Buttered Popcorn Cupcakes Recipe
These Buttered Popcorn Cupcakes are a nostalgic and delightful treat combining the rich, buttery flavor of popcorn with moist, fluffy cupcakes and a creamy Swiss meringue buttercream infused with LorAnn Buttered Popcorn Flavor. Topped with real movie theater-style popcorn, these cupcakes offer a fun and unique dessert perfect for parties and popcorn lovers.
- Author: Douaa
- Prep Time: 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Total Time: 50 minutes
- Yield: 12 cupcakes 1x
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
For the Cupcakes:
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 3/4 cup granulated sugar
- 2 large eggs, at room temperature
- 1 dram bottle LorAnn Buttered Popcorn Flavor (0.125 oz)
- 1 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 1/4 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon fine grain sea salt
- 1/2 cup buttermilk, at room temperature
For the Swiss Meringue Buttercream and Garnish:
- 4 large egg whites
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1 1/2 cups salted butter, at room temperature
- 1 dram bottle LorAnn Buttered Popcorn Flavor (0.125 oz)
- Yellow gel food color
- Orange gel food color
- 3 cups prepared movie theater-style popcorn (such as Brim’s)
- Preheat and Prepare: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a muffin tin with cupcake liners to prepare for baking.
- Cream Butter and Sugar: In a large mixing bowl, cream together the softened butter and granulated sugar until the mixture is light and fluffy, ensuring a smooth base for your batter.
- Add Eggs and Flavor: Add the eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition to incorporate air and ensure even texture. Mix in the LorAnn Buttered Popcorn Flavor to infuse that signature popcorn taste.
- Mix Dry Ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking powder, and fine grain sea salt. This ensures even distribution of leavening agents and seasoning.
- Combine Batter: Gradually add the dry ingredients to the butter mixture, alternating with the buttermilk. Begin and end with the dry ingredients, mixing just until combined to avoid overmixing which can toughen the cupcakes.
- Fill Cupcake Liners: Divide the batter evenly among the cupcake liners, filling each about 3/4 full to allow for rising without overflow.
- Bake: Bake in the preheated oven for 18 to 20 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean, indicating doneness.
- Cool: Allow the cupcakes to cool in the pan for a few minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely, which helps set their texture.
- Prepare Swiss Meringue: Combine the egg whites and granulated sugar in a heatproof bowl set over simmering water. Whisk constantly until the sugar dissolves and mixture reaches 160°F (70°C), safe for consuming raw egg whites.
- Beat Meringue: Transfer the mixture to a stand mixer fitted with the whisk attachment. Beat on medium-high speed until stiff peaks form and mixture is cool to the touch, ensuring a stable meringue base for the buttercream.
- Add Butter: Gradually add the salted butter, one piece at a time, beating until smooth and creamy, creating a luscious frosting texture.
- Flavor and Color: Mix in the LorAnn Buttered Popcorn Flavor along with yellow and orange gel food colors to achieve the desired buttery popcorn hue and taste.
- Frost and Garnish: Frost the cooled cupcakes generously with the Swiss meringue buttercream and garnish the tops with prepared movie theater-style popcorn for authentic flavor and a fun presentation.
Notes
- Use room temperature ingredients to ensure smooth batter and frosting.
- Be careful not to overmix the batter to keep cupcakes tender.
- Ensure the egg whites and sugar mixture reaches 160°F to safely pasteurize the eggs.
- Adjust gel food colors gradually for your preferred shade without altering flavor.
- Store cupcakes in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days or refrigerate for longer shelf life.
- Bring refrigerated cupcakes to room temperature before serving for best texture.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cupcake
- Calories: 350 kcal
- Sugar: 30 g
- Sodium: 180 mg
- Fat: 22 g
- Saturated Fat: 13 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 7 g
- Trans Fat: 0.5 g
- Carbohydrates: 35 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 4 g
- Cholesterol: 70 mg
Keywords: buttered popcorn cupcakes, popcorn flavored cupcakes, Swiss meringue buttercream, party cupcakes, unique cupcake flavors, movie theater popcorn dessert