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Turn any cupcake into a touchdown treat with this easy tutorial and video!
It’s that time of year again when anything you turn into a football tastes a million times better. Right? It’s totally logical– brownies into mini footballs are exponentially tastier than their plain square counterpart.
Let’s backtrack to last year… The Eagles were in the Super Bowl, and I was not happy about that. But I watched in support for Matt and lo and behold, they freaking won. And we had little brownie footballs to “celebrate” at 10pm while we listened to fireworks that we hoped didn’t wake our sleeping toddler.
This year, we have no allegiance to either team, but we will watch for
1) commercials
2) snacks
3) hoping the Pats lose and
4) more snacks.
And beer. Definitely.
To be perfectly honest, this cupcake recipe isn’t actually new. It’s the base for my mint chocolate chip cupcakes just without the chocolate chips. The chocolate fudge frosting is one you’ve seen before on this cookie cake and this extra chocolatey cookie cake.
And the vanilla buttercream you’ve seen a million times before, but this is 1/4 of the recipe.
This (incredibly short) post is dedicated to the method. I have directions/instructions for how exactly to do this little football design, but the easiest way to learn how to do it is just to watch the video. So…
Easy, right?
WAY EASY.
The only “special” equipment you’ll need are two icing tips.
Wilton #21 star tip or an equivalent will get you the football…
And a Wilton #3 or an equivalent will get you the football laces.
They are so freaking adorable I can’t even stand it. CAN YOU?
You can really use any cupcake recipe you’d like (here are all of my cupcakes), but the chocolate fudge frosting on top is the kicker (HA! I didn’t even try that!), so try to pick a cupcake base that will go well with chocolate.
You might even consider making my homemade funfetti cupcakes and using your team’s colors in place of the rainbow sprinkles. Any cupcakes will do. And a green cupcake liner seals the deal and just brings it all together with some grass-like representation happening.
JOIN MY ONLINE COURSE TO LEARN MORE ABOUT CUPCAKE DECORATING TECHNIQUES
If you love making cupcakes, but aren’t quite sure where to start when it comes to decorating them, join my e-course so you can learn right alongside me. I’ll be instructing you the entire journey from start to finish!
Try them out! They’re a perfect complement to a Super Bowl spread and they will be the hit of any dessert table. They’re definitely “super bowl cupcakes” if I’ve ever seen some!
I can’t wait to see your footballs!
Football Cupcakes
Ingredients
DARK CHOCOLATE CUPCAKES
- 1 cup (200g) granulated sugar
- 1 cup (200g) packed light brown sugar
- 2 cups (240g) all-purpose flour be sure to measure properly
- ¾ cup (72g) Dutch processed cocoa powder
- 2 teaspoons baking powder
- ½ teaspoon baking soda
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 4 large eggs
- ½ cup (109mL) vegetable oil
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 1 cup (240mL) coffee + water to 1 and ¼ cup (300ml) liquid
- you may also use any cupcake recipe you like see all of my cupcake recipes
CHOCOLATE FUDGE FOOTBALL FROSTING
- 2 ounces (58g) unsweetened baking chocolate coarsely chopped
- ¼ cup (57g) unsalted butter
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 3-4 Tablespoons (45-60mL) milk or cream
- 2 cups (240g) powdered sugar
- pinch of salt
VANILLA BUTTERCREAM LACES
- 2 Tablespoons (29g) unsalted butter softened to room temperature
- ½ cup (60g) powdered sugar
- ½ Tablespoon (8mL) milk or cream
DECORATING TOOLS
Instructions
DARK CHOCOLATE CUPCAKES
- Preheat the oven to 350ºF (177ºC). Line the wells of two 12 count cupcake pan with cupcake liners. Set aside.
- In a large bowl, whisk together the granulated sugar, brown sugar, flour, cocoa powder, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. Set aside.
- In a small bowl, whisk together the eggs, vegetable oil, and vanilla extract until completely combined. Pour the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients, add the coffee, and whisk or stir the batter until everything is combined.
- Spoon batter evenly into the cupcake liners filling ½ to ⅔ of the way full (I like to use an ice cream scoop with a trigger– one scoop full). Bake for 13-14 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Allow to cool in the pan for a few minutes, then transfer to a wire cooling rack to cool completely.
CHOCOLATE FUDGE FOOTBALL FROSTING
- In a small saucepan over medium heat, melt the unsweetened baking chocolate and the butter. Allow to cool for 15 minutes.
- In a medium bowl with a handheld mixer or the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, combine cooled chocolate/butter mixture, vanilla extract, and milk or cream (starting with 3 Tablespoons). Turn the mixer onto low and slowly add the powdered sugar. Increase mixer speed to medium and beat until completely combined, scraping down sides as needed. Add salt to taste.
VANILLA BUTTERCREAM LACES
- In a medium size bowl, carefully stir together the butter and powdered sugar. It will take awhile for the mixture to come together and thicken up.
- Add the milk or cream and stir until frosting is smooth.
- For more buttercream troubleshooting tips, see my book, The Home Baker's Guide to Basic Buttercream.
DECORATE THE CUPCAKES
- Fill a piping bag fitted with a #21 tip with the chocolate frosting. Set aside.
- Fill a piping bag fitted with a #3 tip with the vanilla frosting. Set aside.
- Working with one cupcake at a time, hold the chocolate frosting bag with your dominant/decorating hand. Starting at the middle of the opposite side of the cupcake from your hand, use gentle pressure on the bag to create a tight zigzag pattern, gradually getting wider, with the widest part being at the middle of the cupcake. Continuing in a fluid motion, gradually make the zigzag smaller after you pass the middle zigzag until you reach the middle of the side of the cupcake closest to your hand. Release pressure.
- Working with the vanilla buttercream, make a line across the center of the football you created with the chocolate frosting. Draw 4-5 perpendicular lines over the center line to create laces. Cupcakes can be enjoyed immediately. Store leftovers covered at room temperature up to 5 days. Undecorated cupcakes may be frozen, up to 2 months. Thaw in refrigerator overnight and allow to come to room temperature before decorating.
I tried it! Huge hit with the football team! Thank you!
So glad, Wendy– thanks!
So easy and fun! Thanks!
Love that, Molly– thanks for letting me know!