Harry Potter Butterbeer Cupcakes
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These Harry Potter Butterbeer Cupcakes are soft and sweet and loaded with butterscotch flavor. Topped with a rich butterscotch frosting, these delicious cupcakes are the perfect treat for your next Harry Potter movie night or party!
Originally published November 2021 – Updated October 2023
Harry Potter Butterbeer Cupcakes
My daughters and I are huge Harry Potter fans! And we’ve had a blast making delicious treats inspired from the famous butterbeer that’s mentioned in the books and movies. We’ve whipped up a classic Butterbeer recipe, and created decadent Butterbeer Fudge and Butterbeer Ice Cream. Now, we’re so excited to share our new favorite creation, easy Butterbeer Cupcakes!
These cupcakes are are so light and fluffy and super easy to make. The best part? They’re topped with a rich and creamy butterscotch frosting that’s just downright irresistible. Loaded with butterbeer flavor, these cupcakes are having a little piece of the wizarding world of Harry Potter in every bite.
Why We Love This Recipe
- Delicious cupcakes: Filled with butterbeer flavors, these are some of the best cupcakes I’ve ever tasted! So good!
- Perfect for any occasion: These cupcakes make a fantastic addition to Harry Potter party, birthdays, Halloween or even for a Harry Potter movie marathon.
- Easy recipe to make: Boxed cake mix and instant pudding work together to make these the easiest and best cupcakes.
Ingredients
For the Butterscotch Cupcakes
- White cake mix
- Butterscotch instant pudding
- Large eggs
- Water
- Oil
For the Whipped Butterbeer Frosting
- Butterscotch instant pudding
- Powdered sugar
- Cold milk
- Whipped topping, thawed
- Butterscotch syrup for topping
How to Make Butterbeer Cupcakes
For the Cupcakes
Step 1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees and line two cupcake pans with liners.
Step 2. To make the cupcakes, start by whisking the cake mix and butterscotch pudding mix in a large mixing bowl.
Step 3. Add eggs, water, and oil. Mix until combined. Be sure to use a spatula on the sides of the bowl to moisten all ingredients.
Tip: For added flavor, feel free to add a few drops of vanilla, butterscotch of butter extract.
Step 4. Add the butterscotch cake batter to the prepared cupcake tins. Place in the oven.
Step 5. Bake the cupcakes for 25 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
Step 6. Place cupcakes on wire racks. Cool completely before frosting.
For the Butterscotch Frosting
Step 1. Prepare the frosting by beating together the powdered sugar, and milk in a large bowl. Mix in the butterscotch pudding and beat until combined.
Step 2. Allow the mixture to stand for five minutes. It will thicken slightly.
Step 3. Fold in the whipped topping a little at a time, until fully incorporated.
Step 4. Frost the fluffy cupcakes with the homemade butterscotch frosting, then drizzle the butterscotch syrup over the top.
Tips: To prevent the frosting from melting, it’s very important to allow the cupcakes to cool completely before frosting.
Step 5. If you want to add mini “wands”, just cut six straws in half and poke them into the icing.
Storing Leftover Butterbeer Cupcakes?
Because of the frosting, you’ll want to store these cupcakes in the fridge in an airtight container for up to a week.
How to Freeze Butterbeer Cupcakes
The best method for freezing cupcakes in advance is to freeze the cupcakes and the frosting separately. Individually wrap the cupcakes in plastic wrap and place in a larger freezer bag, making sure you don’t overcrowd them.
For the frosting, pop it in an airtight container and freeze until you are ready to use it. Stored correctly, it’ll stay good for up to three months.
Harry Potter Cupcakes Variation and Add-ins
- Cake batter: We used a white box cake mix but you can use yellow cake mix to make vanilla cupcakes if you prefer.
- Additional toppings: You can add even more decadence to these delicious butterbeer cupcakes with different toppings. You can sprinkle them with toffee bits, mini chocolate chips or butterscotch chips. Sprinkle a few Harry Potter inspired sprinkles over the top if you like.
