If you want to impress your guests this holiday season with something that feels both festive and a little bit fancy, these Champagne Cupcakes (New Year’s Eve Party Dessert) are exactly what you need. Soft, fluffy, and with just the right hint of bubbly champagne flavor, these cupcakes bring the celebration right to your dessert plate. They’re light, elegant, and surprisingly easy to make, making them a standout treat at any New Year’s Eve gathering.
Ingredients You’ll Need
These ingredients are refreshingly simple yet each one plays a vital role in making your cupcakes soft, flavorful, and festive. From the richness of butter to the delicate sparkle of champagne, each component combines perfectly to create a balanced and irresistible cupcake.
- Flour (1½ cups): Provides the structure and body essential for a tender crumb.
- Baking powder (1½ tsp): Helps the cupcakes rise beautifully and stay light.
- Salt (¼ tsp): Enhances all the flavors, balancing the sweetness.
- Butter, softened (½ cup): Adds richness and moisture for that melt-in-your-mouth texture.
- Sugar (¾ cup): Sweetens the batter perfectly and helps with tenderness.
- Eggs (2): Bind everything together and provide structure and lift.
- Champagne or sparkling juice (½ cup): The star ingredient that infuses the cupcakes with a bubbly, celebratory flavor.
- Vanilla (1 tsp): Rounds out the flavor with warm, familiar notes.
- Optional frosting ingredients: Butter, powdered sugar, and a splash of champagne to create a light, fluffy topping that complements the cake.
How to Make Champagne Cupcakes (New Year’s Eve Party Dessert)
Step 1: Prep Your Oven and Dry Ingredients
Start by preheating your oven to 180°C (350°F), and get your cupcake tin ready with liners. Then, mix the flour, baking powder, and salt together in a bowl. Setting this aside will make it easy to incorporate the dry elements smoothly later.
Step 2: Cream Butter and Sugar
Using a stand mixer or hand mixer, cream the softened butter and sugar together for 2 to 3 minutes until the mixture is light and fluffy. This step is crucial because it helps trap air, resulting in cupcakes that are tender and airy.
Step 3: Combine Wet and Dry Ingredients
Beat in the eggs one at a time and then add the vanilla extract. Next, alternate adding the dry ingredient mixture and the champagne to the batter. This alternating method keeps the batter smooth and ensures the champagne flavor is evenly distributed without deflating the mixture.
Step 4: Bake and Cool
Fill your cupcake liners about two-thirds full and bake for 16 to 18 minutes. You’ll know they’re done when a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Let the cupcakes cool completely on a wire rack before you consider frosting them to prevent the icing from melting.
Step 5: Make the Frosting and Decorate
Whip together butter and powdered sugar until fluffy, then add a small splash of champagne to flavor the frosting. This delicate touch makes the frosting more festive and pairs beautifully with the cake. Finish by decorating with sprinkles or edible glitter for that perfect New Year’s Eve sparkle.
How to Serve Champagne Cupcakes (New Year’s Eve Party Dessert)
Garnishes
Garnishing your Champagne Cupcakes can elevate their appearance and flavor. Think silver or gold edible glitter, sparkling sugar crystals, or even fresh berries like raspberries or strawberries to add a pop of color and a fresh contrast to the sweet, bubbly cake.
Side Dishes
Since these cupcakes already carry a celebratory vibe, light sides work best. A fresh fruit salad or a crisp mixed green salad with citrus dressing will brighten the palate. You can also serve with a glass of chilled champagne or sparkling wine to keep the festive mood flowing.
Creative Ways to Present
Place your cupcakes on a tiered stand with fairy lights woven around it to mimic festive sparkle. Use metallic liners or toppers with New Year’s messages or mini sparklers for an extra wow factor. Setting them on mirrored trays also reflects light to amp up the celebration feel.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Once decorated, store your Champagne Cupcakes in an airtight container at room temperature for up to two days. Keep them away from direct sunlight or heat to maintain their freshness and the integrity of the frosting.
Freezing
If you want to make these ahead of time, you can freeze the unfrosted cupcakes. Wrap each one tightly in plastic wrap, then place them in an airtight freezer bag. They’ll keep well for up to three months. Thaw completely at room temperature before frosting and serving.
