Description
Celebrate St. Patrick’s Day or any festive occasion with these delightful Shamrock Cupcakes. Soft and fluffy vanilla cupcakes are topped with a creamy, vibrant green buttercream frosting, shaped and decorated with charming shamrock designs, perfect for sharing and spreading holiday cheer.
Ingredients
Scale
Cupcake Batter
- 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 1/2 tsp baking powder
- 1/4 tsp salt
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, at room temperature
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1/2 cup whole milk
Buttercream Frosting
- 1 cup unsalted butter, at room temperature
- 4 cups powdered sugar
- 2 tbsp milk (or as needed)
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1/4 tsp salt
- Green food coloring (gel or liquid)
Decoration (Optional)
- Shamrock sprinkles or edible glitter
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a muffin tin with cupcake liners to prepare for baking.
- Mix Dry Ingredients: In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt; set aside to be incorporated into the batter later.
- Cream Butter and Sugar: In a large bowl, cream together the butter and granulated sugar until the mixture is light and fluffy, approximately 3-4 minutes.
- Add Eggs and Vanilla: Beat in the eggs one at a time, mixing well after each addition, then stir in the vanilla extract for flavor.
- Combine Batter: Gradually add the dry ingredients to the butter mixture, alternating with milk; start and finish with the dry ingredients, mixing just until combined to maintain tenderness.
- Fill Cupcake Liners: Spoon the batter evenly into the cupcake liners, filling each about two-thirds full for perfect rising.
- Bake: Bake the cupcakes for 18-20 minutes until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Allow cupcakes to cool in the pan for 5 minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely.
- Prepare Buttercream: Beat the butter in a large bowl until creamy, then gradually add powdered sugar, one cup at a time, mixing well after each addition. Add milk, vanilla extract, and salt; continue beating until the frosting is smooth and fluffy. Mix in green food coloring to reach the desired shade.
- Frost Cupcakes: Once cupcakes are completely cooled, frost them generously with the green buttercream using a spatula or piping bag.
- Decorate: Pipe small shamrock shapes on top of each cupcake using a piping bag or decorate with shamrock sprinkles, edible glitter, or other small candy decorations for a festive look.
- Set and Serve: Allow the frosting to set for a few minutes, then serve your festive Shamrock Cupcakes and enjoy!
Notes
- Ensure butter is at room temperature for easy creaming and smooth frosting.
- Do not overmix the batter to keep cupcakes tender and moist.
- The baking time may vary slightly depending on your oven; check doneness early to avoid overbaking.
- Adjust the amount of milk in frosting to achieve preferred consistency.
- Green food coloring gel provides more vibrant color without thinning the frosting.
- Store cupcakes in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days; refrigerate for longer storage but allow cupcakes to come to room temperature before serving.
