Description
These Pumpkin Patch Cupcakes are a festive and fun treat perfect for autumn celebrations. Moist chocolate cupcakes are transformed into adorable pumpkin patches using vibrant orange and green frostings, pretzel sticks for pumpkin stems, and decorative piping techniques. Easy to make and visually delightful, these cupcakes bring a seasonal twist to classic chocolate cake.
Ingredients
Scale
Cake
- 1 chocolate cake mix
- 1 cup buttermilk
- 1/2 cup vegetable oil
- 3 eggs
- 24 white cupcake liners
Frosting & Decoration
- 3 (16 oz) cans vanilla frosting
- Wilton orange icing color
- Wilton leaf green icing color
- 24 pretzel sticks
- 1 plastic sandwich bag
- 1 (16 oz) frosting bag OR gallon Ziploc bag
- Wilton 1M star tip
Instructions
- Prepare the Batter: In the bowl of a stand mixer, combine the chocolate cake mix, buttermilk, vegetable oil, and eggs. Mix until smooth and fully combined.
- Fill Cupcake Liners: Place white cupcake liners into cupcake tins. Fill each liner about two-thirds full with the prepared batter, ensuring even distribution for uniform cupcakes.
- Bake the Cupcakes: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Bake the cupcakes for 14 to 16 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
- Cool the Cupcakes: Carefully remove the cupcakes from the tins and transfer them to a cooling rack. Let them cool completely before frosting to prevent melting.
- Prepare Orange Frosting: In a mixing bowl, add 2 and 1/2 cans of vanilla frosting. Mix in a small amount of Wilton orange icing color, stirring until the frosting turns orange. Add more coloring if a darker orange shade is desired.
- Prepare Green Frosting: In a separate bowl, take the remaining frosting and add a small amount of Wilton leaf green icing color. Mix well and adjust the color intensity as preferred.
- Fill Frosting Bags: Cut a hole big enough to fit the Wilton 1M star tip at the bottom or corner of your frosting bag or gallon Ziploc bag. Fill with the orange frosting.
- Pipe the Pumpkin: Using the orange frosting, pipe onto each cupcake in a circular motion with the star tip to create a pumpkin shape.
- Add Pretzel Stems: Insert one pretzel stick into the center of each frosted cupcake to resemble pumpkin stems.
- Pipe Green Vines: Cut a tiny hole in a plastic sandwich bag and fill it with the green frosting. Pipe vine decorations around the pretzel stem on each cupcake.
- Serve: Arrange the completed pumpkin patch cupcakes on a platter and serve. Enjoy these delightful seasonal treats!
Notes
- Make sure cupcakes are completely cooled before frosting to avoid melting.
- Adjust icing color to your preferred shade by adding more color gradually.
- Pretzel sticks provide a sturdy and edible pumpkin stem shape.
- Use a piping bag with a star tip for a textured pumpkin effect.
- These cupcakes can be stored in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cupcake
- Calories: 320
- Sugar: 30g
- Sodium: 220mg
- Fat: 15g
- Saturated Fat: 3.5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 44g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 3g
- Cholesterol: 45mg
