Description
Delight in these Winter Wonderland Chocolate Cupcakes topped with a fluffy snowflake buttercream frosting. Rich, moist chocolate cupcakes are baked to perfection and adorned with a creamy blue buttercream, edible snowflakes, and shimmering pearls, making them the perfect festive treat for winter celebrations.
Ingredients
Scale
Chocolate Cupcakes:
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- ½ cup unsweetened cocoa powder
- 1 tsp baking powder
- ½ tsp baking soda
- ¼ tsp salt
- ½ cup unsalted butter, room temperature
- ¾ cup granulated sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- ½ cup buttermilk
Buttercream Frosting:
- 1 cup unsalted butter, room temperature
- 4 cups powdered sugar
- 2-3 tbsp heavy cream
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- Blue gel food coloring, as needed
Decorations:
- Edible snowflake toppers (store-bought or homemade)
- Silver, white, or mixed edible pearls
Instructions
- Preheat the oven: Set your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a 12-cup muffin tin with cupcake liners to prepare for baking.
- Combine dry ingredients: In a medium bowl, whisk together all-purpose flour, unsweetened cocoa powder, baking powder, baking soda, and salt until evenly mixed.
- Cream butter and sugar: In a large bowl, beat the room temperature butter and granulated sugar together until the mixture is light and fluffy. Then, add the eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition. Stir in the vanilla extract.
- Mix dry and wet ingredients: Gradually add the dry ingredient mixture to the butter mixture, alternating with the buttermilk. Begin and end with the dry ingredients, mixing gently just until combined to ensure a tender cupcake texture.
- Bake the cupcakes: Distribute the batter evenly into the prepared cupcake liners. Bake in the preheated oven for 18-20 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. Remove from oven and allow cupcakes to cool completely before frosting.
- Prepare the buttercream frosting: Beat the unsalted butter in a large bowl until creamy and smooth. Gradually add powdered sugar, one cup at a time, mixing on low speed to prevent sugar dust. Once fully incorporated, add heavy cream and vanilla extract, then increase the mixer speed to medium-high and beat for 3-5 minutes until the frosting is fluffy and light.
- Color the frosting: Add several drops of blue gel food coloring to the frosting and mix until you achieve your desired winter blue shade.
- Decorate the cupcakes: Transfer the blue buttercream to a piping bag fitted with a large star tip. Pipe generous swirls onto the cooled cupcakes. Top each with edible snowflake toppers and scatter silver, white, or mixed edible pearls around to create a frosty winter wonderland look.
Notes
- Ensure the butter and eggs are at room temperature for easier mixing and better texture.
- Do not overmix the batter once the dry ingredients are added to avoid dense cupcakes.
- Use gel food coloring instead of liquid to prevent frosting consistency changes.
- Store decorated cupcakes in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
- Bring cupcakes back to room temperature before serving for best flavor and texture.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cupcake
- Calories: 350
- Sugar: 30g
- Sodium: 150mg
- Fat: 20g
- Saturated Fat: 12g
- Unsaturated Fat: 7g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 38g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 4g
- Cholesterol: 70mg