Reheating
Cupcakes are best enjoyed at room temperature. If you prefer them slightly warm, briefly warm in the microwave for 10 to 15 seconds, but avoid heating the frosted cupcakes as this can cause the frosting to melt and separate.
FAQs
Can I use sparkling juice instead of champagne?
Absolutely! Sparkling juice is a great non-alcoholic alternative that still provides that bubbly flavor and can be enjoyed by everyone at your party.
What kind of champagne works best in these cupcakes?
Use a dry or brut champagne for the best flavor balance. Sweeter champagnes might make your cupcakes overly sweet, but you can adjust sugar amounts if you prefer a sweeter result.
Can I make these cupcakes dairy-free?
Yes, you can substitute butter with dairy-free margarine or coconut oil, though the flavor and texture might be slightly different. Just ensure your frosting ingredients are also dairy-free if you want a fully dairy-free dessert.
How long can I frost the cupcakes before serving?
For best results, frost the cupcakes a few hours before serving to keep the frosting fresh and fluffy. If you want to frost them earlier, store them in the fridge and bring to room temperature before serving.
Do these cupcakes freeze well with frosting?
It’s best to freeze them unfrosted to avoid any texture changes. If you do freeze frosted cupcakes, freeze them uncovered on a tray first, then wrap individually, but be aware the frosting may soften upon thawing.
Final Thoughts
I cannot recommend these Champagne Cupcakes (New Year’s Eve Party Dessert) enough for your next celebration. They bring such lightness and sparkle to the dessert table, perfectly embodying the festive spirit of ringing in the new year. Give this recipe a try, and I promise your friends and family will be asking for the secret behind these delightful, bubbly treats!
PrintChampagne Cupcakes (New Year’s Eve Party Dessert)
These Champagne Cupcakes are light, fluffy, and infused with a delicate bubbly flavor, making them the perfect elegant dessert for your New Year’s Eve party. The subtle champagne taste elevates the classic cupcake experience, and the optional champagne-infused frosting adds a festive finishing touch.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 18 minutes
- Total Time: 33 minutes
- Yield: 12 cupcakes 1x
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
Dry Ingredients
- 1½ cups all-purpose flour
- 1½ teaspoons baking powder
- ¼ teaspoon salt
Wet Ingredients
- ½ cup unsalted butter, softened
- ¾ cup granulated sugar
- 2 large eggs
- ½ cup champagne or sparkling juice
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Optional Frosting
- Butter (quantity as desired, typically ½ cup softened unsalted butter)
- Powdered sugar (quantity as needed, typically 1 to 1½ cups)
- Splash of champagne (to taste)
Instructions
- Preheat and Prepare: Preheat your oven to 180°C (350°F). Line a cupcake tin with cupcake liners to prepare for baking.
- Mix Dry Ingredients: In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt. Set this bowl aside for later.
- Cream Butter and Sugar: Using a mixer, cream the softened butter and sugar together for 2 to 3 minutes until the mixture becomes light and fluffy.
- Add Eggs and Vanilla: Beat in the eggs one at a time, then add the vanilla extract. Mix until fully combined and smooth.
- Combine Batter: Alternately add the dry ingredients and the champagne to the wet mixture, beginning and ending with the dry ingredients. This alternating process helps keep the batter smooth and well incorporated.
- Fill and Bake: Spoon the batter into the cupcake liners, filling each about two-thirds full to allow room for rising. Bake in the preheated oven for 16 to 18 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
- Cool: Remove the cupcakes from the oven and allow them to cool completely in the pan before frosting, ensuring that the frosting doesn’t melt on contact.
- Prepare Frosting: Whip softened butter and powdered sugar together until fluffy. Gradually add a small splash of champagne for aroma and flavor, blending well. Adjust sweetness and consistency as needed.
- Decorate: Frost the cooled cupcakes with the champagne frosting. Optionally, sprinkle with festive sprinkles to complete the party look.
Notes
- For a non-alcoholic version, substitute champagne with sparkling white grape juice or any sparkling juice.
- Make sure the butter is softened, not melted, for the best creaming results.
- Do not overmix the batter once the dry ingredients are added; mix until just combined to keep cupcakes tender.
- Allow cupcakes to cool completely before frosting to avoid melting the frosting.