Step 1

For the cupcakes, preheat the oven to the temperature on the cake mix box

Step 2

Line two 12-cavity muffin tins with white or blue cupcake liners

Step 3

(You can also bake the cupcakes in 2 batches

Step 4

)  Empty the cake mix into a large bowl

Step 5

Add the cocoa powder and prepare the cake mix according to package directions

Step 6

Add a scant ¼ cup of batter to each liner and sprinkle a teaspoon of crushed candy cane on top of each cupcake

Step 7

Bake as directed and let cool

Step 8

For the frosting, in a large bowl, combine the cream cheese and frosting using a hand mixer or whisk

Step 9

Add the powdered sugar and whisk until thick and smooth

Step 10

To make the hats, pour the sanding sugar on a small plate

Step 11

Using a small knife or offset spatula, spread a thin layer of frosting on an ice cream cone and then roll it in the sanding sugar

Step 12

Repeat with the remaining cones

Step 13

To assemble the gnomes, fill a piping bag fitted with a medium star tip (see Note) with the remaining frosting

Step 14

Pipe a small zigzag around the top of each cooled cupcake to make the hair

Step 15

To make the beard, pipe a large zigzag tapering off each cupcake and down the side

Step 16

Place the hats on top of the cupcakes

Step 17

To make the nose, shape half a chewy fruit candy into a ball and place it at the top of the beard on a cupcake

Step 18

Repeat with the remaining fruit candies

Step 19

To make the feet, place two round chocolate candies at the bottom of a cupcake on each side of the beard

Step 20

Repeat with the remaining chocolate candies