Turtle Cupcakes

1 box yellow cake mix
Water, oil and eggs called for on cake mix box
1 container (1 lb) vanilla frosting
Green food color
1 container (1 lb) chocolate frosting
1 can (6.4 oz) Easy Flow green decorating icing
4 candy-coated chocolate candies
1 piece red string licorice
1 piece green peelable string licorice
1 can (6.4 oz) Easy Flow black decorating icing

Heat oven to 375 degrees. Place paper baking cup in each of 24 regular-size muffin cups. In large bowl, beat cake mix, water, oil and eggs with electric mixer on low speed 30 seconds. Beat on medium speed 2 minutes, scraping bowl occasionally. Divide batter evenly among muffin cups. Bake 17 to 20 minutes or until toothpick inserted in center comes out clean. Cool 10 minutes; remove from pan to cooling rack. Cool completely, about 30 minutes. Tint vanilla frosting with green food color. Reserve 1/2 cup green frosting and 1/2 cup chocolate frosting.

On each of 2 large serving trays, arrange 12 cupcakes as shown in diagram. Frost shell of one turtle with remaining chocolate frosting. Frost head and feet with reserved 1/2 cup green frosting. (Push cupcakes together slightly to frost entire turtle, not just individual cupcakes.) Pipe canned green icing on chocolate shell to create turtle design. Add 2 candies for eyes, a piece of red string licorice for mouth and a piece of green peelable string licorice for tail.

Frost remaining cupcakes using remaining green frosting for the shell and reserved chocolate frosting for head and feet. Pipe canned black icing on green shell to create turtle design. Add 2 candies for eyes, a piece of red string licorice for mouth and a piece of green peelable string licorice for tail. Store loosely covered at room temperature. Makes 24 cupcakes (2 turtles)

Turtle Diagram