# What you'll need:
→ Cupcakes
01 - 2 cups all-purpose flour
02 - 1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
03 - 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
04 - 1/4 teaspoon salt
05 - 3/4 cup unsalted butter, softened
06 - 1 1/4 cups granulated sugar
07 - 2 large eggs
08 - 2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
09 - 1 cup whole milk
→ Buttercream Frosting
10 - 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
11 - 4 cups powdered sugar, sifted
12 - 2–3 tablespoons milk
13 - 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
14 - Gel food coloring (red, green, yellow, blue)
→ Elf Hat Decorations
15 - 24 sugar cones
16 - Colored fondant or modeling chocolate (red, green, yellow, white)
17 - Edible glitter or sprinkles (optional)
18 - Mini marshmallows or white chocolate chips (for hat pom-poms)
19 - Piping gel or melted white chocolate (for attaching decorations)
# Method:
01 - Preheat the oven to 350°F. Line two 12-cup muffin pans with cupcake liners.
02 - In a bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt.
03 - In a large bowl, cream butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Beat in eggs one at a time, then mix in vanilla extract.
04 - Alternate adding flour mixture and milk to the butter mixture, beginning and ending with flour. Mix until just combined.
05 - Divide batter evenly among cupcake liners, filling about two-thirds full. Bake for 18 to 20 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Let cool completely.
06 - Beat butter until creamy. Gradually add powdered sugar, then mix in vanilla and milk. Beat until fluffy. Divide and tint with gel food coloring as desired.
07 - Frost cooled cupcakes with a swirl of buttercream using a piping bag fitted with a large round tip.
08 - Cover each sugar cone with colored fondant or modeling chocolate. Add fondant details such as stripes, dots, and hat brims. Attach a mini marshmallow or white chocolate chip to the tip with piping gel or melted chocolate. Optionally, add edible glitter or sprinkles.
09 - Place an elf hat on each frosted cupcake, pressing gently to secure.
10 - Arrange cupcakes on a tiered cupcake stand to create a tower effect.
