Ornament Cupcakes

Ornament Cupcakes are such a whimsical and creative treat for the holidays! Each cupcake can be customized to look like a shiny Christmas tree ornament, making them perfect for parties or as edible gifts. Here’s how you can make them:

Ornament Cupcakes 

Ingredients

For the Cupcakes:

• 1 ¾ cups (220g) all-purpose flour
• 1 ½ tsp baking powder
• ½ tsp baking soda
• ½ tsp salt
• ½ cup (120ml) unsalted butter, softened (or neutral oil for a dairy-free version)
• 1 cup (200g) granulated sugar
• 2 large eggs
• 2 tsp vanilla extract
• ½ cup (120ml) milk (or plant-based milk)
• ¼ cup (60ml) sour cream or yogurt (or plant-based alternative)

For the Buttercream Frosting:

• 1 cup (230g) unsalted butter, softened (or plant-based butter)
• 4 cups (500g) powdered sugar
• 3–4 tbsp milk (or plant-based milk)
• 1 tsp vanilla or almond extract
• Gel food coloring (assorted festive colors like red, green, blue, and gold)

For Decoration:

• Edible glitter or shimmer dust
• Mini candy pearls or sprinkles
• Metallic cupcake toppers (or DIY ornament hooks using foil-wrapped chocolates)
• Small piping nozzles for intricate designs

Instructions

1. Prepare the Cupcakes:
   • Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a muffin tin with festive cupcake liners.
   • In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt.
   • In a large bowl, beat butter and sugar until fluffy. Add eggs one at a time, mixing well, then add vanilla.
   • Alternate adding the dry ingredients and milk, beginning and ending with the dry ingredients. Mix until just combined.
   • Fold in the sour cream to ensure the batter is moist and creamy.
   • Divide the batter evenly among the cupcake liners. Bake for 18–22 minutes, or until a toothpick comes out clean. Cool completely.
2. Make the Buttercream Frosting:
   • Beat the butter until creamy. Gradually add powdered sugar, mixing well after each addition.
   • Add milk one tablespoon at a time until the frosting reaches a smooth, pipeable consistency.
   • Divide frosting into bowls and tint with gel food coloring to your desired ornament shades.
3. Decorate:
   • Pipe smooth domes of frosting on each cupcake to mimic the round shape of an ornament.
   • Use contrasting colors to pipe swirls, stripes, polka dots, or festive patterns.
   • Add sprinkles, edible glitter, or mini candy pearls for sparkle.
   • For the “ornament topper,” attach a small chocolate ball or use a candy piece wrapped in foil to resemble the hook mechanism.
4. Display and Serve:
   • Arrange the cupcakes on a cake stand or in a decorative box for gifting.
   • Watch as they light up your holiday table with joy and sparkle!

Would you like ideas for specific ornament designs or tips on creating 3D effects?