Balloon Cupcakes Recipes

Steps:

• For the cupcakes: Preheat your oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C) and a line muffin tin with liners.
• Whisk together the flour, graham cracker crumbs, baking soda, baking powder and salt in a medium bowl.
• Beat together 1/4 cup of vegetable oil with the sugar, egg and vanilla in a large bowl until light and fluffy, about 2 minutes, scraping down the bowl about halfway through.
• Add about a third of the dry ingredients into the sugar and oil mixture and stir gently until almost combined. Add in half of the buttermilk and continue to stir just until combined. Stir in another third of the dry ingredients followed by the remaining buttermilk and finally the remaining dry ingredients. Stir in the boiling water.
• Whisk together the cocoa powder with the remaining 1 tablespoon of vegetable oil in a medium bowl. Scoop about 1 cup of the graham cracker cake batter into the cocoa mixture. Whisk to combine and set aside.
• Pour about 2 tablespoons of the graham cracker cake batter into each cupcake liner followed by 2 tablespoons of the chocolate batter. Using a butter knife or skewer, swirl the batters together to achieve a marbled effect. Bake the cupcakes for 20 to 25 minutes, or until set and a toothpick inserted into the center of a cupcake comes out clean. Cool to room temperature.
• For the marshmallow topping: Whisk together the egg whites, sugar and salt in a large metal or glass bowl or the bowl of your stand mixer and place it over a saucepan containing about 2 centimeters (1 inch) of simmering water. Cook the egg whites, whisking frequently, until they reach 160 degrees F (72 degrees C), or until the mixture thins and you can no longer feel any sugar granules when you rub some between your fingers, about 4 to 5 minutes.
• Remove the bowl from the heat and whip the cooked meringue using a whisk attachment or hand mixer on high speed until stiff peaks form, about 4 to 5 minutes. Whip in the vanilla extract then transfer the mixture to a piping bag fitted with a large round tip or a large resealable bag with the corner cut off. Pipe large dollops of the topping onto each cupcake.
• Using a kitchen torch, toast the marshmallow meringue until golden brown. If you do not have a torch, you can place the cupcakes under the broiler for a minute or two until toasty. If desired, garnish with a piece of milk chocolate. Store the cupcakes in the fridge for up to 3 days, letting them sit at room temperature for about 30 minutes to soften up before eating.

Steps:

• Make the edible snow globes: In a small bowl, whisk together the cold water and gelatin. Let the gelatin bloom for 5 minutes, until the water is mostly absorbed. Microwave for 20-30 seconds, or until the gelatin is melted.
• Add the sugar and peppermint extract and stir until dissolved. Let cool for 10 minutes. If any foam rises to the top, skim off and discard.
• Spray the balloons with nonstick spray. Wipe gently with a paper towel to distribute.
• Dip each balloon in the gelatin until ¾ of the way submerged. Use tape or poke a small hole above the knot to attach the balloon to a skewer and stand it upright in a tall glass for 1-2 minutes. Dip in gelatin again, then stand it upright in a tall glass again. If the gelatin begins to set, microwave in 10-second intervals and continue until all of the balloons are coated. Let the balloons for at least 12 hours, until no longer tacky to the touch.
• Make the cupcakes: Preheat the oven to 350°F (180°C). Line a 12-cup cupcake tin with cupcake liners.
• In a medium bowl, sift together the flour, cocoa powder, baking soda, and salt. Add the brown sugar and whisk to combine.
• Add the hot water, canola oil, apple cider vinegar, and vanilla and mix until combined.
• Divide the batter evenly between the cupcake liners.
• Bake the cupcakes for 14-16 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center of a cupcake comes out clean.
• Let the cupcakes cool in the pan for 10 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack and let cool completely.
• Finish the edible snow globes: Carefully remove one of the balloons from the skewer. Pinch a bit of the balloon near the knot, and carefully snip a small hole. Let the air slowly release from the balloon, then pull out of the gelatin snow globe and discard the balloon. Trim the edges of the snow globe if uneven. Repeat with remaining coated balloons. Set the snow globes upright on a baking sheet until ready to top the cupcakes.
• Assemble the cupcakes: Frost the cupcakes with a dollop of vanilla frosting onto each cupcake, spreading evenly over the top.
• Sprinkle the shredded coconut on top of the frosting, dividing evenly between the cupcakes.
• Top each cupcake with a holiday lollipop, inserting the stick into the cupcake. Place the snow globes on top, and dust with powdered sugar.
• Enjoy!