| Level: | Easy |
| Total: | 1 hr 30 min |
| Active: | 40 min |
| Yield: | 12 cupcakes |
Ingredients
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 1/2 cup malted milk powder (original, not chocolate-flavored)
- 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
- 3/4 cup whole milk
- 1/2 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 3/4 cup vegetable oil
- 1 large egg
- 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
- 4 tablespoons salted butter, at room temperature
- 6 ounces cream cheese, at room temperature
- 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
- 2 cups confectioners’ sugar
- White nonpareils, for decorating (optional)
- Candy-melt trees, for decorating
Instructions
- Make the cupcakes: Preheat the oven to 350˚. Line a 12-cup muffin pan with paper or foil liners. Whisk the flour, malted milk powder and baking soda in a medium bowl.
- Heat the milk until hot but not boiling; pour over the cocoa powder in a large bowl and whisk until smooth. Let cool slightly.
- Whisk the granulated sugar, vegetable oil, egg and vanilla into the cocoa mixture until smooth. Whisk in the flour mixture until just combined.
- Divide the batter among the prepared muffin cups. Bake until the tops spring back when gently pressed, 20 to 25 minutes. Transfer to a rack and let cool 5 minutes in the pan, then remove the cupcakes to the rack to cool completely.
- Meanwhile, make the frosting: Beat the butter, cream cheese and vanilla in a large bowl with a mixer on medium speed until creamy, 1 to 2 minutes. Gradually beat in the confectioners’ sugar on medium-low speed until smooth, then increase the speed to medium high and beat until thick and fluffy, 1 to 2 more minutes.
- Spread the frosting on the cupcakes and sprinkle with white nonpareils. Stick a candy-melt tree into the center of each cupcake.
Nutrition Facts
| Serving Size | 1 of 12 servings |
| Calories | 389 |
| Total Fat | 25 g |
| Saturated Fat | 7 g |
| Carbohydrates | 41 g |
| Dietary Fiber | 2 g |
| Sugar | 30 g |
| Protein | 4 g |
| Cholesterol | 44 mg |
| Sodium | 157 mg |
Reviews
I saw the trees done on Kids Baking Champion Keaton Ashton made the beautiful trees. So talented.
What about the tree topper directions????
Delicious cupcakes. I took to work and all the staff loved it!! Tree topping was a challenge as this was my first time with melts. Took three tries, but it turned out great. Wish I could post a pic.