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31 Incredible Birthday Cake Designs

Step-by-step recipes, designs and color pics of the easiest (and cutest) birthday cakes for boys and girls

Ingredients:

• Green food coloring
• 1 can (16 oz) vanilla frosting
• 1 graham-cracker square
• 10 unfrosted cupcakes baked in green paper liners*
• 1 large bag (21 oz) M&M's Minis
• 1 large bag (21 oz) M&M's
• 1 (2-inch) piece red fruit leather

What you'll need:

• A serving platter

For the frosting:

For the snake's head:

1. Cut the graham cracker into a 1 ½-inch triangle.
2. Spread a small amount of frosting on top of one of the cupcakes.
3. For the snake's snout, attach the graham-cracker triangle so one corner hangs over the side.
4. Completely cover the cupcake and graham cracker with more frosting.
5. Spread the remaining frosting over the other cupcakes.

Assembling the snake:

1. Decorate the top of the cupcakes with the M&M's, as pictured.
2. Arrange the cupcakes into an S-shape on a serving platter.
3. Cut the fruit leather into a forked-tongue shape.
4. Insert fruit leather under the graham cracker for the snake's tongue.

Cake Anatomy: