Whether it's Valentine's Day or any special day - these "rose" decorations for mini cupcakes are easy and fun to make. Decorate a bunch and make a whole bouquet.

Step 1:

The "rose" is made by rolling a length of strawberry "Fruit by the Foot"
around a toothpick. "Fruit by the Foot" is sold in grocery stores near the fruit bars and comes in a lot of colors (and "flavors") and also – has a lot of perforation variations in each package- they really vary quite a bit.

Peel away one edge of the fruit strip so there's a curved edge on one side and a flat side on the other. I prefer using the “wave” or the ”ripple” edges (left side of picture above) but the strips can be cut as well.

Step 2:

Cut the strip if the perforations have angles, squares or long curves.

Use a pencil, marker or just a toothpick tip to scribe a cutting line on the PAPER SIDE and then cut the fruit strip with clean scissors (I used kitchen scissors).

Step 3:

Roll one end of the strip around a toothpick tip, then continue to roll the strip with the straight edge lined up.

After the rose gets going, remove the toothpick and just keep rolling the strip.

If the “petals” line up too much, cut the strip- wet the end with a dab of water, stick it back onto the rose in a new place, and then start rolling again.

Step 4:

At the end of the strip, add a dab of water to hold it in place.

When the "rose" is done, gently spread the "petals."

Step 5:

Make your favorite mini cupcakes, frost and add the roses to tops.

And here, I encourage you to take it further- add a green fruity leaf, tint the frosting, make licorice stems...add your own touch. Or keep it simple - they're really easy to make with kids- if you can keep the children from eating all the materials before they're finished.