Full Size Panda Party Cupcake Decorating Tutorial 

Panda party cupcakes are a necessary food for Panda birthday party! Well, that's what my son decided anyway! So while these cupcakes are in NO way low sugar, they are the birthday treat of choice and I can't say no to that! So please join us on this decorating tutorial and see how you can make full size panda cupcakes like a pro!

Panda Party Cupcake Supplies

• Chocolate Cupcakes – store bought or healthier homemade vegan recipe
  
• White frosting – store bought or My favorite homemade cream cheese frosting recipe
  My favorite homemade buttercream frosting recipe
• Mini Oreos
• Hershey Kisses
• Sugar Sprinkles
• Jumbo Candy Eyes
• Chocolate Sprinkles
• Dark Chocolate Candy Melts {not necessary but are really handy to have around}
• Black Foil Cupcake Liners
• Sandwich size Ziploc bag

Cupcake Candy Decor Prep

1. Prep Oreos – divide and scrape filling off both sides, wipe clean. (2) Oreos per cupcake
2. Count out (2) candy eyes per cupcake. Look for eyes with similar sized pupils.
3. Pick through chocolate sprinkles for the longest lengths. You'll want (3) for a pout and (4-5) long sprinkles for a smile.
4. Unwrap the Hershey Kisses. (1) Kiss per cupcake.

Panda Party Cupcake Directions

Step 1: Frost & Sugar

Pour sanding sugar into a plate, try not to sprinkle because it will bounce all over the place and make a huge mess. {ahem}

* If your homemade cupcakes are too soft the tops will want to fall apart in the sugar so sprinkle it on top instead of dipping.

After dipping the frosting will flatten out a little so use your fingers to shape the edges back up into a nice circle. The sugar should keep frosting from getting all over your hands.

**I really don't like the crunchy texture of the sugar sprinkles. You can skip the sugar but the faces aren't as smooth and things get a little messy.

Panda Party Cupcake: Quick Step Tutorial

If you know what you're doing and ready to go, here are the photos that walk you through it. If you want a little more information and what I learned in the process read on below:

Step 2: Add Eyes

After your cupcake tops are sugared, add a few candy melts in a Ziploc bag and microwave for 30 seconds. But keep an eye on it so it doesn't burn and melt the plastic.

Then snip the corner, and squeeze onto the backs of the candy eyes.

And quickly press them onto prepped mini Oreos. You want to place them off center so there's black showing on one edge and not the other.

Press assembled eyes into frosting in the top half of the cupcake. You want the eyes touching and the black rims on the outside for the cutest panda faces.

Step 3: Add Nose

Line the flat side of the kiss up with the bottom of the eyes and carefully press the nose into the frosting. You need to press pretty hard and you might have to lift it back up just a little bit once you're sure it's secure.

Step 4: Add Ears

With your last two Oreos press them sideways into the cupcake at an angle from the eyes, just above the liner. Use the eyes as leverage points so you don't squish the body of the panda cupcake as you push.

Step 5: Add Mouth

You can use your fingers to place the sprinkles but it was really tedious. I ended up grabbing a pair of tweezers and that was MUCH more helpful.

Add a vertical sprinkle from the point of the kiss nose, then build a mouth: straight, pouty, or smiling depending on your mood.

Panda Party Cupcakes on Display 

Once you've got your cupcakes all finished you won't want anyone to eat one. EVER! But they will anyway, so display them on something pretty like this ribbon cake stand or tiered acrylic server.

Eat Like A Panda!

Serve them up with your favorite ice cream and garnish with minced fruit left over from your fruit sushi recipe. Wait, you haven't seen the fruit sushi!? Well, you better go check it out. I'll wait.

Now that you know how cute and easy these Full-size panda party cupcakes are I bet you're just thinking of an excuse to make them! The great news is that you don't have to wait for a panda party. You can serve these cuties anytime!

If you try it, I'd love to hear about it in the comments below. And if you share photos, I want to see it too! Please tag us @partieswithacause on Facebook, Instagram, and Pinterest. We love celebrating all your hard work! 

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Additional Panda Party Reading

• Party Like A Panda Themed Birthday Party Ideas
• Simple Fruit Sushi Recipe Tutorial
• Panda Party Activity Ideas {coming soon}
• Panda Party Food Ideas {coming soon}