Elf Hat Cupcake Tower

Celebrate the holiday season with a whimsical twist by crafting the Elf Hat Cupcake Tower, a festive dessert that doubles as a charming centerpiece. These playful cupcakes feature moist vanilla bases topped with swirls of vibrant buttercream and crowned with colorful elf hat decorations made from sugar cones and fondant. Perfect for parties or cozy gatherings, this recipe invites creativity and joy into your holiday baking.

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This recipe transforms classic vanilla cupcakes into a magical holiday treat, with bright and joyful decorations that capture the spirit of the season. From baking the cupcakes to painting the elf hats with fondant, the process welcomes imagination and hands-on fun, ideal for sharing with family or friends.

Ingredients

• Cupcakes
  • 2 cups (250 g) all-purpose flour
  • 1 1/2 tsp baking powder
  • 1/2 tsp baking soda
  • 1/4 tsp salt
  • 3/4 cup (170 g) unsalted butter, softened
  • 1 1/4 cups (250 g) granulated sugar
  • 2 large eggs
  • 2 tsp pure vanilla extract
  • 1 cup (240 ml) whole milk
• Buttercream Frosting
  • 1 cup (225 g) unsalted butter, softened
  • 4 cups (480 g) powdered sugar, sifted
  • 2–3 tbsp (30–45 ml) milk
  • 2 tsp vanilla extract
  • Gel food coloring (red, green, yellow, blue)
• Elf Hat Decorations
  • 24 sugar cones (for hats)
  • Colored fondant or modeling chocolate (red, green, yellow, white)
  • Edible glitter or sprinkles (optional)
  • Mini marshmallows or white chocolate chips (for hat pom-poms)
  • Piping gel or melted white chocolate (for attaching decorations)

Instructions

1. Preheat the oven

Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Line two 12-cup muffin pans with cupcake liners.

2. Mix dry ingredients

In a bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt.

3. Cream butter and sugar

In a large bowl, cream butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Beat in eggs one at a time, then mix in vanilla.

4. Combine wet and dry

Alternate adding flour mixture and milk to the butter mixture, beginning and ending with flour. Mix until just combined.

5. Bake cupcakes

Divide batter evenly among cupcake liners (about 2/3 full). Bake 18–20 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Cool completely.

6. Prepare buttercream frosting

Beat butter until creamy. Gradually add powdered sugar. Mix in vanilla and milk, beating until fluffy. Divide and tint with gel food coloring as desired.

7. Frost cupcakes

Frost cooled cupcakes with a swirl of buttercream, using a piping bag fitted with a large round tip.

8. Create elf hats

Cover each sugar cone with colored fondant or modeling chocolate. Add fondant details (stripes, dots, hat brims). Attach a mini marshmallow or white chocolate chip to the tip with piping gel or melted chocolate. Optionally, add edible glitter or sprinkles.

9. Assemble cupcakes

Place an elf hat on each frosted cupcake, pressing gently to secure.

10. Arrange tower

Arrange cupcakes on a tiered cupcake stand to create a tower effect.

Zusatztipps für die Zubereitung

For smoother fondant application, use a lightly dusted rolling pin and work quickly to prevent drying. Chill cupcakes before frosting to help the buttercream hold its shape better. When tinting buttercream, add gel coloring gradually to achieve vibrant colors without altering the consistency.

Varianten und Anpassungen

You can experiment with different cupcake flavors such as chocolate, spice, or red velvet to add variety to your tower. For easier decorating, consider using pre-made fondant. Customize the elf hats with different colors or edible embellishments to suit your holiday theme.

Serviervorschläge

Serve these festive cupcakes alongside warm beverages like hot chocolate, mulled wine, or sparkling cider for a perfect holiday pairing. To keep hats pristine, store cupcakes without hats in an airtight container for up to two days and assemble just before serving.

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With its combination of classic flavors and imaginative holiday decoration, the Elf Hat Cupcake Tower is sure to bring festive cheer to any celebration. Whether you're sharing this with family or impressing guests at a party, the playful design and delicious taste make it a memorable centerpiece worth baking year after year.

Recipe FAQs

→ What type of flour is best for these cupcakes?

Use all-purpose flour to achieve a tender crumb and even texture in the cupcakes.

→ How can I make vibrant colors for the buttercream frosting?

Gel food coloring is recommended to create bright, saturated hues without thinning the frosting.

→ What are the best decorations for the elf hats?

Cover sugar cones with colored fondant or modeling chocolate and add mini marshmallows or white chocolate chips as pom-poms for a festive touch.

→ Can I prepare the cupcakes ahead of time?

Yes, bake and cool cupcakes in advance; store without decorations in an airtight container for up to 2 days, then assemble before serving.

→ Are there any suggested beverage pairings?

Pair these sweet treats with hot chocolate, mulled wine, or sparkling cider to enhance the festive experience.

→ How do I achieve a stable buttercream frosting?

Beat the butter until creamy before gradually adding sifted powdered sugar, then add vanilla and milk to achieve a fluffy but stable consistency.