Save to Pinterest A whimsical and festive dessert centerpiece featuring cupcakes topped with colorful elf hat decorations—perfect for holiday parties and gatherings.
I love making this cupcake tower for family gatherings as it brings joy and a festive atmosphere to the table.
Ingredients
- Cupcakes: 2 cups (250 g) all-purpose flour, 1 1/2 tsp baking powder, 1/2 tsp baking soda, 1/4 tsp salt, 3/4 cup (170 g) unsalted butter softened, 1 1/4 cups (250 g) granulated sugar, 2 large eggs, 2 tsp pure vanilla extract, 1 cup (240 ml) whole milk
- Buttercream Frosting: 1 cup (225 g) unsalted butter softened, 4 cups (480 g) powdered sugar sifted, 2–3 tbsp (30–45 ml) milk, 2 tsp vanilla extract, Gel food coloring (red, green, yellow, blue)
- Elf Hat Decorations: 24 sugar cones (for hats), Colored fondant or modeling chocolate (red, green, yellow, white), Edible glitter or sprinkles (optional), Mini marshmallows or white chocolate chips (for hat pom-poms), Piping gel or melted white chocolate (for attaching decorations)
Instructions
- Preheat Oven:
- Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Line two 12-cup muffin pans with cupcake liners.
- Mix Dry Ingredients:
- In a bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt.
- Cream Butter and Sugar:
- In a large bowl, cream butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Beat in eggs one at a time, then mix in vanilla.
- Combine Ingredients:
- Alternate adding flour mixture and milk to the butter mixture, beginning and ending with flour. Mix until just combined.
- Fill and Bake:
- Divide batter evenly among cupcake liners (about 2/3 full). Bake 18–20 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Cool completely.
- Make Buttercream:
- Beat butter until creamy. Gradually add powdered sugar. Mix in vanilla and milk, beating until fluffy. Divide and tint with gel food coloring as desired.
- Frost Cupcakes:
- Frost cooled cupcakes with a swirl of buttercream, using a piping bag fitted with a large round tip.
- Decorate Elf Hats:
- Cover each sugar cone with colored fondant or modeling chocolate. Add fondant details (stripes, dots, hat brims). Attach a mini marshmallow or white chocolate chip to the tip with piping gel or melted chocolate. Optionally, add edible glitter or sprinkles.
- Assemble:
- Place an elf hat on each frosted cupcake, pressing gently to secure.
- Create Tower:
- Arrange cupcakes on a tiered cupcake stand to create a tower effect.
Save to Pinterest This cupcake tower always becomes the centerpiece of our holiday family celebrations and sparks lovely memories.
Required Tools
Muffin pans, Cupcake liners, Mixing bowls, Electric mixer, Piping bags and tips, Offset spatula, Rolling pin (for fondant), Cupcake tower or stand
Allergen Information
Contains wheat (gluten), eggs, milk, and possibly tree nuts (if using nut-based fondant or decorations). Always check labels on all decorations and fondant for potential allergens.
Nutritional Information
Calories: 340 per cupcake including frosting and hat, Total Fat: 14 g, Carbohydrates: 52 g, Protein: 3 g
Save to Pinterest The Elf Hat Cupcake Tower adds magic to any celebration and is sure to impress your guests with both taste and presentation.
Common Recipe Questions
- → How do I make the elf hats stay securely on the cupcakes?
Attach the hats using piping gel or melted white chocolate to firmly fix the mini marshmallows or chocolate chips that act as pom-poms, then gently press each hat onto the buttercream to secure it.
- → Can I use different cupcake flavors for this tower?
Absolutely! Chocolate, spice, or red velvet cupcakes all work well and add flavorful variety to the tower.
- → What is the best way to color the buttercream frosting?
Use gel food coloring to tint the buttercream, as it provides vibrant colors without affecting the frosting's consistency.
- → How should I store the cupcakes before assembling the tower?
Store the cupcakes without the hats in an airtight container for up to two days. Assemble the elf hats shortly before serving to maintain freshness and appearance.
- → Are there common allergens in these cupcakes and decorations?
Yes, the cupcakes contain wheat, eggs, and milk. Some decorations may include tree nuts depending on the fondant used, so always check the labels carefully.