Olympics Cupcakes!

I LOVE the Olympics! I could not be more excited that they're starting today! So, in honor of the Olympics, I made Olympics/British cupcakes! This was mainly just regular vanilla cupcakes with marshmallow buttercream, but I think they turned out super cute! (If you want these cupcake decorations, you can find them here)

For the cupcakes I just used a generic vanilla cupcake recipe, but I added a teaspoon of this pralines and cream flavoring. I think it works really well with a plain cupcake. Of course, since these cupcakes are really about the decorations, any flavor cupcake will do!

For the frosting, I used marshmallow creme butter cream. I didn't know that you could do this, but since I had a jar of marshmallow creme lying around, I decided to look it up. This recipe actually turned out so well! The frosting was thick, so it was easy to pipe onto the cupcakes, but not too thick. It was also so easy! I'll for sure be using this recipe again.

Marshmallow buttercream:

(adapted from: here)

1 16-ounce container of marshmallow creme/fluff

3 sticks butter

1 teaspoon vanilla

1 teaspoon almond extract

1/2 - 3/4 cup powdered sugar

1. Whip the marshmallow creme in a stand mixer

2. Cut the sticks of butter into 4 pieces each. Add each into the marshmallow creme, incorporating well after piece.

3. Add in the vanilla and almond extract.

4. Add in 1/2 cup powdered sugar. Add in more if you think it'll be a better texture.

Vanilla Cookie Cupcakes

Vanilla Cookie Cupcakes!
Recipe from: How Sweet It Is
 
These cupcakes are two layers - one cookie, one cake. They're super fun and super easy to make! First make the cookie layer and spread evenly between about 20 cupcake liners (sprayed with non-stick spray, or else the cookies will stick!) Next, make the cake layer and spread evenly on top of the cookie layer. Bake at 350 degrees for about 17 minutes (some of my batches took 17 minutes, some about 19.)

Cookie Layer
1 1/3 cups flour
1/2 cup butter
3/4 cup brown sugar
1 egg
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla
1/2 cup mini chocolate chips

Mix all ingredients but chocolate chips in mixer. Stir in chocolate chips by hand.

Cupcake Layer
1/2 cup butter
1 cup sugar
2 eggs
1 tablespoon vanilla
1 1/2 cups flour
1 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
1/3 cup milk

When the cupcakes have cooled, it's frosting time!

I used these two recipes: for Classic Vanilla Buttercream Frosting and Chocolate Buttercream Frosting. I also garnished the cupcakes with wafers, but anything would do!