The Mouse and the Motorcycle Cupcakes

The Mouse and the Motorcycle. Who could forgot that clever and adventurous chapter book character of our youth? To celebrate the end of the school year and reading through two of Beverly Cleary beloved "Ralph" books to my daughter's class this year, I decided to make "Mouse and the Motorcycle" themed cupcakes for everyone. I'm pleased with how they turned out, and though they seemed to be a challenge every step of the way, after a week I finally completed them!

I was up until about 2:30 am last night making these little polka dot banners. The cupcakes just wouldn't have been the same without them! I didn't get to photograph the red and white polka dot paper doilies I served the cupcakes on, but they were so cute.


Ralph loved his treasured "toy" motorcycle, for it was just the right size for a mouse! He quickly discovered that when he said "Pbbbbbbb!", the motorcycle would run like a real one!


I made the motorcycles and mice from marshmallow fondant using a recipe I found here. There are 20 different pieces that make up each motorcycle, and I adhered each piece together using minute amounts of jam applied with a toothpick. I did not make or ice the cupcakes - I just bought them from the bakery. No time!


My favorite part was brushing on the edible metallic finish!


One of Ralph's favorite foods was peanut butter and jelly sandwiches. Here he's having a snack while sporting his white motorcycle helmet - which was a "half a ping pong ball".


Ralph often found himself in predicaments, like being lost in the middle of a pile of laundry. His solution was to just chew his way through!




While you're thanking the teacher, Ralph, I'd like to thank you for a great year of adventure! Now stay out of trouble, will you!?

{Many thanks to everyone who has written this last week with their well wishes! I very much appreciate your thoughtful sentiments and kind words! Once again, I find myself very behind with my emails, but I just wanted you to know how much your notes meant to me!}

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