Monster Cupcakes

From: I Am Baker

Adorable Monster Cupcakes using plant, seed, and vegetable-based food colors that are as easy as they are delicious!


Prep: 30 mins
Cook: 15 mins
Totall: 45 mins
Yield: Serves 24

Ingredients

CHOCOLATE CUPCAKES

• 1/2 cup (113g) 1 stick unsalted butter
• 2 ounces semi-sweet baking chocolate
• 2 large eggs at room temperature
• 3/4 cup (150g) granulated sugar
• 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
• 1/2 cup (115g) sour cream room temperature
• 1/2 cup (42g) unsweetened cocoa powder
• 3/4 cup (95g) all-purpose flour
• 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• 1/4 teaspoon salt

MONSTER BUTTERCREAM

• 1 cup (227) unsalted butter
• 1 two-pound bag powder sugar about 7-8 cups
• 1 tablespoon McCormick® Pure Vanilla Extract
• 4 tablespoons milk
• 1 dash salt
• 1 pkg McCormick Color from Nature Food Color

Method

CHOCOLATE CUPCAKES

• Preheat the oven to 350F degrees. This recipe makes 12-14 cupcakes, so prepare one pan (or maybe two) with cupcake liners.

• Melt the butter and chocolate together in the microwave. Microwave in 30-second increments, stirring in between each time. Set aside.

• In the bowl of a stand mixer with the whisk attachment, add the eggs, sugar, vanilla, and sour cream and whisk on medium speed until smooth. (about 1 minute).

• In a medium-sized bowl, sift the cocoa powder, flour, baking soda, baking powder, and salt together until thoroughly combined.

• Add the cooled butter/chocolate to the stand mixer and whisk until smooth, about 30 seconds.

• Slowly add in the flour mixture, about 1/4 cup at a time with the stand mixer on low.

• As soon as you are done adding the flour turn the mixer off. (You do not want to over-mix!)

• The batter will be very thick.

• Fill the cupcake liners 2/3 of the way full with batter. Bake for 15-18 minutes. The center of the cupcake should spring back up if gently pressed.

MONSTER BUTTERCREAM

• Put room temperature butter, vanilla, and salt into mixer. Add in powder sugar one cup at a time, alternating with the milk until you have used it all.

• If your frosting is too thick you can certainly add more milk.

• Equally divide buttercream into four bowls.

• BLUE: Add 1 1/2 teaspoons of Sky Blue food color packet to bowl.

• PINK: Add 1 1/2 teaspoons of the Berry food color packet to bowl.

• YELLOW: Add 1 1/2 teaspoons of the Sunflower food color packet to bowl.

• GREEN: Add 1 teaspoon Sky Blue and 1 teaspoon Sunflower to make green. Gently stir to combine.

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