Bumble Bee Cake or Cupcake Toppers

Speaking of busy little bees...I've been meaning to get back here to post the edible bumble bee cake toppers from the Mommy-to-Bee baby shower cake.  You could also make these bees for easy cupcake toppers.  All you need is a little fondant or gum paste (which you can buy at the store) and some dabs of water...

 I used gum paste for these edible bees.  Start by coloring your fondant or gum paste black and yellow and leave some white for the eyes and wings.  I like to wear a pair of disposable gloves especially when coloring black fondant or gum paste.  Add a little shortening to your hands so it doesn't stick so much.  Once the color is mixed in, you can ditch the gloves.  Start with the yellow and then you can use the same pair of gloves for the black.  Now, roll yellow balls for the bees' heads.  For the bodies, I rolled small black balls of gum paste and then flatten it out and attached to the head with a little brush of water. Alternate a few rows with the yellow and black.  End with a pointy stinger (think chocolate chip shape).

The eyes are tiny white balls flattened and then a tiny black center.  Secure to the bee with a little dab of water.  The wings were pinched off and flattened like the shape of a tear drop.  Let the wings dry enough that they hold their shape and then secure with a dab of water to the bee.

Here are the bees placed on the top and sides of the cake or just place a single bee on top of a frosted cupcake.

Tip:  to take even more of the work out of it, you can buy your cupcakes and dress them up with handmade toppers.  Otherwise, these bees can be made while the cupcakes are baking and cooling.  The rest of the cake instruction can be found on this post.