In collaboration with We Bake, the community that rewards you for baking.
When it comes to birthday parties it has been known for me, on occasion, to go completely over the top. I absolutely love baking birthday cakes and will spend days carefully crafting sugar paste decorations for my own children’s celebration cakes.
Regular readers will know that I am turning 40 at the end of this year. In my ideal world I would love to throw a huge murder mystery masquerade party, inviting all of my favourite people to a perfectly themed venue such as a Victorian mansion. In reality, since I don’t actually know anyone who would arrange such a thing for me (or have access to such a venue – the village hall really won’t cut it!), and as I haven’t got the time (read: inclination) to do it myself I’ll likely just celebrate at home quietly with my family, cupcakes and a bottle (or two) of something bubbly.
So, with all my daydreaming of murder mystery masquerade parties I recently created these fantastic chocolate fudge masquerade party cupcakes. They’re rather indulgent with a tower of bourbon vanilla buttercream, a hidden rich chocolate centre and carefully handcrafted dark chocolate masquerade masks. Gold sprinkles finish them off perfectly, I think, giving them a touch of sophistication. Cupcakes for grownups.
To make the masquerade masks I used my Lekue decomat. It’s a little silicone tub with a nozzle. You fill the tub with melted chocolate and draw chocolate shapes onto a translucent silicone mat. I found an outline of a masquerade mask that I liked online, saved it to my computer and used it to create a printable template to place behind the silicone mat.
The chocolate takes awhile to harden (I tend to pop them outside in the cool breeze!) but once they have you can peel them off and use them to decorate the tops of the cupcakes. Just make sure not to put them into direct sunlight or the chocolate will melt and the masks will droop – I learned this the hard way!
I’ve since learned that you can buy a gold coloured edible shimmer spray from Dr. Oetker – this would have been a perfect finishing touch for the chocolate toppers with a touch of shimmery gold on the outside edges.
They’re rather effective cupcake toppers though, don’t you think? My husband says they have a ‘come and eat me, you know you want to!” air!
I’ve recently joined a new online community that’s just launched this month – it’s called ‘We Bake’ and it’s a community that rewards you for baking. We Bake is the first baking-only social media platform and it’s designed not only to celebrate baking but also to coach and motivate bakers like you and I to do more of what we love. Imagine a mix between Facebook and Instagram, but with 100% baking content, and that’s what We Bake hope to achieve.
As We Bake is a community for bakers of any level everyone (that means YOU!) can share all things baking and get in contact with others bakers from all over the country. Simply create your own profile and follow any other bakers who take your fancy. You can even win prizes and get access to exclusive events through community challenges.
The first community challenge that I’m taking part in is The Cupcake Champion challenge. We Bake are looking for the community’s best cupcake bakers. Entrants will have the chance to win one of six unique medals (i.e. most colourful, most fun, most delicate, etc.) Those lucky six will then be invited to a baking masterclass hosted by a cupcake guru. While at the event they will each have to recreate their cupcakes (or bring it with them) and the cupcake guru will crown the overall winner, who will receive a specially made’ ‘Cupcake Cup’ and a weekend break to visit London’s best baking hotspots.
How exciting is that?! That would not be a bad way to spend my 40th birthday…. 😉
In the meantime, here’s my rather indulgent chocolate fudge masquerade cupcake recipe! See you over on We Bake!
Chocolate Fudge Masquerade Party Cupcakes
Ingredients
for the chocolate fudge cupcakes
- 150 grams plain flour sifted
- 3/4 tsp bicarbonate of soda
- 90 grams dark muscovado sugar
- 90 grams granulated sugar
- 30 grams cocoa powder
- 115 ml water
- 60 grams butter
- 75 ml full fat milk
- 1/2 tsp apple cider vinegar
- 1 large free-range egg beaten
- 1/2 tsp Madagascar bourbon vanilla bean paste
for the bourbon vanilla buttercream
- 225 grams butter
- 450 grams icing sugar
- 1.5 tsp Madagascar bourbon vanilla bean paste
- 3 tbsp full fat milk
for the chocolate masquerade masks
- 100 grams dark chocolate at least 72% cocoa solids
for the filling & sprinkles
- 140 grams Dr. Oetker Surprise Inside Cupcake Centre Rich Chocolate Flavour optional
- gold sprinkles optional
Affiliate Links
This recipe card may contain affiliate ingredient and equipment links. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 190 C/ 170 fan/ 375 F/ gas mark 5 and line a 12 hole muffin tin with paper cupcake cases.
- Sift together the flour, bicarbonate of soda and sugars together in a large mixing bowl.
- Melt the cocoa powder, water and butter over a low heat in a small saucepan. Do not allow this mixture to boil.
- Mix the milk and vinegar together and set aside a few minutes to curdle.
- Add the chocolate mixture, the milk, egg and vanilla to the dry ingredients and whisk until thoroughly combined. The batter will be thin.
- Spoon into the prepared baking cakes and bake in the centre of the oven for 20 minutes, until well risen and springy.
- Leave to cool for five minutes in the tin and then squeeze in the Dr. Oetker cupcake filler. Transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.
