Hunger Games Cupcakes - Red Velvet / White Chocolate

** Warning....may be spoilers **

I am a fan of what is called YA (Young Adult) Dystopic Literature.  Some of the things people can fathom in their mind and write about blow me away.   I've read a few really good books under this "genre": Unwind, Matched, Crossed, The Maze Runner, The Hunger Games and so forth.

I picked up the Hunger Games and I think it sat on my shelf for three weeks before I gave it a chance.  I had a hard time getting past the name of the main character, Katniss.  But at the urging of a friend, I did read it.  In fact I read all three in two weeks WITH a college course load.  And so I am stoked for the movie to come out in March of this year.  So, in preparation for that I decided to make Hunger Games Cupcakes.

I also made the wrappers with a template I have on the computer.  I haven't seen much in the way of "decor" for cupcakes for this book series soon to be movie series so I made my own.

I decided on a red velvet and added some cayenne pepper to it to make it hot - like Katniss's fire dress and her designation as the "girl on fire".  On top is a white chocolate salted buttercream, toffee chips and gold sprinkles.  I added the toffee chips to give it texture and a 2nd flavor to the white chocolate in the buttercream.

President Snow and the mockingjay logo.....all the other cupcakes you'll notice...well the wrappers...are profiles.  Apparently they didn't have one of Snow but the forward facing image I think gives him a more "I dare you" kinda personality - much like the arrogance he portrays in the books.

Katniss, Peeta and Gale.  The wrappers have fire on the sides....there's a better picture below.  I'm not particularly happy with my laserjet printer....or maybe it's the paper I used to print on but.....these should have come out brighter than they did....grrr....yes I nit pick things like that.

Cinna, Effie and Haymitch.....I like the profiles.  Originally I was just going to make them all with the mockingjay logo....but then saw the profiles and thought they'd be cool too.

I don't typically staple them but for the love of Pete (Peeta?) I couldn't find the tape anywhere.  I like the flames, I think they look really cool on the black wrapper.  I might play with these a little bit more to refine the wrappers.

Mockingjay Logo wrappers available here Etsy Shop

Hunger Games Cupcakes (Makes 24)

(I don't usually use a box but I have so much trouble getting red velvet to turn red.  And since this was just an experiment of flavors, the box was easier)

1 box red velvet
3 eggs
1/2c oil
1 cup milk
1/4tsp - 1/2tsp cayenne pepper (depends on how hot you want it to be)

Mix all ingredients together and fill liners about 1/2 way.  Cook for 15 minutes or until  toothpick comes out clean.

Confectioner's Sugar Buttercream

3 sticks salted butter room temp
4 cups sifted confectioner's sugar
4 oz white chocolate, melted (I use Baker's squares)
1/2 tspn vanilla extract
toffee bits
gold sprinkles

Mix butter in mixer until light and fluffy.  On slow, add confectioner's sugar 1/4 cup at a time (mixing on high for 10 sec between each 1/4 cup).  When all the confectioner's sugar is mixed, on medium add the vanilla and mix well.  Then add the white chocolate and mix for 5 seconds on medium high.  Pipe on cupcakes and sprinkle with toffee and gold sprinkles.

Enjoy!  And may the odds be ever in your favor..........