Snowman Cupcakes With the Best Buttercream Frosting

Cupcakes can be incredibly fun to decorate but may also easily be a huge hassle. If using icing alone, I do not produce an attractive product, much less a photo worthy one. Nevertheless, cupcakes are pleasing to decorate because one does not have to use icing alone to decorate with.

Here is an example~
The Snowman Cupcake


Is he not completely adorable, so much so that you could just gobble him up. . . literally? And what is even more wonderful about this little guy is how easy he is to create. My nine year old daughter had a fantastic time icing and decorating these cupcakes to share with her friends.


To help you get started, here is the best frosting recipe in case you need one or haven't seen it when I used it for this Bird's Nest Cake. It is just the right sweetness, not overly sugary sweet. And the perfect texture for holding its shape after it has been smoothed on or piped. It gets just a little bit stiff after setting but not crunchy and really holds onto any added garnishes.


Best Buttercream Frosting
1 c butter, room temperature
1 c vegetable shortening
6 c powder sugar
3 tsp vanilla extract
6 oz heavy whipping cream

Place butter and shortening in mixer. Beginning on low speed and gradually increasing to a high speed, whip for 10 minutes until light and fluffy. Lower speed to lowest setting and mix in powder sugar one cup at a time until well blended. Add vanilla. Increase speed to medium and slowly add whipping cream. Increase speed to medium-high and whip for 8-10 minutes until light but stiff. This makes an ample amount of icing for at least 24 cupcakes.


Snowman Cupcakes
Twizzler Rope
Life Saver Hard Candies
Chocolate Chips
Mini Chocolate Chips
Orange Slice Gummy Candies
raw sugar {for dipping}

After you have given each cupcake {any flavor you care to make} a good layer of frosting, roll them in raw sugar to give each a snowy effect. Set to the side.


Pull the Twizzler rope apart and cut each rope into thirds. This will be used to connect the Life Saver ear muffs. Also, slice the orange slice gummy candies into wedges then each wedge into halves; these will become little 'carrot' noses.


Place a third Twizzler rope segment at the edge of an iced, sugared cupcake and gently press into the icing to hold. Add a Life Saver hard candy to each end of the rope at the sides of the cupcake to create a pair of ear muffs.

Use two chocolate chips to form eyes for your snowman and five mini chocolate chips to make the mouth. Place the chocolate chips upside down, so that the tip of the chip is in the frosting.

Lastly, place an orange wedge piece in the center of the snowman's face for his nose. You could stick this straight up or lay it on its side, whatever suits your fancy.

Now you have an adorable snowman cupcake to give away or enjoy yourself. I immediately wrapped two up for our neighbor's little boys. I have found that the easiest way to package cupcakes neatly is to place them in a small clear plastic cup, the sort you use for punch. Then the cupcake in a cup can be placed in a bag and tied closed for gift giving.


Hoping you have a happy holiday season!