Christmas Cupcake Maker

Each cupcake starts as plain batter and ends up looking like a tiny character once the face goes on. Pick a base flavor, add a swirl of frosting in a color from mint to cranberry, then build a face out of candy eyes, a fondant nose and a piped mouth.

Toppers turn the design into something specific: a knit hat, a scarf, holly sprigs or a peppermint swirl that sits like hair. Small choices like frosting texture or the tilt of the eyes change the personality of the finished cupcake completely.

It runs like a character creator with frosting standing in for skin and sprinkles standing in for clothes.