Cream Butter and Salt:

In a stand mixer bowl, beat the butter and salt on medium speed until creamy.

Add Powdered Sugar:

Gradually incorporate the powdered sugar, adding one cup at a time, mixing thoroughly after each addition.

Mix in Milk and Vanilla:

Pour in the milk and vanilla extract, then continue mixing until the frosting becomes smooth and airy.

Apply Base Frosting:

Apply roughly half of the frosting onto each cupcake top in a light layer; perfection is not needed at this stage.

Coat with Graham Crumbs:

Submerge half of each cupcake into the graham cracker crumbs to create a sandy beach effect.

Fill Piping Bag:

Fill a piping bag fitted with a small open tip with about 1/3 cup of frosting.

Pipe Wave Swirls:

Pipe small mounds along the sand's edge and gently pull them downward. Use a toothpick to create gentle swirls simulating crashing waves.

Tint and Frost Blue:

Tint the remaining frosting with blue food coloring, mixing until uniform. Then, frost the unfrosted side of each cupcake with the blue frosting, stopping at the piped edge.

Swirl Blue Frosting:

Gently swirl the blue frosting with a toothpick to replicate water movement.

Melt Chocolate Nuggets:

Unwrap all Hershey’s nuggets. Place two nuggets in a microwave-safe bowl and heat until melted and smooth.

Assemble Treasure Chests:

Spread melted chocolate along one long edge of a nugget, then attach another nugget to form an open treasure chest. Use foil to hold them in place while the chocolate sets if necessary.

Place Chest on Cupcake:

Assemble all treasure chests, then position one chocolate chest into the graham cracker sand on each cupcake.

Add Gold Sprinkles:

Drop gold sprinkles into each open chest to represent treasure. Optionally, add a bit of melted chocolate inside to secure the gold coins.

Insert Pirate Flag:

Complete by inserting a pirate flag pick beside the treasure chest.