Cupcake Topiary Tree

Photograph courtesy of Food Network Magazine/Taken by Tara Donne

Considering using cupcakes in lieu of cake at your wedding? Why not have them do double duty as decorations as well?  This Cupcake Topiary Tree was featured in Food Network Magazine in their May 2010 issue. 

To make your Cupcake Topiary Tree you'll need:

1 Terracotta  pot
Floral Foam
12 inch floral foam ball
12 inch dowel
Brown Paint
Pink Paint
Mini cupcake liners 24
Straight Pins
Toothpicks

Directions:
Fill the terracotta pot with floral foam, and insert a 12 inch dowel or thick stick in foam.  If you're using a dowel you'll need to paint it brown before placing it.  Paint a 12 inch floral foam ball pink and let dry.  This can take an hour, be sure it's all the way dry.  Push the ball down onto the dowel that's already been anchored into the pot.  Using straight pins and cupcake papers to plot your cupcake design, then place real cupcakes in each spot removing the pins and papers used for plotting as you go.  Attach cupcakes using 3 toothpicks poked halfway into the bottom of each cupcake and press them into the ball.