Description
These Lucky Green Bake Sale Cupcakes are vibrant, moist, and irresistibly fluffy treats with a bright shamrock green hue that perfectly suits festive occasions. Topped with a creamy green-tinted buttercream frosting and adorned with sprinkles or edible glitter, these cupcakes are a guaranteed crowd-pleaser and always sell out quickly. Simple to make with classic baking techniques, they bring a cheerful burst of color and delightful sweetness to any bake sale or celebration.
Ingredients
Scale
Cupcakes
- 1 ½ cups all-purpose flour
- 3/4 cup granulated sugar
- ½ cup unsalted butter, softened
- 2 large eggs
- 1 ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 ½ teaspoon baking powder
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- ½ cup milk
- Green food coloring (gel recommended)
Frosting
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 3 to 4 cups powdered sugar
- 2 tablespoons heavy cream
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- Green food coloring (gel recommended)
- Sprinkles or edible glitter for decoration
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a 12-cup muffin tin with cupcake liners to prepare for baking.
- Cream Butter and Sugar: In a large bowl, beat the softened butter and granulated sugar together until pale and fluffy, approximately 2 to 3 minutes, incorporating air for a light cupcake texture.
- Add Eggs and Vanilla: Add the eggs one at a time, mixing thoroughly after each addition to fully combine. Stir in the vanilla extract evenly for enhanced flavor.
- Mix Dry Ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking powder, and salt to evenly distribute the leavening agents and seasoning.
- Combine Wet and Dry Mixtures: Gradually add the dry ingredients to the butter mixture in two parts, alternating with the milk. Mix gently just until all ingredients are combined to avoid overmixing and tough cupcakes.
- Add Green Food Coloring: Incorporate green gel food coloring a little at a time, mixing until you achieve a bright shamrock green color that will make your cupcakes visually stunning.
- Fill Cupcake Liners: Divide the batter evenly into the prepared liners, filling each about two-thirds full to allow room for rising without overflow.
- Bake: Bake in the preheated oven for 18 to 20 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean, indicating that the cupcakes are fully cooked.
- Cool: Remove the cupcakes from the oven and allow them to cool completely on a wire rack before frosting to prevent the frosting from melting.
- Make Frosting: Beat the softened butter until creamy, then gradually add the powdered sugar, heavy cream, and vanilla extract. Continue beating until the frosting is smooth and fluffy, adding more cream if necessary to reach a spreadable consistency.
- Color Frosting: Tint the frosting with green gel food coloring until the desired shade of green is achieved, matching the cupcakes’ vibrant look.
- Frost and Decorate: Once the cupcakes are fully cooled, frost them generously with the green buttercream. Finish by sprinkling with edible glitter or sprinkles for a festive touch.
- Serve and Enjoy: Serve these festive cupcakes at your next bake sale or celebration and watch them disappear quickly!
Notes
- Use gel food coloring instead of liquid for a more vibrant color without altering the batter consistency.
- Do not overmix the batter after adding the dry ingredients to keep cupcakes tender and light.
- Make sure cupcakes are completely cool before frosting to prevent melting and sliding of frosting.
- Adjust the amount of powdered sugar and cream in the frosting for your preferred consistency—thicker for piping, thinner for spreading.
- Sprinkles and edible glitter add a fun festive look but are optional depending on dietary preferences or allergies.
- Store cupcakes in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days or refrigerated for up to 5 days.
