# What You'll Need:
→ 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 - 2–3 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)
# How to Make It:
01 - Preheat the oven to 350°F. Line two 12-cup muffin pans with cupcake liners.
02 - In a bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt.
03 - In a large bowl, beat butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Incorporate eggs one at a time, then stir in vanilla extract.
04 - Alternately add flour mixture and milk to the butter mixture, beginning and ending with flour, mixing just until combined.
05 - Divide batter evenly among liners, filling about two-thirds full. Bake 18 to 20 minutes until a toothpick inserted comes out clean. Let cool completely.
06 - Beat butter until creamy. Gradually add powdered sugar, then mix in vanilla and milk until fluffy. Divide and tint with gel food colors as desired.
07 - Pipe swirls of buttercream onto cooled cupcakes using a piping bag with a large round tip.
08 - Cover each sugar cone with colored fondant or modeling chocolate. Add decorative details and attach a mini marshmallow or white chocolate chip to the tip using piping gel or melted chocolate. Optionally apply edible glitter or sprinkles.
09 - Place each decorated elf hat gently atop the frosted cupcakes, pressing slightly to secure.
10 - Arrange cupcakes on a tiered stand to form a festive tower centerpiece.
