Description
Campfire Cupcakes are a delightful twist on classic cupcakes, featuring a moist French vanilla base topped with creamy buttercream frosting and creative campfire-themed decorations. Perfect for outdoor parties or cozy get-togethers, these cupcakes combine the crunchy texture of graham cracker crumbs and pretzel rods with sweet marshmallows to recreate a miniature campfire experience right on your plate.
Ingredients
Scale
Cake
- 1 box French Vanilla cake mix
- 1 cup whole milk
- 3 large eggs
Buttercream Frosting
- 1 cup unsalted sweet cream butter, softened
- 2 cups powdered sugar
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 3-5 tablespoons heavy whipping cream
- Yellow and orange gel food coloring
Decorations
- 1 cup graham cracker crumbs
- 1/4 cup cocoa powder
- 1 bag mini pretzel rods
- 1 bag mini marshmallows
Instructions
- Prepare the Cupcake Batter: In a large mixing bowl, combine the French vanilla cake mix, whole milk, and eggs. Using a hand or stand mixer, beat the ingredients together on medium speed until smooth and fully combined, creating a moist batter.
- Bake the Cupcakes: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line cupcake pans with paper liners and pour the batter evenly into 24 cups, filling each about 2/3 full. Bake for approximately 18-20 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center of a cupcake comes out clean. Remove from oven and allow to cool completely on a wire rack.
- Make the Buttercream Frosting: In a mixing bowl, beat 1 cup of softened unsalted butter until creamy. Gradually add powdered sugar, continuing to beat. Add vanilla extract and 3 tablespoons of heavy whipping cream, then mix on high speed until the frosting is light and fluffy. Adjust consistency by adding more heavy cream as needed.
- Color the Frosting: Divide the frosting into two bowls. Tint one portion with yellow gel food coloring and the other with orange gel food coloring to create vibrant fire colors. Mix thoroughly.
- Create the Fire Effect: Using piping bags fitted with star or flame tips, pipe the yellow and orange frostings on top of the cooled cupcakes in an alternating flame-like pattern for a realistic campfire flame effect.
- Prepare the ‘Campfire’ Base: Mix graham cracker crumbs and cocoa powder together. Sprinkle this mixture around the base of the frosting on each cupcake to resemble dirt or charred ground around the campfire.
- Assemble the Campfire Elements: Insert 3-5 mini pretzel rods upright into each cupcake near the frosting to represent firewood logs. Finally, place mini marshmallows around or on top of the ‘firewood’ to mimic marshmallows roasting over the campfire.
- Serve and Enjoy: Allow the cupcakes to set for a few minutes before serving. These fun and festive campfire cupcakes are perfect for outdoor celebrations, camping-themed parties, or as a creative dessert to warm up any occasion.
Notes
- For best results, ensure cupcakes are fully cooled before frosting to prevent melting.
- You can substitute whole milk with almond or oat milk for a dairy-free option, but this will change the texture slightly.
- Adjust the amount of gel food coloring to achieve your desired flame intensity.
- Store frosted cupcakes in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days, or refrigerate for up to 4 days.
- Mini marshmallows can be lightly toasted with a kitchen torch for extra realism if desired.