Penguin Cupcakes

Perhaps you didn't catch it: Sweater-wearing penguins made it onto New York Magazine's approval matrix (highbrow-brilliant, obviously), only strengthening my undying love for the Arctic fluffies and solidifying, I think, their position as best animal ever.

So as a nod to cold penguins around the globe, I decided to develop the ultimate penguin cupcake. To make your own flock, follow the steps below.

PENGUIN CUPCAKES

MAKES: a dozen penguins

12 cupcakes

1 cup marshmallow crème

12 Oreo cookies

Candy eyeballs (preferably Wilton)

Large round orange sprinkles, for the beak 

¾ cup sweetened shredded coconut 

Small white sprinkles, for decoration (optional)

1. Frost each cupcake with 1 tablespoon marshmallow crème.

2. For each penguin: Separate 1 Oreo cookie; the half with the cream filling with be the head, cut the half without the cream in half to make 2 wings using a sharp knife (it's okay if the edges crumble, you can hide it with coconut). 

3. Make the head: Spread about 1 teaspoon marshmallow crème over the cream filling of the Oreo. Gently press 2 eyeballs into the crème, then use orange sprinkles to make a beak. 

4. Assemble the penguin: Press the head into the marshmallow crème near the top of the cupcake, then press the wings into the cake until they're secure. Sprinkle with 1 tablespoon coconut and white sprinkles, if desired.