Pop goes the bubbly! Nothing denotes a celebration quite like a chilled glass of fizzy champagne. So why not add that effervescence to our favorite dessert, cupcakes? Read on for our classic recipe, plus some inventive variations for any occasion. You'll be the toast of the town with our amazing champagne cupcakes!
How To Make Champagne Cupcakes
Our basic recipe includes from scratch vanilla cupcakes spiked with champagne, plus champagne-infused frosting. What could be sweeter?
What You'll Need
- cupcake pan
- cupcake liners
- measuring cups
- mixing bowls
- whisk
- stand mixer
- cooling rack
- toothpick
Ingredients
Cupcakes:
- 1 2/3 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
- 1 cup white granulated sugar
- 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
- 2 egg whites from large brown eggs
- 2 tsp vanilla bean paste
- 1/2 cup champagne or cuvee
- 1/4 cup sour cream
- 3/4 cup butter, salted, at room temperature
Frosting:
- 1/2 cup butter, unsalted
- 5 tablespoons of champagne or cuvee, the same variety as in cupcakes
- 1/2 cup shortening
- 3 cups powdered sugar
Instructions
Now that you've assembled the ingredients and kitchen gadgets needed, it's time to delve into the recipe itself.
Step #1: Prep Step
Pre-heat oven to 350 degrees. While it's warming up, place liners into cupcake pan.
Step #2: Dry Ingredients
In a large mixing bowl, whisk baking powder, baking soda, flour, and sugar together until evenly combined.
Step #3: You Spin Me Right Round
Using stand mixer on medium speed, add vanilla, egg whites, butter, champagne, and sour cream to the dry ingredients. Mix until smooth, careful not to over mix the batter. Then, fill cupcake liners about 2/3 of the way. This allows the batter to expand and get fluffy without spilling over the liner.
Step #4: Baking Beauty
Bake for 20 minutes, dependent on your oven. Test with a toothpick if you're not sure that the cupcakes are done. Once the toothpick comes out clean, carefully remove the pan from oven and transfer to cooling rack for a few minutes.
Step #4: Fantastic Frosting
Combine butter and shortening on medium speed using a stand mixer. Once it's smooth, add the powdered sugar one cup at a time. Then mix in the bubbly until smooth.
Step #5: Put It Together
Frost the cooled cupcakes with the champagne frosting. Consider an optional garnish of gold-colored sprinkles. Additionally, for an extra whimsical garnish, adorn with Sugarfina Champagne Gummy Bears or JellyBelly Champagne jelly beans. All the yes!
Variations
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Now that you've mastered our classic champagne cupcake, let's discuss some twists you could make for this recipe.
- Consider a vegan-friendly version by removing the eggs, using a vegan butter substitute, and using vegetable shortening. This would be a specialty diet dream for any vegans you host. We recommend ringing in the end of the year with this version of champagne New Year's cupcakes.
- For pink champagne cupcakes, use either pink champagne or sparkling rosé. For optimum bright pink color, we also recommend adding a few drops of red food coloring to your cupcakes. The frosting can be either pink or white but should be topped with a raspberry or strawberry for a cute garnish. This would be fun for wedding cupcakes or for favors at a bridal shower.
- We also love the idea of a mimosa cupcake. Simply add orange zest and orange juice to your cupcake base. Keep the frosting the same, but garnish with a fresh orange slice or candied orange peel. Turn your Sunday Funday into a memorial one.
- For an easy-peasy quicker version, use boxed vanilla cupcake mix. Just don't forget the key ingredient of champagne! Not all recipes have to be from scratch or gourmet cupcakes to be delicious.
Overall, we hope you enjoyed this little trip down boozy baking lane. Try our basic bubbly cupcakes recipe or any of the fun variations for any upcoming celebrations. Cheers!