Use cornstarch as you would flour when making dough. Dust your work surface, hands, rolling pin, and cutters. Line a cookie sheet or tray with parchment paper or a non-stick baking mat.

Knead the white fondant in your hands to make it soft and pliable and roll to ¼"/0.5cm thick.

Using a 2"/5cm round cookie cutter, cut out 36 Minnie ears.

Place the ears on the prepared cookie sheet to dry overnight or for 24 hours if possible.

When the fondant ears have completely dried, use the red edible marker pen to draw on the swirls of the peppermint candy. Draw the lines out first and then color in,

To make the bows, use a silicone bow mold and dust the mold with cornstarch each time you make a fondant bow. The bows should be about 2"/5cm wide.

Pinch off a small piece of green fondant and press into the bow mold cavity. Carefully remove from mold and set on the cookie sheet to dry overnight or for 24 hours if possible. Repeat to make 18 bows total.

To make the cupcakes, preheat the oven to 180C/350F/Gas 4. Line cupcake pans with 18 cupcake liners and set aside.

Using an electric handheld or stand mixer, place the cake mix, butter, milk, and eggs into a large bowl and mix until combined and smooth.

Use an ice cream scoop to divide the cupcake batter between the liners - about three-quarters full.

Bake for 20 minutes or until an inserted toothpick comes out clean.

Leave to cool in the pan for about 5 minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely before decorating.

To make the frosting, use an electric stand or handheld mixer and add the butter, powdered sugar, cream, and vanilla to the bowl.

Beat on medium speed until creamy and smooth and stiff peaks form.

Transfer the frosting into a large piping bag fitted with a star tip.

Pour the crushed candy canes and sprinkles into a bowl and stir to mix.

Pipe a thick ring around the edge of each cooled cupcake and dip into the sprinkles to cover.

Pipe a swirl of frosting on top of the sprinkles layer.

Place a peppermint ear on either side of the frosting swirl.

Place a fondant bow on top of the frosting between the ears.

Enjoy and Happy Holidays!