Level: Easy
Yield: Makes 24 ladybugs
Total Time: 1 hour
Preparation Time: 35 minutes
Cooking Time: 25 minutes

Whip up these charming ladybug cupcakes that are sure to delight kids and adults alike with their adorable designperfect for parties or a fun baking adventure!

1 cup M&M'S Brand Chocolate Candies
45 pieces chocolate malted milk balls, halved
1 box favorite cake mix
cup dark chocolate frosting
1 container vanilla frosting
Red food coloring
12 black licorice laces, cut into 48 pieces
2 cupcake pans
Paper cupcake liners

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Prepare the cake mix as instructed on the package.
Line the cupcake tins with paper liners. Fill each liner about two-thirds full with batter.
Bake at 350F (175C) for 25 minutes, or according to package directions. Remove from the oven and set aside.
While the cupcakes cool completely, tint the vanilla frosting with red food coloring.
Once cooled, spread the red frosting evenly on top of each cupcake.
Transfer the dark chocolate frosting to a resealable plastic bag and snip a small corner off.
Pipe a straight line of dark chocolate frosting down the center of every cupcake.
At one end of this line, pipe an oval shape with the same frosting to form the ladybug's head.
Decorate each ladybug's eyes with red M&M'S candies and add antennae using the licorice pieces.
Finally, dot the red area with halved chocolate malted milk balls to create the ladybug's spots.