Mardi Gras King Cake Cupcakes (Printable Version)
Cinnamon-swirled vanilla cupcakes topped with colorful icing and sugar for a festive touch.
# Ingredient List:
→ Cupcakes
01 - 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
02 - 1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
03 - 1/4 teaspoon salt
04 - 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
05 - 3/4 cup granulated sugar
06 - 2 large eggs
07 - 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
08 - 1/2 cup whole milk
09 - 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
→ Cinnamon Sugar Swirl
10 - 2 tablespoons brown sugar
11 - 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
→ Icing
12 - 1 1/2 cups powdered sugar
13 - 2-3 tablespoons milk
14 - 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
→ Decoration
15 - Purple, green, and gold colored sugars
# Step-by-Step Instructions:
01 - Preheat oven to 350°F. Line a 12-cup muffin tin with paper liners.
02 - In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, and salt. Set aside.
03 - In a large bowl, beat butter and granulated sugar until light and fluffy. Add eggs one at a time, mixing well after each addition. Stir in vanilla extract.
04 - Gradually add the flour mixture to the butter mixture, alternating with milk, beginning and ending with flour. Mix until just combined. Gently fold in ground cinnamon.
05 - In a small bowl, combine brown sugar and cinnamon for the swirl mixture.
06 - Fill cupcake liners halfway with batter. Sprinkle about 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon sugar swirl over each, then top with remaining batter. Gently swirl with a toothpick for a marbled effect.
07 - Bake for 18-20 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. Cool in pan 5 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.
08 - Whisk together powdered sugar, milk, and vanilla extract until smooth and pourable.
09 - Spoon or drizzle icing over cooled cupcakes. Immediately sprinkle with colored sugars in alternating stripes of purple, green, and gold. Allow icing to set before serving.
# Tips from hearthlykitchen:
01 -
- The cinnamon sugar ribbon running through each cupcake creates those irresistible bakery style swirls that make people think you spent hours on them
- They capture everything magical about king cake but in individual portions that are easier to serve and share
02 -
- The glaze sets incredibly fast so have your colored sugars open and ready before you start icing
- Room temperature ingredients mix together better. Take everything out of the fridge at least 30 minutes before starting
03 -
- Warm the colored sugars in a 200 degree oven for 5 minutes to help them stick better to the glaze
- These cupcakes actually taste better on day two when the cinnamon has had time to meld with the vanilla