Ladybug Cupcakes

You'll need:
Chocolate cupcakes (completely cool)
Red paste food coloring
White frosting
Mini M&M's
Standard M&M's
Black shoestring licorice

Make individual ladybug cupcakes. Frost the cupcakes with red frosting.
Best color results will be achieved by using red food color paste from a
craft/ cake decorating store. Use green, mini M&M's for the eyes. The antennae and smile are made with cut pieces of black licorice shoestring. and the ladybug spots can be made from brown regular sized M&M's or cut pieces of a black licorice rope.
Keep in mind that most children do not like the flavor of black licorice.
Tip: Place your cupcakes into a cupcake stand and use as a table centerpiece.

Ladybug Cookies
Make these little ladybug cookies to place on top of a green frosted sheet cake or cupcakes.

You'll need:
Chocolate covered cookies
Red fondant or red taffy
Black or chocolate decorator frosting tube
Green decorator frosting tube
Red decorator frosting tube

Cut the red fondant into a circle, approximately the same size as the cookie. Cut the circle into tow halves. Use a very small amount of frosting to affix the fondant wings into place. Open the wings slightly by placing them at an angle. Then, use the decorator tubes to make eyes, spots and mouth.
Tip: Some cake decorating supply stores or craft stores will supply
pre-made candy eyes. Using these, will make your job even easier.
Frost your sheet cake green, or white with a large green leaf shape or flower. Carefully place the small ladybug cookies onto the leaf.