Skip to main content
Epicurious

Shark and Sand Dune Cupcakes

There’s nothing to fear from these stealthy sharks, whose paper fins peek out from waves of blue buttercream. Alongside is a cupcake made to resemble a sandy dune, with graham-cracker crumbs and a paper parasol.

Ingredients

Preparation

  1. Make sharks

    Step 1

    Cut out fin shapes from blue construction paper or card stock (one for each cupcake). Tint half of the Swiss meringue buttercream (page 304) blue with gel-paste food color. Using a small offset spatula, frost a dozen cupcakes, swirling and swooping into small peaks to resemble waves. Just before serving, press paper fins into frosting.

  2. make sand dunes

    Step 2

    Frost the remaining dozen cupcakes with untinted buttercream, smoothing into dome shapes. Place graham-cracker crumbs in a small bowl. Dip each cupcake into crumbs, coating completely. Just before serving, insert a paper drink umbrella into each cupcake.

Martha Stewart's Cupcakes
TagsCupcakeCakeDessertCookbooks
Read More
Mango Sticky Rice
Khao niaow ma muang, or steamed coconut sticky rice with ripe mango, is a classic in Thai cuisine—and you can make it at home.
Easy Egg Custard
With just a handful of ingredients, this old-fashioned egg custard is the little black dress of dinner party desserts—simple and effortlessly chic.
Simple Hot Cocoa for One
With rich chocolate flavor and easy customization, this hot cocoa recipe is just the one you want to get you through winter.
Tomato Aguachile
Juicy peak-season tomatoes make the perfect plant-based swap for aguachile.
Double-Tomato Focaccia
This no-knead knockout gets its punch from tomatoes in two different ways.
Mochiko Chicken
Hawai‘i's beloved fried chicken is crispy, sweet, and savory.
Béchamel Sauce
This classic 15-minute sauce is your secret weapon for homemade mac and cheese, chowder, lasagna, and more.
Kale and Brussels Sprouts Salad
Crunchy and crowd-pleasing, this salad can be prepared in advance and customized to your heart’s content.