Pin A whimsical and festive dessert centerpiece featuring cupcakes topped with colorful elf hat decorations—perfect for holiday parties and gatherings.
This cupcake tower was a fun project that brought a lot of joy to my family during the holidays. Decorating the elf hats was especially delightful.
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
- Step 1:
- Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Line two 12-cup muffin pans with cupcake liners.
- Step 2:
- In a bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt.
- Step 3:
- In a large bowl, cream butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Beat in eggs one at a time, then mix in vanilla.
- Step 4:
- Alternate adding flour mixture and milk to the butter mixture, beginning and ending with flour. Mix until just combined.
- Step 5:
- 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.
- Step 6:
- For the 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.
- Step 7:
- Frost cooled cupcakes with a swirl of buttercream, using a piping bag fitted with a large round tip.
- Step 8:
- For 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.
- Step 9:
- Place an elf hat on each frosted cupcake, pressing gently to secure.
- Step 10:
- Arrange cupcakes on a tiered cupcake stand to create a tower effect.
Pin My family loved gathering around the cupcake tower, especially when the kids helped decorate the elf hats—they made the holidays extra special.
Notes
Use pre-made fondant for easier decorating. Pair cupcakes with hot chocolate, mulled wine, or sparkling cider for a festive treat.
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.
Pin This festive cupcake tower always adds a magical touch to holiday celebrations and is fun to customize with different colors and flavors.
Recipe Q&A
- → What ingredients are used for the elf hat decorations?
Sugar cones covered with colored fondant, mini marshmallows or white chocolate chips for pom-poms, and optional edible glitter or sprinkles are used for the elf hat decorations.
- → How do I achieve vibrant colors on the frosting?
Use gel food coloring mixed into the buttercream frosting for bright, vivid hues without thinning the texture.
- → Can I prepare the cupcakes in advance?
Cupcakes can be baked and stored in an airtight container for up to 2 days; assemble hats shortly before serving for best freshness and appearance.
- → What tools are essential for assembling the tower?
Muffin pans, cupcake liners, piping bags with a round tip, and a cupcake tower or stand are key for baking, decorating, and arranging.
- → Are there options to customize flavors?
Yes, you can try different cupcake bases such as chocolate, spice, or red velvet to add variety to the presentation.