Purse Cupcakes a.k.a. Handbags

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They are big…small…leather…cloth…something extra we carry around…usually jam packed full of everything except the kitchen sink…is it a Purse or a Handbag? Which do you call it?

Mine is a Purse, maybe the name is regional…you know…where you live determines what you call it. Well, whatever you call them…a Purse or Handbag, I think you are going to love these Purse Cupcakes a.k.a. Handbags! And they are going to look perfect with the Stiletto Cupcakes and the Rings that I made for Mother’s Day last year!

These little beauties have been on my list  ever since I saw them last year on The Today Show when Karen Tack first created her version. Then when I received the Cupcakes, Cookies and Pie, oh my! Book, I knew I wanted to make them for Mother’s Day.

I’ve had a little stash of supplies that Wilton sent me, including their Sugar Sheets. A couple months ago, I was browsing through the 2012 Cake Decorating Yearbook, and spotted their Hip Handbags, but these were decorated with the Sugar Sheets. Even though the design was different than the others, I thought it would be fun to combine the two.

These Purse Cupcakes do take a little time, but for a special event like Mother’s Day or even a little girl’s birthday party…well worth it! Let’s get started…

1. Unwrap 1 cupcake, trim the top flat, add a little frosting to another cupcake and place the unwrapped cupcake on top. Place in freezer for about 20 minutes
2. With a serrated knife, trim the top cupcake about 3/4 inch, at an angle
3. Frost cupcake with a thin layer of frosting. Place in freezer for about 20 minutes.
4. Add another layer of frosting, filling in all the cracks. Run an offset spatula under hot water and smooth the frosting.
5. Color canned frosting {see notes below} and melt in microwave about 20 seconds, depending on amount of frosting. Hold cupcake by liner and dip upside down in melted frosting, let drip back into bowl, turn right side up and tap on counter to level frosting {if necessary} Place in fridge about 10 minutes or until slight set

Time to decorate…

• For the handle: cut a piece of licorice about 4 inches long and gently push pretzel stick into end, trim pretzel stick if necessary. Push gently into top of cupcake.
• Cut Sugar Sheets for the Purse flap and apply to cupcake
• Embellish Purse with whatever sprinkles or frosting you like. I used a #3 tip with colored frosting and Jumbo Pearlized Sprinkles. And a #2 Tip for the black laces. For the tassel on the yellow cupcake, I cut a piece of black licorice. And for the yellow purse with orange handle, I cut out the flowers from the Sugar Sheet.

Like the Purse Cupcakes? You may also like the Stiletto and Ring Cupcakes!

Stiletto Cupcakes

Ring Cupcakes

Disclosure: I received products from Wilton to try. As always, the opinions are all my own.

Linking to… Sundae Scoop

Now it’s your turn…show off your cupcake creations! I’d appreciate a link back and be sure to check out the other cupcakes!

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