Awesome Alien Cupcakes

1 box (18.25 ounces) devil's food or yellow cake mix

Water, vegetable oil and eggs called for on cake mix box

6 cups Kix cereal

3 tablespoons butter

4 cups miniature marshmallows

1/4 teaspoon orange neon gel or paste food color (from 2.7 ounce tube)

48 gummy peach ring candies (from three 4.25 ounce bags)

48 candy-coated chocolate candies

Black decorating gel (from 0.68 ounce tube)

48 thin pretzel sticks

20 drops green food color

1 container (12 ounce) whipped fluffy white frosting

Heat oven to 350 degrees (325 degrees for dark or nonstick pans). Place paper baking cup in each of 24 regular-size muffin cups.

Bake cake mix as directed on box for 24 cupcakes, using water, oil and eggs. Cool in pan 10 minutes; remove from pan to cooling rack. Cool completely, about 30 minutes.

Meanwhile, line 2 cookie sheets with waxed paper. In large bowl, place cereal.

In 4-quart saucepan, melt butter over low heat. Add marshmallows; stir until completely melted. Remove from heat. Stir in orange food color. Pour marshmallow mixture over cereal in bowl, stirring until well coated.

For feet, place 2 gummy candies on cookie sheet. Spray inside of 1/4-cup measuring cup with cooking spray. For body, fill measuring cup with warm cereal mixture; place over feet, releasing cereal mixture and covering back half of feet. Repeat with remaining gummy candies and cereal mixture to make 24 aliens. Use 2 candy-coated chocolate candies for eyes and black decorating gel to make centers of eyes. Insert 2 pretzels for antennae.

Stir green food color into frosting container; frost cupcakes with frosting. Place 1 alien on top of each cupcake; press gently to secure. Store uncovered at room temperature.

Recipe and picture from BettyCrocker.com