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These White Chocolate Cupcakes are moist, delicious and easy to throw together, with a fancy and festive icing technique.
Ever been to a Princess Party? We had one yesterday and these Swirly-Girly Cupcakes were the stars of the show.... other than the princess of course! I shared on Wednesday that we were headed to visit our daughter and her family in London in order to help with the arrival of a new baby - our first grandSON! We were hoping this little man would hold off just a wee bit longer as we had a little partying to do before his grand entrance into the world. Our middle granddaughter, Elle, was turning five yesterday and we had planned a family celebration.
A few weeks ago, Mommy (Mum) had bought Elle a beautiful white princess gown, The absolute perfect attire for such a festive occasion!
Arriving in London, however, we had a few doubts whether this baby would wait even one more day. As we prepared for the party we were wondering ...
and I bet you'd be wondering too! As you can see, it appeared that this new baby was quite imminent. Well, we all breathed a sigh of relief, a "mission-accomplished" sigh of relief when we concluded Elle's party.
We decided to keep things simple and order pizza for dinner, so I wanted something special and pretty for the birthday dessert. These Swirly-Girly White Chocolate Cupcakes are moist, delicious and easy to throw together. Honestly though, if you're pinched for time, just use a white cake mix. It's okay because the really fun and delicious part is the icing. It will make even a cake mix cupcake taste like it came from a fine bakery! I tried a new technique and it turned out so fancy and festive looking - I'm sure I'll be using it for many special occasions in the future.
Though it looks a bit involved, the technique is really fairly simple. (But we'll keep that our little secret, deal?). I used three different colors, but I think two would work just as well.
Do you know any princes or princesses? No? Well, I believe any family member or dear friend is worthy of a royal celebration! So, check out the technique/recipe below and give it a go - it's a "keeper", for sure!
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White Chocolate Cupcakes
Ingredients
Ingredients:
- 1 & ½ cups of all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon of baking powder
- ½ teaspoon of salt
- â…“ cup of butter
- Âľ cup sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 4 ounces of good quality white chocolate chips or a 4-ounce white chocolate bar
- 1 teaspoon of vanilla
- 1 cup plus1 tablespoon milk
Instructions
- Instructions:
- Preheat oven to 325ËšF.
- Line a cupcake pan with cupcake liners of your choice. (I like to use two contrasting patterns, I add the second one after baking. Also, if you can find the greaseproof liners, they work wonderful. They look just as pretty after baking as before.
- In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder and salt. Set aside.
- In another large bowl (or with a stand mixer), cream the butter and sugar together on medium-high speed until light & fluffy (2 to 3 minutes).
- Add the eggs in one at a time, mixing well after each addition. Add the melted white chocolate and vanilla - mix well.
- Add the dry ingredients alternating with the milk in 2 to 3 portions. Mix well after each addition. Divide batter evenly into prepared cupcake pan.
- Bake cupcakes until a tester inserted into the center comes out clean or with dry crumbs (about 22 minutes). Let cool completely before frosting.
- Adapted from The Fig Tree
Nutrition
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Cream Cheese Buttercream Icing
Ingredients
Ingredients:
- 2 ounces cream cheese, softened
- ½ cup butter, softened
- 1 vanilla bean, halved and seeds scraped or 1 teaspoon vanilla bean paste or 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- ½ teaspoon almond extract
- 4-6 tablespoons milk
- 6 cups powdered sugar
Instructions
Instructions:
- Beat cream cheese and butter on medium speed until light and fluffy, about 5 minutes.
- Add 4 tablespoons of milk and vanilla bean seeds (or vanilla bean paste or vanilla) beat again for 2 minutes.
- Gradually beat in powdered sugar. Beat until light and fluffy. If too thick add a bit more milk, just a teaspoon at a time. If too thin add a bit more powdered sugar. (It needs to be thick enough to hold its shape, but not so thick that you have difficulty swirling the icing through the decorating tip.)
Instructions for the Swirly-Girly technique:
- Prepare icing as directed and divide into two or three bowls, depending on how many colors you want in your swirls. Add food coloring to achieve desired colors. I really like the gel food coloring, it gives much deeper, richer colors and comes in a wide variety of beautiful hues.
- Lay out 2 or 3 (depending on how many colors you are using) pieces of plastic wrap (approximately 18"-20" long) on your work surface. Spread out the contents of each bowl on a separate piece of the plastic wrap lengthwise, forming a rectangle, approximately 8" long. Starting with one long side, fold plastic wrap over the icing and roll into a cylinder-shaped tube. Secure both ends with a knot. Repeat with the remaining colors.
- When you're ready to ice the cupcakes, fit a large pastry bag with a large star decorating tip. (I use a Wilton 1M) or snip a tiny corner off of a gallon-size zippered bag and fit with a large star decorating tip.
- Cut off one of the knot ends from each tube and place tubes in prepared pastry bag. Pipe cupcakes as desired. Have fun watching the three beautiful colors unfold!
