6 Cupcakes of Christmas

I used to make so many Christmas cookies and every year it seemed that I added a few more kinds.  Last year I started my own tradition with the 12 cupcakes of Christmas.  Twelve different fillings, frostings, cupcakes, and toppings was a little much so this year I tried 6 different kinds.  Each one was chosen with some part of Christmas or the holidays in mind.

#1 Toasted Lemon Meringue

This cupcake was made with the ski slopes and white fluffy snow in mind.  A fresh lemon zest cake, with homemade lemon curd filling, and meringue topping toasted with a pastry chef torch.  They're topped with fondant skis and a skier made out of sugar (I did cheat and buy that part).

#2 Cranberry Orange 

This may not be the most common Christmas treat but someone I associate the two whether it's in my Mom's cranberry orange bread, the oranges my Great Aunt used to give us for Christmas, or the orange ball cookies that my husband loves.  This cupcake is like a muffin with fresh cranberries and orange zest.  The frosting is a cream cheese base with cranberry and orange juice added to the two different colors; the flavor came out bold and delicious.  

#3 Peppermint White Chocolate

This flavor combination reminds me of peppermint white chocolate bark which comes out seasonally and I love.  You have to like peppermint because this cupcake definitely was bursting with that flavor.  The frosting had real Ghirardelli white chocolate melted right into it.  For a garnish, I topped it with a handmade white chocolate snowflake and peppermint Andes candies pieces.

#4 Hot Chocolate Marshmallow

On the bitter cold winter days in Syracuse, not just children like to enjoy a cup of hot chocolate topped with marshmallows.  These cupcakes are actually infused with dark hot chocolate and topped with a homemade marshmallow frosting.  I garnished them with a piece of a candy cane striped straw and mini dark chocolate chips.

#5 Dark Chocolate Cherries

Candies and truffles are a popular gift during the holidays.  This cupcake will certainly appeal to a sweet tooth and dark chocolate lover.  It's a chocolate porter cupcake filled with cherry pie filling, topped with dark chocolate buttercream and garnished with a dark chocolate dipped long stem cherry.

#6 Red Velvet

The color of a red velvet cupcake just makes me think if Christmas; it's perfect for the season! I filled these with a cream cheese filling, topped with whipped buttercream, and garnished with holly berries made from melting chocolates and m&ms. Simple and sophisticated.