Save Create a magical holiday centerpiece with the Elf Hat Cupcake Tower, a whimsical dessert featuring moist cupcakes topped with colorful elf hat decorations. This cheerful treat not only delights with its festive appearance but also offers a delicious bite perfect for holiday parties and gatherings. Whether you're hosting a family celebration or a winter-themed event, these cupcakes bring joy and charm to the table.
Save The combination of classic buttercream frosting and handcrafted elf hats makes assembling these cupcakes an enjoyable and creative activity. The vibrant colors bring warmth and cheer to any holiday table, making the Elf Hat Cupcake Tower an irresistible treat for kids and adults alike.
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, 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 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 batter
- Alternate adding flour mixture and milk to butter mixture, starting and ending with flour. Mix until just combined.
- 5. Bake cupcakes
- Divide batter evenly among liners (about 2/3 full). Bake 18–20 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean. Cool completely.
- 6. Make buttercream
- Beat butter until creamy. Gradually add powdered sugar, then 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. Decorate elf hats
- Cover each sugar cone with colored fondant or modeling chocolate. Add fondant details like stripes, dots, and 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. Create tower
- Arrange cupcakes on a tiered cupcake stand to create a festive tower effect.
Zusatztipps für die Zubereitung
Für ein einfacheres Dekorieren können fertige Fondantprodukte verwendet werden. Achten Sie darauf, die Butter und Eier auf Raumtemperatur zu bringen, damit der Teig und die Buttercreme die perfekte Konsistenz erhalten. Verwenden Sie einen gekühlten Raum, wenn Sie mit Fondant arbeiten, um das Formen zu erleichtern. Stellen Sie sicher, dass die Cupcakes vollständig ausgekühlt sind, bevor Sie mit dem Verzieren beginnen, damit die Buttercreme nicht schmilzt.
Varianten und Anpassungen
Sie können verschiedene Cupcake-Aromen ausprobieren, wie Schokolade, Gewürze oder Red Velvet, um das Rezept zu variieren. Für andere Ernährungsvorgaben kann die Milch durch pflanzliche Alternativen ersetzt werden, sofern Ihr Fondant auch vegan ist. Die elfenhutartigen Zuckerhüte lassen sich ebenfalls mit unterschiedlichen Farben und Dekoren individuell gestalten.
Serviervorschläge
Dieser Cupcake-Turm passt perfekt zu warmen Getränken wie heißer Schokolade, Glühwein oder prickelndem Apfelsaft. Servieren Sie die Cupcakes als süßes Highlight bei Weihnachtsfeiern, Kindergeburtstagen oder winterlichen Zusammenkünften. Für beste Optik bewahren Sie die Cupcakes ohne Hüte luftdicht verpackt und dekorieren sie kurz vor dem Servieren.
Save Der Elf Hat Cupcake Tower vereint kreativen Spaß und festlichen Genuss in einem niedlichen Dessert, das Ihre Gäste lieben werden. Mit etwas Geduld beim Backen und Dekorieren zaubern Sie eine unvergessliche Süßigkeit, die jede Feiertagsfeier perfekt ergänzt.
Recipe FAQ
- → How do I make the elf hat decorations?
Cover sugar cones with colored fondant or modeling chocolate, add decorative details like stripes or dots, then attach mini marshmallows or white chocolate chips as pom-poms using piping gel or melted chocolate.
- → Can I prepare these cupcakes in advance?
Yes, cupcakes can be baked and stored without hats in an airtight container for up to two days. Assemble decorations shortly before serving to maintain freshness and appearance.
- → What frosting works best for these cupcakes?
Classic buttercream frosting is ideal, as it can be easily tinted with gel colors and piped smoothly to create a fluffy base for the elf hats.
- → Are there flavor variations suggested for the cupcakes?
Try experimenting with chocolate, spice, or red velvet cupcake bases to add variety and enhance the festive appeal.
- → What tools are recommended for assembling the tower?
Use muffin pans, liners, piping bags with round tips, an offset spatula, and a multi-tier cupcake stand to bake, decorate, and present the tower elegantly.
- → Are there any allergen considerations?
These cupcakes contain wheat, eggs, and milk. Check decorations carefully as some fondants or toppings may contain nuts or other allergens.