Directions

1. Divide the vanilla frosting into two equal parts. Leave one portion white, and combine the other portion with cocoa powder and yellow food coloring until it reaches a shade of tan. Start with a teaspoon of cocoa powder and a drop or two of food coloring; then add more of each until the frosting reaches the shade of tan you desire.
2. Use a medium star tip on a piping bag and pipe tan frosting on 12 of the cupcakes. Place white frosting in a piping bag with a medium star tip and pipe on the remaining 12 cupcakes.
3. To make the paw prints, cut several Tootsie Rolls into slices. Shape some of the slices into rough upside-down heart shapes for the large metacarpal pad. Cut some of the slices into smaller pieces and shape them into ovals for the small digital pads. Press the Tootsie Rolls into the frosting in the shape of a pawprint.