Save Celebrate the holiday season with a whimsical centerpiece that is as delightful to look at as it is to eat. The Elf Hat Cupcake Tower combines classic American cupcakes topped with colorful elf hat decorations, creating a festive and fun dessert ideal for parties and family gatherings. With vibrant buttercream frosting and playful sugar cone hats, this recipe invites joy and creativity into your kitchen.
Save Bringing this playful design to life requires a balance of baking skills and decorative flair. Whether you are hosting a holiday gathering or looking for a delightful project with kids, the step-by-step preparation ensures a smooth process from mixing batter to assembling the final tower. The blend of textures—from soft cupcakes to creamy frosting and crisp sugar cones—adds an extra dimension to every bite.
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 the oven
- Preheat the oven 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 wet and dry mixtures
- 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. Decorate 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. Create tower
- Arrange cupcakes on a tiered cupcake stand to create a tower effect.
Zusatztipps für die Zubereitung
To ensure even baking, rotate the pans halfway through the baking time. Allow cupcakes to cool completely before frosting to prevent melting. When working with fondant, keep your hands and tools slightly dusted with cornstarch to avoid sticking. For attaching decorations securely, chill the cupcakes briefly after placing the elf hats.
Varianten und Anpassungen
Experiment with different cupcake flavors such as chocolate, spice, or red velvet to add a unique twist to your tower. Use pre-made fondant to simplify decorating, or try edible markers to draw extra details on the hats. Adjust the intensity of food coloring to create a pastel or bold look depending on your holiday theme.
Serviervorschläge
Pair the Elf Hat Cupcake Tower with hot chocolate, mulled wine, or sparkling cider to complement the festive flavors. These cupcakes also make a charming gift for friends and neighbors during the holidays. Keep cupcakes without hats stored in an airtight container for up to 2 days, assembling just before serving to maintain freshness and presentation.
Save This Elf Hat Cupcake Tower is more than just a dessert—it's a joyful holiday statement that brings warmth and creativity to your celebration. With its charming details and mouthwatering flavors, this recipe will inspire smiles and festive cheer wherever it appears.
Recipe Questions & Answers
- → How do I keep the elf hats securely on the cupcakes?
Use piping gel or melted white chocolate to attach the elf hats firmly to the buttercream frosting, ensuring they stay in place during handling.
- → Can I prepare the cupcakes in advance?
Yes, bake and frost the cupcakes a day ahead, but add the elf hat decorations just before serving to maintain freshness and appearance.
- → What can I use to color the buttercream frosting?
Gel food coloring works best for vibrant shades without thinning the consistency of the buttercream.
- → Are there variations to the cupcake flavors suggested?
Absolutely, try chocolate, red velvet, or spice-flavored cupcakes for a different taste experience while maintaining the festive look.
- → How should I store the decorated cupcakes?
Store undecorated cupcakes in an airtight container for up to two days; assemble with hats shortly before serving to keep decorations fresh.