As the clock ticked, kids frantically mixed their frosting and laid out the sprinkles and fondue that were sure to make their holiday cupcake stand out in the annual cupcake decorating competition Saturday, Dec. 14 at the North Branch Library. 

For approximately five years, kids have competed to see who can create the best holiday cupcake design with the Dartmouth library. Drawing a theme from a stocking, they were tasked with creating reindeer, polar bears, penguins, wrapped gifts, melting snowmen and more within the 15-minute time frame. 

“I like to see the kids’ creativity — I like to see what they come up with,” said Children’s Librarian Christie Phillips. “I think it’s kind of a fun thing to do for the older kids, who don’t really get a chance to do lots of the programs because they are typically geared for younger kids.”

“I think it went really well,” she said of this year’s contest. “They were sharing supplies — it was really nice. It wasn’t super competitive. It was just nice, friendly competition.”

That friendly competitive spirit was spotted at the table with Felix Guidaboni, 9, Julius Jonassaint, 10, and his sister Gabby Jonassaint, 9, when all three were tasked to create a penguin for their second cupcake. 

Creating the perfect black frosting color was tricky, but sharing went a long way for the table.

Julius Jonassaint, who created a snowman and penguin, said the latter came out the best “because it had a little bit more detail and it was a lot easier to make.”

Felix and Gabby agreed their penguins were the best to come out. Gabby highlighted how tricky it was to add the frosting to the cupcakes, pointing out how they “kept slipping.”

“I’ve never done a contest once before,” Felix said, but added this one was “really good” and he enjoyed eating most of all.

At another table, Andrew DiPasqua, 9, had created a reindeer and a penguin. He said he preferred how the first came out because it looks more recognizable, but added how he wished the brown frosting color for the fur was a little darker to match the chocolate chips.

Amelia Castellano, 9, created a melting snowman and polar bear, and while she enjoyed the decorating, she said she didn’t like the time crunch of getting it all done. 

Her brother, Christopher Castellano, 9, who made a holiday scene of carolers and a fireplace, took second place in the contest while MaKenzie Sylvia, 11, took first with her animal cupcakes.