Hey guys!
Today is a special post…a celebratory post, actually.
What are we celebrating?
Well…more like WHO are we celebrating?
The most sparkly, sweet girl in all the land, is who!
Yes, that would be Kristan (Confessions of a Cookbook Queen), my bestest bloggy and real life friend!
Today is her birthday and honestly, that is cause for a celebration…with loads of pink and glitter and sugar and candy and hugs and cupcakes!
I mean without her, the world wouldn’t have THESE or THESE.
And I wouldn’t have a partner in crime over HERE.
Plus, I talk to her like everyday of my life and that’s kinda important…SHE’S kinda important!
One thing about Kristan, is beyond knowing loads about good make-up and good shoes she is kind of a candy expert.
So, in her honor I decided to combine 2 of her all time favorite things…candy and cupcakes.
More specifically, Sour Patch Kid cupcakes.
Here’s what I did.
First make your sour sugar. It’s the most important part of Sour Patch Kids Candy, so essentially it’s the most important part of these cupcakes.
What I did was mix equal parts citric acid and sugar.
Don’t be SCARED! Citric acid isn’t gonna make your face melt..it’s a powder that is used in lots of candies! You can get it HERE.
If you don’t want to order it online, you can get this type of thing at the supermarket…
This is “crystallized lemon” and all it is, is flavored citric acid. It would work perfect for these cupcakes. You can get this at the supermarket.
If you can’t find either of these items, you could just use powdered lemonade mix…it won’t be AS sour, but I imagine that it will do the trick 
Ok, so what I did was mix 1/4 cup citric acid with 1/4 cup sugar. That’s it.
Set that aside.
Now bake some cupcakes. Use a box mix, Kristan would approve.
Then, when they cool, use a paring knife cut a small hole in the top.
I filled a ziplock bag with some Strawberry jelly…
Cut the corner off and squeeze some jelly into the cupcakes.
Then make some frosting. Use THIS recipe.
I colored my frosting different colors to make it pretty.
Then pipe your frosting on and sprinkle them evenly with the sour sugar you made.
Top them off with a Sour Patch Kid Candy!
And dig in…
There are a few other sweet girls who wanted to wish Kristan a Happy Birthday too!!
So go check out their posts for more birthday fun ~
So, Happy Birthday Kristan!! Hope you have a super special day
Hi! I’m Shelly and I’m an addict. Of the buttercream sort. I started this site a few years ago as a way to justify my sugary, buttery obsession with desserts. It has worked out well for me so far, because as it turns out you guys all love sugary, buttery desserts too! It feels good to know you are not alone, doesn’t it? 
Oh my goodness–you are seriously my hero. I never thought of making my own sour sugar–I’m the person that uses a wet finger to get every last grain out of the bottom of the bag of sour patch kids. This could be very dangerous for me.
Kacey @ cookingwithkacey recently posted..Smoky Bacon ‘N Blue Dip & A Giveaway!
GENIUS.
sour patch kids are one of my favorite candies ever. and in cupcake form?!
GENIUS!
Heather (Heather’s Dish) recently posted..New Year’s Resolutions
Wow! Never seen something like this before… delish!
These are excellent!! I was *thisclose* to doing something Sour Patch when I got swept away by all things glitzy!
These don’t just look delicious, they look adorable! Love the Kids, love the cupcakes, and love Kristan! Happy birthday to the queen!
Oh I love how they look, and I would so do these and not tell people they were sour. Then watch them eat them,I am mean like that.
Sue @ Cakeballs, cookies and more recently posted..Chocolate Covered Baby Bananas -My Disney Treat Copy Cat
oh my word these sound AMAZING and with 6 kids they will be a hit, cannot wait to make them
You girls are so sweet and two of my favorite bloggers so happy birthday to Kristan! What a perfect cupcake to celebrate!
Lauren at Keep It Sweet recently posted..Chewy Gooey Cinnamon Toffee Blondies {Guest Post}
Happy Birthday Kristan! These cupcakes look like so much fun!
