Christmas Cupcakes!

I have wanted to make eggnog cake and icing for years now but never got the chance.... until now! At my day job, I am supposed to buy tins of cookies for various departments on campus around the holidays as a thank you for all they do for us. However, since there is no money left in the account this is supposed to come out of, a back up plan was needed. I could think of two options: (a) do nothing or (b) bake something for them instead and anyone who knows me would know which way I'd fall on this one!

These are eggnog cupcakes with eggnog mousseline buttercream and each cupcake was topped with a fondant snowflake. I especially like the silver foil wrappers on these too!

The snowflakes were all different sizes too! It was my first experience with
doing a mousseline buttercream and it turned out well although I was quite
certain several times while making it that I had ruined it and would have to
start again!

And there were mini cupcakes as well for those who want to try to stick to their diets! I recently got mini cupcake pans as a gift from a friend and I love them to bits! Mini cupcakes are so cute... although truth be told I prefer eating the bigger ones!

These are chocolate peppermint cupcakes with Peppermint Schnapps buttercream. Each cupcake is topped with a fondant ivy leaf and holly berries and there is a red swirl running through the buttercream.

This was my first time making buttercream using egg yolks, as previously I've always used only egg whites. I didn't have any problems making it and it is definitely yummy!

Happy Holidays Everyone!