Ornament Cupcakes

With only 9 days until Christmas, my holiday recipes are winding down. Let's review, so far this season we had two new types of cookies - Peppermint Mocha Cookies and French Vanilla Jam Swirls. Then we had two great breakfast options with Spiced Molasses Muffins and White Chocolate Egg Nog Bread. 

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Now we are going to delve into these fun ornament cupcakes! Honestly, they aren't too much trouble to make. You can determine the level of difficulty. Don't want to make the cake or frosting from scratch? Use a box mix and a tub of frosting. Don't have piping bags? Just make colored ornaments without patterns. 

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I like this chocolate cake recipe because it's no fuss. All the ingredients are probably in your house right now!

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Decorating Instructions

Gold Kit Kat positioned on cupcake

Watch the decorating video!

Supplies

18 cupcakes + vanilla frosting (see recipes below)

Sugar Glaze (recipe below)

9 snack size Kit Kat bars (18 individual bars)

Large cookie or ice cream scoop (~3 tablespoons)

Gold sprinkles or edible decorating dust

Assorted food coloring (I recommend gel based colors)

Assorted sprinkles

Piping bags and tips

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Easy Sugar Glaze

3/4 cup powdered sugar

1 tablespoon milk or water

Add the sugar and milk/water to a bowl and whisk to combine.

Decorating Directions

First you are going to prepare the top of the ornament using Kit Kat bars

Dip the top (about 1/2 inch) of each Kit Kat into the sugar glaze and set on a piece of parchment or wax paper

Using a small spoon, sprinkle the wet tops with your choice of gold shimmer

Allow the tops to set while you prepare your frosting

Separate the frostings into enough individual bowls as colors you would like to decorate with

Add a couple drops of color to each bowl and stir to combine. Add more until you reach desired colors

Once your tops set, place a Kit Kat in the center of a cupcake with the shimmer portion hanging off the side (see picture above)

Using your large cookie scoop or ice cream scoop, apply the frosting to the center of the cupcake

Use a knife to spread out and shape

Tip: Use a lot of frosting to achieve the domed top!

Decorate your ornament cupcake as desired! Use sprinkles, piping or leave them plain!

Shop the products I used to decorate!

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Ornament Cupcakes - Chocolate Cupcakes with Vanilla Frosting
Makes 18 cupcakes

Chocolate Cupcakes

Ingredients

1 1/2 cups (187.5 grams) all purpose flour

3/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder

1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder

1 teaspoon baking soda

1/2 teaspoon salt

1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened

1 cup granulated sugar

1 large egg + 1 egg yok

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

1 cup milk (I used 2%)

1/2 cup boiling water

Directions

Preheat the oven to 325 degrees

Line a cupcake tin with paper cupcake holders

In a large bowl, combine the flour, cocoa powder, baking powder, baking soda and salt. Set aside

In a large bowl attached to a stand mixer, beat the sugar and butter on medium high speed for approximately 4 minutes.

Add the eggs and vanilla extract and beat for another minute or so until combined

Scrape down the sides of the bowl and the bottom as needed. With the mixer on low, add 1/4 of the flour mixture and mix until just combined. Add 1/4 of the milk and mix just until incorporated. Repeat the process until all the flour and milk are incorporated, but be sure not to over beat.

Add the boiling water and mix until combined

Fill the tins until 3/4 full with the batter (it will be thin)

Bake for approximately 20 - 25 minutes or when a tester comes out clean

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Vanilla Frosting

Ingredients

1 1/2 cups unsalted butter, softened

9 cups (~ 2.5 pounds) confectioners sugar

3 tablespoons vanilla extract

1/4 cup heavy cream (you may not use all of it)

1/4 teaspoon salt

Directions

Add the softened butter to a bowl attached to a stand mixer and beat on medium high for 5 minutes

Add the sugar, vanilla extract, salt and 2 tablespoons of the cream to the bowl. Mix on low until the sugar starts to combine then beat for another 5 minutes on medium high. Add additional cream if the frosting is too thick, keeping in mind you will be adding additional liquid if using food coloring.

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