These Snow Globe Cupcakes Get Made Is Mesmerizing

Let it snow, let it snow, let it snow (sugar).

By Sienna Fantozzi, Delish

Snow globes are a quintessential Christmas staple. Whether you decorate with them or give them as gifts, you're never too old (or too cool for) the magic that happens when you shake one up and watch the snow fall all around. But you know what's even better than a snow globe? A cupcake snow globe, because sugar.

You might be laughing to yourself and thinking there's absolutely no way your decorating skills (or lack thereof) could handle a baking feat like this, but trust me, this is way easier than you think it is. Elizabeth LaBau from the blog SugarHero! came up with this stunning (and not to mention, totally brilliant) way to turn basic cupcakes into a winter wonderland-inspired snow globe, and the secret is gelatin bubbles. And it's mesmerizing to see how they're made.

You start with basic baked cupcakes (you can even cheat and buy pre-made ones), frost them, roll them in flaked coconut to nail that snowy look, then top with a festive cupcake topper, like a snowman or reindeer. Easy stuff, ladies and gents. Here's where the more delicate handling comes in—you dunk small balloons in gelatin and let it set, then cut a hole in the balloons to release them (much like you would making sprinkle bowls), pull away the gelatin, and place on top of your cupcakes. See it for yourself:

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A post shared by Elizabeth LaBau - SugarHero! (@elabau) on Dec 3, 2016 at 12:50pm PST

LaBau recently created a video to go with her original recipe, which debuted in 2014. In the two years since, hundreds of people have made the treats, she wrote on Instagram, and the hashtag #snowglobecupcakes has 159 posts—surprisingly, without a sarcastic "nailed it!" moment in sight. These treats may look intricate, but LaBau breaks things down so simply and succinctly, you really cannot fail at making them.