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Winter Chocolate Cupcakes with Snowflake Buttercream Frosting

Moist chocolate cupcakes topped with silky winter-themed buttercream decorated like sparkling snowflakes.
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Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 40 minutes
Servings: 12 cupcakes
Course: Dessert, Snack
Cuisine: American, Autumn
Calories: 280
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

Chocolate Cupcakes
  • 1 cup all-purpose flour
  • 0.5 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
  • 1 cup granulated sugar
  • 1 tsp baking soda
  • 0.5 tsp baking powder
  • 0.5 tsp salt
  • 1 egg large
  • 0.5 cup milk
  • 0.25 cup vegetable oil
  • 2 tsp vanilla extract
  • 0.5 cup hot milk or water
Snowflake Buttercream Frosting
  • 1 cup unsalted butter softened
  • 3 cups powdered sugar
  • 2-4 tbsp heavy cream or milk
  • 2 tsp vanilla extract
  • 1 pinch salt
  • blue gel food coloring optional
  • snowflake sprinkles or sugar pearls for decorating

Equipment

  • Mixing bowls
  • Baking sheet
  • Wire rack
  • Hand mixer or stand mixer

Method
 

  1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a 12-cup muffin tin with liners.
  2. Whisk flour, cocoa, sugar, baking soda, baking powder, and salt in a bowl.
  3. In another bowl, whisk egg, milk, oil, and vanilla.
  4. Add wet ingredients to dry ingredients, then stir in hot milk until smooth.
  5. Fill cupcake liners and bake 18–20 minutes until set.
  6. Beat butter, then add powdered sugar gradually. Add cream, vanilla, and salt.
  7. Tint some frosting light blue. Pipe swirls onto cooled cupcakes.
  8. Decorate with edible glitter, snowflake sprinkles, or sugar pearls.

Notes

Pipe frosting with two-tone blue and white frosting for a frosty winter swirl.