# What You'll Need:
→ Cupcakes
01 - 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
02 - 1 cup granulated sugar
03 - 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
04 - 2 large eggs, room temperature
05 - 1/2 cup whole milk, room temperature
06 - 1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
07 - 1/4 teaspoon salt
08 - 2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
→ Buttercream Frosting
09 - 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
10 - 2 cups powdered sugar, sifted
11 - 2 tablespoons milk
12 - 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
13 - Pinch of salt
→ Fondant Graduation Caps
14 - 4 ounces black fondant
15 - 2 ounces yellow fondant or yellow licorice strings
16 - 1 tablespoon water, for assembling fondant decorations
# Method:
01 - Preheat oven to 350°F. Line a 12-cup muffin tin with cupcake liners.
02 - In a medium mixing bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt until well blended.
03 - In a large bowl, beat unsalted butter and granulated sugar with an electric mixer until pale and fluffy. Add eggs one at a time, mixing thoroughly after each addition. Incorporate vanilla extract.
04 - Alternately add dry mixture and milk to the creamed butter mixture, starting and finishing with dry ingredients. Mix gently until just combined.
05 - Divide batter evenly into cupcake liners. Bake for 18–20 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. Cool fully on a wire rack.
06 - Beat unsalted butter in a mixing bowl until creamy. Gradually incorporate sifted powdered sugar. Add milk, vanilla extract, and a pinch of salt. Beat until smooth and light.
07 - Pipe or spread buttercream frosting onto fully cooled cupcakes.
08 - Roll out black fondant to approximately 1/8 inch thickness. Cut 12 small squares, each about 1 inch wide. Roll and flatten small balls for cap bases. Secure squares to bases with a dab of water.
09 - Roll yellow fondant or licorice strings into thin ropes for graduation tassels. Attach each tassel to the top center of each cap with a small amount of water.
10 - Gently place one fondant graduation cap on top of each frosted cupcake before serving.
