Description
Delight in these moist and flavorful Snowflake Cupcakes, featuring rich chocolate cupcakes topped with smooth, creamy vanilla buttercream frosting. Perfect for all occasions, these cupcakes combine the deep taste of cocoa with a classic vanilla frosting to create a beloved treat.
Ingredients
Scale
Cupcake Ingredients
- 2 cups sugar
- 2 ¼ cups all-purpose flour
- ¾ cup unsweetened cocoa powder
- 2 teaspoons baking soda
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 2 eggs
- 1 cup milk
- ½ cup vegetable oil
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 1 cup water
Vanilla Buttercream Frosting Ingredients
- 1 cup vegetable shortening
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 4 cups powdered sugar (approximately 1 lb.)
- 4 tablespoons water or milk
Instructions
- Prepare the cupcake batter: In a large bowl, combine the sugar, all-purpose flour, cocoa powder, baking soda, baking powder, and salt. Mix well to ensure all dry ingredients are evenly distributed.
- Add wet ingredients: Add the eggs, milk, vegetable oil, and 2 teaspoons vanilla extract to the dry ingredients. Mix until combined and smooth.
- Incorporate water: Gradually stir in 1 cup of water to the batter. The batter will be thin, but this is expected for a moist cupcake.
- Fill cupcake liners: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line cupcake pans with paper liners and fill each about two-thirds full with the batter.
- Bake the cupcakes: Bake in the preheated oven for 18-22 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. Remove from oven and allow cupcakes to cool completely on a wire rack before frosting.
- Prepare the vanilla buttercream frosting: In a mixing bowl, beat the vegetable shortening until creamy. Add 1 teaspoon vanilla extract and gradually add powdered sugar, alternating with the 4 tablespoons of water or milk, beating continuously until light and fluffy. Adjust consistency with additional milk or sugar as needed.
- Frost the cupcakes: Once cupcakes have cooled, spread or pipe the vanilla buttercream frosting onto each cupcake to your desired thickness, creating a smooth or decorative finish.
Notes
- This recipe yields moist and flavorful chocolate cupcakes with a creamy vanilla frosting.
- Cake recipe is adapted from IAMBAKER.NET, and the icing recipe is adapted from Wilton.
- For best results, ensure cupcakes are fully cooled before frosting to prevent melting.
- You can substitute water in the batter with hot coffee for an enhanced chocolate flavor.
- Vegetable shortening in the frosting can be replaced with unsalted butter if preferred, keeping in mind that texture and flavor will slightly vary.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cupcake with frosting
- Calories: 350
- Sugar: 32g
- Sodium: 210mg
- Fat: 17g
- Saturated Fat: 4g
- Unsaturated Fat: 13g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 48g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 4g
- Cholesterol: 30mg
