Name: Night Sky Cupcakes Recipe
Prep time: 20 min
Cook time: 22 min
Total time: 1 h 45 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 1 ½ cups all-purpose flour; 1 cup granulated sugar; ¾ cup unsweetened cocoa powder; 1 ½ teaspoons baking soda; ¾ teaspoon baking powder; ¾ teaspoon salt; 2 large eggs, at room temperature; ¾ cup buttermilk, at room temperature; ½ cup vegetable oil; 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract; ¾ cup hot coffee or hot water; 1 cup unsalted butter, softened to room temperature; 4 cups powdered sugar, sifted; ¼ cup heavy cream or milk; 2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract; Pinch of salt; Gel food coloring (Black, Royal Blue, Violet/Purple, and Pink/Fuchsia); Edible silver glitter, silver star sprinkles, and white nonpareils

Ingredients

For the Rich Chocolate Cupcakes (The Night Sky Base):

1 ½ cups all-purpose flour
1 cup granulated sugar
¾ cup unsweetened cocoa powder
1 ½ teaspoons baking soda
¾ teaspoon baking powder
¾ teaspoon salt
2 large eggs, at room temperature
¾ cup buttermilk, at room temperature
½ cup vegetable oil
1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
¾ cup hot coffee or hot water

For the Swirled Galaxy Buttercream (The Nebula):

1 cup unsalted butter, softened to room temperature
4 cups powdered sugar, sifted
¼ cup heavy cream or milk
2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
Pinch of salt
Gel food coloring (Black, Royal Blue, Violet/Purple, and Pink/Fuchsia)
Edible silver glitter, silver star sprinkles, and white nonpareils

Instructions

Step 1: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a standard 12-cup muffin tin with paper cupcake liners. Prepare a second tin if baking 14-16 cupcakes.

Step 2: In a large bowl, sift together flour, sugar, cocoa powder, baking soda, baking powder, and salt. Whisk to combine.

Step 3: In another bowl, whisk eggs until frothy. Add buttermilk, vegetable oil, and vanilla extract. Mix until smooth.

Step 4: Pour the wet mixture into the dry ingredients. Mix gently with a whisk or spatula until just combined; some lumps are fine.

Step 5: Carefully add hot coffee or hot water. Whisk until batter is smooth and thin.

Step 6: Fill each cupcake liner about two-thirds full using a scoop or measuring cup. Avoid overfilling.

Step 7: Bake on the center rack for 18-22 minutes. Test doneness by inserting a toothpick; it should come out clean or with a few moist crumbs.

Step 8: Cool cupcakes in the tin for 5-10 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely before frosting.

Step 9: For frosting, beat softened butter on medium-high speed for 2-3 minutes until pale and fluffy.

Step 10: Gradually add sifted powdered sugar, one cup at a time, mixing on low speed. Add a pinch of salt.

Step 11: Add heavy cream and vanilla extract. Beat on medium-high speed for 3-4 minutes until smooth and spreadable. Adjust thickness by adding more cream or sugar if needed.

Step 12: Divide frosting into separate bowls and tint with gel food coloring in black, royal blue, violet, and pink.

Step 13: Swirl different colors together gently and fill a piping bag with the multicolored buttercream.

Step 14: Pipe the galaxy frosting onto cooled cupcakes. Decorate with edible silver glitter, star sprinkles, and white nonpareils for a starry effect.

Tips & Variations

Use brewed espresso instead of coffee or hot water to deepen the chocolate flavor.

Sift your powdered sugar to avoid lumpy frosting and ensure smooth piping.

For a dairy-free option, substitute buttermilk with almond milk mixed with a tablespoon of lemon juice, and use dairy-free butter and milk alternatives.

Experiment with different gel colors like turquoise or magenta to customize your galaxy.

FAQs

Can I make the cupcakes ahead of time?

Yes, you can bake the cupcakes up to 2 days in advance and store them in an airtight container. Frost them on the day you plan to serve for the freshest results.