Honey Bee Cupcakes

Step 1

Heat oven to 350°F. Place paper baking cups into 12 muffin pan cups; set aside.

Step 2

Combine flour, baking powder, and salt in bowl; set aside.

Step 3

Place sugar and 1/2 cup butter into large bowl; beat on medium-high speed until well mixed. Add eggs, 1 at a time, beating well after each addition. Beat in 1/4 cup plus 2 tablespoons honey, lemon zest and vanilla. Add flour mixture, alternately with milk, beating well after each addition.

Step 4

Spoon batter evenly into prepared muffin pan cups. Bake 18-20 minutes or until toothpick inserted into center comes out clean. Cool completely.

Step 5

Place jelly beans onto parchment paper. Drizzle melted chocolate over jelly beans to look like bumble bee stripes. Immediately arrange 2 almonds slices to look like wings. Let stand until chocolate is set.

Step 6

Combine 1 cup butter and 1/3 cup plus 2 tablespoons honey in large bowl until well mixed. Gradually add powdered sugar, beating at medium speed until creamy and smooth. (Frosting will be thick.)

Step 7

Spoon frosting into piping bag fitted with large round tip. Pipe frosting onto cupcakes to look like beehive. Decorate with jelly bean bumble bees; drizzle with honey as desired.