If you are looking for a charming and delicious treat that will light up any party or family gathering, the Polar Bear Cupcakes Recipe will be your new go-to sweet delight. These cupcakes combine soft, fluffy vanilla cake with a rich and creamy frosting, decorated to resemble the cutest polar bears you’ve ever seen. This recipe not only tastes amazing but also adds a playful, whimsical touch that’s perfect for kids and adults alike. Once you try this Polar Bear Cupcakes Recipe, it’s hard not to fall in love with both the taste and the presentation!
Ingredients You’ll Need
The beauty of the Polar Bear Cupcakes Recipe lies in its use of simple, everyday ingredients, yet each one plays a crucial role in building the fantastic flavor and texture that make these cupcakes so special. From the soft flour base to the sweet powdered sugar frosting, every element matters.
- Flour (1 ½ cups): The foundation of our cupcakes, providing the perfect tender crumb.
- Baking powder (1 tsp): Helps the cupcakes rise to a soft, fluffy texture.
- Baking soda (¼ tsp): Balances acidity for a light crumb.
- Kosher salt (¼ tsp): Enhances all the flavors, making the cupcake taste balanced.
- Whole milk (2/3 cup): Adds moisture and creaminess to the batter.
- Pure vanilla extract (1 ½ tsp + 1 tbsp): Gives that warm, sweet aroma and flavor that makes vanilla cupcakes irresistible.
- Unsalted butter (½ cup + 1 cup softened): Creates rich batter and a silky frosting.
- Sugar (1 cup): Sweetens and adds tenderness to the cake.
- Large egg (1) and egg whites (2): Bind the batter and contribute to lightness.
- Powdered sugar (4 ½ cups): The key to a smooth, sweet frosting perfect for decorating.
- Heavy whipping cream (4 tbsp): Adds creaminess and helps achieve that perfect frosting consistency.
- Edible black pearl sprinkles: Perfect for creating adorable eyes and nose details.
- White sanding sugar (1 – 8 oz): Adds sparkle and texture on the frosting.
- Ghirardelli white melting wafers (1 – 30 oz): Used for crafting the polar bear’s ears and nose in a fun and tasty way.
How to Make Polar Bear Cupcakes Recipe
Step 1: Preparing the Batter
Start by preheating your oven to 325 degrees Fahrenheit and lining your cupcake pan with paper liners. Whisk together all dry ingredients in one bowl and mix the milk with vanilla in another. This step ensures even distribution of leavening agents and flavor throughout your batter, creating a perfect base for your cupcakes.
Step 2: Creaming Butter and Sugar
Using a stand mixer, beat the softened butter with sugar until light and fluffy. This process is essential as it incorporates air into the batter, making your cupcakes delightfully soft. Adding eggs one at a time and beating well ensures the batter becomes smooth and creamy, preparing it for the dry and wet ingredient mixing.
Step 3: Combining Ingredients
Carefully alternate adding the flour mixture and the milk mixture to your creamed butter, sugar, and eggs, blending until just mixed after each addition. Overmixing can make cupcakes dense, so gentle folding is key for light texture. Pour the batter evenly into your liners and bake for about 18 to 20 minutes, or until the cupcakes are lightly golden and a toothpick comes out clean.
Step 4: Creating the Frosting
While your cupcakes are baking and cooling, prepare the frosting. Beat softened butter with vanilla, then slowly add powdered sugar until combined. Adding the heavy cream at the end creates a luscious, smooth frosting that’s perfect for shaping into the polar bear’s fluffy face.
Step 5: Forming the Polar Bear’s Face
Spread a thick mound of frosting on each cupcake. Using a piping bag fitted with a small tip, pipe a dollop of frosting onto a white melting wafer, which will act as the bear’s ears. Press the ‘ears’ onto the frosting mound, careful to position them with a natural angle, creating an adorable bear silhouette.
Step 6: Adding Features
Next, place another wafer in the center of the frosting mound as the nose base, pipe a little frosting on top to add dimension, then sprinkle the cupcake liberally with white sanding sugar for a frosted, snowy look. This step really brings the polar bear to life with a magical wintery appearance.
Step 7: Finishing Touches with Edible Pearls
Finally, add the edible black pearl sprinkles: two larger ones above the nose for eyes and a smaller one on the wafer nose. Press them gently into the frosting to secure them, and there you have it—the cutest, tastiest Polar Bear Cupcakes Recipe completed!
How to Serve Polar Bear Cupcakes Recipe
Garnishes
Polar Bear Cupcakes look stunning on their own, but you can elevate them with a dusting of powdered sugar resembling fresh snow or a small edible silver star on the side for a frosty sparkle. Fresh mint leaves can also add a pop of color if you want a little contrast against the white.
Side Dishes
Serve these cupcakes alongside a hot cup of cocoa or a cold glass of milk to enhance the cozy, wintery feel they evoke. A bowl of fresh berries or winter fruits like cranberries and pomegranate seeds can offer a refreshing burst that complements the sweetness wonderfully.
Creative Ways to Present
Arrange the cupcakes on a white platter sprinkled with coconut flakes for a snow-covered effect, or place them individually in clear mini boxes tied with blue ribbon for charming party favors. Kids will especially love when you create a little polar bear picnic with small snowflake cookies scattered around.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
You can store leftover Polar Bear Cupcakes covered tightly in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days. If your home is warm, refrigeration is better but expect the frosting to firm up, which you can gently soften before serving.
