Elf Cupcakes

Name: Elf Cupcakes
Ingredients: 2/3 cup butter, softened; 1-3/4 cups sugar; 1-1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract; 2 large eggs, room temperature; 2-1/2 cups all-purpose flour; 2-1/2 teaspoons baking powder; 1/2 teaspoon salt; 1-1/4 cups 2% milk; 3/4 cup butter, softened; 3/4 cup shortening; 1-1/2 teaspoons clear vanilla extract; 6 cups confectioners' sugar; 4 to 6 tablespoons 2% milk; 44 miniature candy canes; Pastel miniature marshmallows; Candy cane kisses

16 ingredients

5 steps

Ingredients

2/3 cup butter, softened
1-3/4 cups sugar
1-1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract
2 large eggs, room temperature
2-1/2 cups all-purpose flour
2-1/2 teaspoons baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
1-1/4 cups 2% milk
3/4 cup butter, softened
3/4 cup shortening
1-1/2 teaspoons clear vanilla extract
6 cups confectioners' sugar
4 to 6 tablespoons 2% milk
44 miniature candy canes
Pastel miniature marshmallows
Candy cane kisses

Directions

1

Preheat oven to 350°. Line 22 muffin cups with paper liners.
2

Cream butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Beat in vanilla and 1 egg at a time. In another bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder and salt; add to creamed mixture alternately with milk, beating well.
3

Fill prepared cups two-thirds full. Bake until a toothpick inserted in center comes out clean, 15-20 minutes. Cool in pans 10 minutes before removing to wire racks to cool completely.
4

For frosting, beat butter, shortening and vanilla until blended; gradually beat in confectioners' sugar and enough milk to reach spreading consistency. Spread over cupcakes.
5

To decorate, break off curved end of candy canes; reserve straight portion for elf legs. Cut strawberry or lime marshmallows diagonally in half and attach to legs for shoes; insert into frosting. Cut orange marshmallows diagonally in half for ears. Insert kisses and orange marshmallows for elf heads.