New Year’s Dessert

 

Are you looking for a New Years Dessert? Try these delicious Champagne Cupcakes for a moist cupcake with vanilla buttercream frosting.

I love trying new recipes for New Year’s Eve. You may have seen this delicious New Years’ Eve drink that I shared on the blog before.  Make sure that you try it this year.

Champagne Cupcakes

This really is the best New Years dessert I have ever tried. They are soft and moist and have a delicate champagne flavor that makes them unique. They’re just the thing you need at your New Year’s Eve party or any other event you host.

No New Year’s Eve experience would be complete without champagne. And, even if you don’t plan on having a glass to toast the New Year, you should definitely try it in this delicious special occasion dessert idea.

So, why add champagne to cupcakes? Well, the flavor is one of the most important reasons. But, it also helps make a cake or cupcakes fluffy and moist. Which is the best texture for a cupcake.

How to make champagne cupcakes

You don’t just pour the champagne into the batter. You will need to make a champagne reduction. That means you will be cooking down 1 1/2 cups of champagne until it is only 3/4 cup. This gives you all the flavor with only half of the liquid. 

After you have made the reduction and allowed it to cool, you will need to make the batter. My recipe uses both oil and butter so it is extra moist while having a delicious buttery flavor. 

After you bake the cupcakes, you will need to set them aside and let them cool completely. Once that’s done, you will make your frosting and pipe it onto the top of the cupcakes which gives them a much fancier look than if you just frost them with a knife.

What type of champagne should I use?

Any type of champagne will work with this recipe. So, my best advice to you is to choose one that you like. Every champagne has a slightly different taste to it, so it’s important that the one you choose is one that you enjoy drinking.

If you want a slightly less sweet option than traditional champagne, you can use Prosecco which is an Italian version with slightly less sugar.

The taste is really slightly reminiscent of a buttery vanilla cupcake with just a hint of champagne. The sugar hides most of the taste especially when you add the buttercream frosting to the top. 

Are champagne cupcakes alcoholic?

Most of the alcohol content does bake out of the cupcakes when you bake them. However, there is almost always at least a bit that remains behind. So, yes, you can feel the effects if you eat too many of these cupcakes.

If you want to serve this New Years’ dessert to children, please use white grape juice instead of champagne. You would use the same amount of white grape juice as you would champagne.

Or, you can split the batch and make half and half.

Tools / equipment needed

• Measuring cups

• Measuring spoons

• Mixing bowls 

• Large mixing spoon

• Electric stand mixer with a paddle attachment
  • I have one of these 5qt Kitchenaid Stand Mixers and I LOVE IT!!!

• New Year’s cupcake liners

• Cooling racks

• New Year’s Cupcake Toppers 

How far ahead can I make this New Years Dessert?

You can make these Champagne cupcakes two days before you need them. But, make sure that you frost them at the last minute for the best results. If you make the frosting too far ahead, it will not be soft when you want to serve it.

If you do want to make them further than a day or two ahead, you will need to freeze them. Just be aware that the texture might be slightly different. You can freeze the cupcakes (before they are frosted) for up to six months.

More cupcake recipes

 In the traditional Irish spirit, we made an easy beer cupcakes recipe. These St. Patrick’s Day dessert cupcakes are festive and delicious.

It’s time to get patriotic with red, white, and blue cupcakes! Celebrate the 4th of July or other patriotic holidays with this fun cupcake recipe.

We’re sending sweetness this Valentine’s Day with M&M’s® Strawberry Cupcakes! They are everything you need for a sweet Valentine’s Day dessert.

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Get New Years Cupcakes Toppers Here »

Champagne Cupcakes Recipe

Champagne Cupcakes (makes 12 cupcakes) Prep time 25 min. Bake time 15 min.

Gather your ingredients (find the list and measurements in the recipe card at the end of this post).

Make Champagne Reduction

Pour 1 1/2 cups of champagne or sparkling white grape juice into a medium saucepan.

Cook over a medium-low heat until you have a reduction of 3/4 cup remaining.

Be sure not to boil. Refrigerate until cool.

Make The Cupcake Batter and Bake

Preheat oven to 350° and prepare a cupcake pan with 12 cupcake liners.

Combine the flour and baking powder in a medium-sized bowl and set aside.

Place butter, sugar, and oil in a large mixing bowl and beat until light and fluffy.

Add the eggs one at a time, mixing after each until combined. Add in the vanilla extract with the second egg and mix. Scrape down the sides of the bowl often.

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Add half of the dry ingredients and mix until combined.

Add the milk and champagne reduction and mix until thoroughly incorporated.

Add the remaining dry ingredients and mix until well combined and smooth. Be sure not to overmix the batter.

Fill the cupcake liners about 3/4 full and bake for approximately 15 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.

Remove to a cooling rack to cool completely before frosting.

You can make the buttercream frosting while the cupcakes are cooling.

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Buttercream Frosting

Use this recipe to make your own buttercream frosting. If you’d rather a recipe without shortening, use this buttercream frosting recipe.

Gather your ingredients, find the list and measurements at the end of this post.

Using an electric mixer with a paddle attachment beat together the shortening and butter in a large bowl until light and fluffy. Beat in the vanilla.

Using the paddle attachment instead of the whisk will help prevent air bubbles.

Gradually add the sugar, beating slowly at first and then beating well on a medium speed. Scrape the sides and bottom of the bowl frequently.

Gradually add milk or water, while beating at a medium speed, until the mix is light and fluffy. 

Use a piping tip of your choice, (I used a large open star tip) to ice the cupcakes.

Don’t forget to pin this recipe!

Decorate the champagne cupcakes with New Years dessert toppers!