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Monkey Kingdom Cupcakes: A Wildly Fun Baking Idea

Monkey Kingdom Cupcakes

These wildly fun monkey-face cupcakes start with a simple boxed cake mix and chocolate frosting, then come to life with vanilla wafers, candy eyes, chocolate details, and optional banana-shaped candies. The recipe makes 24 festive cupcakes.
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Prep Time 25 minutes
Cook Time 23 minutes
Total Time 1 minute
Servings: 24 servings
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

Cupcakes
  • 1 box, 15.25–16.25 ounces Yellow or vanilla cake mix
  • 3 Large eggs
  • 1/3 cup Vegetable oil
  • 1 cup Water
Decoration
  • 1 container, about 16 ounces Chocolate frosting
  • 24 Vanilla wafer cookies
  • 48 Candy eyes
  • 48 Small chocolate chips or chocolate sprinkles
Optional Decoration
  • 24 Banana-shaped candies, banana Runts, or yellow candy pieces
  • 24 small pieces Chocolate licorice or brown fruit leather

Method
 

Step-by-Step
  1. Heat the oven according to the cake-mix package directions, generally to 350°F (175°C). Line two 12-cup muffin tins with paper liners.
  2. Prepare the cake batter according to the package directions, using the cake mix, eggs, vegetable oil, and water. Divide the batter evenly among the 24 liners, filling each about two-thirds full.
  3. Bake for approximately 18–23 minutes, or until the cupcake centers spring back lightly and a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
  4. Let the cupcakes cool in the pans for about 5 minutes, then transfer them to a wire rack. Cool completely for 30–45 minutes before frosting.
  5. Spread or pipe chocolate frosting over each cooled cupcake. While the frosting is still fresh, gently press one vanilla wafer near the lower center to create the monkey muzzle.
  6. Place two candy eyes above each wafer. Add small chocolate chips, chocolate sprinkles, or dots of chocolate icing for nostrils and a mouth.
  7. Finish with optional banana-shaped candies, yellow candy pieces, chocolate licorice, or brown fruit leather. Allow the decorations to set before serving.

Notes

Cool the cupcakes completely before frosting so the icing stays in place and the wafers remain crisp. Press decorations gently into the frosting immediately after frosting each cupcake. If using candy eyes, add them shortly before serving because some candy decorations may bleed color into moist frosting.