Do you have the best dad ever? Let him know this Father's Day by giving him a blue ribbon award that's fun and delicious. These super simple Blue Ribbon Cupcakes are a perfect Father's Day recipe that kids can help make just for dad. These cupcakes would make a great Father's Day gift or bake up a bunch for a tasty Father's Day brunch.

Ingredients

• dark blue card stock
• light blue card stock
• scissors
• blue ribbon
• toothpicks

• cupcakes made from your favorite recipe or mix
• your favorite decorator icing in blue
• glue
• permanent markers in various colors

Instructions

1. Let the kids help bake the cupcakes according to the package or recipe directions.

2. While the cupcakes are baking and cooling assemble your Blue Ribbon Cupcake Toppers!

3. For each Blue Ribbon Cupcake Topper, cut one circle from your dark blue card stock that is about 1 ½ inch in diameter. To get a perfect circle (or close) you can trace around a plastic bottle cap to make your circles—a milk bottle cap may work well.

4. Cut a smaller circle (about 1-inch in diameter) from the light blue card stock. This time try tracing around a water bottle cap to help keep your circle as perfect as possible.

5. 

   Cut two pieces of blue ribbon, each about 2 inches long.

6. Use double sided tape to stick the smaller circle to the center of the larger circle.

7. 

   Use your permanent marker to write a message to Dad on the small center circle. You can write whatever you want, but keep it short because the circles are small. Need ideas? "#1 Dad" or simply "DAD" are wonderful choices.

8. Glue the two pieces of ribbon together so they're overlapping at the top, but spread apart a little at the bottom.

9. 

   Put another dot of glue at the bottom of the back of the circles, and attach the ribbon to the base of the circles. Set the ribbon assembly aside to dry for a few minutes.

10. 

    Put a little glue on the back of the ribbon just below where they cross. Use the spot of glue to attach the toothpick to the back of the award (see photos).

11. Set the Blue Ribbon Cupcake Topper aside to dry for a couple hours.

12. Repeat this process for each Blue Ribbon Cupcake Topper you'd like to make.

13. While the Blue Ribbon Cupcake Toppers are drying, decorate your cupcakes with your favorite decorator icing, a pastry bag, and your favorite decorator tip. Show the kids how to hold the bag and decorate the cupcakes by moving the pastry bag in a circular motion while squeezing the icing out gently from the outside of the cupcake to the center. You can also use a knife to spread the icing on the top of the cupcake if you don't want to use a decorator tip.

14. Once the cupcakes are iced and the toppers are completely dry, insert the end of the toothpick into the top of the cupcake and present it to dad to let him know how special he is on Father's Day!

Tips

• You can change the message on the ribbon for Grandpa or for anyone in the family who deserves a blue ribbon reward.