Natalie recently posted..Cute Video Alert
What a fantastic way to celebrate!!! Happy Birthday Kristan, hope you’re having a great day!
http://daisycakecompany.wordpress.com
Bronya recently posted..Raspberry and Chocolate Cupcake Bakes
Oh dear me, I’m in love!
Katrina @ Warm Vanilla Sugar recently posted..Taco Pizza
Those are awesome, and so appropriate for Kristan! Perfect!
heather recently posted..Cotton Candy Meringues for a Special Birthday
Sour Patch Cupcakes. I can practically taste them. And I never would have thought of adding strawberry filling — such a good idea!!
LilaLoa recently posted..Sour Patch Cookies
I love sour patch kids!
Elizabeth recently posted..Chocolate Covered Marshmallow Cookies
Shelly I am about to start bawling all up in here!! I cannot believe you girls did this. I am so grateful to have you all as friends. You are the best!!!!
(Jon David wants to know when we should expect these cupcakes in the mail)
Cookbook Queen recently posted..Cherry Vanilla Tuxedo Cake
Wow I love the vivid colour in these and how impressive that you made your own sour sugar!
Cupcake Crazy Gem recently posted..Magic Bars from the Loveless Cafe, Tennessee
I love sour patch kids! What a fabulous recipe, thanks for sharing
Mommyof2Girlz/StephD recently posted..Sausage and Peppers Savory Meat Roll {recipe}
What a cute way to show your bestie she’s awesome on her special day!
Kristin @ FoodFash recently posted..Cure For The Common Monday
Perfect birthday dessert for sweet Kristan!!! You both are just the cutest!
bridget {bake at 350} recently posted..Marcona Almond-Sea Salt Toffee
What fun cupcakes! Perfect for a birthday!
Erin recently posted..Berry Detox Smoothie
Omgosh, what a fun and creative idea! When I was little, I remember ALWAYS buying a box of sour patch kids at the movie theatre and eating those things until my tongue was raw. I loved it
These are so great, absolutely in love with your idea!
Jess Wakasugi {Life’s Simple Measures} recently posted..Banana Cake
Oh my gosh, these are so adorable! My mom is obsessed with sour patch kids, definitely will be making these for her soon!
Ryan recently posted..Giant Malted Oreos
pretty darn sweet! That picture of you guys is so cute.
trisha recently posted..White Chocolate Champagne Scones with Champagne Rose Icing ~ Happy Tea Party Tuesday!
I love the colors, and the sour sugar is brilliant!
Sue recently posted..Hot Cocoa Cookies
You’re able to make the most beautifully colored frostings- I’m uber jealous.
Sarah @ See Sarah Bake recently posted..Cookie Dough Truffles
Those are da’bomb, and really gorgeous.
Woah!! You creativity is out of this world! These literally are Sour Patch Kids made into a cupcake. What a great idea for the Cookbook Queen
. My husband is addicted to Sour Patch Kids, I must make these for him!
Krissy @ Krissy’s Creations recently posted..Pistachio Macarons
Super cute! Happy birthday Kristan!
Amanda @ Once Upon a Recipe recently posted..Greens for Breakfast | Kale, Oat, and Blueberry Smoothie
So much fun! I have a teenage daughter that is obsessed with Sour Patch Kids–she needs these ;0)
Those are the most genius cupcakes, ever. My kids would go crazy for them!
Off to with Kristan a happy b-day!
Kristen recently posted..Project 365 2012 – A Photo A Day Journey – Week 1
You two are just so precious and these sour patch kids cupcakes are like the smartest thing evah! My nephew loves them and would go bazerk!!! {how do you spell that!?}
What a wonderful birthday tribute to sweet Kristan! These are just perfect for her!
Robyn Stone | Add a Pinch recently posted..Rosemary Potatoes Recipe
These look so fun and perfectly bright and cheery. A hit with the kiddos (and the moms) for sure
Averie @ Love Veggies and Yoga recently posted..Ritz Stuffed Peanut Butter Cups
These are awesome! And something that I have never seen before!
these are just too adorable! love them.
