Lucky’s Golden Ticket Cupcakes are delightful vanilla cupcakes topped with a rich caramel frosting, making them a perfect treat for celebrations like St. Patrick’s Day or Easter. Decorated with colorful Lucky Charms marshmallows and edible gold leaf, these cupcakes are as visually appealing as they are delicious.
Full Recipe:
Ingredients
Cupcakes:
- 1½ sticks (¾ cup) salted butter, at room temperature
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 2½ cups all-purpose flour
- 1½ teaspoons baking powder
- ¼ teaspoon baking soda
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- 3 large eggs
- 1 cup milk, warmed
- 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
- ½ cup sour cream or Greek yogurt
Caramel Frosting:
- 2 sticks (1 cup) salted butter, at room temperature
- 1 cup packed dark brown sugar
- ½ cup heavy cream
- 2-3 cups powdered sugar
- 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
Decoration:
- Lucky Charms marshmallows
- Edible gold leaf sheets
Directions
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Preheat the oven: Set the oven to 350°F (175°C) and line 24 cupcake molds with paper liners.
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Prepare the batter: In a large mixing bowl, combine the butter, sugar, flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. Beat until the mixture forms small, dry crumbs.
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Add wet ingredients: Mix the warmed milk with vanilla extract. Pour this into the flour mixture and beat until smooth. Add the eggs one at a time, mixing well after each addition. Finally, incorporate the sour cream or Greek yogurt until just combined.
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Bake the cupcakes: Divide the batter evenly among the prepared cupcake liners. Bake for 22-25 minutes, or until the tops are set and a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. Remove from the oven and let cool completely.
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Make the caramel frosting: In a medium saucepan, melt 1 stick of butter with the brown sugar and heavy cream over medium heat. Bring to a boil and cook for 2 minutes, ensuring the sugar dissolves completely. Add a pinch of salt, remove from heat, and transfer the mixture to a stand mixer bowl. Place the bowl in the freezer for about 15 minutes, or until cool to the touch.
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Finish the frosting: Once cooled, add the remaining stick of butter, vanilla extract, and 2 cups of powdered sugar to the bowl. Beat together until well combined, adding more powdered sugar as needed to achieve the desired consistency.
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Frost and decorate: Generously frost each cooled cupcake with the caramel frosting. Lightly crush the Lucky Charms marshmallows and sprinkle them over the frosting. For an extra touch, apply edible gold leaf as desired.
Nutrients
Each cupcake provides approximately:
- Calories: 197
- Total Fat: 9g
- Saturated Fat: 5g
- Cholesterol: 50mg
- Sodium: 150mg
- Total Carbohydrates: 28g
- Sugars: 18g
- Protein: 2g
Why Choose Lucky’s Golden Ticket Cupcakes?
What makes Lucky’s Golden Ticket Cupcakes stand out from other cupcakes is the perfect combination of textures and flavors that are sure to delight every palate. The moist and fluffy vanilla cupcake serves as the perfect base for the rich caramel frosting. This frosting brings a decadent touch to the cupcakes, made even more indulgent with the addition of brown sugar and heavy cream, which adds a wonderful depth of flavor and richness.
But the charm doesn’t stop there! The cupcakes are topped with the iconic Lucky Charms marshmallows, offering a nostalgic and whimsical touch that makes these cupcakes perfect for parties or fun occasions. The use of edible gold leaf adds a sophisticated flair to the cupcakes, making them stand out not only for their taste but also for their elegance and charm.
A Wholesome and Flavorful Base
The base of these cupcakes is made with simple and wholesome ingredients that everyone loves: butter, sugar, flour, and eggs. What sets these cupcakes apart, however, is the addition of sour cream or Greek yogurt, which creates a moist, tender crumb that melts in your mouth. The yogurt also helps to balance the sweetness of the cake and frosting, making the overall experience less cloying and more balanced.
These cupcakes are an ideal choice if you’re looking for a dessert that’s easy to make but also feels special and indulgent. The vanilla flavor is rich and comforting, making them universally appealing, while the caramel frosting adds an extra layer of decadence that’s hard to resist.
The Star: Caramel Frosting
One of the standout features of Lucky’s Golden Ticket Cupcakes is the caramel frosting. It’s rich, smooth, and velvety, with just the right balance of sweetness and a slight saltiness from the salted butter. The frosting is made by melting butter, brown sugar, and heavy cream, then allowing the mixture to cool before adding more butter and powdered sugar. The result is a frosting that is not only creamy but also has the perfect consistency for spreading generously on the cupcakes.
The use of dark brown sugar in the frosting gives it a deep, rich flavor that’s slightly reminiscent of toffee or caramelized sugar, elevating the overall experience. The texture of the frosting is smooth and silky, and it has a slight chewiness when it’s allowed to set, which makes each bite even more satisfying.
Decorative Touches: Lucky Charms and Gold Leaf
A cupcake is not just about flavor; it’s about appearance, too! Lucky’s Golden Ticket Cupcakes incorporate Lucky Charms marshmallows as a fun and colorful topping. These marshmallows, with their bright pink, green, blue, and yellow hues, add a playful touch that’s perfect for special occasions. The marshmallows are lightly crushed before being sprinkled over the caramel frosting, creating a textural contrast that pairs perfectly with the soft, smooth frosting and the tender cupcake beneath.
For an extra special touch, edible gold leaf is applied to the cupcakes. The gold leaf adds an air of elegance and sophistication, making these cupcakes the perfect treat for a celebratory occasion. Whether it’s a birthday, holiday, or any fun event, the gold leaf enhances the visual appeal of the cupcakes and makes them look just as luxurious as they taste.
Perfect for Special Occasions
These cupcakes are the perfect dessert for a variety of occasions. They are ideal for:
- St. Patrick’s Day: The vibrant green marshmallows from the Lucky Charms complement the Irish spirit of the holiday, while the gold leaf adds a festive touch to your St. Patrick’s Day celebrations.
- Easter: With their colorful, playful appearance, these cupcakes make for a fun and visually appealing dessert at Easter brunch or an Easter egg hunt.
- Birthday Parties: With their golden shimmer and unique flavor, these cupcakes are sure to be a hit at any birthday party, especially for kids or those who love a little whimsy with their dessert.
- Special Gatherings and Celebrations: Whether you’re hosting a party, a family gathering, or just want to impress your guests, these cupcakes offer the perfect combination of beauty, flavor, and fun.
Conclusion: A Delicious and Festive Delight
Lucky’s Golden Ticket Cupcakes are more than just a dessert—they’re an experience. From the fluffy vanilla cupcake base to the rich caramel frosting, these cupcakes are a delicious treat that’s perfect for any special occasion. The addition of Lucky Charms marshmallows adds a nostalgic and playful element, while the edible gold leaf elevates the cupcakes into something truly special and elegant.
Whether you’re celebrating St. Patrick’s Day, Easter, or just indulging in a sweet treat, these cupcakes are sure to delight both children and adults alike. They’re not just about flavor—they’re about making memories and celebrating with those you love.
So, next time you’re in the mood for a sweet treat that’s both visually stunning and mouth-wateringly good, try these Lucky’s Golden Ticket Cupcakes. Their rich caramel frosting, soft vanilla cake, and playful toppings make them the perfect indulgence for any occasion.