Exquisite Christmas Ornamental Cupcakes: A Delight for the Senses
Crafting these culinary delights demands time and patience, yet the end result is a guaranteed showstopper for your Christmas table or as thoughtful gifts.
Ingredients:
For the Cupcakes:
- 200g softened butter
- 1 3/4 cups caster sugar (370g)
- 2 tsp vanilla bean paste
- 4 eggs
- 2 3/4 cups self-raising flour (405g)
- 1 cup milk (250ml)
For the Butter Frosting:
- 200g softened butter
- 6 cups icing sugar (900g)
- 1/2 cup milk (125ml)
For the Chocolate Domes:
- 1-2 bags white or colored Chocolate Candy Melts
- Small amount of white fondant icing
- Edible gold dust
- Gel food coloring
- CMK Powder (to set) – available at Cake suppliers
- 1/2 Sphere dessert mold
- Small paintbrush
- Cake decorating snowflake and star cutters (assorted sizes)
Instructions:
Making the Cakes:
- Preheat the oven to 180°C. Line 24 1/3 cup (80ml) muffin pans with patty cases.
- Cream butter, sugar, and vanilla bean paste with an electric mixer. Add eggs one at a time, beating until just combined. Alternate adding flour and milk in batches, stirring until just combined.
- Spoon the mixture evenly into the patty cases. Bake for 15-20 minutes or until cooked through. Cool on a wire rack.
For the Frosting:
- Use an electric mixer to beat butter until very pale. Gradually add icing sugar while beating. Add milk and beat until well combined.
- Ice the cupcakes and decorate as desired.
Creating the Chocolate Domes:
- Melt Candy Melts in the microwave at 30-second intervals until soft and creamy.
- Divide melted chocolate into bowls for different colored domes. Add gel color gradually, mixing well with a clean toothpick each time.
- Spoon chocolate into each 1/2 sphere, coating the inside generously. Refrigerate or freeze to harden.
- Work fondant with CMK powder until soft. Roll out and cut stars and snowflakes.
- Peel back the mold to release the chocolate domes. Attach fondant snowflakes or stars with water.
- For the top part of the ornamental dome, roll fondant into a thin sausage, cut into small pieces, press edges with a toothpick to create ridges, and create a small hook. Attach to the dome with water. Refrigerate to set and brush with gold dust.
- Place a chocolate dome on top of each cupcake and serve.
These cupcakes not only captivate the eyes but also indulge the taste buds, making them a perfect addition to your festive celebrations. Enjoy the enchanting combination of flavors and textures!