Thumbs-up Cupcakes

Just in time for Halloween, a sweet treat with a minor

gross-out factor. It's good to make your dinner guest squirm (at least a little).

Cake mix and white icing

muffin pan w/liners

Cooking spray

Raspberry or strawberry jam

1 stick butter

1/2 teaspoon vanilla

2/3 Cup sweetened condensed milk

8 Cups powdered sugar

Red food coloring

small paintbrush or food safe markers.

While ready made fondant is available in most craft stores and on-line, it's expensive and generally tastes like crap. I went with a no-cook recipe from "JOY OF COOKING". The recipe has been modified to make a firmer fondant that can stand alone.

Mix 1 stick butter, 1/2 t of vanilla extract, and beat well.

Add slowly and beat until light and fluffy 2/3 cup of sweetened condensed milk.

Add 1 cup at a time 7-8 cups powdered sugar. Save some to use when rolling out your body part to keep it from sticking. Add 1 or 2 drops red food coloring. (Green could work too).

When stiff and well blended, pinch off a piece about the size of a walnut.

Roll it into a shape of a finger. With a toothpick or small knife, add some detail like a fingernail and knuckle ridges with a toothpick or small knife. Place uncovered in refrigerator for 24-48 hours to dry out. Once dried, you can add extra detail with an edible marker.

Use your favorite cupcake recipe (scratch or box) and make cupcakes. Frost with any white frosting.

Take the red jam of your choice and beat it well so that it's somewhat runny. Put about a tablespoon of the jam in the center of your cupcake, letting some drip down the side. Insert your now dried finger into the center of the cupcake. Add an edible eyeball (also from fondant) as a garnish

Enjoy!

Hope you give this 'ible' a big thumbs up!