- To prepare the masquerade masks find an image online that you like and print out an A4 sheet with 12 copies of the image on it.
- Break the chocolate and melt in a heatproof bowl suspended over a pan of barely simmering water.
- Place a clear silicone mat (or waxed paper) over the printout of the masks and spoon the chocolate into a piping bottle fitted with a small nozzle. Carefully draw over the paper mask template. Set aside in a cool place for at least an hour to harden (don't refrigerate them as they will attract condensation at room temperature).
- To prepare the frosting beat together all the ingredients until light and creamy. Frost the cupcakes using a large star nozzle and sprinkle over the gold sprinkles, if using.
- Arrange a chocolate masquerade mask on the top of the cupcakes and serve!
Environmental Information
SHARING WITH SOME FOOD BLOGGING LINKIES
Recipe of the Week by A Mummy Too
Treat Petite by CakeyBoi and The Baking Explorer
We Should Cocoa by Tin & Thyme
This is a commissioned recipe for We Bake, although all thoughts and opinions expressed are our own. Thank you for supporting the brands who make it possible for me to do what I love: mess up my kitchen and share recipe stories!
[color-box]
Have you made this recipe?
Take a photo and tag @tangoraindrop or use the hashtag #elizabethskitchendiary and share on Instagram and Twitter. It would make my day to see your creations!
[/color-box]
Review: Our Weekly Top Five Picks
»
Oh my goodness these are so freaking cute! If I was more talented I would attempt them, haha, but I would definitely pay for these!
xoxo
Tyler
http://www.feeltheesunlight.com/
these look very tasty and dare I say, sexy. I’ve always wanted to have a masquerade ball for my birthday. These cupcakes would be perfect but, I doubt they’d look that good if i made them myself….lol.
These cupcakes are adorable! I love the golden accents on them to make them really ready for a party.
Looks amazing! I’m sure it’s delicious as well
You are so talented! These cupcakes looks too cute and pretty to be eaten. I love cute things and this cupcake is amaze-ball. Just pinned it!
These look so delicious! They will make a perfect New Years treat as well!
Happy birthday! The cupcakes look yummy! I wish I could bake 😀
Wow! The cupcake looks so tempting and yum.Thanks for the recipe.
These cupcakes are perfect for the New Year! I think it’s awesome that you made little masks for the topping as well. I’m not sure if I could pull that off but these are amazing!
I seriously love stopping by your blog because of the theme, layout, and beautiful pictures. The cupcakes look so fun, delicious and cute.
Wow! You did an amazing job on the cupcakes. I would love to make this recipe!
xoxo
Isaly Holland
These look amazing! So gorgeous! I don’t know if I could ever make something this pretty, but I’d love to try
Omg!! These cupcakes are so fancy and I would love to enjoy some me time with one a cup of my chai latte.
I would pig out on these, big time! They look so delicious.
Yummers. Nice photography as well
Those are so cute! What a fun idea for a party. They would be cute with color too.
Oh my goodness, a recipe for cupcakes. I should get baking, I love the photos. Thank you for sharing.
Divine
http://www.ladiesmakemoney.com
These cupcakes are sure to be a hit at any party especially New Years, They look so yummy wish I had one right in front of me 🙂
These are wonderful and such a novel idea. Would definitely be good for a grown up party 😀
There’s no doubt you are the star baker Elizabeth. These cakes are just stunning and I’m so in love the the chocolate masks. I hoe you had something equally befitting for your birthday. Thanks for sharing with We Should Cocoa.
I’m running a bit behind this month due to my advent calendar, but the round-up and new linky should be up later today.
Thanks for entering these into Treat Petite – the masks are fantastic and the cupcakes sound so decadent!
That looks beautiful! I will try to make it myself, however I am afraid I wont manage to do the mask 🙁 but will give it a go.
These look so delicious! I love the mask decorations – they look amazing!
Omg. These look so amazing and delicious.
Amazing! The cupcakes have inspired me to stretch my imagination and think of something “special” for New Year’s Eve.
These look so sophisticated and yummy! Something rarely seen with a cupcake to be honest- they look fab!
These cupcakes are a piece of art! Beyond amazing!
They look just far too amazing to eat and I love the way you have used the mask x
Wow! You are an artist! These look so fancy :), perfect your your birthday!
We Bake sounds like a very cool platform, need to check it out!
Ohhh these are so cute! I love your little masks on top. I suppose you could use the same technique to make all kinds of shapes – brilliant idea!
We Bake sounds like a fun platform to join. This cupcakes look epic. So simple, yet full of impact.
Firstly those cupcakes look amazing! I adore the masquerade masks! Secondly I love the idea of the baking community where you can win medals and classes. Genius idea!!
Beautifully displayed and prepared. Like the bourbon in the buttercream! Very nice with the chocolate.
These are soooo gorgeous! And I love the extra flair you added with the gold foil liners. So cute!
These look amazing! I love the idea of We Bake too as I never bake.
Wow, not only do these look yummy but your photography is on point. Would you like to come and bake for me?
