Caterpillar Cake - cooking recipe

Ingredients

1/2 cup unsalted butter, at room temperature
1/3 cup honey, plus 1/4 cup extra
9 oz apple puree
1 tsp vanilla extract
1 cup whole wheat flour, plus 2 tbsp
1 tsp baking powder
9 oz cream cheese, at room temperature
None None yellow, red and green food coloring
20 strips licorice
None None M&Ms, to decorate

Preparation

Preheat oven to 350\u00b0F. Line 2 (12-cup) mini muffin pans with paper liners.
In a stand mixer, beat butter and 1/3 cup honey until light and creamy. Add apple puree and vanilla and beat until combined. Sift flour and baking powder into bowl then fold together until just combined. Distribute between paper liners and bake for 15-20 mins, or until a skewer inserted in the center comes out clean. Let cool in trays for 5 mins then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.
Meanwhile, combine cream cheese and remaining honey in a medium bowl. Transfer 2 tbsp to a small bowl and add 2 drops yellow food coloring. Spread over 3 cupcakes. Transfer 2 tbsp to a separate small bowl and add 2 drops red food coloring. Spread over 3 cupcakes. Add 2 drops green food coloring to remaining icing mixture then spread over remaining cakes.
To assemble, arrange yellow cupcakes on a large serving platter to form a flower. Arrange green cupcakes to make 3 separate caterpillars (using 6 cupcakes each). Place red cupcakes at 1 end of each caterpillar for heads. Cut licorice into small pieces and use for legs and feelers. Use M&Ms for eyes and noses. Serve.