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Cupcake Graduation Toppers

Cupcakes· Recipe Archive

Cupcake graduation Hats The chocolate square, a reese peanut butter cup, mini mm and some frosting brings the party to the table.

Cupcake Graduation Toppers

Are you having a graduation event this year?

These Cupcake Graduation Toppers make a statement on the dessert table.

The first time I came across these tasty toppers they were served at a  graduation party I attended.

I couldn’t believe how cute and simple they were!

When I found out how easy they were to make I had to pinch myself for not even thinking about this!

Even my 11 year old granddaughter was impressed.

She helped me create our own version of this “centerpiece” for a friend’s table.

The chocolate square, a Miniature Reeses Peanut Butter Cup, mini M&M and some frosting brought the entire celebration to an edible conclusion.

These are the INGREDIENTS You will need:

  • 1 Box Cake mix Prepared per directions.
  • 1 Can Vanilla icing 
  • 1 Tube Color Jel Color Jel to dye the icing the school colors
  • 1 Package mini m&m’s
  • 36 squares Ghiradelli Squares or as many cupcakes you make
  • 36 pieces Reese mini cups, unwrapped

These are the INSTRUCTIONS For preparation:

  • First, make your cupcakes. Then ice your cupcakes with your choice of frosting.
  • For the caps, turn a Reeses Peanut Butter cup upside down and top it with a Ghiradelli chocolate square. Dot the reeses with a bit of frosting
  • For the finishing touch, pipe a tassel in your graduate’s school colors (tint white icing and use a #2 tip) and top with a mini M&M for the button.

If you are going to a graduation party this year these are the best dish to bring.

I don’t make great cupcakes so I will do a rectangular cake with individual cut pieces.

Or maybe even brownies!!

There are many different ways to use them and impress the guests at any party.

Choose your own and make them yours.

Let me know if you create these little gems and what recipe you put them on!

Footnote:

This year, 2020, with stay at home orders we help a zoom celebration.

And true to for, my granddaughter took charge of the decorations.

She used a chocolate batter for her cupcakes.

She chose the caramel icing we top our Harry Potter Butterbeer Cupcakes.(of course she did!)

Her mom found this cute carousel to feature them on the middle of a long table.

I regret not taking a picture of that. But my excuse is there were too many cooks in the kitchen.

As Head Chef, I stood back and did what I do best.

I sampled the offerings!

Seriously though, these cupcakes not only were delicious, they brought that WOW factor to the entire table.

And so as not to leave our guests out, we provided all our guest that participated in the drive thru line a boxed cupcake of their own.

It was a memorable day for not only our little graduate but for her party guests as well.

And this time I DID remember to get those timeless photos from the procession of cars.

Here are some more ideas for you to make your experience easier. See my articles Tip Friday Piping, Tip Friday Cookie Doneness, Tip Friday Filling A Pastry Bag

Cupcake graduation Hats The chocolate square, a reese peanut butter cup, mini mm and some frosting brings the party to the table.

Cupcake Graduation Toppers

These toppers are easy to make and can adorn any type of graduation treat.
4.96 from 21 votes
Print Pin Rate
Course: Bakery
Cuisine: American
Keyword: candy, cap, cupcake
Method: Bake
Skill Level: Intermediate
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 25 minutes
Total Time: 35 minutes
Adjust Servings: 36
Calories: 324kcal
Author: Marilyn

Ingredients

  • 1 Box Cake mix Prepared per directions.
  • 1 Can Vanilla icing
  • 1 Tube Color Jel Color Jel to dye the icing the school colors
  • 1 Package mini m&m’s
  • 36 squares Ghiradelli Squares or as many cupcakes you make
  • 36 pieces Reese mini cups, unwrapped

Instructions

  • First, make your cupcakes. Then ice your cupcakes with your choice of frosting.
  • For the caps, turn a Reeses Peanut Butter cup upside down and top it with a Ghiradelli chocolate square. Dot the reeses with a bit of frosting
  • For the finishing touch, pipe a tassel in your graduate’s school colors (tint white icing and use a #2 tip) and top with a mini M&M for the button.

Notes

©MARILYN’S TREATS. All images are copyright protected. 

Nutrition

Serving: 1g | Calories: 324kcal (16%) | Carbohydrates: 52g (17%) | Protein: 2.3g (5%) | Fat: 13g (20%) | Saturated Fat: 5.6g (28%) | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1.7g | Monounsaturated Fat: 0g | Trans Fat: 0g | Cholesterol: 28mg (9%) | Sodium: 251mg (10%) | Potassium: 0mg | Fiber: 1.5g (6%) | Sugar: 41g (46%) | Vitamin A: 0IU | Vitamin C: 0mg | Calcium: 0mg | Iron: 0mg
Tried this recipe?Mention @marilyn_lesniak or tag #marilynstreats!

Nutrition Information is estimated based on the ingredients and cooking instructions as described in each recipe and is intended to be used for informational purposes only. Please note that nutrition details may vary based on methods of preparation, origin and freshness of ingredients used.

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Disclaimer Unless indicated recipes influenced by cookbooks, magazines or family traditions.

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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. blankJulie Briones says

    Well, if that’s not just super cute, and easy! Thanks for sharing on Tuesday Turn About! Pinned!

