Save Bring a touch of whimsy and charm to your next party with the delightful Hedgehog Cupcake Tower. This adorable centerpiece features moist chocolate cupcakes transformed into cuddly little hedgehogs using fluffy chocolate buttercream and chocolate sprinkles to mimic fur, with flaked almonds for spikes. Perfect for children’s parties or festive gatherings, these cupcakes not only taste heavenly but will also spark joy and conversation among your guests.
Save With a preparation time of just over an hour, this recipe strikes the perfect balance between ease and creativity, making baking enjoyable and stress-free. The result is a whimsical tower of hedgehog cupcakes that will brighten any table and delight every palate.
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 to allow the cupcakes to cool completely before frosting to prevent the buttercream from melting. When shaping the face, use gentle pressure to create a smooth rounded point that looks natural. Pressing the almonds firmly into the buttercream ensures they stay securely as spikes.
Varianten und Anpassungen
If preferred, swap mini chocolate chips with white chocolate chips for a contrasting eye color. For a nut-free option, omit the almonds and substitute spikes with thin pretzel sticks or piped chocolate details to keep the adorable hedgehog look.
Serviervorschläge
Serve your Hedgehog Cupcake Tower alongside a chilled glass of milk or a warm cup of hot cocoa, enhancing the chocolate flavors for a cozy treat perfect for any occasion.
Save This Hedgehog Cupcake Tower is sure to become a beloved recipe in your collection, combining playful creativity with rich chocolate flavor. Whether for a birthday party or a festive occasion, these charming cupcakes will create lasting memories and bring smiles to all ages.
Recipe Questions & Answers
- → How do I create the hedgehog spikes?
Press flaked almonds gently into the buttercream on the cupcake's back to mimic hedgehog spikes. For a nut-free alternative, use pretzel sticks or piped chocolate.
- → What ingredients add the chocolate flavor?
Unsweetened cocoa powder is used in both the cupcake batter and buttercream to provide a rich chocolate flavor throughout.
- → How can I ensure the cupcakes bake evenly?
Fill cupcake liners about two-thirds full and bake at 175°C (350°F) for 18-20 minutes until a toothpick comes out clean.
- → Can I make the decoration kid-friendly?
Yes, using simple chocolate chips for eyes and candies for noses makes decorating fun and safe for children under supervision.
- → What tools are needed to assemble the tower?
You will need a cupcake tower stand or cake tiers to arrange and display the decorated cupcakes elegantly.