Pin It Fun, festive mini desserts decorated to look like countdown clocks—perfect for New Years Eve or any celebration where you want to ring in the moment with something sweet and playful.
This recipe is a family favorite for ringing in the new year with something sweet and playful.
Ingredients
- For the Mini Cakes: 1 cup (125 g) all-purpose flour, 1/2 cup (100 g) granulated sugar, 1/4 cup (60 ml) unsalted butter, softened, 1/3 cup (80 ml) whole milk, 1 large egg, 1 tsp vanilla extract, 1/2 tsp baking powder, 1/4 tsp salt
- For the Buttercream Frosting: 1/2 cup (115 g) unsalted butter, softened, 1 1/2 cups (180 g) powdered sugar, 2 tbsp (30 ml) milk, 1/2 tsp vanilla extract, Gel food coloring (black, gold, silver, yellow as desired)
- Decorations: Edible gold or silver pearls, Mini chocolate chips or black decorating gel (for clock hands/numbers), Sprinkles (optional)
Instructions
- Step 1:
- Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a mini muffin tin with paper liners or lightly grease.
- Step 2:
- In a mixing bowl cream together the butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Add the egg and vanilla mix until combined.
- Step 3:
- In a separate bowl whisk together flour baking powder and salt.
- Step 4:
- Add half the dry ingredients to the wet mixture then the milk then the remaining dry ingredients. Mix until just combined.
- Step 5:
- Divide the batter evenly among the mini muffin cups filling each about 2/3 full.
- Step 6:
- Bake for 10 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Let cool completely on a wire rack.
- Step 7:
- For the frosting beat the softened butter until creamy. Gradually add powdered sugar mixing well. Add milk and vanilla beat until fluffy.
- Step 8:
- Divide the frosting into small bowls and tint with gel food coloring as desired (e g some black for clock faces some yellow/gold for accents).
- Step 9:
- Once cakes are cool frost each mini cake with a smooth layer of colored buttercream.
- Step 10:
- Use decorating gel chocolate chips or colored frosting to draw clock faces numbers and clock hands pointing to midnight. Decorate with edible pearls and sprinkles.
- Step 11:
- Arrange on a platter and serve!
Pin It We love sharing these mini desserts with family to celebrate the new year.
Required Tools
Mini muffin tin Mixing bowls Electric mixer or whisk Spatula Piping bags or small offset spatula Food-safe paintbrush (optional for details)
Allergen Information
Contains Wheat (gluten) eggs milk (dairy) Check decorations and food coloring for additional allergens.
Nutritional Information
Calories 180 Total Fat 8 g Carbohydrates 25 g Protein 2 g per serving
Pin It These mini desserts are a fun and sweet way to celebrate any special moment.
Recipe FAQs
- → What ingredients are essential for these mini cakes?
The key ingredients include all-purpose flour, granulated sugar, unsalted butter, whole milk, egg, vanilla extract, baking powder, and salt for the cake base; and butter, powdered sugar, milk, and vanilla for the buttercream.
- → How do I create the colorful clock designs?
Divide the buttercream and tint with gel food coloring to achieve black, gold, silver, and yellow hues. Use decorating gel, mini chocolate chips, and edible pearls to draw clock faces, numbers, and hands pointing to midnight.
- → What baking time is recommended for the mini cakes?
Bake the mini cakes in a preheated 350°F oven for about 10 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
- → Are there quick alternatives to making the mini cakes from scratch?
Yes, store-bought mini cupcakes can be used and then decorated following the same frosting and design steps for convenience.
- → Can the flavors be customized?
Absolutely! Consider adding lemon zest or cocoa powder to the batter to create lemon or chocolate variations for a personalized twist.