    Reply

  2. blankKim @Serving Up Southern says

    Hi Marilyn!
    These cupcakes are adorable! You can never go wrong with a combination of chocolate and peanut butter. I missed you at Homestyle Gathering last week. I hope you’ll come back and join in this week!
    >>> Kim

    Reply

  4. blankApril J Harris says

    This is such a fun idea, Marilyn! Sharing on the Hearth and Soul Facebook page later today. Thank you so much for your support of the Hearth and Soul Link party! I hope you are having a lovely weekend.

    Reply

    • blankMarilyn says

      I love using the peanut cup and a piece of ghiradelli candy. It made it really special! I am glad you like it. And thanks for the shares!

      Reply

  12. blankMiz Helen says

    Hi Marilyn,
    Your are so creative, and what a very special cupcake for a special event! Hope you are having a great week and thanks so much for sharing with us at Full Plate Thursday!
    Miz Helen

    Reply

  15. blankTheresa says

    Such cute graduation cupcakes. I need to remember to make these in 2 years my youngest will be a senior & graduating. Thanks for sharing this at the Inspiration Spotlight party Sharing & Pinned

    Reply

  18. blankSinea says

    Marilyn these cupcake toppers are adorable! I only wish I knew about them when my son graduated. Oh well! Next family graduation, I am offering to make CUPCAKES! Yippee!

    Reply

    • blankMarilyn says

      Thanks Sinea. They were the talk of the sweet table! I am not DIY or good with decorations but these added a certain flair!! Have a great week!

      Reply

  22. blankAmy says

    You are right – these little toppers are really cute. This is perfect for a graduation party. Thank you for sharing at Dare to Share link party. Pinned.

    Reply

  23. blankLorelai @ Life With Lorelai says

    Hey, Marilyn! Just wanted to let you know that we loved your Cupcake Graduation Toppers so much when you shared it at the #HomeMattersParty last week, we’ve FEATURED it THIS WEEK! Hope you can check it out when you get a sec. Happy Friday!!!

    ~Lorelai
    Life With Lorelai / Home Matters Linky Party

    Reply

  24. blankKerryanne - Shabby Art Boutique says

    These are just so cute Marilyn!! I’ve pinned the recipe to make at a later date when I have a university graduate.
    Thank you for sharing this recipe at Create, Bake, Grow & Gather this week. I’m delighted to be featuring it at tonight’s party.
    Hugs – Kerryanne

    Reply

  27. blankLeanna says

    These cupcakes are perfect for a graduation tea. My son’ schools always hosted a Moms tea the last week before graduation. What a fantastic idea. Pinning.

    Reply

  38. blankMaisy says

    Aw these are too cute! I’m currently finishing off my master thesis and I think I need those for my party once I get my master’s degree :))

    *Maisy

    Reply

  42. blankshelley says

    I wish I could make cute things like this! I can’t get my family to leave goodies alone long enough to do anything besides the basics.

    Reply

  47. blankCarol ("Mimi") says

    This looks yummy! And, the little mortarboard (graduation hat) is so creative! Thank you for linking up at #BloggingGrandmothersLinkParty. I’m sharing your post on social media.

    Reply

  48. blankElizabeth @ Guilty Chocoholic Mama says

    THANK YOU, Marilyn! Because my oldest is graduating this year, and I was already planning to make these cupcakes (just stocked up on the grahams when they were on sale this week!). But I hadn’t seen the little candy “button” before and am adding it to my plan this very minute. Thanks so much for the inspiration! #ThisIsHowWeRoll

    Reply

    • blankMarilyn says

      I am so glad! Please send me a post and photo! Everyone does them a bit differently. Or make a post and let me know! Enjoy your day!

      Reply

      • blankElizabeth @ Guilty Chocoholic Mama says

        Aw, thank you, Marilyn! Here’s a link to the FB post where I shared my trial version. Thanks to your “final touch” inspiration, I think I’m good to go! And by “go,” I mean I think I’m ready to make about 120 of these for my daughter’s party! 😉

        Reply

        • blankMarilyn says

          SO CUTE!!!!!!! I love them and I am sure all your guests will too! I don’t envy you making 120 though. Have a great party! Thanks for sharing with me!

          Reply

  54. blankMarie says

    These are so stinkin’ cute! They would even be perfect for a preschool or kindergarten graduation treat. Thanks for sharing your adorable recipe with us at Merry Monday this week!

    Reply

  61. blankBeverly says

    Oh Marilyn,
    You are amazing. These graduation toppers are adorable. Love it.
    Hope you are having a wonderful Mother’s Day.
    Hugs,
    Bev

    Reply

  63. blankJenny says

    These are so cute! I have one graduating this year. I think these will have to make an appearance at his party. Thanks for sharing. I’m stopping by from the Homemade link up.

    Reply

    • blankMarilyn says

      The kids will get a kick out of them. And for any occasion you can make the tassel and m&m their favortie colors! Have a great weekend!

      Reply

    • blankMarilyn Lesniak says

      I thought so too. No need to cut a cake and make a mess. And no plates of half eaten dessert! The boys were making a contest to see who could eat one whole! Thanks for commenting.

      Reply

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