Animal Cupcakes

Heat oven to 350 degrees F. Line 24 medium-size muffin-pan cups with paper liners.

Mix flour, cocoa, salt, baking soda and baking powder in bowl.

Beat butter, sugar and vanilla in large bowl until light and fluffy. Add whole eggs and whites, one at a time, beating well after each addition. Alternately beat in flour mixture with milk, beginning and ending with flour mixture. Spoon scant 1/4 cup batter into each prepared muffin cup.

Bake in 350 degrees F oven for 25 minutes or until wooden pick inserted in centers comes out clean. Remove cupcakes to racks to cool.

Prepare Cupcake Frosting: Beat 1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter or margarine, at room temperature, in medium-size bowl with electric mixer until fluffy. Gradually beat in 6 cups sifted confectioners' sugar alternately with 1/4 cup milk and 1 teaspoon vanilla until smooth and good spreading consistency. Beat in pinch of salt.

Frost cupcakes, tinting batches of frosting with food coloring for desired colors. Decorate tops of cupcakes, using candies.