National Hotdog Day Official Hotdog Cupcakes Recipe

First, ensure your vanilla cupcakes are completely cool. While they cool, make the frosting: in a stand mixer, combine the 2 cups confectioners' sugar, 1/2 cup butter, 2 tablespoons milk, and 1 teaspoon vanilla extract. Beat on medium speed, then increase to high until the mixture is semi-stiff. Transfer the frosting to a piping bag and ice each cooled cupcake.

Next, line a baking sheet with wax paper. Take the 2 ounces of brown fondant and roll it into 12 small 1/4 inch spheres. Shape each sphere into a cylinder with rounded ends to create the "hot dogs."

Finally, knead each of the 12 caramel candies and flatten them into 1 inch diameter discs for the "hot dog buns." Place a fondant "hot dog" in the center of each flattened caramel, wrapping the caramel around it to resemble a bun. Decorate the top of each "hot dog" with red and yellow frosting to mimic ketchup and mustard, then place one on top of each frosted cupcake.