# Ingredient List:
→ Cupcakes
01 - 2 cups all-purpose flour
02 - 1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
03 - 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
04 - 1/4 teaspoon salt
05 - 3/4 cup unsalted butter, softened
06 - 1 1/4 cups granulated sugar
07 - 2 large eggs
08 - 2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
09 - 1 cup whole milk
→ Buttercream Frosting
10 - 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
11 - 4 cups powdered sugar, sifted
12 - 2 to 3 tablespoons milk
13 - 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
14 - Gel food coloring (red, green, yellow, blue)
→ Elf Hat Decorations
15 - 24 sugar cones
16 - Colored fondant or modeling chocolate (red, green, yellow, white)
17 - Edible glitter or sprinkles (optional)
18 - Mini marshmallows or white chocolate chips for hat pom-poms
19 - Piping gel or melted white chocolate for attaching decorations
# Directions:
01 - Preheat oven to 350°F. Line two 12-cup muffin pans with cupcake liners.
02 - Whisk together flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt in a bowl.
03 - In a large bowl, beat softened butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Add eggs one at a time, mixing well after each, then stir in vanilla extract.
04 - Alternately add the flour mixture and milk to the butter mixture, beginning and ending with flour. Mix until just combined.
05 - Divide batter evenly among liners filling about two-thirds full. Bake 18 to 20 minutes until a toothpick inserted in center comes out clean. Cool completely.
06 - Beat butter until creamy. Gradually add powdered sugar, then mix in vanilla and milk. Beat until fluffy. Divide and tint with gel food coloring as desired.
07 - Using a piping bag fitted with a large round tip, pipe a swirl of buttercream onto each cooled cupcake.
08 - Cover each sugar cone with colored fondant or modeling chocolate. Add decorative details like stripes or dots. Attach a mini marshmallow or white chocolate chip to the tip using piping gel or melted chocolate. Optionally, add edible glitter or sprinkles.
09 - Place an elf hat atop each frosted cupcake, pressing gently to secure. Arrange cupcakes on a tiered stand to create the tower.
