Introduction
These BBQ Grill Cupcakes are the perfect centerpiece for a summer party or Father’s Day treat. You get to build a playful, edible backyard grill scene right on top of a chocolate cupcake. The creative process is as fun as the final delicious result.
Prep & Cook Time
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 20 minutes
Total Time: 30 minutes
Servings: 12
Ingredients
- 12 chocolate cupcakes, prepared unfrosted
- 1 can red Frosting
- 1 can orange Frosting
- Wilton chocolate melting discs (black)
- Assorted gummy candy
Instructions
- Prepare your cupcakes by baking them and allowing them to cool completely.
- Mix the red and orange frosting together in a bowl until you achieve a dark “charcoal briquette” gray color.
- Frost the tops of the chocolate cupcakes thickly with the gray frosting mixture.
- Using a small offset spatula or the back of a spoon, create a textured pattern on the frosting to look like lumpy charcoal.
- Place one Wilton black chocolate melting disc on one side of each cupcake’s surface to represent the grill grate.
- Cut and arrange your assorted gummy candy to look like foods on the grill (e.g., red gummies as steaks, orange gummies as hot dog slices, green gummies as peppers).
- Place the candy “grill food” pieces on top of the gray frosting, partially covering the edges and resting them against the black chocolate disc “grate.”
Variations
- For a gas grill look, use the black chocolate discs to create two parallel “grill grates” across the cupcake.
- Instead of a textured gray finish, use a star piping tip to create a more detailed, pebbled charcoal effect with the frosting.
- Serve the cupcakes arranged on a platter with blue and green fruit roll-ups cut to look like a picnic blanket underneath.
- Use a small, clean paintbrush to dust the edges of the gummy candy with a tiny bit of cocoa powder for a “charred” appearance.
Tips for Success
- Ensure cupcakes are fully cool before frosting, or the gray frosting will melt and lose its shape.
- If the frosting is too stiff to mix colors easily, let it sit at room temperature for 15 minutes beforehand.
- Use kitchen scissors to easily cut and shape the gummy candy.
- For a more defined “grill grate,” slightly warm the chocolate disc in your palm for a few seconds before placing it to help it adhere to the frosting.
Storage & Reheating
Store cupcakes in a single layer in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days. The gummy candy may become sticky or slightly melt if refrigerated. These are best enjoyed fresh and are not suitable for reheating.
FAQ
Q: Can I use homemade chocolate cupcakes and frosting?
A: Absolutely! The recipe simply calls for prepared chocolate cupcakes and canned frosting for convenience, but your favorite homemade versions work perfectly.
Q: My frosting mix turned brown, not gray. What did I do wrong?
A: You likely used too much orange frosting. Start with a base of the red frosting and add the orange very gradually until you achieve a dark, ashy gray.
Q: Where can I find Wilton black chocolate discs?
A: They are commonly found in the baking aisle of craft stores like Michaels or Joann, or in the cake decorating section of some large supermarkets.
Q: What are the best gummy candies to use?
A: Look for gummy bears (for burgers), gummy worms (for sausages), gummy rings (for onion slices), or any brightly colored gummies you can cut into shapes.
Q: Can I make these ahead of time?
A: You can bake and frost the cupcakes a day ahead, but add the chocolate disc and gummy candy decorations a few hours before serving for the best texture.
Q: The chocolate disc won’t stick to the frosting. What should I do?
A: Gently press the disc into the frosting at a slight angle. You can also use a tiny dab of extra frosting on the back of the disc as “glue” before placing it.