Save Bring a touch of whimsy and sweetness to your next celebration with this Hedgehog Cupcake Tower. These charming chocolate cupcakes are transformed into adorable hedgehogs, complete with frosted faces, chocolate sprinkle fur, and almond spike quills. Perfect for children's parties or festive gatherings, this dessert centerpiece is as delightful to look at as it is to eat, offering a playful way to impress guests and satisfy sweet cravings.
Save With rich chocolate flavors and a light, fluffy texture, each cupcake nestles into the tower like a cuddly little hedgehog. The combination of smooth buttercream, crunchy almond spikes, and playful details like chocolate chip eyes and noses makes this a feast for both the eyes and palate. Kids and adults alike will marvel at the creativity behind these edible critters.
Ingredients
- For the Chocolate Cupcakes
- 200 g all-purpose flour
- 40 g unsweetened cocoa powder
- 1 ½ tsp baking powder
- ½ tsp baking soda
- ¼ tsp salt
- 200 g granulated sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 120 ml vegetable oil
- 120 ml whole milk
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 120 ml hot water
- For the Chocolate Buttercream
- 150 g unsalted butter, softened
- 250 g powdered sugar, sifted
- 40 g unsweetened cocoa powder
- 2 tbsp whole milk
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- Pinch of salt
- For Decorating the Hedgehogs
- 150 g chocolate sprinkles
- 36 mini chocolate chips (for eyes)
- 18 milk chocolate chips or chocolate-covered candies (for noses)
- 100 g flaked almonds (for spikes)
- 18 cupcake liners
- 1 cupcake tower stand or cake tiers
Instructions
- 1. Preheat the oven to 175°C (350°F). Line a muffin tin with 18 cupcake liners.
- 2. In a large bowl, sift together flour, cocoa powder, baking powder, baking soda, and salt.
- 3. In a separate bowl, whisk sugar and eggs until light and fluffy. Add oil, milk, and vanilla extract, mixing well.
- 4. Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet, mixing until just combined. Stir in the hot water until smooth.
- 5. Divide the batter evenly among the cupcake liners, filling each about 2/3 full.
- 6. Bake for 18-20 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. Cool completely before decorating.
- 7. For the buttercream, beat butter until creamy. Gradually add powdered sugar and cocoa powder, beating well. Add milk, vanilla, and salt, and beat until fluffy.
- 8. Frost each cooled cupcake with a generous amount of chocolate buttercream, shaping one side into a rounded point for the hedgehogs face.
- 9. Dip the back of each cupcake (the body) into chocolate sprinkles to create fur.
- 10. Press flaked almonds into the buttercream on the back half for spikes.
- 11. Add two mini chocolate chips for eyes and a milk chocolate chip or candy for the nose on the pointed face.
- 12. Arrange decorated cupcakes on a stand to form a tower.
Zusatztipps für die Zubereitung
Make sure the cupcakes are completely cooled before applying the buttercream to prevent melting. Use a piping bag or spatula to create the pointed face shape for each hedgehog. Press the almonds gently but firmly into the frosting to resemble delicate spikes that securely hold during assembly.
Varianten und Anpassungen
You can substitute white chocolate chips for the eyes for a lighter contrast. For a nut-free version, simply omit the almonds and use thin pretzel sticks or piped chocolate to mimic the spikes. Customize the decoration using different candies or sprinkles as desired to suit your taste or dietary needs.
Serviervorschläge
This hedgehog cupcake tower pairs wonderfully with a cold glass of milk or a warm mug of hot cocoa, enhancing the chocolate flavors and making your celebration even cozier and more festive.
Save With just a little time and imagination, these Hedgehog Cupcakes become the centerpiece of any party, bringing smiles and sweet memories. The playfulness of the design combined with rich, comforting chocolate makes them a recipe you'll return to again and again.
Recipe Questions & Answers
- → What ingredients create the hedgehog spikes?
Flaked almonds are pressed into the buttercream to resemble the hedgehog's spikes, adding a crunchy texture that complements the soft cupcake.
- → How is the hedgehog face shaped?
The buttercream is piped on top with one side shaped into a rounded point, forming the hedgehog's characteristic face shape.
- → Can the almond spikes be substituted for nut-free options?
Yes, nut-free alternatives like thin pretzel sticks or piped chocolate lines can replace the almonds for spikes.
- → What gives the cupcakes their rich chocolate flavor?
A combination of cocoa powder in both the batter and the buttercream delivers the deep chocolate taste.
- → How are the eyes and noses created on the cupcakes?
Mini chocolate chips serve as eyes, and milk chocolate chips or candies are placed as noses for a cute finish.