Nutrition
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How long would I need to bake if I made a 9 inch round cake? Will the recipe make 2 layers?
Hi Tonya, I haven't tried this recipe in a 9-inch pan so I can't say exactly. The best way to tell when a cake is done is to use an instant thermometer which should read 201-210ËšF. I would start checking it after 25 minutes.
If you want to make a 2 layer cake, I would double the recipe with 9-inch pans.
Thanks for all these kind comments!
AWww, what perfect girly cupcake and I love the two-tone frosting...and her sparkly face...and that baby belly. 🙂 Congrats on your grandson too!
Girly goodness indeed!
Love the gorgeous cupcakes with the pretty swirls, Chris!
Your daughter is lovely, and you and your little princess granddaughter look so cute together. The pretty princess dress on her makes her look like a 'true princess' Beautiful!
Thanks for sharing:D
I'm not a baker, but I can tell you did an amazing job!!!! Whoa... the icing is so beautifully made, and these cupcakes are SO PRETTY! I can imagine your little princess excited about them. I'm glad your grandson waited so that his sister can have a good birthday party. 🙂
Hi, lovely birthday girl, she look so cute and pretty.
Your cupcake look gorgeous. Love the topping, yum yum.
Hello Chris, I leave next door from Anne and Bob Stancil and she shared your Blog information with me. I didn't try any of your recipes yet, but everything look delicious. I am very impressed with all the great pictures. Anne told me that your husband is the photographer, wow!!!!!!
Thanks for your comment Manon! We love the Stancils and hope you try some of the recipes - enjoy!
First of all congratulations! What a blessing. Hope the baby comes soon. Also - these cupcakes are gorgeous! Thank you, thank you for the directions. You make me want to bake! Have a wonderful time and by the way, your granddaughter is a perfectly beautiful princess!
What beautiful two-toned cupcakes! Simply dazzling!
Congratulations on upcoming arrival of your grandson!
I love that icing technique, Chris, and would be so proud of myself if I could actually do it. I'm not known for my piping skills (actually I usually make quite a mess of it)but it would be fun to try. What a precious little Birthday Girl.
I love the pink and green!
The cupcakes are gorgeous but your granddaughter steals the show :-). I'm so glad that her brother delayed his appearance for a day or two. Have at day. Blessings...Mary
The technique for the icing is brilliant! Already imagining the possibilities for different colors as well as flavors.
I know you are excited about God's newest blessing coming to your life. Amazing, isn't it?
What an adorable cupcake idea. If I ever something so girly that needs these, I am making them!
What a treat to know that you arrived and are celebrating birthdays and soon a birth day. So happy you could be there. Praying for a safe arrival of your grandboy.
Fondly,
Glenda
The cupcakes are so pretty - saw them on FoodGawker.
What a wonderful photo of you with Elle...she looks delighted with her cupcakes and her princess attire! And you outdid yourself with these stunning cupcakes. I've always wanted to try that icing technique, but I need to practice on one color a few more times 🙂 Can't wait to hear about your new grandson!
What a great and memorable birthday for that adorable girl. I would have LOVED a dress like that when I was her age. Can't wait to hear about the arrival of your grandson! Have a wonderful weekend.
Well aren't you the clever one! Love your technique. Usually I put the different colors of frosting in the large piping bag sans the plastic wrap and it's super messy. Your granddaughter was indeed the belle of the ball.
Oh my gosh, I want a princess party!! Can I have one at my age? But in order to have this party you must bring me your cupcakes.
Your grandaughter looks so adorable!!! She is truly a blessed little princess! Wishing her a Happy Birthday!!
So beautiful Chris I must try this out myself and a gorgeous little Birthday girl. Happy Birthday!
I'm feeling your next post may be an announcement judging by that photo of your daughter!
My niece will absolutely love these! They are so feminine and flawless!
Hi Chris, your grand-daughter is so blessed to have you as a grandma!!! You all look amazing in the pictures and so do the cupcakes!!Such a nice pairing of colors and such a great technique!!!Hope you'll get to welcome your grandson in the world soon!Have a great weekend!
These are so cute! Lovely pictures!
Very sweet post! I need some swirly girly white chocolate cupcakes in my life;-)
omygod dear these cupcakes look absolutely gorgeous and beauty!! my daugtber love these when she saw and your little princess is soooo cute!!
They look so pretty! and delicious! Happy birthday to your little princess and congratulations on your new grandbaby boy!
Beautiful cupcakes, Chris! These look like just the thing for a princess party 🙂
Such pretty cupcakes are so fitting for a beautiful Princess. Congrats on your new grandson, very exciting. Best wishes to all. Enjoy your visit!
These are so cute!!! How could a little girl not love these?? (Heck, I want them at my birthday and I'm going to be 24 soon!)
I would love to have a princes party for me!!!
That is amazing...actually both are: the gorgeous cupcakes and that the baby waited! Congratulations on the pending arrival of your grandson!
The cupcakes are beautiful and so is the Birthday Girl! Glad you got the celebration in:@)