grill marks’ on the Hot Tamales to represent hot dogs.

cupcakes

Photo by Dorothy Ballowe

4. Mix white frosting with yellow and red food coloring to make orange. This will illustrate the flame of the grill. Then frost the cooled cupcakes and draw straight black lines across the top to portray the grill plates. Place ‘shish kabobs’ and ‘hot dogs’ on top.

cupcakes

Photo by Dorothy Ballowe

Now you’re ready to serve up the best barbecue treat, no grill required!

Need more dessert ideas? Check these out: