Instructions

For the Homemade Devil's Food Cupcakes:

1. Preheat oven to 350°.
2. Line muffin tins with 36 cupcake liners.
3. Whisk together cocoa and hot water until smooth.
4. In another bowl, whisk together flour, baking soda, baking powder, and salt.
5. Melt butter with sugar in a saucepan over medium-low heat, stirring to combine.
6. Remove from heat, and pour into a mixing bowl.
7. With an electric mixer on medium-low speed, beat until mixture is cooled, 4 to 5 minutes.
8. Add eggs, one at a time, beating until each is incorporated, scraping down sides of bowl as needed.
9. Add vanilla, then cocoa mixture, and beat until combined.
10. Reduce speed to low. Add flour mixture in two batches, alternating with the sour cream, and beating until just combined after each. Fill cupcake liners 2/3 full.
11. Bake 17 to 20 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the middle comes out clean.

For the Semi Homemade Cupcakes:

1. You have TWO options: Make cupcakes according to the package directions *OR*
2. Preheat oven to 350°.
3. Line muffin cups with 18 cupcake liners.
4. Whisk together the hot water and cocoa until smooth.
5. In a large mixing bowl add the cake mix, oil, eggs, sour cream and cocoa mixture.
6. Mix together until creamy.
7. Using an ice cream scoop, fill liner 2/3 full.
8. Bake 17-20 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
9. Cool completely before frosting.

For the Bakery White (green) Frosting:

1. Add the shortening to a medium mixing bowl. Beat until shortening is light and fluffy.
2. Add extracts and beat until incorporated into the shortening.
3. Add the sugar 1 cup at a time; beat until smooth between each addition.
4. Add food coloring.
5. Add milk only if frosting is too thick.
6. Drizzle in 1 tablespoon at a time until the frosting reaches spreading or piping consistency.

Putting it All Together:

1. Place 12 cupcakes close together on an oblong cake board.
2. Add green frosting to the tops of all the cupcakes.
3. Choose your method of grass (preferably the same color as the bottom green layer)
4. Green Jimmies, Green Coconut or Frosting.
5. For the frosting, add the remaining frosting to a large piping bag fitted with Wilton #234 tip.
6. In an up and down motion make grass.
7. Crumble up an unfrosted cupcake for the dirt.
8. Add a dirt trail for the train.
9. Add colorful sprinkles and dollops of colored frosting (red, yellow and blue).
10. Place the train, balloons, clowns and happy birthday sign.