- Other sauces: You can also use caramel sauce instead of the rich butterscotch sauce. Or for a totally different twist, you can drizzle a little chocolate syrup over the tops of the frosted cupcakes.
- Frosting: If you don’t like butterscotch frosting, you can use a simple buttercream frosting instead. For a lighter version, you can top them with homemade whipped cream with heavy cream and powdered sugar.
Butterbeer Cupcake Recipe FAQs
It tastes like a butterscotch cream soda with a creamy foam topping. YUM! It’s such a sweet and tasty beverage and the best part is that it’s inspired lots of other decadent recipes, including these Butterbeer Cupcakes.
If you’re new to the Harry Potter world, this may be your first time hearing about butterbeer. Butterbeer is a famous wizarding beverage that’s a favorite treat of Harry and his friends at Hogwarts. In the Harry Potter books, it’s served in Hogsmeade at the Three Broomsticks Inn and at the Hog’s Head Inn.
If you’re make these for your next Harry Potter party, you can make mini butterbeer cupcakes. Just add the batter to a mini pan and adjust the baking time. They’ll likely cook faster than regular-sized cupcakes.
Even though the name sounds a bit naughty, these Butterbeer Cupcakes are 100% alcohol-free. However, if you want a boozy version, you can certainly make this into an adult cupcake version by adding a little butterscotch schnapps into the cupcake batter and the whipped frosting.
Tips for Making the Best Butterbeer Cupcakes!
- Room temperature ingredients: Make sure you are starting out with room temperature eggs. Using ingredients that are too cold can create a dry and cakey texture.
- Avoid overmixing: Another very common mistake is overmixing the batter, which will cause your cupcakes to fall flat and have a dense consistency. Mix just enough that the wet and dry ingredients are well combined.
- Prevent sticking: I love using a silicone cupcake liner or silicone muffin tins but if you’re making these cupcakes for a kid’s party or bake sale, you’ll want to use a cupcake liner. To keep them from sticking to the paper, give them a quick spritz with non-stick spray.
Want More Harry Potter Recipes?
- Harry Potter Birthday Cake
- Butterbeer Jello Shots
- Harry Potter Acid Pops
- Butterbeer Ice Cream
- Butterbeer Cupcakes
- Harry Potter Treacle Tart
- Butterbeer Poke Cake
- Chocolate Frogs
Harry Potter Butterbeer Cupcakes
Equipment
- cooling rack
Ingredients
For The Cupcakes
- 15.25 ounces white cake mix 1 box
- 3.4 ounces butterscotch instant pudding 1 small box
- 4 eggs
- 1 cup water
- 1/3 cup vegetable oil
For The Frosting
- 3.4 ounces butterscotch instant pudding 1 small box
- 1/4 cup powdered sugar
- 1 cup cold milk
- 8 ounces whipped topping thawed
- Butterscotch topping for garnish
Instructions
For The Cupcakes
- Preheat the oven to 350 degrees and line cupcake tins with liners.
- Whisk cake mix and pudding in a large mixing bowl,15.25 ounces white cake mix, 3.4 ounces butterscotch instant pudding
- Add eggs, water, and oil and beat until well combined.4 eggs, 1 cup water, 1/3 cup vegetable oil
- Pour the butterscotch cake batter in the prepared cupcake tins.
- Bake for 25 minutes, until a toothpick inserted in the center of each cupcake comes out clean.
- Place cupcakes on wire racks and allow to cool completely.
For The Butterscotch Frosting
- Prepare the frosting by beating together the pudding, powdered sugar, and milk.3.4 ounces butterscotch instant pudding, 1/4 cup powdered sugar, 1 cup cold milk
- Allow the mixture to stand for five minutes. It will thicken slightly.
- Fold in the whipped topping.8 ounces whipped topping
- Pipe frosting on top of the cupcakes, then drizzle butterscotch syrup over the frosting.Butterscotch topping for garnish
Video
Notes
Nutrition
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