These Gnome Cupcakes are as adorable as they are delicious! With a light and fluffy vanilla cupcake base, topped with buttery, colorful frosting shaped into whimsical gnome hats and beards, these cupcakes are perfect for birthdays, holidays, baby showers, or any fun celebration.
Each cupcake is decorated with a piped beard, a swirled gnome hat, and a candy pearl nose, making them magical, charming, and fun to make! Whether you're baking with kids or crafting a beautiful dessert table, these cupcakes will steal the show!
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
✔️ Soft & Fluffy Cupcakes – Classic vanilla cupcakes with the perfect texture.
✔️ Buttery & Creamy Frosting – Smooth buttercream that pipes beautifully.
✔️ Fun to Decorate – A great activity for kids and adults alike!
✔️ Customizable – Use different colors and decorations to match any theme.
✔️ Perfect for Any Occasion – Great for Christmas, birthdays, and baby showers.
Recipe
Ingredients
For the Cupcakes:
- 1 ½ cups all-purpose flour
- 1 ½ teaspoons baking powder
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- ½ cup unsalted butter, softened
- ¾ cup granulated sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- ½ cup whole milk
For the Buttercream Frosting:
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 4 cups powdered sugar
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 3 tablespoons heavy cream (or milk)
- Food coloring (various colors for gnome hats and beards)
For Decoration:
- Round white candy pearls (for noses)
- Small fondant flowers or sprinkles (optional, for extra charm)
- Piping tips (star and round tips for beards and hats)
Directions
Step 1: Make the Cupcakes
Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a muffin tin with cupcake liners.
In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, and salt.
In a large bowl, beat butter and sugar until light and fluffy (about 2 minutes).
Add eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition. Stir in vanilla extract.
Gradually add dry ingredients and milk, alternating between the two, until fully combined.
Divide batter evenly into cupcake liners, filling each about ⅔ full.
Bake for 18-20 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
Let cupcakes cool completely before decorating.
Step 2: Prepare the Buttercream Frosting
In a large bowl, beat butter until creamy.
Gradually add powdered sugar, vanilla extract, and heavy cream. Beat until smooth and fluffy.
Divide frosting into bowls, then color each portion with different food colors for the hats and beards.
Step 3: Decorate the Gnome Cupcakes
Pipe the Beard – Using a star tip, pipe the gnome’s beard in a zigzag motion around the lower half of each cupcake.
Pipe the Hat – Using a round tip, swirl a tall, pointed gnome hat on top of each cupcake in a fun, whimsical shape.
Add the Nose – Place a white candy pearl where the beard and hat meet to create a gnome’s nose.
Optional Decoration – Add fondant flowers or sprinkles to make each gnome unique.
Step 4: Serve & Enjoy!
Display on a tiered cupcake stand for a magical touch!
Serve immediately or store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days.
Serving and Storage Tips
How to Serve:
- These gnome cupcakes are perfect for parties, holiday gatherings, or fun baking projects.
- Enjoy them as-is or pair them with a cup of tea, coffee, or hot cocoa for a cozy treat.
How to Store:
- Room Temperature: Store in an airtight container for up to 2 days.
- Refrigerator: Keep in the fridge for up to 5 days, but bring to room temperature before serving.
- Freezing: Freeze undecorated cupcakes for up to 3 months. Thaw, then decorate!
Helpful Notes
- Chill the Frosting Before Piping – If the frosting is too soft, refrigerate it for 10 minutes before decorating.
- Use Gel Food Coloring – Gel colors give vibrant colors without thinning out the frosting.
- Try Different Hat Styles – Pipe spiral hats, curved hats, or tall pointed hats for variety.
- Make Mini Gnome Cupcakes – Use a mini muffin tin for bite-sized gnome cupcakes.
- Make Chocolate Cupcakes Instead – Swap the vanilla base for chocolate cupcakes for a delicious variation.
frequently asked questions
1. Can I make these cupcakes ahead of time?
Yes! Bake the cupcakes a day in advance and store them covered at room temperature. Decorate just before serving.
2. Can I use store-bought frosting instead?
Absolutely! If you’re short on time, use pre-made buttercream and add food coloring.
3. What’s the best piping tip for the gnome’s beard?
A small or medium star tip (like Wilton #21 or #32) works great for a textured, fluffy beard.
4. How do I keep my frosting from melting?
If your kitchen is warm, chill the frosting for 10-15 minutes before piping.
5. Can I make these cupcakes gluten-free?
Yes! Use a 1:1 gluten-free flour blend in place of all-purpose flour.
Final Thoughts
These Gnome Cupcakes are a fun, whimsical, and delicious treat that will bring smiles to everyone who sees them! With their buttery vanilla base, fluffy buttercream beards and hats, and adorable candy noses, they’re almost too cute to eat!
Perfect for holidays, birthdays, baby showers, or just a fun baking project, these cupcakes are customizable, creative, and easy to make. Whether you go with bright, bold colors or pastel hues, these gnome cupcakes will steal the show!
So grab your piping bags, food coloring, and creativity, and let’s make the most magical cupcakes ever!
Gnome Cupcakes
Ingredients
For the Cupcakes:
- 1 ½ cups all-purpose flour
- 1 ½ teaspoons baking powder
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- ½ cup unsalted butter softened
- ¾ cup granulated sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- ½ cup whole milk
For the Buttercream Frosting:
- 1 cup unsalted butter softened
- 4 cups powdered sugar
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 3 tablespoons heavy cream or milk
- Food coloring various colors for gnome hats and beards
For Decoration:
- Round white candy pearls for noses
- Small fondant flowers or sprinkles optional, for extra charm
- Piping tips star and round tips for beards and hats
Instructions
Step 1: Make the Cupcakes
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a muffin tin with cupcake liners.
- In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, and salt.
- In a large bowl, beat butter and sugar until light and fluffy (about 2 minutes).
- Add eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition. Stir in vanilla extract.
- Gradually add dry ingredients and milk, alternating between the two, until fully combined.
- Divide batter evenly into cupcake liners, filling each about ⅔ full.
- Bake for 18-20 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
- Let cupcakes cool completely before decorating.
Step 2: Prepare the Buttercream Frosting
- In a large bowl, beat butter until creamy.
- Gradually add powdered sugar, vanilla extract, and heavy cream. Beat until smooth and fluffy.
- Divide frosting into bowls, then color each portion with different food colors for the hats and beards.
Step 3: Decorate the Gnome Cupcakes
- Pipe the Beard – Using a star tip, pipe the gnome’s beard in a zigzag motion around the lower half of each cupcake.
- Pipe the Hat – Using a round tip, swirl a tall, pointed gnome hat on top of each cupcake in a fun, whimsical shape.
- Add the Nose – Place a white candy pearl where the beard and hat meet to create a gnome’s nose.
- Optional Decoration – Add fondant flowers or sprinkles to make each gnome unique.
Step 4: Serve & Enjoy!
- Display on a tiered cupcake stand for a magical touch!
- Serve immediately or store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days.
Notes
- Chill the Frosting Before Piping – If the frosting is too soft, refrigerate it for 10 minutes before decorating.
- Use Gel Food Coloring – Gel colors give vibrant colors without thinning out the frosting.
- Try Different Hat Styles – Pipe spiral hats, curved hats, or tall pointed hats for variety.
- Make Mini Gnome Cupcakes – Use a mini muffin tin for bite-sized gnome cupcakes.
- Make Chocolate Cupcakes Instead – Swap the vanilla base for chocolate cupcakes for a delicious variation.
