Thinking about holiday baking brings me joy, especially when it involves creating delightful treats that double as festive decorations. These easy melted snowman cupcakes are a perfect addition to any holiday celebration, adding a touch of whimsy to your Christmas party spread. Not only are these cupcakes adorable, but they are also a fun activity for kids during winter-themed events or classroom parties.
Ingredients
Creating these adorable melting snowman cupcakes requires a few key ingredients that come together to make a delightful holiday treat.
Cupcake Base Ingredients
- ¾ cup all-purpose flour
- ⅔ cup cocoa powder
- 1 tsp baking powder
- 2 large eggs at room temperature
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- ⅓ cup vegetable oil
- ½ cup milk
- Pinch of salt
- 2 tsp vanilla extract
- 1 package large white marshmallows
Royal Icing Ingredients
- 1 egg white
- 3 tbsp lemon juice
- 1 1/3 cup (175 g) powdered sugar
- Food coloring (orange, black, or your preferred colors for snowman buttons)
- 12 Marshmallows
- Vanilla frosting
- Black icing
- Funfetti or sugar pearls for decorating
Equipment Needed
For making these adorable Melting Snowman Cupcakes, you won’t need any fancy equipment or special skills. Here’s a list of basic kitchen tools and equipment you will need to prepare these festive treats:
Kitchen Tools:
- Muffin Tin: Use a standard 12-cup muffin tin to bake the cupcakes.
- Cupcake Liners: Ensure you have cupcake liners to prevent the cupcakes from sticking to the tin.
- Mixing Bowls: Have mixing bowls ready to prepare and mix the cupcake batter and frosting.
- Electric Mixer: A handheld or stand mixer will make whipping up the frosting easier and quicker.
- Spatula: Use a spatula for smoothing the frosting on the cupcakes.
- Piping Bag (Optional): If you prefer a more precise frosting application, a piping bag with a round tip can be handy.
- Marshmallows: Ensure you have enough large marshmallows for the snowman heads.
- Vanilla Frosting: Have ready-to-use vanilla frosting or make your own according to the recipe.
- Black Icing: Prepare black icing for creating the snowman’s eyes and mouth.
- Decorations: Gather small candies or Funfetti/sugar pearls for the snowman’s buttons.
- Pretzel Sticks: Get pretzel sticks for the snowman’s arms.
- Orange Sprinkles: Have orange sprinkles ready to use as the snowman’s carrot nose.
Instructions
Holiday baking just got merrier with these delightful melting snowman cupcakes. Get ready to create a whimsical winter wonderland with these festive treats!
Preparing the Cupcake Batter
Let’s start by preheating the oven to 350°F (180°C) and lining a cupcake baking pan with 12 cupcake liners. In a medium bowl, whisk together eggs, sugar, oil, and vanilla extract. Next, stir in the milk and gradually add the dry ingredients – flour, cocoa powder, baking powder, and salt. Mix until just combined, ensuring not to over-mix. The batter may be slightly runny, but that’s perfectly fine.
Baking the Cupcakes
Divide the batter evenly among the cupcake liners and bake for 18-20 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. Once baked, let the cupcakes cool completely.
Making the Royal Icing
While the cupcakes cool, it’s time to prepare your royal icing. Tint 1/4 cup of buttercream frosting each with Christmas Red, Black, and Orange using icing colors. Reserve another 1/4 cup for white frosting. Fill disposable decorating bags with corresponding frosting colors and prepare for decorating.
Assembling the Cupcakes
Frost the cooled cupcakes with white frosting using a spatula. Sprinkle some sparkling sugar and snowflake sprinkles for an added festive touch.
Creating the snowmen is next! Skewer two marshmallows with a pretzel stick, making sure one end sticks out to insert into the cupcake. Pipe red circles on the marshmallow heads for earmuffs, carefully dip them into red sanding sugar, and connect the circles with a frosting line. Add eyes, a carrot nose, and buttons using black and white icing. Insert the snowmen onto the cupcakes and finish off with black sprinkles for buttons and jimmies connecting the earmuffs.
