Santa's Stuck Cupcakes

One of my kids' favorite Christmas books growing up was Santa's Stuck by Rhonda Greene. As the title implies, Santa eats too many sweets and gets stuck in the chimney on Christmas Eve.  Every year at Christmas time, my kids are reminded of this story and ask "What if Santa eats too many cookies and can't slide down the chimney?" To solve this dilemma, we've tried leaving apples and healthy snacks for Santa.  But these types of snacks are always left untouched. So this year, I told the kids not to worry if Santa gets stuck in the chimney. We'll leave him some cupcakes by the fireplace.  This way, he'll have something sweet to eat while he waits for Rudolph to rescue him!

Ingredients

Cupcakes: One box vanilla cake mix; 1 cup water; 1/2 cup oil; 3 eggs

Icing: 3 cups powdered sugar; 1/4 cup shortening; 3 tablespoons milk; 1 tsp. vanilla; 1 stick butter; Wilton chimney cupcake wrappers; white "snowball" sprinkles;

Santa's legs: 24 pretzel rods; 1 bag Wilton red Candy Melts; 48 black jelly beans 

Directions

Cupcakes: Preheat oven to 350.  In a large mixing bowl, combine cake mix, water, oil, and eggs. Using an electric mixer, beat on medium speed for 2 minutes. Line a cupcake pan with the chimney wrappers.  Fill each liner 2/3 full.  Bake for 20 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.

Icing: Cream butter and milk together in a large mixing bowl.  When combined, add vanilla and shortening.  Gradually add powdered sugar. When cupcakes are cooled, pipe icing onto cupcakes.  Add sprinkles.

Santa's legs: Using a small knife or decorating tip, poke two holes into the top of the cupcake.  Prepare Candy Melts according to package directions.  Dip both ends of the pretzel rods into the melted candy and allow to dry on wax paper.  When legs are dry, cut off ends using a knife.  Pipe icing onto the ends of each leg for a white cuff.  Place a dollop of icing onto the bottom on each leg.  Place a black jelly bean onto the dollop of icing for Santa's boots.