Firecracker Cupcakes

• 1 (15.25 ounce) package white cake mix (such as Duncan Hines(R))
• 1 cup water
• 3 eggs
• 1/3 cup vegetable oil
• 1 (14 ounce) package sweetened flaked coconut (such as Bakers(R) Angel Flake(R))
• 8 drops blue food coloring
• 8 drops red food coloring
• 1 (16 ounce) package vanilla frosting
• 1 (.68 oz. tube) red decorating gel
• 1 toothpick
• 24 (4 inch) pieces red licorice strings

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Grease two 12-cup muffin tins or line cups with paper liners.
2. Combine cake mix, water, eggs, and oil in a bowl. Stir to moisten; beat with an electric mixer on low speed for 2 minutes. Pour into prepared muffin cups.
3. Bake cupcakes in the preheated oven until lightly golden, 16 to 20 minutes.
4. Divide coconut into 3 equal portions. Place 2 portions into separate resealable plastic bags; place remaining portion on a plate. Add blue food coloring to one bag and red food coloring to the other; seal bags and shake until coconut is evenly colored. Pour colored coconut onto separate plates.
5. Remove paper liners from cupcakes; frost tops and sides. Press each cupcake gently into the 3 plates of coconut, completely coating all sides. Draw a star shape on top using the decorating gel. Make a hole in the center of the star with a toothpick; insert a licorice piece "fuse."

white cake, water, eggs, vegetable oil, coconut, coloring, coloring, vanilla frosting, red decorating gel, red licorice

Taken from www.allrecipes.com/recipe/217906/firecracker-cupcakes/ (may not work)