Decorating the Cupcakes
After preparing the cupcakes, it’s time to bring the snowman characters to life through fun and creative decorations. Let’s dive into adding the finishing touches to your melting snowman cupcakes!
Creating the Snowman’s Body
To create the snowman’s body, start by placing a marshmallow on top of each cupcake, slightly towards the back. Use white frosting to secure the marshmallow in place. If there are any gaps between the marshmallow and the cupcake, fill them in with additional frosting to make it look like the snowman is melting into the cupcake.
Adding the Snowman’s Face and Accessories
Next, let’s give your snowman some character by adding the face and accessories. Shape orange fondant into small carrot noses and attach them to the center of each marshmallow with a dab of frosting. Use black decorating gel to create eyes on each marshmallow. For arms, break pretzel sticks in half and insert them on the sides of the cupcakes. Get creative by adding buttons, earmuffs, and other decorations using candies, sprinkles, or icing to complete the adorable snowman look on each cupcake.
Tips for Perfect Cupcakes
To ensure your melting snowman cupcakes turn out perfect every time, here are some valuable tips to keep in mind:
1. Use Room Temperature Ingredients
For the best cupcake texture and consistency, make sure your ingredients like eggs, milk, and butter are at room temperature before starting the recipe. Room temperature ingredients blend more easily, resulting in a smoother cupcake batter.
2. Do Not Overmix the Batter
Overmixing the cupcake batter can lead to dense and tough cupcakes. Mix the ingredients until just combined to avoid developing too much gluten, which can make the cupcakes tough.
3. Fill Cupcake Liners Correctly
Fill your cupcake liners about two-thirds full to allow room for the cupcakes to rise while baking. Overfilling can cause the cupcakes to overflow, while underfilling may result in flat cupcakes.
4. Preheat the Oven
Always preheat your oven before baking the cupcakes. A properly preheated oven ensures even baking and helps the cupcakes rise correctly.
5. Avoid Opening the Oven Door During Baking
Resist the temptation to open the oven door while the cupcakes are baking. Sudden temperature changes can cause the cupcakes to sink or not bake evenly. Use the light in your oven if you need to check on them.
6. Test for Doneness
To check if the cupcakes are done, insert a toothpick into the center of a cupcake. If it comes out clean or with a few moist crumbs, they are ready. Overbaking can result in dry cupcakes.
7. Cool Completely Before Decorating
Ensure the cupcakes are completely cooled before decorating them. Decorating warm cupcakes can cause the frosting to melt or slide off, affecting the overall appearance of your melting snowman cupcakes.
By following these tips, you’ll be on your way to creating the perfect batch of melting snowman cupcakes that will delight your guests and be the highlight of your Christmas celebration.
Make Ahead Instructions
To make the process smoother and save time on the day of your event, you can prepare some elements of the melting snowman cupcakes ahead of time. Here’s how I suggest you do it:
- Pre-bake the Cupcakes: Bake the cupcakes a day or two in advance, but ensure they are completely cooled before storing them.
- Prepare the Frosting: Make the vanilla frosting and store it in an airtight container in the fridge. Remember to bring it to room temperature before using it for decorating.
- Create the Snowman Decorations: Construct the snowman marshmallow decorations by placing them on a baking sheet and keeping them covered at room temperature.
- Assemble the Decorations: Get the eyes, nose, and earmuffs ready by placing them in separate containers or bags for easy access when decorating.
Conclusion
Creating melting snowman cupcakes is a delightful way to add charm to your holiday baking. These festive treats are not only visually appealing but also easy to make with basic kitchen tools and ingredients like marshmallows and frosting. By following the step-by-step process outlined in this article and incorporating valuable tips for perfect cupcakes, you can impress your guests with adorable snowman-themed desserts. Remember to use room temperature ingredients, avoid overmixing the batter, and preheat your oven for best results. Consider utilizing the make-ahead suggestions to streamline your baking process and ensure a stress-free decorating experience. With these techniques in mind, you’ll be able to enjoy the joy of creating and sharing these whimsical melting snowman cupcakes during your Christmas celebration.