Ingredients:
For the Cupcakes:
- 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 3/4 cup granulated sugar
- 1/2 tsp baking soda
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1 large egg
- 1/2 cup blood orange extra virgin olive oil (EVOO)
- 1/2 cup buttermilk
- 1 tsp Gravenstein Apple Balsamic
- Zest of 1 blood orange
For the Frosting:
- 1 cup unsalted butter, at room temperature
- 3-4 cups powdered sugar, sifted
- 2-3 tbsp blood orange juice (freshly squeezed from a blood orange)
- 1 tsp Gravenstein Apple Balsamic
- Pinch of salt
For the Fondant Witch Hats:
- Black fondant (store-bought or homemade...you can get in just about any store craft section)
- A small round cookie cutter
- A small cone or triangle-shaped object to shape the hat’s top
Instructions:
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a muffin tin with cupcake liners.
- In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, sugar, baking soda, and salt.
- In another bowl, beat the egg with the blood orange EVOO, buttermilk, balsamic, and blood orange zest.
- Gradually add the wet ingredients to the dry ingredients, stirring until just combined.
- Divide the batter evenly among the cupcake liners, filling each about 2/3 full.
- Bake for 18-20 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
- Allow the cupcakes to cool in the pan for 5 minutes, then transfer them to a wire rack to cool completely.
For the Frosting:
- In a large bowl, beat the butter until creamy.
- Gradually add the powdered sugar, one cup at a time, beating well after each addition.
- Add the blood orange juice, balsamic, and a pinch of salt. Continue to beat until the frosting is smooth and creamy.
- Once the cupcakes are completely cool, frost them with the blood orange buttercream.
For the Fondant Witch Hats:
- Roll out the black fondant on a surface dusted with powdered sugar to prevent sticking.
- Use the round cookie cutter to cut out circles. These will form the brim of your witch hats.
- Shape small amounts of fondant into cones or triangles to create the top of the witch hat.
- Assemble the hats by attaching the cones/triangles to the center of the circles using a tiny bit of water to help them stick (if your really creative, you can make the buckle using another color fondant).
- Place a witch hat on top of each cupcake, gently pressing down to secure.