Description
These delightful Chocolate Wreath Cupcakes are perfect for festive occasions, combining moist chocolate cupcakes with a rich buttercream frosting tinted green and decorated with red fondant bows and white fondant flowers to create a beautiful holiday wreath effect.
Ingredients
Scale
Cupcakes:
- 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1/2 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 2 large eggs
- 1/2 cup vegetable oil
- 1 cup whole milk
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/2 cup hot water
Buttercream Frosting:
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 4 cups powdered sugar
- 2-3 tablespoons heavy cream
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- Green food coloring, as needed
- Red fondant for bows
- White fondant or sprinkles for flowers
Instructions
- Preheat and Prepare: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a muffin tin with cupcake liners to ensure easy removal and prevent sticking.
- Mix Dry Ingredients: In a large bowl, sift together the all-purpose flour, granulated sugar, unsweetened cocoa powder, baking powder, baking soda, and salt, ensuring they are well combined for an even texture.
- Combine Wet Ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk the eggs, vegetable oil, whole milk, and vanilla extract until smoothly blended.
- Make the Batter: Gradually add the wet ingredients to the dry mixture, mixing gently until just combined. Slowly stir in the hot water, which helps create a smooth, thin batter perfect for moist cupcakes.
- Fill and Bake: Fill each cupcake liner about two-thirds full with batter to allow room for rising, then bake in the preheated oven for 18-20 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center of a cupcake comes out clean.
- Cool Cupcakes: Remove the cupcakes from the oven and let them cool completely on a wire rack before frosting to prevent the buttercream from melting.
- Prepare Frosting: In a mixing bowl, beat the softened unsalted butter until creamy. Gradually incorporate the powdered sugar while mixing on low to avoid a sugar cloud.
- Flavor and Texture: Add the vanilla extract and 2-3 tablespoons of heavy cream, then beat the mixture on medium-high speed until light, smooth, and fluffy.
- Add Color: Blend in green food coloring to achieve the desired shade of green suitable for the wreath decoration.
- Decorate Cupcakes: Using a piping bag fitted with a star tip, pipe the buttercream in circular swirls on top of each cupcake to mimic the look of a wreath.
- Add Finishing Touches: Roll the red fondant into small bows and use white fondant or sprinkles shaped as flowers to decorate the cupcakes, completing the festive wreath appearance.
Notes
- Ensure cupcakes are completely cool before frosting to prevent the buttercream from melting.
- You can substitute whole milk with almond milk or any milk alternative for a dairy-free version, though texture may vary.
- Adjust the amount of green food coloring depending on your preferred shade.
- Fondant decorations can be prepared ahead of time and stored in an airtight container until ready to use.
- If you prefer, use a pre-made buttercream frosting to save time.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cupcake
- Calories: 320 kcal
- Sugar: 28 g
- Sodium: 130 mg
- Fat: 18 g
- Saturated Fat: 10 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 7 g
- Trans Fat: 0.2 g
- Carbohydrates: 38 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 4 g
- Cholesterol: 45 mg
