Description
Celebrate Mardi Gras with these festive King Cake Cupcakes! They feature a moist, spiced cake with a delightful cinnamon swirl, topped with rich cream cheese frosting and vibrant Mardi Gras sprinkles.
Ingredients
- For the Cupcakes:
- 1 ½ cups all-purpose flour
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1 ½ tsp baking powder
- ½ tsp baking soda
- ¼ tsp salt
- ½ cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, softened
- ¼ cup vegetable oil
- 2 large eggs, room temperature
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- ¾ cup buttermilk, room temperature
- For the Cinnamon Swirl:
- ¼ cup light brown sugar, packed
- 1 tsp ground cinnamon
- 1 tbsp unsalted butter, melted
- For the Cream Cheese Frosting:
- 8 oz full-fat cream cheese, softened
- ½ cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, softened
- 3–4 cups powdered sugar, sifted
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- Pinch of salt
- For Decoration:
- Purple, green, and gold sprinkles (sugars)
- (Optional) Food-safe plastic baby
Instructions
- 1. Prepare Oven & Muffin Tin: Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a 12-cup muffin tin with paper liners.
- 2. Mix Cupcake Batter: In a large bowl, cream softened butter and granulated sugar until light and fluffy. Beat in oil, then eggs one at a time, followed by vanilla. Whisk flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt in a separate bowl. Gradually add dry ingredients to wet, alternating with buttermilk, mixing until just combined.
- 3. Create Cinnamon Swirl & Layer: Combine brown sugar, cinnamon, and melted butter for the swirl. Spoon 2 tbsp batter into each liner. Dollop ½ tsp cinnamon mixture on top, then add remaining batter, filling liners ⅔ full. Gently swirl with a knife or skewer.
- 4. Bake Cupcakes: Bake for 18-22 minutes, or until a wooden skewer comes out clean. Cool in tin for 5 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.
- 5. Make Frosting: Beat softened cream cheese and butter until smooth. Gradually add sifted powdered sugar, vanilla, and salt, beating until light and fluffy.
- 6. Decorate: Once cupcakes are completely cool, frost and immediately top with purple, green, and gold sprinkles. If adding a plastic baby, insert it into the bottom of one cupcake.
- Prep Time: 25 mins
- Cook Time: 20 mins