Save to Pins The Elf Hat Cupcake Tower is a delightful and whimsical dessert that brings festive cheer to any holiday gathering. These charming cupcakes are crowned with colorful elf hat decorations made from sugar cones and fondant, making them as fun to look at as they are to eat. Perfect for parties, this dessert centerpiece combines classic American flavors with imaginative design, sure to impress guests young and old alike.
Save to Pins This recipe provides step-by-step guidance to bake moist vanilla cupcakes topped with vibrant, tinted buttercream swirls. The elf hats crafted from colored fondant and sugar cones add a playful holiday element that turns ordinary cupcakes into festive delights. Assemble the cupcakes on a tiered stand to build a magical tower that will capture everyone's attention.
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 oven
- Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Line two 12-cup muffin pans with cupcake liners.
- 2. Combine 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. Mix batter
- 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
- 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. Make 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 best results, ensure the cupcakes are completely cooled before frosting so the buttercream doesn’t melt. Use gel food coloring sparingly to achieve vibrant hues without thinning the frosting. When decorating the elf hats, work quickly with fondant as it can dry out. Applying a light dusting of cornstarch on your rolling surface helps prevent sticking.
Varianten und Anpassungen
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 colored fondant. You can also customize the color palette of the buttercream and elf hats to match your holiday theme or event.
Serviervorschläge
These cupcakes pair wonderfully with warm beverages like hot chocolate, mulled wine, or sparkling cider, enhancing the festive atmosphere. Store the cupcakes without hats in an airtight container for up to 2 days, and assemble the elf hats just before serving to maintain their perfect appearance.
Save to Pins The Elf Hat Cupcake Tower is more than just a dessert; it’s a festive experience that brings joy and creativity to your celebrations. With its vibrant colors and playful design, it invites everyone to indulge in the holiday spirit one delightful bite at a time.
Questions & Answers
- → How do I make the elf hat decorations?
Cover sugar cones with colored fondant or modeling chocolate, add details like stripes or dots, and attach a mini marshmallow or chocolate chip at the tip using piping gel or melted chocolate.
- → What is the best way to frost the cupcakes?
Use a piping bag fitted with a large round tip to swirl buttercream frosting on cooled cupcakes evenly before adding the elf hats.
- → Can I prepare the cupcakes in advance?
Yes, store cupcakes without decorations in an airtight container up to 2 days. Assemble hats just before serving to keep them fresh.
- → Are there flavor variations suggested for these cupcakes?
Yes, try chocolate, spice, or red velvet cupcake bases to add variety to the tower.
- → What tools are recommended for assembling the tower?
Use muffin pans, piping bags, cupcake liners, and a tiered cupcake stand for best results.
- → How do I achieve the different frosting colors?
Divide buttercream and tint portions with gel food coloring in festive hues such as red, green, yellow, and blue.