Step 1 : Preheat the oven to 350°F. Line 24 cupcake cups with paper liners. Prepare the cake mix according to package directions. Divide the batter evenly between the prepared cupcake pans and bake until golden and a toothpick inserted in center comes out clean, about 18 to 21 minutes. Transfer the cupcake pans to a wire rack and cool for 5 minutes. Invert the cupcakes and cool completely.

Step 2 : Spoon 2 tablespoons of vanilla frosting into a resealable bag and set it aside. Tint 1 cup of the remaining vanilla frosting a pale brown using 1 teaspoon of the cocoa powder and a drop of yellow food coloring. Spoon into a resealable bag. Tint the remaining vanilla frosting a darker brown with the remaining cocoa powder and a drop of yellow food coloring. More cocoa powder may be needed depending on the brand of frosting used. Spoon the frosting into a resealable bag.

Step 3 : Flatten the chocolate taffy with a rolling pin into small triangles for Linny’s ears. Snip a small corner in the frosting bags. Pipe dots of darker frosting on the lower third of the cupcake. Add a piece of marshmallow to build Linny’s snout. Attach the taffy ears on top of cupcake with some of the frosting. Starting on the outer edge of the cupcake, pipe Linny’s fur with dots of the darker frosting. Finish the snout and eye area with the pale brown frosting.

Step 4 : Shape the pink taffy pieces into small heart shapes for the noses. Attach at the top of the nose. Add the chocolate candies for the eyes and pipe white dots of frosting onto the candies to make pupils. Pipe Linny’s mouth with the chocolate decorating frosting.