Every Monday Reece comes home with his graded sight word test and each week he scores 10 out of 10. I give him a hug, tell him what a great job he did and that’s that. I thought this week I would surprise him with something special to show him how very proud of him I am.
I decided to make cupcakes but I wanted them to be really special for Reece. I thought it would be fun to make chocolate star-shaped molds and put them on top of each cupcake since he gets stars on his tests. And then I thought of piping on his actual sight test words – so fun right?
So obviously, since these cupcakes were going to be so awesome, I needed a super-cool frosting to go along with them. Enter Kraft’s new Cool Whip Frosting! You can find this amazingly luscious and creamy frosting right in the freezer section. Bryce and I headed to Walmart to do some shopping and I was super stoked to see that the frosting came in both chocolate and vanilla! Of course I had to pick up one of each. {That was a mistake. I should have picked up two of each – my boys were spooning leftovers straight into their eager little mouths!}
After Bryce and I returned from our shopping trip, I got going on the star molds. They are really very simple. I used melted semi-sweet chocolate and Wilton white candy melts to make the star-shaped molds. Melt the candy melts according to the package instructions and pour or spoon carefully into the mold. Throw them in the freezer for five minutes and pop out. Refrigerate until you need to use them. Use the same method for the chocolate stars. I used semi-sweet chocolate chips and melted them in thirty second intervals, stirring in between.
After they firmed up, I piped on {obviously I need some work in this area} his sight words from his last test:
Next it was time to bake the cupcakes! I used my favorite chocolate cupcake recipe…
All Stars Chocolate Cupcakes
Ingredients
- 2 cups sugar
- 1 1/2 sticks butter
- 3 eggs room temperature
- 1 tbsp vanilla
- 2 cups flour
- 3/4 cup baking cocoa
- 1 tsp baking soda
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/4 tsp baking powder
- 1 1/2 cups milk
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 325F.
- Line 2 muffin tins with cupcake liners and set aside.
- Cream butter and sugar in a mixer until light and fluffy. Add in eggs, one a time, beating well after each addition. Beat in vanilla.
- Whisk together the flour, cocoa, baking soda, salt, and baking powder in a medium bowl.
- Add to the butter and sugar mixture alternating with the milk. {I do 1/2 cup of milk, about 1/3 of the flour mixture, and then repeat twice more.} Beat well after each addition.
- Spoon the batter into the cupcake liners about 2/3 full. Bake for 22-27 minutes or until a toothpick inserted comes out clean.
- Let the cupcakes cool and then split in half with a serrated knife.
- Pipe frosting {or spread with a knife} onto the lower half and place top half of cupcake back on. Frost the top of the cupcake and then place the stars in the frosting.
Nutrition
This recipe is just delicious and the frosting really takes it over the top! I just know you’re going to fall in love with Cool Whip Frosting just like I did!
Reece was so surprised and so excited to give these cupcakes a try. He asked me why they were for him and I said, “Because you always try your very best, every single day, and that makes me very proud of you!”
He wanted to know if he had to say each word in order to eat the cupcakes…
I love that Cool Whip Frosting is made with real milk and butter and it’s a lot better for you than the other stuff 🙂 It’s a great product to have on hand because you can store it in your freezer and then pull it out when you need it.
Rachel @ I Love My Disorganized Life says
A-D-O-R-A-B-L-E! Cool Whip frosting?! Seriously, I need to take my time when shopping. I have never seen this stuff. And putting his sight words on the stars? Genius! Totally worth seeing his happy little face.
Trish - Mom On Timeout says
Oh Rachel! This frosting is amazing – I have at least three tubs in my freezer right now for emergencies 🙂 So good!
Shelley {Crazy Wonderful} says
Holy. Cow. The only thing better than frosted cupcakes, is DOUBLE frosted cupcakes!!! I will definitely be doing this next time. Love the idea of rewarding him on his sight words like that 🙂 Bet he starts working on them even harder now! Stopping by from the Home Maker on a Dime link party!
Trish - Mom On Timeout says
LOL! Nothing like a double frosted cupcake for incentive right? Have a great week Shelley!
Kara says
They look so yummy! And I love the look on your little boy’s face. Adorable!
Winnie says
These are fantastic !!
Really beautiful and most delicious looking
Nicky @ Pink Recipe Box says
These are absolutely adorable! Wonderful idea topping them with chocolate stars.
Katie says
Trish,
So, I’m clicking on links from the frugalgirls link party that look good to me. I keep ending up on your website! These cupcakes are genius. So, if you don’t mind me asking…where do you get the fonts for your picture labels? They look really good.
Peggy says
I love this. Please link it to my linky party & anything else you have to share. 🙂 Thanks, Peggy. http://diycraftyprojects.com/2012/10/whatcha-work-up-wednesday-linky-party-6.html
More Sister Stuff says
Those are adorable and look SO SO good!! http://moresisterstuff.blogspot.com/
Terri says
Awww! That happy face is so telling! Great job, Mom! It’s easy to see you really made his day 🙂 Thank you so much for sharing your fantastic technique – I love the star toppers 🙂
Ellen says
These look amazing and I had no idea about the Cool Whip Frosting…They sure have kept that quiet? I’m going to try the chocolate cupcake recipe as I am always on the quest for the perfect chocolate cupcake to add to our boozey creations. Lovely cupcakes and Reece is a lucky guy! 🙂
Anonymous says
Sally
May I ask where you purchased your “star mold” Thanks.
Trish - Mom On Timeout says
My sister actually bought it for me but I just checked and it’s available at Amazon. Just do a search for “Wilton Star Mold”.
Rita says
These are so fabulous but could you please tell me how to make the stars. Thank you so much!
Trish - Mom On Timeout says
Hi Rita! I added a couple of lines regarding how I filled the mold so I hope that helps!
Lori says
I had been wondering about Cool Whip frosting. I just saw them at the grocery store but didn’t know if they were more like frosting or whipped topping or a combo of both. Thanks for the insight!
Aimee @ ShugarySweets says
Ooooh so cute! Love your little guy’s expression 🙂
mglawler says
They look so yummy!