Pull-Apart Gingerbread Man

Directions

1. 1
   Special equipment: a large, flat serving platter; a large pastry bag fitted with a star tip, a small pastry bag fitted with a round tip
2. 2
   For the ginger-molasses frosting: Beat the butter, molasses and chocolate-hazelnut spread with an electric mixer on medium-high speed in a large bowl until completely smooth.
3. 3
   Scrape down the sides of the bowl.
4. 4
   Add the confectioners' sugar, cocoa, ginger, vanilla and salt and beat on medium low, increasing the speed as the ingredients begin to incorporate.
5. 5
   Beat on medium high for a few seconds until the frosting is completely smooth.
6. 6
   For the gingerbread man: Arrange the cupcakes on the platter in a gingerbread man shape (use about 14 cupcakes to make the head, 14 to make the arms and chest and 20 to make the tummy, legs and feet).
7. 7
   Transfer the frosting to a large pastry bag fitted with a star tip and pipe swirls to generously cover each cupcake top (the frosting on each top should touch its neighbor).
8. 8
   Then fill in any gaps with a squeeze of frosting.
9. 9
   Decorate as desired with gumdrops and candies.
10. 10
    Fill a small pastry bag fitted with a round tip with royal icing and use to decorate as desired.