Celebrate with vanilla cupcakes, creamy buttercream, and cute fondant caps—ideal for graduation parties.
# Ingredient List:
→ Cupcake Base
01 - 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
02 - 1 cup granulated sugar
03 - 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
04 - 2 large eggs, room temperature
05 - 1/2 cup whole milk, room temperature
06 - 1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
07 - 1/4 teaspoon salt
08 - 2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
→ Buttercream Frosting
09 - 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
10 - 2 cups powdered sugar, sifted
11 - 2 tablespoons milk
12 - 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
13 - Pinch of salt
→ Fondant Graduation Caps
14 - 4 ounces black fondant
15 - 2 ounces yellow fondant or yellow licorice strings
16 - 1 tablespoon water, for sticking fondant pieces
# Directions:
01 - Preheat oven to 350°F. Line a 12-cup muffin tin with cupcake liners.
02 - Whisk flour, baking powder, and salt together in a medium mixing bowl.
03 - Beat softened butter with granulated sugar in a large bowl until light and fluffy.
04 - Incorporate eggs one at a time, mixing well after each addition. Stir in vanilla extract.
05 - Alternately add the dry ingredients and milk to the butter mixture, beginning and ending with dry ingredients. Mix just until combined.
06 - Divide batter evenly between cupcake liners. Bake for 18–20 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center emerges clean. Transfer to wire rack to cool completely.
07 - Beat softened butter in a bowl until creamy. Gradually add sifted powdered sugar. Add milk, vanilla, and a pinch of salt. Beat until smooth and fluffy.
08 - Pipe or spread buttercream onto cooled cupcakes.
09 - Roll black fondant to 1/8 inch thickness. Cut 12 squares about 1 inch wide for caps. Form small spheres from fondant for bases. Attach square tops to bases with a dab of water.
10 - Roll yellow fondant or licorice into thin ropes. Attach tassels to the center of each cap with water.
11 - Place fondant graduation caps gently atop each cupcake.
