Santa has a long night ahead of him on Christmas Eve, and while Christmas cookies are great, you may want to treat the big guy to something a pick-me-up that's a little more special.
These festive Christmas Tree Cupcakes are made with strong coffee, which gives them both a deeper, richer flavor, as well as a little boost for Santa—or anyone—staying up late to fill the tree with presents.
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- Yields:
- 2 dz.
- Prep Time:
- 20 mins
- Total Time:
- 1 hr
Ingredients
For the chocolate cake:
- 2 1/4 c.
all-purpose flour, spooned and leveled
- 3/4 c.
unsweetened cocoa powder
- 2 c.
granulated sugar
- 1 tsp.
baking powder
- 1 tsp.
baking soda
- 1/2 tsp.
kosher salt
- 3/4 c.
canola oil
- 2
large eggs
- 1 tsp.
pure vanilla extract
- 1 c.
full-fat buttermilk
- 3/4 c.
strongly brewed and cooled coffee (or hot water)
For the vanilla buttercream:
- 1 c.
(2 sticks) unsalted butter, at room temperature
- 2
to 3 tbsp. whole milk or heavy cream
- 1 tsp.
pure vanilla extract
- 1 tbsp.
unsweetened cocoa powder
- 4 c.
confectioners’ sugar
Green food coloring
Star sprinkles, pearl sprinkles, and gold sprinkles, for decorating
Directions
- Step 1Make the cupcakes: Preheat oven to 350°F. Line two standard 12-cup muffin pans with paper liners. Whisk together flour, cocoa powder, sugar, baking powder, baking soda, and salt in a bowl.
- Step 2Beat oil, eggs, vanilla, buttermilk, and coffee with an electric mixer on medium speed until combined, about 1 minute. Add flour mixture and beat until combined, 1 to 2 minutes. Transfer to prepared pans, dividing evenly (each cup should be about two-thirds full).
- Step 3Bake, until a toothpick inserted into the center of a cupcake comes out clean, 18 to 20 minutes. Cool in pans on a wire rack, 15 minutes, then transfer to rack to cool completely.
- Step 4Make the buttercream: Beat butter with an electric mixer on medium speed until light and creamy, 1 to 2 minutes. Beat in milk, vanilla, cocoa powder, and 2 cups confectioners’ sugar until combined. Add remaining 2 cups confectioners’ sugar and beat until combined. Add desired amount of food coloring and mix to combine. Transfer frosting to a piping bag fitted with a large star decorating tip. Pipe frosting on cupcakes in a swirl motion to create a Christmas tree shape. Decorate with a star on top and round pearl and gold sprinkles to resemble ornaments.
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