Skip to main content
Epicurious
Cookbooks

Shark and Sand Dune Cupcakes

There’s nothing to fear from these stealthy sharks, whose paper fins peek out from waves of blue buttercream. Alongside is a cupcake made to resemble a sandy dune, with graham-cracker crumbs and a paper parasol.

Ingredients

Preparation

  1. Make sharks

    Step 1

    Cut out fin shapes from blue construction paper or card stock (one for each cupcake). Tint half of the Swiss meringue buttercream (page 304) blue with gel-paste food color. Using a small offset spatula, frost a dozen cupcakes, swirling and swooping into small peaks to resemble waves. Just before serving, press paper fins into frosting.

  2. make sand dunes

    Step 2

    Frost the remaining dozen cupcakes with untinted buttercream, smoothing into dome shapes. Place graham-cracker crumbs in a small bowl. Dip each cupcake into crumbs, coating completely. Just before serving, insert a paper drink umbrella into each cupcake.

Martha Stewart's Cupcakes
TagsCupcakeCakeDessertCookbooks
Read More
The Most-Saved Recipes in the Epicurious App in May
Like miso-peanut hibachi chicken and spring orzotto.
Whole Lemon Bars
Using two entire lemons—pith, skin, and all—cranks up the citrus flavor in this classic dessert.
The Only Frittata Recipe You’ll Ever Need
Keep this easy frittata recipe on hand for quick breakfasts, impressive brunches, and fridge clean-out meals.
The Most-Saved Recipes in the Epicurious App This Week
Like “phenomenal” whole lemon bars and grilled salmon with dill chimichurri.
Grilled Salmon With Dill Chimichurri
Grilling fish atop a bed of lemon slices is the key to not sticking.
Grilled Steak With Spicy Peanut Dressing
A punchy, spicy peanut vinaigrette transforms a simply grilled steak into a showstopping main.
Charred Vegetable Ragù
This sauce is slightly magical. The texture cloaks pasta much like a traditional meat sauce does, and the flavors are deep and rich, but it’s actually vegan!
Miso-Peanut Hibachi Chicken
The magic of this hibachi chicken recipe comes from a combination of miso and peanut butter and how it beautifully caramelizes when it hits the grill.