Snowflake Cupcakes

I really wanted to make some kind of winter looking cupcake, so I tried my hand at making royal icing snowflakes for the first time, they are not perfect, but it was fun trying something new. I just used my favourite chocolate cupcake and frosting recipes to make these wintery cupcakes.


Chocolate Cupcakes
¾ cup plus 2 tbsp. all-purpose flour
6 tbsp. valrhona cocoa powder
1 tsp. baking soda
½ tsp. baking powder
½ tsp. salt
1 cup sugar
¼ cup vegetable oil
1 large egg
½ cup black coffee
½ cup buttermilk
1½ tsp. vanilla extract

In a small bowl, combine the flour, cocoa powder, baking soda, baking powder and salt, whisk to blend and set aside. In the bowl of an electric mixer, combine the sugar, vegetable oil and egg. Beat on medium speed until smooth, about 1-2 minutes. With the mixer on low speed, blend in half of the dry ingredients, beating just until incorporated. Blend in the coffee, buttermilk and vanilla just until smooth. Beat in the remaining dry ingredients, mixing just until incorporated. Divide between baking cups and bake at 350 for 22-24 minutes.

Vanilla Swiss Meringue Buttercream
2 cups unsalted butter, at room temperature
5 large egg whites
1 cup + 2 tbsp of sugar
1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
pinch of salt

To make the frosting, put a few inches of water in a large saucepan and bring to the boil. Put the egg whites, sugar and salt into a bowl that will fit over the pan of water and whisk until it reaches 150 degrees and the sugar has all melted. Transfer mixture to the bowl of your stand mixer and whisk on medium speed until the bowl feels cold (this can take up to 10 minutes) add the butter 2 tablespoons at a time, finally beat in the vanilla and add blue food colour.

Royal Icing
4 Tablespoons Meringue Powder
4 cups powdered sugar
6 Tablespoons warm water

Beat all ingredients until stiff peaks form. Pipe snowflakes onto wax paper, place dragee in the center of each one and leave to dry overnight.

Frost the cooled cupcakes with the buttercream, decorate with white sprinkles and silver and blue dragees, then top with a royal icing snowflake.