Elf Hat Cupcake Tower (Print View)

Colorful cupcakes topped with elf hat decorations, ideal for festive parties and holiday gatherings.

# What You’ll Need:

→ Cupcakes

01 - 2 cups all-purpose flour
02 - 1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
03 - 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
04 - 1/4 teaspoon salt
05 - 3/4 cup unsalted butter, softened
06 - 1 1/4 cups granulated sugar
07 - 2 large eggs
08 - 2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
09 - 1 cup whole milk

→ Buttercream Frosting

10 - 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
11 - 4 cups powdered sugar, sifted
12 - 2 to 3 tablespoons milk
13 - 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
14 - Gel food coloring (red, green, yellow, blue)

→ Elf Hat Decorations

15 - 24 sugar cones
16 - Colored fondant or modeling chocolate (red, green, yellow, white)
17 - Edible glitter or sprinkles (optional)
18 - Mini marshmallows or white chocolate chips (for hat pom-poms)
19 - Piping gel or melted white chocolate (for attaching decorations)

# Directions:

01 - Preheat oven to 350°F. Line two 12-cup muffin pans with cupcake liners.
02 - Whisk together flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt in a bowl.
03 - In a large bowl, cream the softened butter and granulated sugar until light and fluffy. Beat in eggs one at a time, then add vanilla extract.
04 - Alternately add dry flour mixture and milk to the butter mixture, beginning and ending with flour. Mix until just combined without overmixing.
05 - Divide batter evenly among liners, filling about two-thirds full. Bake for 18 to 20 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in center comes out clean. Cool completely before frosting.
06 - Beat softened butter until creamy. Gradually add powdered sugar while mixing. Incorporate vanilla extract and milk, beating until smooth and fluffy. Divide and tint with gel food coloring as desired.
07 - Pipe a swirl of colored buttercream onto cooled cupcakes using a large round tip.
08 - Cover each sugar cone with colored fondant or modeling chocolate. Add decorative details such as stripes or dots. Attach a mini marshmallow or white chocolate chip to the tip with piping gel or melted white chocolate. Optionally, add edible glitter or sprinkles.
09 - Place an elf hat on top of each frosted cupcake, pressing gently to secure.
10 - Arrange cupcakes on a tiered stand to create a festive tower centerpiece.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • A festive dessert that doubles as a holiday centerpiece to wow your guests.
  • Playful elf hat decorations add a charming and colorful touch.
  • The vanilla cupcake pairs perfectly with customizable buttercream frostings tinted in cheerful holiday shades.
  • Relatively easy to assemble, making it approachable for medium-level bakers.
  • Vegetarian-friendly, suitable for a variety of dietary preferences.
02 -
  • Use gel food coloring for vibrant hues without thinning the buttercream.
  • Attach mini marshmallows or white chocolate chips with piping gel or melted chocolate for strong adhesion.
  • Assemble cupcakes into the tower shortly before serving to keep decorations looking fresh.
  • Experiment with edible glitter or sprinkles to add a magical sparkle to the elf hats.
  • Use an offset spatula for smooth frosting application and a piping bag with a large round tip for neat buttercream swirls.
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