Save to Pinterest Delight your guests with an enchanting Hedgehog Cupcake Tower, an adorable and whimsical centerpiece perfect for children's parties or festive gatherings. These chocolate cupcakes, lovingly decorated as charming little hedgehogs, combine rich flavors with playful design to create a treat that captivates both the eyes and the taste buds. The combination of fluffy chocolate buttercream and crunchy almond spikes adds texture and fun to every bite.
Save to Pinterest This Hedgehog Cupcake Tower not only tastes delicious but also sparks joy with its playful appearance. Crafted with simple yet thoughtful ingredients, each cupcake is a little work of art, inviting you to enjoy both baking and decorating. Whether as a party highlight or a cozy treat, these cupcakes will bring warmth and wonder to your table.
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 hedgehog's 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
Take your time shaping the buttercream peaks to give each hedgehog a unique and playful expression. Ensure cupcakes are fully cooled before frosting to avoid melting. When pressing flaked almonds onto the buttercream, go gently to keep the spikes intact without damaging the cupcake structure.
Varianten und Anpassungen
For a nut-free version, simply omit the flaked almonds and substitute spikes with thin pretzel sticks or piped melted chocolate to maintain the hedgehog's characteristic quills. You can also use white chocolate chips for the eyes to create subtle contrast. Swap milk chocolate chips for dark chocolate candies if you prefer a richer flavor.
Serviervorschläge
Serve the Hedgehog Cupcake Tower alongside a chilled glass of milk or a warm mug of hot cocoa to complement the chocolatey richness. This playful dessert can be the highlight of birthday celebrations, festive gatherings, or cozy afternoons, bringing smiles and delightful indulgence to all ages.
Save to Pinterest With patience and creativity, your Hedgehog Cupcake Tower will become a memorable centerpiece that brings joy to any occasion. From mixing the batter to the final decorative touches, this recipe invites both fun and deliciousness to your kitchen. Enjoy the smiles it creates as much as the rich chocolate flavors in every bite.
Recipe FAQs
- → What ingredients create the hedgehog spikes?
Flaked almonds are pressed into the buttercream to mimic the hedgehog spikes, offering a crunchy texture and nutty flavor.
- → How is the hedgehog face shaped on the cupcakes?
The buttercream is shaped into a rounded point on one side of the cupcake to resemble the hedgehog’s face before adding eyes and nose details.
- → Can the decoration be adapted for nut-free versions?
Yes, almonds can be omitted and thin pretzel sticks or piped chocolate can be used instead for spikes to accommodate nut allergies.
- → What is the best way to assemble the cupcake tower?
Arrange the decorated cupcakes on a tiered stand or cake tiers, stacking them carefully to form an appealing tower centerpiece.
- → How long does the preparation and baking take?
Preparation takes approximately 45 minutes, with baking time around 20 minutes, totaling about 1 hour 15 minutes including decorating.
- → What type of chocolate is recommended for the buttercream?
Unsweetened cocoa powder is used in the buttercream to provide a rich chocolate flavor balanced with softened butter and powdered sugar.