These cupcakes look absolutely gorgeous, and I bet they are very delicious as well. I love the concept of a community based around baking. Social media + Baking = goodness!
We Bake looks very interesting, thank you for introducing me to it. These masquerade cupcakes look divine, I was fascinated to read about how you made the masks.
Yummy recipe! I do love a good cupcake, it’s right up there with brownies! H x
These cakes are look fabulous!
Your ideal party sounds amazing, it really does … but cupcakes at home with something bubbly sounds pretty awesome, too!
Anna x
Oh wow these look amazing and almost too good to eat… well almost, I bet they taste amazing! x
the masquerade is the perfect finisher to these. beautiful cupcakes
looks absolutely delightful. I just love the chocolate mask, debating if i would eat it first or save it?!!
Ah, these look lovely! I love the little masks! (They remind me of Zorro!)
What a cute cupcake. It’s like an adult version of a “party cupcake”. Love the little mask…so cute.
They are beautiful – I love the sound of your chocolate piping. We have a set of silver, gold and white shiny sugar sprinkles that are great for this sort of thing but Sylvia tries to sneak them onto her pancakes instead!!!! You might not get your masquerade birthday party but I hope you make something spectacular for your cake – if I would closer I would definitely make you the castle cake!!!!
The cup cakes look amzing. great for a party.
Oh my goodness these are just gorgeous and I am going to share them everywhere… just amazing!
Your cupcakes look amazing! They are so elegantly decorated and would make the center piece for any table.
The cakes look adorable and I love the idea of getting inspiration from other bakers to bake delicious cakes.
Wowza, these look fab. Thanks for sharing, I might try !
Wow these look absolutely incredible – it’s made me so hungry reading this post!
These look incredible! I wish I was a baker!x
these look something right out of a fairytale! love them! And that little masquerade is an amazing addition!
These look lovely – I like the picture of one that looks like it’s actually on the stage!
The cupcakes look beautiful I love cooking in the kitchen although recently I have not had much time which is a shame. I would love to try making these though.
Love these so much, those masks put me in mind of a magical visit to Venice for the Carnevale di Venezia — one day I will go at that time of year!
I am totally in love with your chocolate masquerade masks – I did gasp a little bit when I saw them! So sophisticated and elegant, the perfect grown up cake (bourbon vanilla buttercream sounds pretty amazing too!)
Wow chocolate fudge sounds amazing and the little masquerade chocolate bits look so cute x
Cute masks you piped! Know what you mean by wanting to be made a fuss of. 40 is a great milestone after all. I had fantasies of celebrating my 30th on some Thai beach sipping cocktails. Instead I had a nutty toddler plus a baby on my lap, watching daytime TV, while trying to spot my marbles scattered around the house. Go on, bugger off and treat yourself – go on another bike trip or something!
These look absolutely stunning! Almost too good to eat! x
The cupcakes look too pretty to eat. Love this.
Really love the look of these! So spooky and tasty at the same time!
These look amazing! Especially for a party. I really need to start baking more
I love baking cupcakes but find piping hard. I do love the masquerade theme and think you did an amazing job creating the masks.
Oh my! They look amazing 😀 so elegant and sophisticated. I think I want to make these for my next birthday!
The app sounds great. A fab idea for keen bakers. Those cupcakes look amazing x
You are so talented – everything I see on your blog is like pure food p0rn! x
Oh these look gorgeous and super tasty! Perfect for the party I’m planning!
These look so beautiful! Perfect for a party!!
I’ve heard a lot about this website, first from MyVirginKitchen on youtube, and now you! Congrats! You’ve both sold me haha!
These look so beautiful and just inviting to eat with the little masks! And the fact that they’re chocolate fudge cupcakes is definitely not a bad thing!
OMG They are beautiful I don’t think I could eat them and I know if I attempted to make them the wouldn’t look anywhere near as good as this. Amazing
These look SO yummy and I love the masquerade party design. They’re so effective! xxx
WOW! Those pictures are AMAZING! Super clear! These look so good! I love murder mystery dinners! That would be so fun! Happy birthday!!
Those are amazing looking cupcakes. Too beautiful to eat! I think they’ll make a lovely centrepiece on any occasion table too 🙂
I love the sound of We Bake, social media centred around cakes, what’s not to love! Beautiful cake toppers you’ve made too. Jo x
What a fun idea! Back in high school, my senior prom was a masquerade theme so this brings back so many memories. These cupcakes are absolutely gorgeous
Oh my goodness these cupcakes look utterly divine I need these in my life! And love the masquerade theme..I would hold a masquerade ball just so I could eat these!
I wish I was as talented as you in making cupcakes. I got mostly inspired by the darker picture with the cupcake in the center and the light on it. Your cupcakes are definitely the right party food, they look rather exquisite and grande. That’s a great share, thank you!
These are so beautiful, I adore the masks on the top, and the flavours would be stunning too.
Quite charming cupcakes ♥
These are absolutely fantastic. You’re making me want to bake, extremely talented! x
They look so pretty! Love your masquerade cupcakes and the little chocolate mask is very clever!
These look amazing! I love making cupcakes they are possibly my favourite thing to bake because you can do so much with them!