Galaxy Cupcakes- Out-of-this-World Treat Recipes

Galaxy Cupcakes are more than just a sweet treat; they’re a culinary adventure that transports your taste buds to the farthest reaches of the cosmos. Imagine biting into a fluffy, moist cupcake, each swirl of frosting a miniature nebula, bursting with vibrant colors and subtle, delightful flavors. This is precisely the magic that Galaxy Cupcakes deliver, turning an ordinary dessert into an edible work of art that sparks joy and wonder in everyone who beholds them. People adore Galaxy Cupcakes not only for their stunning visual appeal, which makes them the undisputed star of any party or gathering, but also for the sheer deliciousness that lies beneath the shimmering surface. What truly makes these Galaxy Cupcakes special is the harmonious blend of a perfectly baked cake and a frosting that’s both visually spectacular and incredibly tasty, creating an experience that’s truly out of this world.

this Recipe

Ingredients:

• 2 1/3 cups all-purpose flour (430g)
• 1 1/2 cups caster sugar (265g)
• 2 tablespoons cocoa powder (optional)
• 2 teaspoons baking powder
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 3 large eggs
• 1/2 cup vegetable oil (125ml)
• 1 1/2 cups buttermilk (375ml)
• 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
• 2 tablespoons blue food coloring (optional)
• 1 batch American buttercream or Swiss meringue buttercream
• Purple coloring: 2 drops deep pink food gel + 2 drops purple food gel
• Blue coloring: 2 drops sky blue food gel
• Pink coloring: 2 drops deep pink food gel

Preparing the Galaxy Cupcake Batter

First, let’s get our dry ingredients ready. In a large mixing bowl, I like to whisk together the 2 1/3 cups of all-purpose flour, 1 1/2 cups of caster sugar, and if you’re feeling adventurous and want a deeper, darker base for your galaxy effect, add the 2 tablespoons of cocoa powder. Whisking helps to aerate the flour and ensure there are no lumps, which is crucial for a smooth batter. Next, I add the leavening agents: 2 teaspoons of baking powder and 1 teaspoon of baking soda. These work together to give our cupcakes a lovely, light texture and a good rise. Finally, a 1/2 teaspoon of salt is added; this might seem odd in a sweet recipe, but salt actually enhances the overall flavor profile and balances the sweetness beautifully. Set this bowl aside for a moment.

Now, for the wet ingredients. In a separate medium-sized bowl, crack 3 large eggs. I like to give them a quick whisk to break up the yolks and whites before adding the other liquids. Then, pour in the 1/2 cup of vegetable oil. Vegetable oil is great for cupcakes because it keeps them incredibly moist and tender. Following that, measure out 1 1/2 cups of buttermilk. Buttermilk is another star ingredient for moist cakes. Its acidity reacts with the baking soda to create a tender crumb and a subtle tang that complements the sweetness. If you don’t have buttermilk on hand, you can make a substitute by adding 1 tablespoon of white vinegar or lemon juice to regular milk and letting it sit for about 5-10 minutes until it thickens slightly. Finally, add the 2 teaspoons of vanilla extract for that classic sweet aroma and flavor. Whisk these wet ingredients together until they are well combined.

It’s time to bring our dry and wet ingredients together. Create a well in the center of your dry ingredients and pour the wet ingredients into it. Now, I use a whisk or an electric mixer on low speed to combine them. It’s important not to overmix the batter at this stage. Mix just until the flour streaks disappear. Overmixing can develop the gluten in the flour too much, resulting in tough cupcakes. If you’re opting for a classic blue galaxy base, now is the time to gently fold in the 2 tablespoons of blue food coloring. Aim for an even distribution of color, but don’t overwork the batter. The batter should be a beautiful, vibrant blue.

Baking Your Cosmic Creations

Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a standard 12-cup muffin tin with cupcake liners. I find using a cupcake scoop ensures that each cup is filled with roughly the same amount of batter, which leads to evenly baked cupcakes. Fill each liner about two-thirds full with your prepared blue galaxy batter. This allows room for the cupcakes to rise without overflowing. Place the muffin tin in the preheated oven. Bake for approximately 18-22 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center of a cupcake comes out clean. The exact baking time can vary depending on your oven, so it’s always a good idea to start checking around the 18-minute mark.

Once baked, remove the cupcakes from the oven and let them cool in the muffin tin for about 5-10 minutes. This initial cooling period helps them to firm up slightly, making them easier to handle. After that, carefully transfer the cupcakes to a wire rack to cool completely. It’s essential that the cupcakes are entirely cool before you attempt to frost them. Frosting warm cupcakes will result in melted, messy frosting, and you won’t achieve those crisp galaxy swirls. While the cupcakes are cooling, you can prepare your buttercream.

