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Perfect Starry Night Leo Constellation Cupcakes

Leo constellation cupcakes - featured image
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These cupcakes feature a rich chocolate base with a glossy midnight blue frosting decorated with edible sugar stars and gold dust to mimic the Leo constellation, perfect for special occasions and astrology-themed parties.

Ingredients

  • All-purpose flour – 1 ½ cups (180g / 6.35 oz)
  • Cocoa powder, unsweetened – ½ cup (50g / 1.76 oz), sifted
  • Baking powder – 1 tsp
  • Baking soda – ½ tsp
  • Salt – ¼ tsp
  • Granulated sugar – 1 cup (200g / 7.05 oz)
  • Large eggs – 2, room temperature
  • Buttermilk – ¾ cup (180ml / 6 fl oz), or whole milk with 1 tbsp lemon juice/white vinegar
  • Vegetable oil – ½ cup (120ml / 4 fl oz)
  • Vanilla extract – 1 tsp
  • Hot water – ½ cup (120ml / 4 fl oz)
  • Unsalted butter – 1 cup (227g / 8 oz), softened
  • Powdered sugar – 4 cups (480g / 16.9 oz), sifted
  • Heavy cream or whole milk – 2-3 tbsp (30-45ml / 1-1.5 fl oz)
  • Vanilla extract – 1 tsp
  • Black food coloring gel – a few drops
  • Blue food coloring gel – a small drop
  • Edible sugar stars – small size
  • Edible gold dust or gold sprinkles
  • White edible gel pen or white icing for constellation lines (optional)

Instructions

  1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a 12-cup muffin tin with cupcake liners.
  2. In a large bowl, sift together the all-purpose flour, cocoa powder, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. Set aside.
  3. In another bowl, whisk together sugar, eggs, buttermilk, vegetable oil, and vanilla extract until fully blended.
  4. Slowly add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture, stirring gently until just combined.
  5. Carefully stir in the hot water (120ml).
  6. Fill each cupcake liner about two-thirds full with batter.
  7. Bake for 18-22 minutes. Check doneness by inserting a toothpick in the center; it should come out clean or with a few moist crumbs.
  8. Remove cupcakes from the oven and let cool in the pan for 5 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.
  9. While cupcakes cool, beat softened butter on medium speed until creamy (about 2 minutes). Gradually add powdered sugar, alternating with heavy cream and vanilla. Mix until fluffy and smooth.
  10. Add black food coloring gel a drop at a time until you reach a deep night sky blue-black shade. Add a tiny drop of blue gel for depth and mix gently.
  11. Frost the cooled cupcakes using a piping bag fitted with your preferred tip.
  12. Carefully place edible sugar stars to mimic the Leo constellation pattern on each cupcake using a toothpick for precision.
  13. Dust edible gold dust on top for a shimmering effect. Optionally, draw thin constellation lines with a white edible gel pen.

Notes

If frosting is too soft, chill for 10 minutes before decorating. Keep cupcakes refrigerated if not serving immediately to maintain frosting texture. Use gel food coloring for vivid color without thinning frosting. For gluten-free, substitute flour with 1:1 gluten-free blend. For dairy-free, use vegan margarine and coconut cream.

Nutrition

Keywords: Leo constellation cupcakes, starry night cupcakes, chocolate cupcakes, astrology themed dessert, special occasion cupcakes, edible constellation

Find it online: https://tinastirs.com/perfect-starry-night-leo-constellation-cupcakes-easy-recipe-for-special-occasions/