Christmas Tree Cupcakes Recipe

• Level: Easy
• Yield: 12 cupcakes
• Nutritional Analysis Per Serving Serving Size 1 of 12 servings Calories 390 Total Fat 25 g Saturated Fat 7 g Carbohydrates 41 g Dietary Fiber 2 g Sugar 30 g Protein 4 g Cholesterol 43 mg Sodium 150 mg
• Total: 1 hr 30 min
• Active: 40 min

For the Cupcakes:

• 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

For the Frosting:

• 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

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1. Prepare the cupcakes: Set the oven to 350. Place paper or foil liners in a 12-cup muffin pan. In a medium bowl, combine the flour, malted milk powder, and baking soda by whisking.
2. Warm the milk until it is hot but not boiling; pour it over the cocoa powder in a large bowl and whisk until smooth. Allow it to cool a bit.
3. Whisk the granulated sugar, vegetable oil, egg, and vanilla into the cocoa mixture until smooth. Stir in the flour mixture until just blended.
4. Divide the batter evenly among the prepared muffin cups. Bake until the tops bounce back when lightly touched, about 20 to 25 minutes. Transfer to a wire rack and let cool in the pan for 5 minutes, then remove the cupcakes to the rack to cool completely.
5. While the cupcakes are cooling, make the frosting: In a large bowl, beat the butter, cream cheese, and vanilla with a mixer on medium speed until creamy, about 1 to 2 minutes. Gradually add the confectioners' sugar on medium-low speed until smooth, then increase the speed to medium-high and beat until thick and fluffy, about 1 to 2 more minutes.
6. Spread the frosting on the cupcakes and sprinkle with white nonpareils if desired. Place a candy-melt tree in the center of each cupcake.

Photograph by Ralph Smith