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Snowman Cupcakes Recipe

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★★★★★

4.7 from 128 reviews

These adorable Snowman Cupcakes combine rich cocoa muffins with creamy vanilla buttercream to create a festive winter treat. Decorated with marshmallows, chocolate chips, pretzels, and candy details, these cupcakes are perfect for holiday parties or a fun family baking project.

Ingredients

Scale

For the Muffins

  • 1¼ cups all-purpose flour
  • ½ cup natural cocoa powder
  • 1 teaspoon baking powder
  • ½ teaspoon baking soda
  • ¼ teaspoon fine salt
  • ½ cup unsalted butter, softened
  • ¾ cup granulated sugar
  • ¼ cup packed light brown sugar
  • 2 large eggs, room temperature
  • 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
  • ½ cup whole milk, room temperature

For the Buttercream

  • 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
  • 3¾ cups powdered sugar, sifted
  • 2–3 tablespoons heavy cream or milk
  • 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
  • Pinch of fine salt

For the Decoration

  • 12 large marshmallows
  • 1½ tablespoons dark chocolate sprinkles (jimmies or vermicelli)
  • 12 orange candy-coated chocolates or small candy corn pieces (noses)
  • 24 mini pretzel sticks, halved (arms)
  • 36 regular chocolate chips (buttons)

Instructions

  1. Prep: Heat the oven to 350 °F / 175 °C. Line a 12-cup muffin pan with bright blue paper liners to prepare for baking.
  2. Mix Dry Ingredients: In a medium bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, natural cocoa powder, baking powder, baking soda, and fine salt until evenly combined.
  3. Cream Butter and Sugars: Using a mixer on medium speed, beat the softened unsalted butter, granulated sugar, and light brown sugar in a large bowl for about 2 minutes until the mixture is pale and fluffy.
  4. Add Eggs and Vanilla: Add the two eggs one at a time to the butter and sugar mixture, thoroughly mixing and scraping the sides after each addition. Then, blend in the vanilla extract.
  5. Combine Ingredients: Add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture in three additions, alternating with the whole milk, starting and ending with the dry ingredients. Stir gently just until no flour streaks remain to avoid overmixing.
  6. Bake: Divide the batter evenly among the lined muffin cups, filling each about two-thirds full. Bake in the preheated oven for 18 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. Let the muffins cool in the pan for 5 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.
  7. Make Buttercream: Beat the softened butter until smooth. Gradually add the sifted powdered sugar, about one cup at a time, on low mixer speed. Then blend in the vanilla, salt, and enough heavy cream or milk to achieve a thick but pipeable consistency. Increase the speed to medium-high and whip the buttercream for 1 minute to incorporate air and lighten the texture.
  8. Pipe Snow Piles: Fit a piping bag with a large round tip and pipe two stacked concentric circles of buttercream on each cooled muffin to mimic piled snow.
  9. Create Snowman Heads: Decorate each marshmallow by pressing two dark chocolate sprinkles into each one to form the eyes, arrange five sprinkles in a curved line to create the mouth, and firmly push an orange candy-coated chocolate or candy corn piece into the center for the nose. Use tweezers or a toothpick for precise placement of these small decorations.
  10. Assemble: Place one decorated marshmallow atop the buttercream swirls on each cupcake. Insert two mini pretzel halves at angled positions on each cupcake to resemble the snowman’s arms. Finally, press three regular chocolate chips down the front of the buttercream for buttons.
  11. Serve: Arrange the snowman cupcakes on a cool platter to keep the buttercream firm. Store them covered at room temperature for up to 2 days, or refrigerate for up to 4 days. Allow refrigerated cupcakes to come to room temperature before serving to enjoy optimal texture and flavor.

Notes

  • Make sure all ingredients, especially eggs and milk, are at room temperature for better batter consistency.
  • Do not overmix the batter to keep the muffins tender.
  • Allow the cupcakes to cool completely before frosting to prevent the buttercream from melting.
  • Use tweezers or toothpicks for precise decoration placement.
  • Baking time may vary slightly depending on oven type; always perform a toothpick test before removing cupcakes.
  • Store cupcakes in a cool, dry place, and avoid placing them in direct sunlight to preserve appearance and texture.

Keywords: snowman cupcakes, holiday cupcakes, chocolate cupcakes, winter dessert, festive treats, buttercream frosting, fun holiday baking

Find it online: https://dailysimplerecipe.com/snowman-cupcakes-recipe/