Save The Hedgehog Cupcake Tower is an adorable and whimsical centerpiece that transforms simple chocolate cupcakes into charming little hedgehogs. Perfect for children's parties or festive gatherings, this sweet tower delights both the eyes and the taste buds with its playful design and rich flavors. Each cupcake is lovingly decorated with chocolate sprinkles and almond spikes, bringing a fun and creative touch to your dessert table.
Save From the moist chocolate cupcakes to the creamy buttercream frosting, every element of this Hedgehog Cupcake Tower is designed with care and whimsy. Decorating each cupcake with almond spikes and chocolate features turns an ordinary dessert into an unforgettable showstopper.
Ingredients
- For the Chocolate Cupcakes
- 200 g all-purpose flour
- 40 g unsweetened cocoa powder
- 1 ½ tsp baking powder
- ½ tsp baking soda
- ¼ tsp salt
- 200 g granulated sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 120 ml vegetable oil
- 120 ml whole milk
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 120 ml hot water
- For the Chocolate Buttercream
- 150 g unsalted butter, softened
- 250 g powdered sugar, sifted
- 40 g unsweetened cocoa powder
- 2 tbsp whole milk
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- Pinch of salt
- For Decorating the Hedgehogs
- 150 g chocolate sprinkles
- 36 mini chocolate chips (for eyes)
- 18 milk chocolate chips or chocolate-covered candies (for noses)
- 100 g flaked almonds (for spikes)
- 18 cupcake liners
- 1 cupcake tower stand or cake tiers
Instructions
- 1. Preheat the oven to 175°C (350°F). Line a muffin tin with 18 cupcake liners.
- 2. In a large bowl, sift together flour, cocoa powder, baking powder, baking soda, and salt.
- 3. In a separate bowl, whisk sugar and eggs until light and fluffy. Add oil, milk, and vanilla extract, mixing well.
- 4. Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet, mixing until just combined. Stir in the hot water until smooth.
- 5. Divide the batter evenly among the cupcake liners, filling each about 2/3 full.
- 6. Bake for 18-20 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. Cool completely before decorating.
- 7. For the buttercream, beat butter until creamy. Gradually add powdered sugar and cocoa powder, beating well. Add milk, vanilla, and salt, and beat until fluffy.
- 8. Frost each cooled cupcake with a generous amount of chocolate buttercream, shaping one side into a rounded point for the hedgehog's face.
- 9. Dip the back of each cupcake (the body) into chocolate sprinkles to create fur.
- 10. Press flaked almonds into the buttercream on the back half for spikes.
- 11. Add two mini chocolate chips for eyes and a milk chocolate chip or candy for the nose on the pointed face.
- 12. Arrange decorated cupcakes on a stand to form a tower.
Zusatztipps für die Zubereitung
Make sure to cool the cupcakes completely before frosting to prevent the buttercream from melting. Using softened butter at room temperature ensures a smooth and fluffy buttercream. If desired, use a piping bag to precisely shape the hedgehog faces for a neat finish.
Varianten und Anpassungen
For a nut-free version, omit the flaked almonds and substitute with thin pretzel sticks or piped chocolate spikes. White chocolate chips can be used instead of mini chocolate chips for the eyes for a different look. You can also experiment with different cupcake flavors, but chocolate best captures the hedgehog aesthetic.
Serviervorschläge
Serve the Hedgehog Cupcake Tower alongside a glass of cold milk or a warm mug of hot cocoa for a cozy treat. This tower makes a delightful dessert centerpiece that’s sure to impress guests of all ages and adds whimsy to any celebration.
Save This Hedgehog Cupcake Tower combines creativity with deliciousness, making it a standout choice for your next event. Its charming look is sure to bring smiles and satisfy sweet cravings while providing a fun baking and decorating experience for the whole family.
Cooking Questions & Answers
- → What ingredients give the cupcakes their moist texture?
The combination of vegetable oil, whole milk, and hot water produces a tender and moist crumb in the cupcakes.
- → How do I create the hedgehog spikes on the cupcakes?
Press flaked almonds into the buttercream-covered backs of the cupcakes to mimic hedgehog spikes.
- → Can I substitute the almond flakes for a nut-free option?
Yes, thin pretzel sticks or piped chocolate can replace almonds for a nut-free version of the spikes.
- → How long should the cupcakes cool before decorating?
Ensure cupcakes are completely cooled to room temperature before applying frosting and decorations to prevent melting.
- → What is the best way to create the hedgehog face details?
Use mini chocolate chips for eyes and milk chocolate chips or candies for noses placed on the pointed buttercream side.