Description
These Gnome Cupcakes are adorable and festive treats, perfect for holiday parties, birthdays, or just a fun baking activity! Each cupcake is decorated to resemble a cute little gnome, complete with a frosting beard, a candy nose, and a colorful hat.
Ingredients
Units
Scale
For the Cupcakes:
- 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 1/2 tsp baking powder
- 1/4 tsp salt
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 3/4 cup granulated sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1/2 cup milk
For the Frosting & Decoration:
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 3 cups powdered sugar
- 2 tbsp heavy cream or milk
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- Food coloring (red, blue, green, etc. for hats)
- Mini marshmallows (for hat trim, optional)
- Sprinkles or sanding sugar (optional)
- Large round sprinkles, mini cookies, or candy pearls (for noses)
- Piping bags with star and round tips
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a muffin tin with cupcake liners.
- Make the cupcakes:
- In a bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt.
- In another bowl, beat butter and sugar until light and fluffy.
- Add eggs one at a time, then mix in vanilla.
- Alternately add dry ingredients and milk, mixing until combined.
- Divide batter evenly into liners and bake for 18-20 minutes, or until a toothpick comes out clean. Let cool.
- Make the frosting:
- Beat butter until smooth. Gradually add powdered sugar, then mix in vanilla and cream.
- Divide into portions and color each batch for different hat colors.
- Decorate the gnome cupcakes:
- Pipe the beard: Use a star tip and white frosting to pipe swirls or strands from the bottom half of the cupcake.
- Add the nose: Place a round sprinkle, mini cookie, or candy pearl in the center of the cupcake, just above the beard.
- Pipe the hat: Use colored frosting and a round tip to pipe a triangle-shaped hat over the top half of the cupcake.
- Add details: Sprinkle with sanding sugar, attach mini marshmallows for trim, or add extra decorations.
Notes
- Use a sugar cone instead of frosting for a structured hat.
- Try different flavors for the cupcakes like chocolate, red velvet, or spice cake.
- Store in an airtight container for up to 3 days.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cupcake
- Calories: ~320 kcal
- Sugar: 30g
- Sodium: 120mg
- Fat: 16g
- Saturated Fat: 10g
- Unsaturated Fat: 4g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 42g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 3g
- Cholesterol: 50mg