Smiling Scarecrow Cupcakes

Smiling Scarecrow Cupcakes Cupcakes 1 3/4 cups all-purpose flour 1 teaspoon baking soda 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon 1 cup sugar 1/2 cup Butter, softened 1 Egg 1 1/2 cups applesauce Frosting 1/2 cup firmly packed brown sugar 1/3 cup Half & Half 1/4 cup Butter 2 1/2 cups powdered sugar 1/2 teaspoon vanilla Decorations Pretzel squares* Cinnamon graham cracker sticks Chow mein noodles or pretzel sticks Mini candy-coated chocolate pieces, chocolate chips, decorator candies or decorator gels, as desired Candy corn Chocolate sprinkles or licorice candies Heat oven to 350°F. Place paper baking cups into 18 muffin pan cups; set aside. Combine flour, baking soda and cinnamon in bowl; set aside. Combine sugar and 1/2 cup butter in bowl. Beat at medium speed until creamy. Add egg; continue beating until well mixed. Add flour mixture and applesauce; beat at low speed until well mixed. Fill each muffin pan cup 2/3 full. Bake 18-22 minutes or until toothpick inserted in center comes out clean. Cool completely. Combine brown sugar, half & half and 1/4 cup butter in 2-quart saucepan. Cook over medium heat 5-6 minutes or until mixture comes to a full boil. Cool 20 minutes; add powdered sugar and vanilla. Beat at medium speed until smooth and creamy. Cool completely. Create scarecrow faces by spreading 1 heaping tablespoon frosting over 1 cupcake; place pretzel square onto cupcake to make top of hat. Place small amount of frosting on back-side of graham cracker stick; place below pretzel to make hat band. Insert chow mein noodles into frosting around hat to resemble straw. Make face using assorted candies, chips or decorator gels. Repeat with remaining cupcakes and decorations. Store in loosely covered container. Don't forget to SHARE or TAG yourself if you see something that you like like so that it saves to your timeline and you can find it later!