A is for Jerks!

I decided to do the "A is for jerks" design mainly because of the gator. As a University of Florida graduate, it was a natural choice... GO GATORS!

I made a cupcake cake designed to look like the alligator. I took the semi-homemade route and used box cake mix, but changed it up by using buttermilk in place of water and extra egg. The whole process took about 3 days to complete. It would've been quicker if i didnt have a 4 month old vying for attention! The cupcakes are topped with canned frosting i tinted green and a mixture of chocolate sprinkles and green sugar to make the scales and chocolate mint cookies for the spiny spikes. The cat, bear and "A" in the gator's mouth were made from home made marshmallow fondant. I used food coloring mixed with vodka to paint the cat and bear. The gator's eyes are made from marshmallows and gumdrops. His nostrils from green gumdrops. I cut 2 of the snout cupcakes in half and put the fondant "A" in his jaws. This was the hardest part, as i had to use 2 dowels for support in the upper jaw.

Just finished the cake with 2 days to spare...but it was a ton of fun. Definitely yummy, but i'll have to share!