These are awesome! I love sour patch kids! I would take pure sugar over chocolate any day!
Cassie recently posted..Creamy Baked Mac and Goat Cheese
Oh boy! You’ve hit the jackpot! These are definitely going onto the “to bake” list.
Josh’s favorite candy! I will have to make these for him!
Maria recently posted..Baked Polenta Pie
Sour sugar!!! My grandkids are gonna REALLY love me now
I love this post!
Karen @ Sugartown Sweets recently posted..Candy Lollies!
You invented Sour Patch Kids Cupcakes…next thing we know you’ll be winning the Nobel Peace Prize. You’re so smart!
sweetsugarbelle recently posted..Sparkly Birthdays and Cookbook Queens!
Happy birthday Kristan! Sour patch kids are my favorite candy. Loving these!
Joanne recently posted..Recipe: Spicy Squash Salad with Lentils, Brussels Sprouts and Goat Cheese
Oh my… this could not have come in better timing. I’ve been trying to figure out what kind of cupcake I’m making for my husband’s birthday next month. His favorite candy is sour patch kids… I’m totally making these!
Wait a second…..Why didn’t I get a party for my Birthday??? Ohhh, thats right, no one likes me
Anywayyyyy, these little cupcakes made that little saliva thing in the back of my mouth tingle!
leslie recently posted..How to make Vanilla Sugar
hahahaaaa, yeah, I didn’t get a party on my birthday either. I guess we’re in the same boat
These are sooooo cute! What a genius idea to do SPK cup cakes
Love that sweet photo of you and Kristan 
Genius! Happy birthday Kristan!
Rachel @ Not Rachael Ray recently posted..Build A Better Me
My first post here…
Wow, these look yummy. They kinda remind me of Jelly Tots sweeties we get here in the UK. Google them if you don’t know what they are (not sure if you have them over the pond).
Is the strawberry you put in the cupcakes like a strawberry puree or could I use jam? I’ll have to keep an eye out for the real fruit purees at our supermarkets as I’ve been dying to core a cupcake (I even have a new gadget for the job!)
Lisa @ Sweet2Eat Baking recently posted..Blueberry Muffins
I’m late to the party, but what a great friend you are! I’m sure that Kristan really appreciated such special cupcakes in her favorite candies! I’m sure she was tickled PINK! Thanks for sharing!
Cristin (Pinkie) of Cristin’s Cookies recently posted..GUEST POST From the Amazing LilaLoa!
it’s colourfull cake~ :9
these are so cute. how did you make the frosting so bright?
Just used lots of coloring
I used ChefMaster coloring.
My little cousin would love these. I might just have to make them for his birthday!
Elena recently posted..Life: Honeymoon Day 9
Hi Shelly (and Kristan)
Just wanted to say HAPPY BIRTHDAY to Kristan…all the way from New Zealand! I love BOTH your blogs and it’s super exciting that you’re BFFs!
Thanks for the awesome recipe for Sour Patch Kids cupcakes, I only just discovered these delicious American lollies last year and they’re my new favourite candy!
Lydia Grace recently posted..Pretty in Pinterest: Candy Like You’ve Never Seen!
I just made this but I improvised the recipe. Instead of strawberry jelly in all of them, I used jello; lime, cherry, orange, lemon (the four flavor of a SPK). First, I added 2 teaspoons of hot jello mix to the cupcake. I chilled remaining jello so it was not yet stiff, but so that it wouldn’t absorb into the cake. Once jello was a little firm I filled the holes with jello. I still made a butter cream frosting but I used my own recipe. To sprinkle the top I did use Country Time Lemonaid powder as I was not about to find the True Lemon in any store. They came out phenomenal! Thanks for the inspiration!!
Hello for the sour patch cupcakes would you still put vanilla in the frosting? I am going to make these this week:)
Sure, if you want to! The frosting is fine without the extract too