Freezing
These cupcakes freeze beautifully if you want to prep ahead. Freeze them unfrosted in a single layer in a container. When ready, thaw completely before frosting and decorating. Frosted cupcakes can also be frozen but wrap them well to protect the decorations.
Reheating
For the freshest experience, serve these cupcakes at room temperature. If refrigerated or frozen, allow them to come to room temperature for about 30 minutes. Avoid microwaving as it can melt the frosting and alter the delicate decorations.
FAQs
Can I use regular sugar instead of powdered sugar for the frosting?
Powdered sugar is essential for smooth frosting texture, so regular sugar would not dissolve well and could make the frosting grainy. Stick to powdered sugar for the best results.
What can I substitute for white melting wafers?
If white melting wafers are not available, you can use large white chocolate chips or small white candy melts. They should be large enough to create the ears and nose shapes comfortably.
Is there a dairy-free version of this Polar Bear Cupcakes Recipe?
You can substitute dairy ingredients with coconut milk and vegan butter alternatives. Ensure your chocolate wafers are dairy-free, too. These swaps work well but may slightly change the frosting texture.
How do I keep the cupcakes moist?
Don’t overbake by checking with a toothpick early, and store cupcakes covered at room temperature. Adding the milk and using butter as per the recipe ensures a moist crumb.
Can I make these cupcakes in different flavors?
Absolutely! While vanilla is classic here, try adding cocoa powder for chocolate bears or a touch of peppermint extract for a festive twist. Just adjust the dry ingredients accordingly.
Final Thoughts
The Polar Bear Cupcakes Recipe is a delightful way to bring smiles and sweetness into any celebration. They are fun to make and even more fun to share, turning ordinary cupcakes into a charming, memorable dessert. Give this recipe a try—you’ll be amazed how simple ingredients and a little creativity can transform into a truly magical treat.
Print
Polar Bear Cupcakes Recipe
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Total Time: 40 minutes
- Yield: 16 cupcakes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Description
Delightfully whimsical Polar Bear Cupcakes featuring moist vanilla cupcakes topped with smooth vanilla buttercream and decorated with white melting wafers and edible pearl sprinkles to create an adorable polar bear face. Perfect for parties and winter-themed celebrations.
Ingredients
Cupcake Batter
- 1 ½ cups all-purpose flour
- 1 tsp baking powder
- ¼ tsp baking soda
- ¼ tsp kosher salt
- 2/3 cup whole milk
- 1 ½ tsp pure vanilla extract
- ½ cup unsalted butter, slightly softened
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1 large egg
- 2 large egg whites
Vanilla Buttercream Frosting
- 4 ½ cups powdered sugar
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1 tbsp pure vanilla extract
- 4 tbsp heavy whipping cream
Decorations
- Edible black pearl sprinkles (large size and smaller size)
- 2 – 8 oz white sanding sugar packets
- 1 – 30 oz bag Ghirardelli white melting wafers
Instructions
- Preheat and Prepare: Preheat your oven to 325°F (163°C). Line a 12-cup cupcake pan with paper liners. In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt until evenly combined. In a small bowl, mix the whole milk and vanilla extract together.
- Cream Butter and Sugar: Using a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, beat the slightly softened butter and granulated sugar on medium-high speed for 2 to 3 minutes until the mixture is light and fluffy.
- Add Eggs: Reduce mixer speed to medium-low. Slowly add the egg and egg whites, one at a time, beating well after each addition until creamy, about 1 to 2 minutes.
- Combine Mixtures: Gradually add half of the dry flour mixture, followed by the milk mixture, then the remaining flour mixture. Beat after each addition just until blended – do not overmix.
- Bake Cupcakes: Divide the cupcake batter evenly among the lined cupcake cavities. Bake for 18 to 20 minutes, or until the tops are just dry to the touch and a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Let cupcakes cool completely before frosting.
- Make Buttercream: In a standing mixer with a paddle attachment, cream together the softened butter and vanilla extract until smooth and combined. Add 2 cups of powdered sugar on low speed until combined; the frosting will appear grainy like pebbles. Add remaining powdered sugar gradually, increasing speed to medium and mixing well. Add heavy whipping cream and continue to beat until the frosting is smooth and light.
- Frost Cupcakes: Scoop a generous mound of frosting onto each cooled cupcake and use a cake spatula to smooth it into a thick rounded mound.
- Create Bear Ears: Spoon some frosting into a piping bag. Take a Ghirardelli white melting wafer and put a dollop of frosting on top of it. Attach the wafer onto one top corner of the frosting mound to form one ear. Repeat for the other side to form the second ear.
- Make the Bear Nose: Place a wafer in the center of the frosting mound as the nose. Pipe a small dollop of frosting on top of it.
- Apply White Sanding Sugar: Over a bowl to catch excess, sprinkle the cupcake in white sanding sugar gently until coated. This adds a snowy effect and texture.
- Add Eyes and Nose Details: Use two large black pearl sprinkles as eyes, placing them above the nose and pressing gently into the frosting. Use a slightly smaller black pearl sprinkle on the wafer nose for the nose detail.
- Serve and Enjoy: Let the decorated cupcakes set briefly to ensure the decorations hold, then serve your adorable Polar Bear Cupcakes and enjoy!
Notes
- Make sure cupcakes are completely cooled before frosting to prevent melting the buttercream.
- Work over a bowl when applying sanding sugar to avoid excess mess.
- You can store frosted cupcakes in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days or refrigerate for up to 4 days.
- If white sanding sugar is unavailable, finely granulated sugar can be used as a substitute but effects may vary.
- For best results, use fresh unsalted butter at room temperature for both batter and frosting.
