Description
Create magical Snow Globe Cupcakes that bring a sense of winter wonder to your dessert table. These fun treats capture the joy of a snow globe in an edible form, perfect for inspiring playful baking.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 box white cake mix (plus ingredients called for on box)
- 1 cup buttermilk
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 1/4 cup cornstarch
- 2 cups whole milk
- 4 large egg yolks
- 1/4 cup unsalted butter
- 1 teaspoon almond extract
- 1/2 cup powdered sugar
- 1/4 cup heavy cream
- 1/2 teaspoon clear vanilla extract
- White sanding sugar or edible glitter (for ‘snow’)
- Clear hard candy drops or clear isomalt pieces (for the globe effect)
- Cupcake liners
Instructions
- Prepare the white cake batter according to the box directions, substituting the water with buttermilk and adding the vanilla extract for extra flavor.
- Fill cupcake liners about two-thirds full with batter.
- Bake according to package instructions until a toothpick inserted comes out clean. Let cupcakes cool completely.
- Make the pastry cream: Whisk together sugar and cornstarch in a saucepan. Gradually whisk in the milk and egg yolks until smooth.
- Cook over medium heat, stirring constantly, until the mixture thickens significantly and bubbles gently. Remove from heat.
- Stir in the unsalted butter and almond extract until incorporated. Cover the surface directly with plastic wrap and chill completely (at least 2 hours).
- Once chilled, beat the pastry cream briefly to smooth it out.
- Make the frosting: Beat the heavy cream, powdered sugar, and clear vanilla extract until stiff peaks form. Fold this whipped cream gently into the cooled pastry cream to create a light, airy filling.
- Core the center of each cooled cupcake using a small spoon or apple corer.
- Pipe or spoon the pastry cream filling generously into the cored center of each cupcake.
- Top the filled cupcake with a mound of the remaining filling to create a dome shape, resembling the base of a snow globe.
- Gently press white sanding sugar or edible glitter onto the dome to look like snow.
- Carefully place a few clear candy drops or isomalt pieces on top of the ‘snow’ to mimic the glass globe.
- Serve immediately and enjoy the magic!
Notes
- For the clearest ‘snow globe’ look, use clear isomalt instead of hard candy drops if you are comfortable working with it.
- You can tint a small portion of the pastry cream blue or silver for a subtle icy effect under the snow.
- Ensure the pastry cream is completely cold before folding in the whipped cream; this keeps your filling light.
- This recipe is designed to feel playful; don’t worry if your piping isn’t perfect—the ‘snow’ covers everything!
- Prep Time: 45 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking and Pastry Cream Filling
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cupcake
- Calories: Approx. 350
- Sugar: Approx. 40g
- Sodium: Approx. 200mg
- Fat: Approx. 15g
- Saturated Fat: Approx. 8g
- Unsaturated Fat: Approx. 7g
- Trans Fat: Approx. 0g
- Carbohydrates: Approx. 55g
- Fiber: Approx. 1g
- Protein: Approx. 5g
- Cholesterol: Approx. 100mg