-Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Line cupcake pan with paper liners.
-Combine the flour, baking powder, baking soda, cocoa and salt. Whisk these together. Set aside.
-Cream together the butter and sugar until light and fluffy in a large bowl.
-Add the eggs one at a time, beating after each addition. Add in the vanilla.
-Alternate by adding the flour mixture with the milk; beating after each addition.
-Fill the lined cupcake tins 3/4 full.
-Bake at 350 degrees for 20 to 25 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the cake comes out clean.
-Allow to cool in cupcake pan for 10 minutes.
-Move to a wire rack to cool completely.
Frosting Directions
-Cream the butter and powder sugar until it is light and creamy.
-If it doesn't cream add several drops of the heavy whipping cream until it creams.
-Test to see if the frosting can form and hold a stiff peak by taking a spoonful of frosting and turning the spoon upside down. If the frosting stays on the spoon it is ready if not then.
- Add more powder sugar 1/2 C at a time. Mix well.
-If ready scoop the frosting into a pastry bag with a large tip.
-Twist the open end of the pastry bag to push the frosting to the tip.
-Start by frosting on the outside edge of the cupcake working to the center of the cupcake.
Icing Directions
-Combine all ingredients in a mixing bowl. Mix on medium speed for 4 minutes. (except your food coloring)
-If icing is not stiff enough add 1/4 C powder sugar.
- Spoon the icing into a bowl.
-Take out 1/4 of the icing and put in a separate bowl. Add several drops of red gel food coloring. Stir well to mix the color.
-Add several drops of the green gel food coloring to the remaining icing . Stir well to mix the color.
-Spoon the green icing into a piping bag with a star tip. Holding the piping bag with the star tip straight down begin to squeeze the open end of the bag to force the icing to the tip.
-Circle the frosting on top of the cupcake making in the shape of a wreath. Allow this to dry for about 1 minute.
-Spoon the red icing into a piping bag with a small round tip.
-Following the example from the picture of the cupcakes begin making small red dots on top of the green wreath. Then make a bow also in the red icing.