The frosting is a cream cheese frosting (except for the green carrot tops, which are royal icing). Both frosting recipes are listed below. I separated about 1 cup of the cream cheese frosting out and used about 1/8 teaspoon Wilton gel icing coloring in orange.
For the cupcakes, I allowed them to fully cool, then cut a small cone out of the center of the cupcakes using a paring knife, about 1 inch in diameter. I filled the cone shaped hole with the orange icing using a large round tip and moving straight up, until the carrot stood about 1/2-3/4 inch over the cupcake. I used the cream cheese icing to cover the rest of the cupcake. I then used the green royal icing to make the tops. Perfecting the texture of royal icing can be a little difficult. It shouldn't be anywhere as thick as the cream cheese icing, but you do want it to be able to hold a little bit of a shape for drawing the carrot tops. I drew the tops on a spare piece of parchment paper and really just scribbled a few lines. Obviously, I'm no artist, when it comes to icing, and I'm really impatient, so I made extra. The tops needed to dry about 3-4 hours depending on thickness. It would do well to leave them overnight if you can. Once they were dry, I very carefully pulled off the parchment and stuck the royal icing tops into the top of the carrot.
Since I was coloring the icing, I thought why not decorate the cake as well. The carrots were made with a large round tip like this one. The tops were made with the same royal icing.
Royal Icing Recipe
Ingredients:
1 large egg white1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 1/2 cup confectioners sugar, sifted
Directions:
- Beat egg whites, vanilla, and confectioners sugar with an electric mixer until smooth.
- Add additional confectioners sugar or water to reach desired consistency.
Cream Cheese Frosting
Ingredients:
1 stick of butter2 packages of cream cheese
1/2 tablespoons vanilla extract
6-7 cups powdered sugar
Directions:
- Beat butter, cream cheese and vanilla together in a stand mixer (a much less time consuming task if the cream cheese and butter are closer to room temperature)
- Slowly add the confectioners sugar until a desired consistency is reached.
Hope you have a wonderful Easter!