Crafting the Galaxy Frosting

For the frosting, you’ll need one batch of your favorite American buttercream or Swiss meringue buttercream. This will be our canvas for the cosmic effect. Divide your buttercream into three separate bowls. Leave one bowl plain white for highlights. In the second bowl, add the purple coloring mixture: 2 drops of deep pink food gel plus 2 drops of purple food gel. Stir this until you achieve a rich, deep purple hue. In the third bowl, add the blue coloring: 2 drops of sky blue food gel. Mix until you get a lovely sky blue color. For a touch of vibrancy, in a very small amount of buttercream, add 2 drops of deep pink food gel to create a vibrant pink for extra detail. You’ll want a good amount of the white and purple, and a bit less of the blue and pink.

Now, for the fun part – creating the galaxy effect! This is where your artistic flair comes into play. Place dollops of your different colored frostings (white, purple, and blue) randomly onto the cooled cupcakes. Don’t overthink it; the more haphazard, the better it looks for a galaxy. Then, take a small offset spatula or the back of a spoon and gently swirl the colors together. You want to create streaks and swirls of color, mimicking the vastness of space. Avoid over-swirling, as this can muddy the colors. You can also use a piping bag fitted with a large round tip and pipe swirls of each color next to each other before swirling, or use multiple colors in one piping bag for a blended effect. For a little extra sparkle, you can sprinkle edible glitter or star-shaped sprinkles onto the frosted cupcakes while the frosting is still soft. This will truly make your Galaxy Cupcakes shine.

Conclusion:

And there you have it – your very own batch of stunning Galaxy Cupcakes! We’ve walked through each step, from creating that mesmerizing cosmic swirl of colors in the frosting to ensuring a perfectly moist and tender cake base. These treats are not just delicious, but they’re also a feast for the eyes, guaranteed to impress at any party or just to brighten your own day.

Serving these celestial delights is easy! They are wonderful on their own, but can also be paired with a glass of cold milk or a creamy vanilla milkshake. For a truly spectacular presentation, arrange them on a dark platter, perhaps sprinkled with edible glitter or silver dragees to mimic stars.

Don’t be afraid to get creative with your Galaxy Cupcakes! You can experiment with different flavor combinations for the cake, such as a rich chocolate or a zesty lemon. For the frosting, feel free to play with the color palette – perhaps a sunset galaxy with oranges and pinks, or a deep nebula with purples and blues. The possibilities are as vast as the universe itself! I hope you enjoy making and sharing these beautiful cupcakes as much as I do. Happy baking!

Frequently Asked Questions about Galaxy Cupcakes:

Q: Can I make the frosting colors more vibrant?

Absolutely! For more intense colors, I recommend using gel food coloring. A little goes a long way with gel colors, and they are designed to provide richer hues without thinning out your frosting.

Q: How do I store leftover Galaxy Cupcakes?

Store your Galaxy Cupcakes in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days. If your kitchen is particularly warm, or if you’ve used a cream cheese-based frosting, it’s best to refrigerate them.

Galaxy Cupcakes

Out-of-this-world treat recipes for creating stunning galaxy-themed cupcakes with vibrant colors and cosmic swirls.

Prep Time
30 Minutes

Cook Time
20 Minutes

Total Time
50 Minutes

Servings
12

Ingredients

• 2 1/3 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 1/2 cups caster sugar
• 2 tablespoons cocoa powder (optional)
• 2 teaspoons baking powder
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 3 large eggs
• 1/2 cup vegetable oil
• 1 1/2 cups buttermilk
• 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
• 2 tablespoons blue food coloring (optional)
• 1 batch American buttercream or Swiss meringue buttercream
• Purple coloring: 2 drops deep pink food gel + 2 drops purple food gel
• Blue coloring: 2 drops sky blue food gel
• Pink coloring: 2 drops deep pink food gel

Instructions

1. Step 1
   In a large bowl, whisk together flour, caster sugar, cocoa powder (if using), baking powder, baking soda, and salt. In a separate bowl, whisk together eggs, vegetable oil, buttermilk, and vanilla extract.
2. Step 2
   Pour the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients and mix until just combined. Gently fold in blue food coloring (if using) for a blue galaxy base. Do not overmix.
3. Step 3
   Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a muffin tin with cupcake liners. Fill liners two-thirds full with batter and bake for 18-22 minutes, or until a toothpick comes out clean.
4. Step 4
   Let cupcakes cool in the tin for 5-10 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely. Prepare buttercream and divide into portions. Color one portion white, one with purple coloring mixture, one with blue coloring, and a very small amount with pink coloring.
5. Step 5
   Dollop different colored frostings onto the cooled cupcakes randomly. Gently swirl colors together with a spatula or spoon to create a galaxy effect. Avoid over-swirling. Optionally, add edible glitter or sprinkles.

Important Information

Nutrition Facts (Per Serving)

It is important to consider this information as approximate and not to use it as definitive health advice.

Allergy Information

Please check ingredients for potential allergens and consult a health professional if in doubt.